Taman Sari Bali Resort & Spa

Guests who arrive at the beachfront Taman Sari Bali Resort & Spa are greeted in a spacious open-air pavilion dominated by woods and light-brown hues, decorative netting, cushioned wooden benches, and a central driftwood table. This style continues throughout the public areas, as well as the rooms, which feature both modern furnishings and Balinese decor -- all set amid lush tropical gardens. Leisure and relaxation are key here, as evidenced by the two swimming pools, indoor and outdoor spa, and beachfront restaurant. While the beach in front of the resort has attractive golden sand, it's occasionally littered with trash. Most guests here are couples seeking an intimate beachside getaway, with some families and groups of friends on snorkeling or diving trips thrown into the mix.

Nestled between the mountains and the sea, overlooking the scenic Pemuteran Bay on Bali’s northwest coast, Taman Sari is removed from the hustle and bustle of the island’s busy tourist enclaves. The resort is a four-hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport and just over half-an-hour drive from the West Bali National Park. It's one hour by boat from Menjangan island. The resort is right next to the Bali Diving Academy Pemuteran and a short stroll from several small restaurants.

The 52 attractive rooms are split between Villas, Suites, and Cottages, all with contemporary wood furniture, Balinese-style linens, and furnished outdoor spaces. The six gorgeous Villas come with up to four bedrooms, fully equipped kitchenettes, living rooms, private pools, and koi ponds, as well as spacious bathrooms that have open-air showers and bathtubs. The tropical gardens feature day beds with pond and mountain views. Guests can reserve entire villas or individual suites, in which case the living rooms, pools, and kitchenette areas might be shared with other guests. 

The resort offers six Suite types, each individually decorated with stone and marble features, tiled floors, and elements such as antiques and intricately carved wooden panels. Two suites on the second floor feature terraces that overlook the ocean and mountains, while the other four come with cozy terraces. While some of them are quite modern, others feature a traditional Balinese design with thatched roofs and semi-outdoor bathrooms. In addition, there are three older Balinese style cottages with terraces and heavy wooden shutters, either overlooking the ocean or the tropical garden. 

Standard amenities include air-conditioning, in-rooms safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. On the downside, some rooms are showing signs of wear such as stained sheets and scuffed furniture. Mosquitoes can also be a problem in the rooms due to the ponds on the property, although coils are put out each evening and many beds have netting. Note that Junior Suites lack flat-screen TVs.

One of the most notable features here is that the resort is committed to the Biorock International Coral Reef Restoration, which is revitalizing the coral destroyed by global warming. Visitors can see the dramatic results by snorkeling off the beach right in from of the resort. On the downside, some guests have reported that the beach is not very clean due to litter brought in from the ocean. The open-air Poleng Beachfront Restaurant serves three meals a day, with an outstanding buffet breakfast included in the room price. Guests can choose from well-reviewed international, continental, and Balinese fare. 

Adjacent to the restaurant, the main swimming pool overlooks the beach and the ocean, with a bar located just to its right. The large, freeform pool is surrounded by sunken round seating areas with thatched umbrellas, oversized daybeds, and cushioned cabanas. There is also a small rectangular pool surrounded by loungers. The beach bar features low tables with cushioned seating and high tables with stools. Bamboo branches suspended from the ceiling add a decorative touch. 

The resort’s spa offers a range of traditional Balinese massages, facials, and body scrubs, either indoors or right on the beach. There is no gym, however, nor any kid-centric facilities, though this may be a pro for some. The resort can arrange trips to nearby temples, West Bali National Park, Singaraja, or snorkeling or diving trips to Menjangan Island. Wi-Fi is free throughout.