The Lovina

The atmosphere in and around this resort is laid back, and the relaxed pace in the surrounding village is infectious. When compared to the natural surroundings, the property's contemporary architecture might not seem like a natural fit, but it will please most travelers with its simple and sharp aesthetic. This is the kind of place where the calm and relaxed setting around the pool and along the black-sand beach create the perfect environment to kick back with a good book. During the heat of the day, the pool and beach area are teeming with guests, but as the sun goes down the mood turns romantic and serene. Intimate dining tables are lined up along the beach overlooking the surf, and the picturesque setting turns particularly dreamy during sunset. The center of the property is covered in sprawling gardens planted with grass, colorful tropical flowers, palms, and towering trees. It all comes together to create a lovely setting the unsurprisingly draws plenty of couples in search of romance, though families also come here for the spacious villas. 

The hotel is located in Lovina, which is a sleepy beach town with limited restaurants, nightlife, and shopping options, especially when compared to the highly developed areas of Kuta and Seminyak in Bali's south. Convenience stores, ATMs, a few dining options, and a traditional market are all within a five- to 15-minute walk of the hotel. The hotel offers free shuttle services to areas within Lovina, and it's a short five- to 10-minute drive from the hotel to the most popular restaurants and bars in Lovina, such as Kantin21 and the trendy Spice Beach Club. The town is also well known for dolphin watching -- tours that leave at sunrise can be booked directly through the hotel or at one of the numerous tour operators nearby. Other ocean activities in Lovina include fishing, sailing, and snorkeling. Waterfall and hiking tours are also popular in this part of Bali. Gitgit Waterfall is a 40-minute drive away from the hotel, and although it's stunning, it can can be a overrun with tourists. Alternatively, the nearby Singsing Waterfall is much smaller, less crowded, and only a 20-minute drive away. The hotel takes around three hours to reach along scenic mountain roads from Kuta, Seminyak, and the airport.

Room types range from simple Studios or Suites to large Villas with lots of bells and whistles. Decor is contemporary and restrained, with inviting interiors that are spotlessly clean. Walls are plain, lightly colored, and sparsely decorated with Balinese paintings and carvings. Furniture has clean lines and a shabby-chic veneer, including white washed tables, chairs, bed frames, and wardrobes. Villas also contain comfortable upholstered couches not found in the suites, but the light colors throughout all rooms are perfectly appropriate for the seaside setting. 

While the intimate one-bedroom villas are well suited to couples, the two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas are great options for families or groups. Our favorite villas were -- without a doubt -- those that had ocean views. Mornings are particularly tranquil, and as the sleepy fishing village comes to life and local fisherman ready their nets and small jukung fishing boats for the early catch. Garden Villa layouts mimic Balinese compounds -- a cluster of bungalows with kitchens, bedrooms, and living-rooms in separate buildings that are centered around pool. All villas are spacious, ranging from 1,350 to 2,980 square feet (125 to 276 square meters) and include tropical gardens and plunge pools. 

Standard features in all units include living areas (not separate in Studios) outfitted with 42-inch flat-screen TVs and DVD players, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safes, minibars, and terraces. Suites and villas also feature well-equipped kitchens with stoves, microwaves, and large fridges. Bathrooms are modern as well, but mostly compact, with square vessel sinks, glass stall showers, and a decent amount of storage space. Some villas offers bathrooms with separate soaking tubs. Rooms located near the main pool offer great ocean views, but can be a little noisier during day compared to the rooms elsewhere in the hotel.

The resort has plenty of facilities that are well suited to both couples and families with children. The black-sand beach has a relaxed atmosphere and plenty lounge chairs and towels laid out. The waters are calmer than other parts of Bali, though families with small children should stay vigilant as there are no lifeguards on duty. Though North Bali doesn't have surfing waves, there are still many other beach activities on offer such as snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing, and dolphin watching. There are two main pools on the property, though most guests prefer the beachfront pool, which features a poolside bar and shallow kids' pool. 

The beach bar next to the pool is housed in a gazebo made of bamboo and covered with a traditional alang alang (thatch) roof. It offers a happy hour and a great view of the ocean. Daily breakfast buffets, lunches, and dinners are served in Heliconia Restaurant and Pizzeria, but guests can also order food around the pool, at the beach bar, or at the beach-side dining tables. The menu is a mix of Western and Indonesian favorites such as steaks, salads, fresh seafood, and fried rice in addition to Italian specialities such as homemade gnocchi, risotto, and pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven. Prices are a little steep when compared to nearby warungs (local cafes), but portions are generous and the food is well reviewed by guests. 

The spa has a serene garden setting with private open-air gazebos featuring stone bathtubs surrounded by beautiful tropical greenery. Other hotel facilities include a small fitness center with a treadmill and minimal weight machines. The hotel provides free paddleboards, snorkeling gear, kayaks, and bicycles along with weekly yoga classes and Balinese dance lessons. 

A kids' club and a gift shop selling local handicrafts, snacks, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent are also on-site. Inside the gift shop, there's also a small business area containing one desktop iMac computer and a printer. Wi-Fi is free in both the rooms and public areas, though the connection can be a bit slow. The hotel provides a free local shuttle service and parking is free as well.