On a rocky shelf in the limestone cliffs overlooking Bingin beach in southern Bali, the location of this hideaway is truly breathtaking. Built of bamboo, timber, rattan and local stone, the house is charmingly ramshackle – think beach shack with accents of treehouse – and as close to nature as you can get without compromising on comfort (staff prepare your breakfast each morning, and dinners are available on request). And just look at that view! You are perched above the Indian Ocean, steps away from the soft white sand on one of Bali’s most celebrated surfing beaches. From here, the coastline of the Bukit Peninsula extends on both sides - you could spend every day visiting a new beach.
Linked by terraces and decks, stone steps and cliff-side walkways, the rambling split-level house has three bedrooms, an outdoor bathroom, an open-plan living-dining space and a kitchen – all furnished with rustic, colour-washed furniture, driftwood, Balinese textiles, wicker, earthenware, tribal art and seaside paintings. Hammocks, rattan lamps and hanging chairs sway in the breeze; strings of white pebbles hang from beams; the beach is your garden. Families with school-age kids, or those looking for a group getaway, will love hiding away here. We adored hearing the hypnotic roar of the sea filling every room, every moment.
Highs
- The views really are stunning, and the house is perfectly placed to take in Bali’s magnificent sunsets
- The style of the house is sympathetic to the rugged surroundings, and the open-sided design means you get to enjoy indoor-outdoor living right by the sea
- Serving simple but delicious breakfasts, the staff are exceptionally charming (even by Bali’s high standards)
- Although the house is close to Bingin beach, it feels gloriously remote
- Great value if booking the house for 8
Lows
- The house is more of a beach shack than a stylish seafront retreat, so expect rustic and simple styling
- The steep, uneven and sometimes slippery steps down to the house are a challenge, especially in the dark (the house is unsuitable for toddlers or anyone with mobility issues)
- No A/C – just ventilation and cooling ocean breezes. There are fans in the bedrooms but temporary power cuts are fairly common
- No pool, but the sea is right outside
- Only one bathroom and you have to walk through the main bedroom to get to it
Best time to go
Any time is pleasant in Bali, but for cooler, dryer weather and perfect surfing conditions, May to August are the best months to visit. Temperatures begin to climb in October and reach a high in November. December begins a typically tropical rainy season which continues until March (possibly the best time to visit if you prefer a quieter island experience).