Opposite the idyllic white-sand island to which wild deer (‘menjangan’) swim is this beautiful hotel on Bali’s north-west coast. Standing within the Bali Barat National Park, existing in harmony with nature, The Menjangan by LifestyleRetreats is a protected park-resort – pure paradise for snorkellers, birdwatchers and horse riders. Imagine two restaurants (one towering, the other by the sea), a riding stables, beach spa and Balinese pool, scattered across acres of mangrove forest linked by bumpy tracks, bicycles and delightful safari shuttles. The Menjangan ‘family’, courteous and kind, do all they can to please.
If you are worried by insects, snakes, spiders and wild chickens, this is not for you. If you want to connect with nature, it’s heaven, and the guides know their stuff. Butterflies, rare birds, sparkling fish, sea turtles, wild deer, monkeys on the beach - they’re a big part of the magic. What’s more, the romantic rooms and villas, by the pool or by the sea, are comfortable, charming, spotless and serene, while the food, part Western, part Indonesian, is tasty and fresh. As for sunset Happy Hour in the soaring Bali Tower, with views that reach all the way to Java, it’s an experience you’ll remember all your life.
The Menjangan
Bali Barat National Park, Pemuteran & North Bali, Indonesia
Highs
- A nature resort within a national park, committed to restoring bio-diversity
- A profoundly therapeutic place to stay
- Menjangan Island is right opposite: crystal waters, coral reefs, stunning snorkelling
- The Beach Villas, set right on pristine sands; heaven to relax on
- Staff are exceptionally kind and responsive to needs
Lows
- Travelling between the Lodge and beach is time-consuming (up to 20 mins' walk), but there are 'safari shuttles' on request
- Outdoors activities, though first class, are pricey by Bali standards
- The shallow waters off the beach are for waders not swimmers
- Be prepared for insects and small beasties; Beach Villa bathrooms are open to the elements and mosquitoes
- Baby cots
- High chairs in both restaurants
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
On request
Kids menu at Pantai, with favourites like pizza, chicken nuggets and spaghetti bolognese.
- Swimming pool
- Horse riding
- Snorkelling
- Birding
- Adventure biking
- Sea kayaking
- Forest experiences
- Night-time safaris
- Boutique Hotel
- 24 rooms
- 2 restaurants + bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The rooms at the Lodge (Deluxes and Suites) are built in the bush around the tree-fringed main pool. All have Bengkirai wood floors and traditional alang-alang grass roofs. The Suites are especially lovely, super-big and airy, with private decks and four-poster beds. The Deluxe rooms can interconnect; handy for families.
If you like to nod off to the sound of the sea, the Beach Villas are perfect (20 minutes from the Lodge by safari shuttle). Connected by boardwalks to protect the mangrove, each is a generous 100 sqm in size and built in Joglo style, with an uncluttered modern décor and windows for ocean views. Verandas come with bean bags and low-slung chairs, from which you can see the deer bathe in the sea - magical.
Throughout, rooms come with white linens and spiced citrus soaps for showers. (The Beach Villas have big bathtubs, too.) Nice surprises include fruit baskets, cookie jars and bottled water. There are also bug sprays and lotions, and air con. Each room is immaculate and cleaned twice a day.
Finally – the Three Bedroom Private Pool Villa, a show-stopper, sleeping 6 with the luxury of butler service. It has amazing views of Bayun Bay from its elevated decked balconies, and from its cliff-perched private infinity pool.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
For guests at the Lodge, the Bali Tower is a 600m walk away, or a 5-minute hop in the shuttle. From the Beach Villas, it's a 20-minute journey. A spectacular creation constructed from logs 33m high, the tower’s top floor observation deck soar's above the forest canopy affording 360-degree views across the ocean, over to the volcanoes of Java. The middle floors are devoted to an open-air restaurant; below is the Reception. The Bali Tower is great for mocktails and cocktails, the tree monkeys entertaining you as you chill.
For those staying in the Beach Villas, the attractively decked Pantai Restaurant is a stroll away, specializing in seafood barbecues. A barefoot bar and lounge has beach bags, chill-out music and candles. There are also some secluded gazebos.
The food in both restaurants is part Indonesian, part ‘international’ - you choose. Pantai also has a decent vegan menu with a good range of options. Breakfast comes in for much praise, with the a la carte menu offering everything from eggs Benedict to a delicious nasi goreng.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
Bali Barat National Park is home to deer, wild pigs, black and macaque monkeys and a wide range of birdlife, while the coast is rich in corals and fish.
- Take up the offer of a free test dive. If you like it, set off with the Dive Crew to Menjangan Island, one of the most thrilling snorkelling spots in the world. Whether you snorkel or dive off its white-sand shores, you’ll swim amongst coral reefs, pygmy seahorses and over 50 different kinds of fish
- Trek, bike or kayak through the mangroves spotting butterflies and birds, including the rare (but recovering) Bali Starling. Go with a nature guide: they are excellent
- Saddle up - there’s a stables on site. The horses are Australian and the sunset rides are amazing
- Roll up your sleeves for a Balinese cooking class with expert chefs guiding through a myriad of spices - perfect for adults and kids
- Chill out by the pool and in the hot tub. The waters are warm and delightful (though the overhanging trees sometimes shed twigs and leaves!)
- Down on the beach, facing the ocean, the Mangrove Spa is simple and peaceful. Hard to imagine a more idyllic location for a therapeutic massage; all you’ll hear is the lapping of the sea
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Trekking
- Well being
- Wildlife
Best Time to go
Although the northwest has a drier terrain than elsewhere in Bali, you may wish to avoid the wet season, November to March. However, you’ll be treated like kings in low season and might find yourselves upgraded to a super-duper Beach Villa. Bali is busiest in June and July, Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. October is perfect.
Our Top Tips
Tip: whether you’re dining on the beach or up in the trees, ask for your own mosquito coil.
Location
The Menjangan by LifestyleRetreats is on the northwest coast of Bali, within the boundaries of the Bali Barat National Park.
By Air:
Fly into Denpasar Ngurah Rai (170km); click on the links below for a list of airlines. You can also fly to Jakarta, then travel overland (approx 24 hours) or catch a connecting flight to Denpasar. The transfer to/from Denpasar or Ubud is a good 3.5 hours, and we strongly recommend booking that with the hotel.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Bali and getting around
Airports:
- Denpasar Ngurah Rai 170.0 km DPS
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 8.0 km
- Restaurant 8.0 km