Here at The Bali Sun, it is no secret how much we love North Bali. This stunning region of Bali is home to some of our favorite spots in all of the province…dare we say the whole world.
With North Bali home to jungles, incredible coastline, ancient cities, and some of the most welcoming hotels, hostels, and homestays around, you’ll soon see why we love it so much.
With so much of tourists’ attention focused on the central south of Bali, think Canggu through to Sanur via the Bukit Peninsula, aka Uluwatu, it is easy to overlook the north, east, and west of the province.
Here at The Bali Sun, we love the popular tourist hotspots and resorts as much as everyone else, but every now and again, we like to retreat to the margins, connect to the more natural rhythm of Bali, and step away from the fast-paced south.
North Bali is an increasingly popular destination for tourists, and while the region is starting to appear on more action itineraries, it is far from the busy, bustling, and speedily developing central south. One of the greatest aspects of North Bali as a vacation destination, aside from its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and warm welcome, is its hotels.
From Lovina Beach to coastal hideaway Pemuteran, through to Sumberkima and even West Bali National Park, North Bali is home to some of Bali’s best-kept secret escapes. From 5-star luxury to authentic homestays, whatever the budget and whatever your travel style, North Bali can offer the perfect stay. It would be remiss of us not to mention the value for money that can be found in North Bali.
Since the region sees markedly fewer tourists, the area not only feels less crowded, but room rates (even at top luxury hotels) are generally far more affordable than equivalent properties in famous resorts like Canggu, Seminyak, and even in Ubud.
One of the most impressive properties in North Bali is Sumberkima Hill Bali. This private villa retreat offers 360-degree views of the sea, Bali’s volcanic peaks, and forested hills.
Home to a collection of more than 80 private vacation villas, Sumbakima Hill is a pioneer of sustainable luxury in the North Bali region. The hotel is more than a tourism business; the team is working in partnership with the Sumberkima community on a series of regeneration projects ranging from organic farming to coral planting, all while supporting guests in connecting with the local culture in an authentic way.
At the request of the Sumberkima community, the team built an amphitheater at the top of their namesake hill, which is a space for ceremonies, cultural performances, and community events, including regular Kecak performances for both locals and tourists.
The team has shared “Sumberkima Hill began as a simple dream — a home for ourselves and a few houses for friends, built around the idea of an interdependent community.”
“But the magic of this place had other plans. Visitors fell in love with the hill, the views, the peace — and some asked us to build a home for them too.”
Private villas are one way to enjoy a retreat in North Bali, but for those who want to be a little more embedded in the action, then Mangroove Bay Boutique Hostel is the place to book. This spot is so much more than a hostel, and even offers private rooms for those travelers who don’t do dorms!
Known as Northwest Bali’s grooviest hostel, Mangroove Bay Boutique Hostel is even home to its own padel court hidden within the hostel grounds, surrounded by mangroves, mountains, jungle, and sea.
Mangroove Bay Boutique Hostel is a little hive of activity, where guests and day visitors can enjoy the in-house spa, access the fantastic facilities at Groove Fitness, dine at Suma Restaurant or Senja Restaurant, or simply hang out by the pool.
Sumberkima Hill and Mangrove Bay Boutique Hostel are top picks in the North Bali area, but there are so many options to choose from.
Here at The Bali Sun, our regional top picks also include Lovina Beach Club & Resort, Zen Resort, and Plataran Menjangan Resort & Spa.
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