Nirjhara: An Oasis in Bali

Rice field

Arrival & first impressions

The arrival experience sets the tone. You are welcomed by a beautiful line-up of trees that lead to the main entrance. You will witness the rice terraces in the background and arrive in an open-air lobby.

The General Manager was there to welcome us, which was a very nice touch. We initially booked a canopy suite, but they kindly upgraded us to their River Pavillon with a beautiful terrace overlooking the forest and the sound of the nearby river.

The number one amenity that I look for in a hotel is a bathtub, and I was delighted when I realized this suite had two! One indoor and an amazing round bath outside on the terrace among the trees.

Outdoor terrace of our villa

The hotel & amenities

The heart of the hotel is their magnificent pool with a view of the cascade. The restaurant is beautifully hidden among the trees. They have a yoga shala down near the river and even a cinema for evening activities.

After enjoying a few hours at the pool, we decided to explore the small town nearby by bikes provided by the hotel and head to the beach to witness the sunset. The ride is easy and smooth, and the hotel team is super accommodating and will suggest small stops along the road for drinks or shopping.

Green juice by the pool

Sunset on the rice fields

In town

We stopped at a small coffee shop named Little Ripper. They offer fresh juices as well as food, and they have a surf shop as well with lots of items. Just across the street, there is an art gallery. Feel free to take a stroll.

Piece of art from the local gallery

Food & drink

We decided to have a nice dinner in our villa, then enjoy our terrace and the tub. They offer a very wide menu with local and international options. Everything we tasted was just delicious.

Breakfast is a la carte and is unlimited so you can spoil yourself. The restaurant is open-air with a great view of the cascade and the rice terraces. It’s just the perfect way to start the day.

On our second evening, we dined at the restaurant where we had a great experience.

The food was delicious, the service was very attentive, and the setting with all the lights surrounding the pool was just beautiful.

Delicious chicken ballotine from our dinner at the hotel restaurant

Activities & experiences

We decided to try some of their activities and went to explore in the Hills of Tabanan. It’s a 5-hour tour where you will get away from the touristic spots and visit the Batukaru Temple (dedicated to the Hindu god Mahadewa), the Jatiluwih rice terraces (UNESCO World Heritage site) and Yeh Ho waterfall, a hidden gem.

If you are not into heritage sites, the hotel offers a lot more options:

• Indonesian cooking class

• Mixology class

• Surfing

• Cycling

• Horseback riding

• Explore Canggu

• Journey to the North (Badung)

• Explore cultural Tabanan

• A day of spiritual healing

The hotel also offers a gym, a library, and a boutique that you can freely visit.

Morning breakfast view

In sum

What makes Nirjhara a special place is the serenity it brings you. It is a perfect resort to retreat for a few days where you can really center yourself, immerse in nature, and appreciate the calm and peace surrounding you.

I didn’t have the chance to try the Spiritual Healing, but I heard it was a very unique experience.

It is the type of resort where you would want to spend a week and cut yourself off from the world.

The facilities were amazing, but what makes the difference is really the level of care and service provided by the team and how genuine it was.

Kedungu Beach, just a few minutes away from the hotel

I would suggest combining a stay at Nirjhara with another destination. Either: Canggu if you are looking for a more energetic vibe and party, or Ubud, located in the forest to continue your spiritual journey.

I recommend staying at least three nights at Nirjhara so you can really enjoy the resort, relax, and at the same time dedicate some time to a few activities without rushing.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Bali page.