Sarinbuana Eco Lodge

Rooms

The four bungalows are staggered down the mountain so they're very private, yet open to the elements.

Highest on the hill, we stayed in the Orchid Bungalow. There were no fans or air-conditioning - the cottages have doors and windows on each side making them completely open to the mountain breeze. Beds have cotton mosquito nets, but there is no netting on the windows. Our veranda had mesmerising views across a vast green canopy and just below was a small patch of garden with loungers. The bathroom was split with a sink indoors and an outdoor shower with hot running water and natural soap. You're a minute from the restaurant and torches are provided to help you find your way after dark; without any light pollution, the stars are fabulous. Just below the restaurant is the two-storey Jungle Bungalow (sleeps 2-5). We saw guests in this cottage bird-spotting from their veranda.

The two-storey Tree House (sleeps 2-5) is built from local timbers and bamboo, and has spectacular views over the forest, to the peak of Mount Batukaru. Tree House and Orchid Bungalow are the only rooms with wifi - this is somewhere you'll be happy to disconnect for a while.

Our personal favourite was Rumah Manis, which has one double bed and a cute daybed, plus a veranda. Lowest on the hill, this little cottage is closest to the water hole, but it's still a steep climb there and back as we discovered! This would be our pick for the romantics amongst you.

Features include:

• Cots available
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• Toiletries

Eating

The team of local villagers offer a surprisingly varied menu for such a remote destination with both Indonesian and Western dishes being served from their open kitchen and wood fired oven. The food is fresh, healthy and tasty with most of the produce coming from their organic garden. There are menus for meat-eaters, vegans, gluten-free diets, veggies and raw foodies.

Breakfast features freshly squeezed fruit juice, delicious velvety organic Balinese coffee, smoothie bowls, eggs any style and hot, fresh pancakes with palm syrup and fruit. You order lunch and dinner at breakfast time, which takes a bit of getting used to, but soon feels normal. Lunch options might include nasi and mei goreng (fried noodles and rice) or choose from nine different salads, sandwiches or soups.

Dinner is usually in the early evening, and most nights guests linger afterwards, having drinks and sharing tales. We found nothing beats a cold Bintang on the restaurant patio after an action-packed day. Tasty options include the lodge's famous Jungle Special, mouth-watering satay, and pizzas from the wood-fired oven. The homemade chocolate mousse and ice creams are a refreshing finale.

On special occasions, you may want to make use of the romantic candle-lit dinner available in the garden bale, local musicians can also be arranged.

For a change of scenery, there's a couple of family run 'warung' options nearby serving good value local fare.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Communal dining
• Dinner by arrangement
• Kids' meals
• Lunch by arrangement
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Take a guided garden walk of the property: Linda and Norm have instigated permaculture principles by planting an array of different fruits, nuts, medicinal plants, cacao and coffee trees, all jumbled together
  
• Go on a temple walk, a rice paddy tour, or a fascinating rainforest trek with a local guide. You may even get to join in a local temple ceremony as we did
  
• Have a traditional Balinese massage, aromatherapy or reflexology treatment out in the bamboo massage bale
  
• Relax in the wood-fired sauna on cooler evenings
  
• Give your lungs a workout with a day trek up Mount Batukaru - five hours up and three back
  
• Day trips can be arranged to the local beaches, Ubud or the natural hot springs at Air Panas
  
• Admire the monkeys Linda and Norm have rescued (there are also daily feedings you can watch)
  
• Bird watch, practice yoga or meditate in the tranquil yoga bale, a lovely round bamboo and timber structure raised into the treetops
  
• Take an Indonesian cookery lesson; or join a workshop with the local community, including Balinese wood or stone carving, massage training and Indonesian language classes
  
• Head down to the natural swimming pools and small waterfalls for a cold but refreshing dip - there's also a natural swimming pool at the lodge, with dazzling views across the forest canopy

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cooking classes
• Hiking
• Language courses
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Traditional cultures
• Trekking
• Wildlife

Kids

This is a lovely place for families. The Balinese love children, particularly those under five, so you can expect a lot of attention. Villas are well suited to families and with babysitting and outdoorsy activities, it works for families with younger and older children alike.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Pick the Orchid Bungalow or Rumah Manis if you're a family of three (they have a single bed bed for under 12s). The Tree House is good for a bigger family as it has two double bedrooms and a single daybed for an extra person; the Jungle Bungalow has one double bed and three singles. Baby cots are provided free of charge and all rooms have showers, not bathtubs.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 2 hours
• Doctor: 50 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Sarinbuana Eco Lodge is approximately 1hr 45mins' drive from Kuta or Ubud or 2hrs from Denpasar Airport. It is 90mins from the North coast, 50mins from West coast, and 150 mins from the East coast.

By Air:
Denpasar Ngurah Rai (55km). Served by many international airlines. You can also fly to Jakarta, then travel overland (approx 24hrs) or catch a connecting flight to Denpasar.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer from the airport, which we'd recommend taking (enquire when booking). If you arrange transport yourself, you’re likely to pay more and many drivers do not know this area. The drive takes about 2hrs.

By Ferry:
There are frequent boats between Bali and the major islands in Indonesia, including Java, Lombok and Komodo. Take a taxi from the port but negotiate a rate before you get in and ensure you have your confirmation with lodge's phone number on, in case you get lost en route.

By Car:
We don’t recommend renting a car unless you’re a very seasoned visitor to Bali as some of the on-the-spot fines for ‘traffic violations’ can be annoying. Narrow roads and overtaking procedures can also be unnerving, especially through the mountains.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Bali and getting around