East Bali is about as far as you can get from Kuta: instead of a nightly party scene, East Bali visitors gravitate towards more healthy and cultural pursuits. From one of these resorts in the vicinity of Candidasa, you can venture up Gunung Agung and visit Pura Besakih on its slopes. You can also voyage into Kintamani and explore Gunung Batur. Finally, you can explore East Bali's diving sites, including the drifts at Nusa Penida, the “Liberty” wreck, and the Tulamben drop-off.
For other accommodations on the island, check out our list of Bali Hotel Picks.
Nirwana Resort & Spa
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This newly-developed all-villa property offers 24 villas located next to the beach; each villa leads out to balconies with either ocean or garden views. Guests enjoy access to an outdoor pool, a gym and a full-service spa; complimentary breakfast is served every morning. The Nirwana is a smoke-free property.
The beach in front of Nirwana Resort & Spa is walled, so it's not exactly great for swimming - however, you get an incomparable sea view and breeze from the edge of the property. Outside the resort, the main town center is a 5-to-10-minute walk away, but you can engage the hotel's free buggy service to get around.
- Star rating: ★★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
- Address: Sengkidu Amlapura, Bali 80871, Indonesia
- Phone: +62 363 41136
D'Tunjung Resort
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The D'Tunjung Resort's 17 guestrooms are set in ten cottage-like villas arranged in a "V" in a tropical garden overlooking the sea. The rooms make the most of the location, with verandahs looking out to the ocean and semi-open bathrooms that let you shower al fresco. Free WiFi is available in every room.
The resort's amenities include a seafront restaurant; a rather compact infinity-edge pool; and a private spa. Seafront location notwithstanding, the town center is only two minutes' walk away.
- Star rating: ★★★ (compare rates)
- Address: Jl. Raya Candidasa, Karangasem, Bali
- Phone: +62 3634 1999
Rama Candidasa Resort & Spa
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With a private beachfront and a sizeable beach terrace, the Rama Candidasa Resort & Spa takes full advantage of its seaside location. 79 guestrooms come with balconies overlooking either sea, mountain, or pool views. The resort's other recreational amenities include a large outdoor poola health club, and a full-service spa. WiFi, shuttle service and buffet breakfast available, with surcharge.
The resort lets guests connect with activities outside the resort, from snorkeling to submarine cruising to mountain trekking.
- Star rating: ★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
- Address: Jl Raya Sengkidu P O Box 120, Candidasa
- Phone: +62 36 341974
Alila Manggis
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The Alila Manggis is set on Buitan beach in the Karangasem region, near Candi Dasa village. Four two-story buildings stand around a palm-fringed pool with views of the ocean; its sister property Villa Idanna is perched on a promontory about 45 minutes from the main property.
The Alila's 55 guestrooms come with balconies that offer a choice of ocean, sea, or garden views. Guests are encouraged to immerse themselves in the local culture; you can learn about the local cuisine in the Alila Cooking School, or you can book tours of the local rice fields and palaces.
- Star rating: ★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
- Address: Buitan Manggis Candi Dasa, Karangasem, Candidasa
- Phone: +62 4930 6290 1111
Bali Palms Resort
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Located right on Candidasa's beachfront, the Bali Palms Resort offers 48 guestrooms and villas located around a sizeable pool. Handcrafted teak furnishings complement the room interiors' modern amenities: large flatscreen satellite TV and WiFi, with fully-furnished kitchens. The Palms villas come with walled gardens, with some villas furnished with a plunge pool.
Guests get access to the beach - a coral reef just a short swim from the shore is swarming with tropical fish. The resort's in-house PADI center can help you with your diving needs, whether you're a newbie or a veteran diver.
- Star rating: ★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
- Address: Jl Raya Candidasa, Desa Nyuh Tebel Amlapura, Karangasem, Candidasa
- Phone: +62 36 34 2191
Candi Beach Cottage
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Located in a beachfront Candidasa property facing Mendira Bay, the Candi Beach Cottage offers 64 air-conditioned guestrooms with a choice of ocean, sea, or garden balcony views. Traditional Balinese "Poleng" cloth headboards, cushions and accessories set off the room interiors' dark wood furnishings.
The resort's two outdoor swimming pools and peaceful massage pavilions are located in a beautifully-manicured coconut grove garden that leads to the resort's private beachfront. The beach terrace overlooking the sea lets you dine under the stars as you listen to the waves break against the shore.
- Star rating: ★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
- Address: Mendira Beach, Manggis
- Phone: +62 36 341234
Puri Bagus Candidasa Villas
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Puri Bagus Candidasa Villas' 47 individual villa accommodations come in two flavors: Deluxe Sea View and Deluxe Garden View. Coconut and teak wood furniture grace the villa interiors, and the balconies offer views of either the gardens or the ocean.
The resort's capacious swimming pool plunges as deep as 3.7 meters, deep enough for diving lessons courtesy of the in-house dive center, which can take you snorkeling and scuba diving. The resort also has a full-service health spa with four treatment rooms.
Free WiFi available in public areas; Free shuttle available upon request.
- Star rating: ★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
- Address: Jl. Raya Candidasa, Desa Samuh P.O. Box 129, Karangasem
- Phone: +62 36 34 1131
Alam Asmara Dive Resort
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The Alam Asmara Dive Resort Candidasa calls itself a "romantic dive resort" with twelve bungalows for guests; these accommodations can be reached via a pathway that crosses a fishpond. The bungalows have semi-open-air bath and shower facilities, oversized bathtubs, and individual terraces.
The Alam Asmara's in-house PADI dive experts make use of the Alam Asmara's classroom and deep swimming pool with for training sessions. The neighboring Rendezvous restaurant serves dinner overlooking the beach, and also conducts cooking classes for the culinarily-inclined.
- Star rating: ★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
- Address: Jalan Raya Candidasa, Karangasem
- Phone: +62 36 341929
