Wyndham Tamansari Jivva Resort Bali

Beach Pool

The tranquility, black sand beach and well-appointed amenities make this upscale resort a blissful haven on an increasingly crowded island, finds Xinyi Liang-Pholsena 

Location Tucked along Bali’s east coast in the Klungkung regency, this Wyndham resort is currently the only international branded hotel in the vicinity, which is a blessing as the area doesn’t have the crowdedness or touristy vibe that characterise other popular beaches in Bali.

The low-rise resort calls lush paddies and duck farms its neighbours, and come evenings locals can be observed playing football or fishing on the carbon-coloured sands of Pantai Lepang.

From the Ngurah Rai International Airport, it’s at least a 45-minute drive to the resort but its location in eastern Bali makes it a convenient base for day trips into Ubud or the Batur and Agung mountains.

Room My 45m2 Deluxe Room – Ocean View looks out to a swimming pool and the Lepang Beach, with a terrace that affords a good vantage point for sunset viewing. The spacious brown-and-beige room is decidedly comfortable and elegant, with ornamental features like a rattan-woven floormat, puffy cushions and a striking decorative wooden panel.

The only fly in the ointment? The lack of an international-standard socket in the room, although that was quickly resolved with a call to the front desk and a travel adaptor was sent my way shortly.

Deluxe Room

F&B Food was scrumptious and serving sizes hearty whether it’s at the all-day dining restaurant Bumbu or the Jivva Beach Club. Owing to the lack of restaurants in the vicinity, we had most meals at the resort but the chefs did a commendable job of keeping our tastebuds satisfied throughout our two-night stay.

Our first meal, a late lunch at Jivva Beach Club, comprised spicy marinara pasta and the Jivva pizza topped with mozzarella and sambal matah relish, and were so yummy that we repeated these orders for our subsequent meals. With a lawn dotted with colourful beanbags, Balinese parasols and swaying palm trees, the beach club certainly offers a relaxing spot for lounging any time of the day.

Dinner at Bumbu was also an equally appetising and visually-pleasing affair, highlighted by ginger-infused beef carpaccio, French onion soup, king prawn and asparagus salad, and pan-seared barramundi.

Facilities The open lobby, surrounded by water, resembles a floating island and cuts an arresting feature for anyone visiting the resort. As well, the oceanfront resort’s two outdoor pools more than make up for the lack of swimming opportunity in the open sea – not advisable due to the big waves – with one tucked within the garden and the other fringed with real sand facing the ocean.

Beach Pool

The Thirta Spa and Wellness Centre comprises a cluster of eight thatched-roof cabanas. The massage was an absolutely soothing experience – between masterful strokes of my therapist and the sounds of waves crashing on the beach, it was too easy to drift into a state of oblivion.

Other facilities include a business centre, meeting rooms and gym. And with the legendary Keramas surf break just a five-minute-drive away, the resort also offers surf tours and lessons for guests.

Service Staff were friendly, always ready to offer a smile whenever they walked by. My husband and I had a great day out to Ubud and Mt Batur accompanied by resort concierge Goesmank, a Balinese native who shared many personal anecdotes along the way.

Verdict A serene retreat worth visiting to experience an idyllic Bali that is increasingly hard to find.

No of rooms 222
Rates From 1.2 million rupiah (US$89) a night
Contact details 
Tel (62) 366 543 7988
Email reservations@wyndhamjivvabali.com
Website www.wyndhamjivvabali.com
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