The 10 Best Resorts in Nusa Penida for an Unforgettable Stay

Staying at one of the best resorts in Nusa Penida can turn a basic trip into a memorable one.

Over the past five to 10 years, the number of resorts on the island has multiplied rapidly, making it harder to choose where to stay.

The island has beachfront PADI dive resorts, boutique rainforest resorts, and even a glamping resort with luxury safari tents. Most of them have infinity pools, too.

So, the question remains: which are the best resorts in Nusa Penida?

In the following blog post, I’ll walk you through the most popular and best resorts in Nusa Penida, categorised by their location, price, facilities and reviews.

Planning your trip? Start here by checking out my Nusa Penida itinerary for 1-4 days, and check out my guides to Manta Bay Nusa Penida and the best beach in Nusa Penida.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.

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AT A GLANCE: The Best Resorts in Nusa Penida

Top 3 Resorts in Nusa Penida:

1. MAUA Nusa Penida (West Nusa Penida) £££
2. Atalaya Villas (West Nusa Penida) £££
3. Penida Bambu Green (West Nusa Penida) £££

Best family resort:

• Mambo Beach Resort (North Nusa Penida) £££

The most unique resort:

• Autentik (West Nusa Penida – Adults-Only) £££

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What to Expect From the Best Resorts in Nusa Penida

The majority of the hotels and resorts in Nusa Penida have a four-star rating, except for one single five-star resort: MAUA Nusa Penida. 

Typically, a four-star resort in Nusa Penida costs between 1,540k – 2,900k IDR (£80 – 150) per night.

A cheaper three-star resort costs around 1,000k (£50) per night.

If you’re accustomed to staying at resorts in Europe and East Asia, this will seem very affordable.

Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida

That’s why I think that Nusa Penida is a good place to ‘splash out’, as you’re getting more for your money.

Infinity pools are a staple at most of the resorts in Nusa Penida. Most of the properties also have a restaurant and a gym and/or spa.

There are two main types of resorts:

• Seafront: This has perks like beach access (on the north coast) or a private pier (on the west coast) for snorkelling and/or diving trips.
• Jungle: These resorts are usually scenic, peaceful and private. They usually have impressive infinity pools and a nice ‘island vibe’.

Which is the Best Area to Stay in Nusa Penida?

The west coast is the best area to stay in Nusa Penida. Firstly, it’s near to the fast boat terminals (e.g. Toyapakeh), as I explain in my guide on how to get to Nusa Penida.

Secondly, the west has the best sunsets.

Thirdly, the west coast is home to attractions like Kelingking Beach (T-Rex Beach), Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Manta Bay. It’s an hour’s drive from the east coast, where Diamond Beach is.

Crystal Bay

Most of the resorts are scattered around the area near Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay, which are considered to be some of the island’s safest beaches for swimming and offer exceptional sunsets.

There are also some resorts on the north coast, but most of these are dive resorts running tours to destinations like Manta Point.

This area is nicely built-up, but it’s far away from the island’s main attractions.

The 10 Best Resorts in Nusa Penida, Ranked

1. MAUA Nusa Penida 

Best for: The only five-star luxury resort in Nusa Penida.

As the only five-star resort in Nusa Penida, MAUA Nusa Penida has a standard to set.

Guests can arrive in style by private charter boat or choose to take the same vessel on a private tour of the island.

The one or two-bedroom villas and suites have access to facilities such as a library, lounge, gym, and most importantly, an infinity pool with views over Mount Agung.

Better yet, MAUA Nusa Penida is located on the hilltop over Gamat Bay, making sunset views exceptional.

Facilities: Infinity pool, spa, gym, bar, restaurant, library, lounge, and bookable experiences such as private boat charters, yoga, and tours.

2. Atalaya Villas

Best for: Boutique suites with private infinity pools.

Atalaya Villas mashes together typical Nusa Penida jungle views with Santorini-style luxury.

The very best of the white-painted suites and villas have their own private infinity pools overlooking the jungle.

Having a 9.8 rating on Booking.com is quite an achievement, and once you get a glimpse of the ocean views and infinity pools, it will become clear why the resort is so popular with its guests.

Facilities: Infinity pool, restaurant, sun terrace, spa, and bookable tours or scooter rental.

3. Penida Bambu Green

Best for: A peaceful jungle resort with bamboo villas.

If any resort in Nusa Penida can put in a valid claim for calling themselves a jungle hideaway, it’s Penida Bambu Green.

The bamboo villas are in a deep-green forest on the west coast.

Despite the peaceful feel, the resort is only a short drive away from Gamat Bay and Crystal Bay, two great sunset beaches.

The infinity pool in the centre of the resort is a show-stealer, with views of a distant volcano.

Facilities: Infinity pool, restaurant, spa, beauty experiences, garden, and sun terrace.

4. Adiwana Warnakali Resort

If you’re keen to try to spot manta rays or mola molas, the on-site dive centre at Adiwana Warnaklai can arrange day trips.

Relaxation is also easy, as the resort has a swimming pool with a pool bar and a decadent sun terrace, spa, and restaurant.

There’s also the matter of the resort’s spectacular clifftop location, which results in sea views from every room and Mount Agung sitting on the horizon. 

Facilities: Swimming pool, dive centre, spa, restaurant, pool bar, sun terrace, experiences like floating breakfasts, and tour and wedding packages. 

5. The Kama

Best for: An intimate resort with volcano views.

The Kama is one of the best resorts in Nusa Penida if you’re keen to stay on the north coast.

Surrounded by the forest, it is dotted with bamboo shelters, sunloungers, and palm trees for the ultimate island vibe.

The infinity pool faces the ocean and Mount Agung.

There are only six units within the resort, so you won’t have too much competition for the prime view.

Guests have raved about the restaurant food and the service quality.

Facilities: Infinity pool, restaurant, garden, and sun terrace.

6. Mambo Beach Resort

Best for: A luxury beachfront dive resort.

One of the best resorts in Nusa Penida for divers is Mambo Beach Resort, no question about it.

Situated on a northwest beachfront, the resort organises PADI diving excursions.

The boutique hotel has bamboo structures, hanging tapestries, fairy lighting and bean bags, creating a great atmosphere for families, young people, and couples alike.

Facilities: Swimming pool, restaurant, sun terrace, beachfront, and bookable snorkelling or dive excursions.

7. Autentik

Best for: A unique adults-only glamping resort.

It doesn’t get much more glamorous than glamping in Nusa Penida.

Autentik is the first glamping resort of its kind on the island. It has luxury safari-style tents, raised on platforms above the forest.

Each tent has a private terrace and access to a shared infinity pool to cool off in. The resort is also completely kids-free.

It is conveniently located between Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay.

Facilities: Infinity pool, garden, and private terraces.

8. The Sankara Beach Resort

Best for: A luxury beachfront Balinese retreat.

Falling asleep to the sound of the roaring ocean is great, but falling asleep after an evening watching the sun set over Mount Agung is even better.

Located on the side of a white-sand beach, the Sankara Beach Resort has a luxurious pool, an island-renowned seafront restaurant named Matan Ai, and the Tapa Pool Bar.

Facilities: Swimming pool, restaurant, beachfront, bar, garden, and sun terrace.

9. Semabu Hills Hotel 

Best for: Relaxation and romance.

‘Live the island life’ is the tagline at Semabu Hills Hotel.

There are plenty of facilities at the four-star Nusa Penida resort that will help you with that matter.

For one, the infinity pool gazes out over the forest and ocean.

For two, the aptly-named Castaway restaurant serves Asian dishes like Penida seafood soup and a grilled seafood platter.

Gamat Bay, Crystal Bay and Kelingking Beach are all a short distance away.

Facilities: Infinity pool, restaurant, spa, sun terrace, and experiences like floating breakfasts and romantic dinners.

10. Sea La Vie Resort

Best for: Classic luxury with a private port.

Sea La Vie Resort has been considered one of the best resorts in Nusa Penida for a long time.

It ticks several boxes: infinity pool, spa, restaurant, and ocean view.

What really sets it apart, however, is that it’s located directly on the waterfront and has a private port.

It’s unlikely that you’ll get bored of the view of Bali’s volcano, Mount Agung, and the traditional Balinese boats gliding to and from Toya Pakeh harbour.

Facilities: Infinity pool, spa, restaurant, bar, sun terrace, and bookable tours.

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I hope you found my guide to the best resorts in Nusa Penida helpful – let me know how your stay goes!

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