If you’re looking to escape the speed and congestion of most popular tourist locations, then the Pondok Pitaya at Balian beach is the perfect getaway for you.
This peaceful little pocket on the western coast is only 90 minutes north of Seminyak and is truly a place to relax and unwind. Surrounded by lush green farmland, grazing cows, hundreds of impressive coconut palms and situated neatly at the end of Balian Beach Raod. This is the last hotel on the gentle drive down which means you are staying as close as you possibly can to Balian beach.
Perfect for solo travelers, couples, families with kids or big groups of dedicated surfers they offer a room for all. Me and my partner stayed in the river suite which offered aircon, double bed, safety box, towels and mosquito nets. It has recently been renovated in teak and recycled boat wood with a contemporary and organic feel. The flourishing green gardens decorated with fish ponds, elegant sunflowers, creeping vines and creative wooden sculptures throughout offered a really unique oasis, which almost had a lord of the rings hobbit feel to it. We also had our own private balcony with bamboo style table and chairs which was perfect for reading and enjoying a complementary coffee from your room.
If you’re up with the roosters for your morning surf you can literally catch your last wave in, walk across the sand and order your banana pancake from 8 am from the open air restaurant. They offer surfboard stands and a swimmers/surfers shower directly beside the restaurant, so if it’s pumping just head straight back out until lunch. After, sit back relax order a burger and enjoy that well earned Bintang whilst watching the other riders enjoy the uncrowded waves. There is a huge variety of western and Indonesian food so there is something for the whole family. Some rooms come with complimentary breakfast so be sure to ask before ordering off the main menu.
Other activities include yoga at the Shala Studio facing north you can practice your morning Vinyasa overlooking the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. Spa facilities offer everything from facials and massages to body wraps and reflexology. There are day trips you can arrange from the front desk to the waterfalls, coffee, chocolate plantations and rice fields. The pool is directly to the side of the restaurant with an abundant amount of day beds to soak up as much vitamin D or Sea as you need. There is wifi available in the restaurant but not in your bedrooms. Scooter and car hire are available from the front desk and they also offer baby sitting services just in case mum or dad want to enjoy those ice cold Bintangs late into the night.
All in all, I had a wonderful stay, the staff remembered me by my first name and they had a couple of charming puppies who enjoyed all the love and affection from admiring guests.
