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Uluwatu – The Contender that Took Me by Surprise

After a whirlwind 24 hours in Ubud I headed off to spend 2 days in Ulawatu. I’ll admit there was some reluctance on my part. I was so enamoured with the beauty of Ubud that I felt that nothing else could possibly compare. Well after spending 2 short, but blissful, days in Ulawatu I have to say that it definitely held it’s own. With all of those sweeping cliff-side beaches, and epic sunsets, Ulawatu definitely stole a huge chunk of my heart.

Where to Stay

Prasana by Aranji Resorts

WOW is basically the fist thing that comes to mind still when I think about my stay at Prasana by Aranji Resorts. Staying here was like staying in my own little secluded paradise. Not only that but they sure do know how to spoil their guests rotten.

I was absolutely in love with the pool area. It came complete with an outdoor kitchen area and seating area and views that overlooked nothing but lush greenery and unobstructed views of sunrise.

And they had the most stunning bathtub which had an open roof so you could enjoy the sunshine while having the most decadent flower bath.

This place was also the spot where I had my very first floating Bali Breakfast, which is one of the things Bali is famous for doing for tourists food-wise. It was the perfect way to spend the morning enjoying my breakfast while still staying nice and cool in the pool in the Bali heat. Eating at a table just isn’t the same anymore after having this! The food at this place was amazing as well. I highly recommend you get the French fries, the Nasi Goreng, and the chocolate lava cake!

Ok, so as much as I wanted to spend all my time here I did occasionally go out to venture outside and check Uluwatu out. One of the services I appreciated the most above all else was the free shuttle service to any location within 5km of the hotel. Ulutawa is an incredibly vast area and I was surprised at how far it actually sprawled. Having a complimentary shuttle service just took a lot of the stress out of figuring out transportation and it was nice knowing that I’d have pick up service once I was ready to head back to the hotel as well. With the hotel being only 5-10 mins from some of the most beautiful beach resorts there was no shortage of amazing places for me to bliss out to.

 

What to Do

Uluwatu Temple

You’ll definitely want to visit this spot if you’re in Uluwatu. Most people come here to watch the famous Balinese Keca dance, and while the show was lovely I have to say that the breathtaking natural beauty of the landscape definitely stole the show. The actual temple itself sits on a staggering cliff that is 250ft above sea level and overlooks the Indian Ocean. Because of this you get the most picture-perfect sunsets every evening. It is a vision that will be burned into your memory for a lifetime. Something to note though about this place is that there are many wild monkeys which roam the premises. They’re not dangerous, but they’re definitely mischievous and love to steal any loose items like hats, sunglasses, and small bags from unsuspecting tourists. Our driver from the hotel luckily pre-warned us about this beforehand so we were able to keep close wraps of our belongings, but it is definitely just something for you to be aware of when visiting this beauty.

 

Melasti Beach

This beach was recommended by the staff at Prasana by Aranji Resorts and I can honestly say that this spot is such a hidden gem! It wasn’t too busy at all and the water and sand was absolutely pristine. Not a single piece of garbage in sight and the most beautiful cliffs overlooking the bluest water. You can even pay a reasonable 100,000 IDR (about $10 CAD) for 2 beach chairs and 2 umbrellas so you can rest comfortably with the most beautiful views of the water. And that’s exactly what I did! I could have spent the entire day everyday here. I loved the casual vibe and how quiet it was. Be sure to check this place out before word gets out and it starts to get packed!

 

Karma Kandara Beach Club

There is no shortage of beautiful beach clubs in Uluwatu, but let me tell you that Karma Kandara Beach Club definitely ranks up there as one of the best. It is actually a resort as well so you could stay here in one of their villas and if you do you will have complimentary access to their beach club as well. If you’re not staying here, not to worry because you can still visit the beach club for 600,000 IDR (about $60CAD). The fee is actually quite a steal as 300,000IDR of that goes towards a restaurant credit where you can order food and beverages while you enjoy the facilities. The fee also includes the use of a beach chair, umbrella, beach towel, and unlimited use of their kayaks and SUP paddle boards. In addition to all that there is also a gorgeous infinity pool which overlooks the cliffs and the beach.