Tangga Bungalows

The family made us feel welcome and brought us delicious breakfast and juice each morning. We slept so well in the comfortable bed, and the air conditioning was superb. Both the bedroom and bathroom were spacious. A really lovely stay.

The hosts were so kind and honest, and made us feel at home while sharing a bit of Indonesian culture. They gave us useful restaurant tips and offered plenty of trips. We really appreciated their advice when a friend wanted to visit Nusa Penida and return in one day: they warned us it would be a long journey and the sea might not cooperate, rather than just taking our money. Great value for money, too.

I liked the bungalows and island so much that I added four days to my original two-night stay. The location is great, a short distance from turtle beach, with beautiful coral and several turtles to see. The woman running the place was lovely and even helped me get my backpack zipper repaired at a local shop. Mornings and sometimes nights brought loud chicken noises from next door, though earplugs made that manageable for me. The nearby bar's music bothered me more: I could hear and feel the thumping when I tried to relax in the hammock. I was told the airport shuttle took two hours and that leaving at 3pm would be enough, otherwise I'd wait too long at the airport. But at Padang bai I learned it stopped in several places and, with the terrible traffic, could take 5-6 hours. I had to find a taxi quickly to avoid missing my flight. They should explain that the shuttle doesn't go straight to the airport.

We enjoyed the owners' welcome and the setting, close to the beach and not too far from the port. Some bungalows are more basic than others. Ours was raised about 2.50m and had a little balcony with a hammock and a table and chairs. The air conditioning cooled it down, though the insulation wasn't great. The toilet and shower share one small bathroom space. Breakfast was homemade and very good. If you're after an authentic stay, a chance to live more like locals, and a good quality-price balance compared with the resort next door, this place fits.