Mahaloka Valley

A photo can't really show how beautiful this valley location is. It's a simple, beautiful and quiet place, perfect for relaxing and chilling out. The restaurant food is good too. A hidden gem in Nusa Penida.

The beach was closed all day when we visited because of a religious “day of silence,” and the hotel hadn't told us. When we went to ask the receptionist, she was away, and staff said we'd need to wait half an hour for her to return. She later said she'd “forgotten” that the beach, the only attraction in the entire area, would be closed all day, with nobody allowed on the sand or in the water. That's a big thing to leave guests unaware of. We could have made other plans, or at least avoided getting ready and walking down there for nothing. BEWARE, the beach may be completely closed on certain days.

We spent most of our time outside, so the small bungalow villas weren't a problem, and their close, intimate feel gave us a true Balinese experience. The rooms were cool and clean. The resort is tucked into the jungle, with a peaceful oasis feel and a wonderful pool at the centre, kept at a perfect temperature. We even spotted monkeys in nearby trees while swimming. The owner was caring and accommodating, and taxi transfers, ferry transfers and scooter rentals were helpful and reliable, especially given how remote the island is. The unpaved, broken roads leading to the resort are common across the island. This Balinese resort is different from conventional western resorts, and that's the point. We'd definitely recommend it!

We spent two nights at Mahaloka Valley and wished we'd planned to stay much longer. The rooms were cosy, rustic, minimalist and very comfortable. Everything was excellent, from the location to the staff and food. It's just a 10-12 minute walk through a valley full of trees to crystal bay beach. Walking around the property and outside made for a really immersive experience.