The Nusa Islands are just off the coast of mainland Bali, and they have become a popular tourist spot in recent years. Maua is a relatively new 5-star resort on Gamat Bay, and we’d heard nothing but good things about it.
With rooms that offer views out to the mountains of Bali and a pool that provides a fabulous vista over the local countryside, we couldn’t wait to visit.
So, our intrepid team jumped on a fast boat from Bali and went out to spend some quality time in Nusa Penida, and this is what they learned about Maua while they were there.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of Maua
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Hotel Type: Luxury Villas
Area of Bali: Nusa Penida
Star Rating: N/A – this hotel does not use a star rating system
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 2,600,000 IDR (approx. $150 USD or $260 AUD) per night, prices may vary depending on the season and the room type required
Maua Address: Sakti, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771
Maua Website: Maua
Room Types: Premier Deluxe, Junior Suite, One Bedroom Luxury Pool Villa, One Bedroom Luxury Pool Villa with Sea View, One Bedroom Suite Pool Villa, Two Bedroom Suite Pool Villa and Two Bedroom Suite Pool Villa with Jacuzzi
Facilities: Kowhai Restaurant, Aroha Bar, Swimming Pool and Gym, Library, Lounge, Spa, Wellness Program, Yoga Classes, Local Tours, Snorkelling & Diving
Cleanliness and Maintenance
We thought that this hotel was very clean, and even though we checked behind things and lifted stuff off the floor, we couldn’t find anywhere that hadn’t been given a thorough cleaning recently.
On the maintenance side of things, we had no issues during our stay, so we’ll have to assume that they’re very proactive about keeping things working.
Sleep Quality
Nusa Penida has a natural advantage over much of mainland Bali when it comes to sleep; there’s very little noise when the tour groups have gone for the day. This is not a party place.
And the beds at this hotel are very comfortable, of a decent size, and the light leaks through the curtains are extremely minimal. You’re likely to have a great night’s sleep.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
The staff are friendly and professional, and will work hard to deliver an excellent experience. However, we felt that they sometimes had to take pretty trivial issues to a supervisor rather than being able to resolve them on the spot.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
The check-in was easy enough and not too time-consuming. Check out is supremely easy and if you need it, and you probably won’t, they can store your bags for a while after you check out.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathrooms were a delight, big, roomy, enough water pressure and great towels and toiletries. Absolutely 5-star.
Value For Money
One of the joys of going offshore is that you get more bang for your buck, and there’s no doubt that Maua represents excellent value for money.
Food And Beverage Execution
While not quite at the same level as some of the best hotels in mainland Bali, there’s no doubt that Maua’s culinary team have some real talent and the offerings at the onsite restaurant are very tasty and prepared with genuine passion.
The team certainly punch above their weight in this category, and we’d come back here just for the food.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
There’s no doubt that Maua is in a lovely spot on Nusa Penida, and there are things within walking distance (most of the island, really, it’s not very big).
But it is on Nusa Penida, and that means there are some hard limits on what’s available, and the boat trip to the island can be really rough at times.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
We felt that the facilities and amenities at Maua were as advertised and in better-than-average condition. However, we’d have liked a bit more to do given the remoteness of this location.
Overall “Personality”
Maua is a nice hotel, and the view is amazing. But we think there’s a lot of competition for the real unforgettable wow factor in Bali, and we don’t think it’s quite there.
There’s no doubt that Maua is a great place to stay, but it’s not the sort of resort that you’re going to remember in too much detail 10 years down the road.
Summary: Our Overview Of Maua
Maua is really good, particularly given the challenges of running a resort that’s not on the Mainland. Sure, it’s only a short-ish boat ride away, but when the sea gets choppy, it’s not an easy trip.
We loved the view from our bedroom window each morning and the food from the on-site facilities.
Most of all, we loved how cheap it was compared to similar places on the main island of Bali. We’d be happy to recommend this place to anyone visiting the Nusa Islands.
Grading: Very Good/Happy to Return
FAQs
Is Maua Family Friendly?
Yes, Maua is family-friendly. The hillside location means that you need to keep an eye on the littlest members of the tribe, but otherwise it should be fine.
The pool villas are a great way to spend some quality time together with your children and to keep them entertained. However, this hotel doesn’t really have a lot in the way of child-specific facilities, so if your kids need more stimulation, you might want to pick somewhere else to stay.
Final Thoughts On Maua
Maua is excellent value for money, thanks to its location on Nusa Penida, which, despite the costs of shipping most things to the island from mainland Bali, tends to be cheaper than the mainland.
The rooms are big and comfortable, and the views out over the island, bay and to the mountains of Bali beyond are spectacular.
The only downside of staying here is that you have to get to Nusa Penida first, and the boat ride can be really rough in bad weather.
