Nirjhara is one of a tiny handful of hotels in Bali to have received a prestigious Michelin Key award in the guide’s first ever assessment of global resorts. It’s also a Top 10 placement on Tatler’s Best Hotels in Asia list.
Set in the jungles of Tabanan not far from Tanah Lot this hotel specialises in luxury experiences that benefit and work with the local community and which are supported by skilled Balinese artisans.
Our team was very excited about the chance to visit this acclaimed hotel and this is what they learned on their visit to Nirjhara in Tabanan, Bali.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of Nirjhara
Every review we conduct is to the same set of criteria, this allows us to apply a consistent set of standards to our reviews and ensures we deliver an end product that makes comparing hotels extremely easy.
Hotel Type: Luxury Hotel/Retreat
Area of Bali: Tabanan
Star Rating: 5-star
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 6,000,000 IDR (approx. $360 USD or $600 AUD) per night, with the understanding that rates change frequently and vary by room
Nirjhara Address: Jl. Nirjhara, Banjar Kedungu, Belalang, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82121
Nirjhara Website: Nirjhara
Room Types: Canopy Suite, River Pavillion, Jungle Pool Pavillion, River Pool Pavilion, Two Bedroom Pool Villa, Two Bedroom Jungle Pool Villa, The Residence
Facilities: Ambu Restaurant, Pool Bar, Sunrise Picnics, Waterfall Dining, Cooking Classes, Wellness Retreat, Yoga Shala, Gym, Spiritual Healing Workshop, Library, Boutique Store, Cinema (weekly movie nights and available for private use), Mixology Class, Surfing Lessons, Cycling, Horseback Riding, and Tours.
We felt that Nirjhara deserved a place on the list of the finest luxury resorts in Bali.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
The Michelin Guide team is probably as thorough as ours and we certainly didn’t find any blemishes tucked away in hard to spot reaches of our rooms.
We also felt that the maintenance team here was all about being proactive and trying to prevent issues before they arise.
Sleep Quality
The beds are amazing and you will find the mattresses and pillows to be very comfortable. One nice thing about this part of Tabanan is that there’s really nothing in the local area that can disturb your sleep.
So, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a perfect night without having to count any sheep.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
The staff are what makes a hotel like Nirjhara and we found them to be very friendly and approachable and focused on ensuring that we had an amazing stay.
They are fully empowered to get things done, too, there’s no messing around with fetching a manager for trivial stuff.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
Check-in at small out of the way resorts is always pretty painless and it was here too, check-out is always a matter of saying farewell, really.
They can store luggage for you, but we doubt you’ll want that as after you check out, there’s not much to do in this area.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathroom is huge and luxurious and the toiletries provided are excellent. We found the towels to be really comfortable and soothing too.
We’d go back to use the bathrooms here if we could.
Value For Money
While some hotels are expensive and feel it, this one is actually very reasonably priced for a hotel that has picked up so many accolades and we felt that it was exceptional value for money.
It’s not the sort of place you can stay every day, but as a treat, it’s very much worth it.
Food And Beverage Execution
The food is absolutely excellent and despite having a large menu at the restaurant (we assume so that long-stay guests don’t get bored) everything was delicious and of a really high standard.
If we lived closer to this place, we’d revisit the restaurant here regularly, it’s very good.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
This part of Tabanan is beautiful and the setting is soothing and attractive, but there’s not much going on in the vicinity and you will need transportation for days out.
You need to arrange this with the hotel or rent a car/bike as there aren’t many Grab drivers in this area.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
It’s clear the team at Nirjhara understands that this hotel is a little isolated and thus, there are a lot amenities available to enjoy. And they are all of excellent standard.
Overall “Personality”
The jungle setting, the unique design of the hotel, the tasteful features, the waterfall, it all adds up to something truly special.
You’re never going to forget spending time at this place and that will be in a really positive fashion, too.
Summary: Our Overview Of Nirjhara
We felt truly pampered at Nrijhara and we wouldn’t hesitate to go back if someone else was paying again, but seriously if you have the opportunity to go, you should.
This is a world class hotel with excellent amenities in a quieter corner of Bali, but not so far from the bright lights of Canggu that you can’t have a night out at the world’s best beach club, for example.
Grading: World-class
FAQs
Is Nirjhara Family Friendly?
Yes, Nirjhara is happy to welcome families to the hotel and the villas are ideal for a small family holiday.
However, the hotel doesn’t have any particular features for children and you may find that you want to consider somewhere with a kids club or kids play centre if you have younger children who are easily bored.
Final Thoughts On Nirjhara
There’s no doubt that Nirjhara is a hotel with outstanding character and it makes a very strong visual impression as soon as you set eyes on it.
It’s a surprisingly affordable slice of luxury in Bali, where many of the very best hotels have rooms that start at $1,000 a night, compared to this resort’s much more reasonable $400.
We’d be happy to recommend staying at Nirjhara to anyone looking for a relaxing break a little further away from the party lifestyle that Bali is famous for.
