The hype
Guests are consistently blown away by the views and villa size but often underestimate the remote location and bug situation.
Sumberkima Hill Retreat
$150-350/ night
Book this if You want a 'Bali of 20 years ago' vibe with private infinity pools, epic volcano views, and zero tourist crowds.
Why People Love It
- Incredible value: massive private villas for the price of a standard hotel room
- The 'village' concept feels like a community, not a sterile resort
- Access to Menjangan Island's world-class snorkeling and diving
Quick Take: It's a four-hour drive from the airport to get here, and you will share your open-air bathroom with geckos and beetles.
Reviewed by @unpredicatabletravels: I stayed at this villa in North Bali and the views completely blew me away. Walking from the garden straight to that infinity pool felt like a dream. It's a bit of a drive from the airport, but waking up to that silent jungle panorama made it totally worth it.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'jungle gym' is literally a gym in the jungle — no AC, just free weights and humidity.
- You crave silence and don't mind being 4 hours from a nightclub
- You are a diver or snorkeler heading to Menjangan Island
- You are comfortable driving a scooter to explore local warungs
Cleanliness & Maintenance
9
- Housekeeping: Daily and thorough, but fighting a losing battle against nature (dust/leaves blow in).
- Bathroom hygiene: Clean fixtures, but open-air design means you will see geckos and occasional droppings.
- Maintenance: Generally excellent, though some older villas show wear (peeling paint, stiff doors).
- Linens & towels: Fresh and white, though humidity can make them feel slightly damp if AC isn't blasted.
- Odors & scents: Fresh mountain air, occasional burning wood smell from village fires.
Sleepability™
6.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Mosque call to prayer (5:00 AM)
- Roosters and geckos
- Motorbikes on distant roads (villa dependent)
Before you book
Good to know
- Airport transfer takes 3.5-4 hours and costs ~IDR 850,000
- You can rent a scooter directly from the front desk for exploring
- There are no ATMs on the hill; bring cash for small local purchases
What to pack
- Earplugs (essential for 5 AM noise)
- Mosquito repellent (the natural stuff provided isn't always enough)
- Refillable water bottle (filtered water is provided in villas)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Villa Naga: 3-bedroom stunner with direct volcano views
- Villa Murai: Perfect for couples, very private with a romantic bathtub
- Villa Singa: Unique 'bird's nest' lookout point and sunrise orientation
Rooms to avoid
- Villa Anak Arun: Described by guests as having a 'concrete bunker' feel with bare minimums
- Kesambi 1: Located directly under a high-voltage power line
- Kesambi 3 & 4: Closest to the road and mosque, making them the noisiest
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am looking for a quiet villa with a sunset view, specifically requesting to be away from the main road and mosque noise. Please avoid Kesambi units.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there a beach at the hotel?
No. The hotel is in the hills. They offer a free shuttle to 'Mangroove Bay' (their beach club area) or you can drive 15 mins to Pemuteran beach.
Is the food expensive?
Surprisingly affordable. Pastas around $7, local dishes cheaper. It's not 'resort pricing' despite the setting.
Can I walk to restaurants?
No. You are isolated. You eat at the 2 on-site restaurants, the beach club, or take a taxi/scooter 15 mins to Pemuteran village.
Is there air conditioning?
Bedrooms are air-conditioned, but living areas and bathrooms are often open-air (no AC, open to nature).
Are there bugs in the room?
Yes. Expect geckos on the walls, ants in the kitchen if you leave food out, and beetles flying in at night. It's part of the experience.
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes, families love the large villas with private pools, but the terrain is steep and not stroller-friendly.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Request a 'floating breakfast' in your private pool for a small extra fee.
- ✨
The 'Whana Warung' on-site has a pool table and cheaper local bites but is often quiet/empty.
- ✨
Book a massage at the spa during sunset; the treatment rooms have incredible views.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'gym' is an open-air shack with rusty weights and no AC — it's a sweatbox.
💡The road up to the retreat is steep, bumpy, and unpaved in sections.
💡You might find a frog in your toilet or shower; it's common in the open bathrooms.
💡Room service is ordered via WhatsApp and is surprisingly fast.
💡The 'sunset' villas get blasted by afternoon sun and can get very hot before evening.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Sumberkima Hill Retreat is located and what's nearby.