It’s no secret that Bali is easily one of the most popular island destinations for Malaysians. As the Indonesian archipelago is located just three hours away by flight, travelling there is a no-brainer for a quick escape from the city. While there, Nusa Penida – a smaller island near Bali’s southeastern region – is one spot you should not miss for its breathtaking cliffs, coves, and turquoise waters.
With that said, Nusa Penida’s burgeoning popularity has also made it a magnet for tourists and shutterbugs. Read: You’ll need to join a queue or squeeze through throngs of visitors for the best vantage points at top attractions like Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach and Broken Beach.
If you’d rather not spend your holiday brushing against crowds, here’s a tip: stay in Nusa Penida! This allows you to get an earlier head start and avoid day-trip visitors that come later in the day. On that note, MAUA Nusa Penida – the first luxury resort on the island and part of Swiss-Belhotel portfolio – is the perfect accommodation, promising a blissful stay in your own private sanctuary.
A private cocoon of comfort
The One Bedroom Villa is equipped with creature comforts for a serene stay. The One Bedroom Villa plunge pool offers views overlooking Gamat Bay. The One Bedroom Villa bathroom is fitted with eco-friendly bath amenities. 
Nestled on the hilltop of Gamat Bay in the northwest region of Nusa Penida known as Toya Pakeh, MAUA can be reached by ferry or speedboat from Bali’s Sanur Harbour, and then 20 minutes by road from Nusa Penida Harbour. The 5-star resort offers 25 villas ranging from junior suites to one- and two- bedroom options.
Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted with a refreshing cold towel and drink as we soaked in the natural sights and sounds from the spacious reception lounge. Before long, we were whisked away on a buggy ride to our One-Bedroom Luxury Villa – which affords 75 square metres of space, a plush king-sized bed, eco-friendly bath amenities, and a terrace area with a private pool.
Concrete and wooden elements inform the room’s interiors, seamlessly blending modern architectural sensibilities with the natural environment. Landscaped gardens and terraces reflect MAUA’s harmonious relationship with nature, echoed by its elimination of single-use plastic across the property. Glass bottles in the villa are refilled daily, along with Nespresso coffee and tea-making amenities.
Modern facilities with a view
The lobby area. The main swimming pool. KOWHAI restaurant. The Library and Lounge. Aroha Bar.
Though we’d be happy staying in all day, an array of dining and wellness facilities await to complete the stay. KOWHAI is the resort’s all-day dining restaurant with alfresco seating options overlooking a picturesque hill. Aside from a breakfast buffet, it offers local and international dishes for lunch and dinner, as well as ‘Fresh from the Farm’ a la carte options using local, seasonal herbs and vegetables from the on-site organic garden. In-room dining services can also be arranged.
Next to the restaurant is the resort’s main swimming pool and kid’s pool, boasting panoramic views of the jungle, bay, and Mount Agung. Besides taking a dip, guests can sunbathe on the daybeds while enjoying thirst-quenching beverages and light snacks from AROHA Bar, located adjacent to the pool.
There’s also an airy library and lounge which can be reserved for private meetings and gatherings, as well as a gym for your fitness needs. Alternatively, the spa offers comprehensive services including massages, body scrubs, and even wellness classes including yoga, aqua-stretching, and pilates.
If you’re looking for an outdoor excursion, MAUA has a plethora of packages to cater to every interest. From guided tours to cave temple visits and snorkeling adventures, the team is always ready to assist. Although we made our own plans involving very early starts to our day, the hotel staff were very accommodating in preparing breakfast boxes for us to bring along on our journey. Thoughtful gestures like these throughout our stay made the hospitality truly worth commending.
Whether you’re visiting Nusa Penida with your partner or family, MAUA provides a serene haven to relax and reconnect with nature at your own pace. Our favourite part was arguably the glorious sunset views from our private villa, though the amicable hotel team certainly left a mark on us, too.
MAUA Nusa Penida
Address: Jalan Gamat Bay, Nusa Penida Island, Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia
Phone: (62-361) 620 8999
WhatsApp: 0811 3800 8999
Email: mauanp@swiss-belhotel.com
For more information or to make a reservation, visit mauahotel.com.