Matahari Beach Resort, Pemuteran

On the remote northern Balinese coast, Matahari Beach Resort provides guests with a peaceful, remote and idyllic setting surrounded by traditional Balinese architecture and furniture and an extensive list of activities.

The 32 villas, spread across a beautifully kept garden in the shadow of the volcanic mountains to the south, offer Balinese grace and style and remove you from the stresses and strains of modern life. Although they are not large, the rooms are very comfortable and crafted lovingly with exclusively local materials such as sandstone, marble, palimanan, wood and bamboo. There is a large marble bath and a massive sandstone dragon outdoor shower. We recommend the Premium Garden View Bungalow, which is a two-unit bungalow with each room having their own small, private veranda.

The hotel is particularly famous for its incredible cuisine, which is a fusion of Balinese and western influences. The GM of the resort is a passionate French chef, and this passion has been wonderfully translated into the hotel's menu, and as you would expect from a French-run establishment, the wine list is extensive and housed in the purpose-built wine cellar.

The resort has its own long, quiet and private black sand beach which looks out across a tranquil and inviting bay. Particularly good for families, the list of activities is extensive. The excellent dive centre offers PADI courses and snorkelling trips to the famous diving spot of Menjangan Island. There is a three-hole pitch and pitch golf course, tennis and badminton courts, kayaks for hire and on the beach, there is a volleyball court and a man-sized chessboard.