The Menjangan by LifestyleRetreats4

The eco-hotel "The Menjangan by LifestyleRetreats" is a secluded wildlife oasis that completely reshapes your idea of Bali, whisking guests far from the clamor of cities and scooters. The resort captivates travelers with the chance to live in direct contact with pristine flora and fauna: wild deer stroll along the white sand beach, and rare birds glide overhead. Guests praise the warm, family-like atmosphere created by the staff led by manager Gelgel, along with unique active pursuits — from horseback riding to outstanding snorkeling at the reef. The only serious challenge might be the lengthy transfer and the need to tolerate the intrusive curiosity of the local monkeys.

Key Observations

Immersion in Wildlife: Guests constantly rave about the chance to observe animals: wild deer approach the doorstep of beach villas in the morning, rare Bali starlings perch on branches, and from the pier you can spot giant cuttlefish and colorful corals in the sea.

Exceptional Service: The hotel staff receives glowing reviews for personalized care, willingness to help with medical issues (including accompanying guests to the hospital), and thoughtful gifts for personal celebrations, such as room upgrades on anniversaries.

Trajectory: The hotel has maintained a consistently exceptional level of hospitality over many years, evidenced by reviews from returning guests who have come back three or four times in recent years.

Main Pros

• A unique location right inside the protected West Bali National Park.
• Stunning individual beach villas with panoramic windows and outdoor showers.
• A diverse choice of activities: sunset horseback riding, kayaking in mangroves, and superb snorkeling.
• Unusual transport — double-decker safari buses, rides on which become an adventure in themselves.
• A magnificent viewing platform at the Bali Tower, perfect for sunset cocktails.

Main Cons

• Too-clever wild macaques that can open unlocked doors, sneak into rooms in search of food, and steal guests' belongings on the beach.
• A long and tiring journey from Denpasar Airport, taking up to four hours along winding roads.
• Considerable distances between the accommodation complexes and the beachfront restaurant, requiring waiting for a transfer.

Overall Grade: A

Hotel Overview

Basic Information:

• Name — The Menjangan by LifestyleRetreats
• Address — Jl. Raya Gilimanuk Singaraja Km 17, Pejarakan, Gerokgak, Buleleng, Bali, 81155, Indonesia
• Contact details — phone +6236294700, official website lifestyleretreats.com/the-menjangan
• Year opened — not specified in sources
• Number of rooms — Monsoon Lodge (Deluxe and Suite rooms), individual Beach Villas, and the private villa The Residence
• Positioning and category — luxury eco-resort retreat, premium 4-star

Description: The hotel occupies a vast 382-hectare protected area inside West Bali National Park. The resort's concept is built on the principles of ecotourism, minimal interference with nature, and offering guests the chance to completely recharge in silence. The main architectural landmark is the Bali Tower viewing platform, built from huge logs, which also houses a restaurant.

Target Audience: Ideally suited for romantic couples, families with mid-age children seeking adventure, as well as diving, snorkeling, and slow ecotourism enthusiasts away from the popular tourist areas of southern Bali.

Location & Transport

Location: The resort sits on the northwestern tip of Bali, in the quietest and least developed part of the island, entirely surrounded by wild forests and mangrove bays. It is an ecologically pristine area without the noise of mopeds or street vendors.

Key Points of Interest: The hotel's pier is in close proximity to Menjangan Island — the best diving spot in Bali. The waterfalls and dolphin bays of the island's north are about an hour away.

Transport: Guests arrive via private transfers from the airport. Within the property, guests move around on colorful open safari carts, which can be summoned by calling reception and are quite prompt.

Walkability: Walking is possible along the park's paths, but the route from Monsoon Lodge to the beach takes about 30 minutes along a forest dirt road. In high humidity, this can be physically demanding, plus there is the risk of encountering troops of monkeys or an abundance of mosquitoes.

Grade: A-

Rooms & Cleanliness

The Monsoon rooms astonish with their spaciousness (especially the bathrooms), comfortable beds, and perfect linens under canopies. Beach villas are the pinnacle of luxury: located just a couple of meters from the water, allowing you to fall asleep to the sound of the surf. Housekeeping is done twice a day, and rooms are well-protected from mosquitoes. The only problem might be small geckos getting inside due to the eco-construction of the buildings.

Grade: A

Service

The service deserves an "excellent" rating. Staff warmly greet guests by name, remember their preferences, and genuinely try to help in any situation. Manager Gelgel gives personal attention to practically every guest, overseeing the quality of the stay. 24-hour support is available.

Grade: A+

Dining

The hotel has two restaurants — at Bali Tower (breakfasts) and Ocean Club Octagon at the beach (lunches and dinners). The menu offers both Indonesian cuisine and European fine dining classics, adapted to Western tastes. A full vegan menu is provided. Romantic beach dinners can be arranged on request.

Grade: A-

Facilities & Amenities

Guests can enjoy a magnificent outdoor pool at Monsoon Lodge, a spa with ocean views, stables with well-cared-for horses, a snorkeling pier, and kayak rentals. Free Wi-Fi with good speed is available throughout the property, and drinking water refill stations for reusable bottles are set up near the rooms.

Grade: A

Important Notes

• In-room dining is unavailable due to the remoteness of the villas and the risk of attracting monkeys. Guests need to plan dinners in advance.
• An obligatory fee is charged for entering the national park (about 10 € per couple per day).
• Trips outside the hotel to the nearest town by taxi will cost no less than 20 € one way.

Practical Tips for Guests

• Keep villa doors tightly shut and always lock them, even if you leave for a couple of minutes — clever monkeys can instantly open door handles.
• Don't leave food, cookies, and fruit on verandas, and don't take open bags to the beach — this will definitely attract macaques.
• Be sure to book a table on the upper level of Bali Tower in advance to enjoy the best sunset view of Java's volcanoes with a cocktail in hand.
• Try snorkeling right from the hotel's pier (Jetty) — the concentration of fish and the preservation of corals here are hardly inferior to the famous Menjangan Island.
• Take advantage of complimentary services included in some stay packages, such as a morning bird-watching excursion.
• If traveling with a large group or family, choose The Residence villa with three bedrooms and a private pool for maximum privacy.
• Bring a quality insect repellent for evening walks through the forested part of the hotel.

Final Verdict

The resort "The Menjangan by LifestyleRetreats" gives guests the rare luxury of absolute oneness with Bali's wildlife in an unsurpassed atmosphere of hospitality.

Overall Grade: A

Breakdown: Location: A- | Rooms: A | Service: A+ | Dining: A- | Facilities: A | Value for Money: A

Best for: Wildlife lovers, couples seeking romantic seclusion, snorkeling and diving fans, and families tired of noisy touristy Bali.

Not for: Lovers of nightlife, shopping, pool parties, and people for whom long car journeys are difficult.