Mimpi Resort Menjangan

Mimpi Resort Menjangan is a large, verdant resort property that abuts a quiet lagoon. The lobby is housed in a quintessentially Balinese open-air space with thatched roofs and cooling marble tiles, plus a few wooden sofas topped with plush white curtains. The grounds consist of cement paths winding through large grassy expanses and beautifully landscaped gardens filled with tropical trees and shrubs and lots of fuchsia-hued bougainvillea. A number of multi-terraced fountains contribute to the serene vibe. Most guests are Japanese divers and tour groups, although the resort does get a hodgepodge of families and couples.

The hotel is located in a remote part of northwestern Bali, down a gravel road off a main highway that leads to a port across from the island of Java. The closest village is Pejarakan, which has a traditional market that's open in the early hours of the morning. There's also a small community that participates in traditional sea salt harvesting a five-minute drive away. The closest restaurants are in the Pemuteran area, a 15-minute drive away. It's about three and a half hours from Ubud and it can take upwards of four hours to reach the airport and Kuta.

The hotel offers 54 rooms and villas in total, all with marble floors and high ceilings plus amenities such as safes, mini-fridges, and loaner umbrellas. There are 30 Patio Rooms, all facing the garden, and each has a big veranda with cushioned seating, private mini pond, and semi-open-air bathroom with a walk-in shower. Adjoining family rooms are also available. The next level up are the Courtyard Villas, designed to resemble traditional Balinese houses, with thatched roofs and private hot springs tubs. Some also have upper-level lofts with sleeping areas for kids and four of these have their own private swimming pools. Adjoining pool and non-pool Courtyard Villas can also be booked for groups. The nicest units on the property, the two Grand Courtyard Villa Pools, have all the features of the regular Courtyard Villas, but are considerably larger. 

Wellness activities abound at the Mimpi Resort, and there's a yoga hall with yoga retreats and workshops held spring, summer, and fall. However, for many travelers, the biggest draw is the on-site Banyuwedang spring, the source of multiple pools around the resort. The hotel has numerous pools and hot springs tubs, including a large main pool flanked by mangroves with a stone patio and lounge chair seating. The smaller garden pool has a similar look, but gets more shade, and guests wanting something warmer have the option of soaking in the small Hot Spring Pool, surrounded by trees, or in the Ocean Hot Springs, a round tub with lovely views out onto the lagoon. The water is also suitable for drinking. The on-site spa takes full advantage of this natural resource, offering multiple treatments, such as facials and massages, and there's a Watsu (a modality of water massage) pool for floating massages.

The on-site Sunset Resto serves Balinese and international fare from morning until night in a pleasant semi-open thatched building overlooking the on-site marina, with plenty of outdoor seating on a wooden deck. There's also a sandy beach by the restaurant, though it's tiny and doesn't have lounge chairs. Many of the ingredients used at the restaurant are sourced from the resort's large organic garden. However, some visitors have found the food overpriced and the portions too small. The resort also has its own dive center, with all kinds of courses for divers of all levels; snorkeling and kayaking are also available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.