Amankila

Aptly named “peaceful hill,” Amankila is perched high above the Sea of Bali in the island’s picturesque eastern corridor.

The Standout: The three-tiered infinity pool, which cascades down the hillside Don’t Miss: A private driving tour of East Bali, with stops at ancient villages and royal palaces

• Ocean View Suites, especially those with private swimming pools
• Seeing eastern Bali, a remote part of the island
• The Beach Club and lap pool, located near the private volcanic beach
• Working out at the al fresco jungle gym, built largely out of bamboo

Located just over an hour’s drive northeast from the crowded and touristy capital of Denpasar (where flights arrive), Amankila offers a glimpse into Bali’s history, with its landscape of mountains and rice terraces dotted with small villages and fishing communities.

A guest’s arrival at Amankila is dramatic, beginning with the open-air lobby at the top of a cliff, which is followed by a nearly vertical drop down to its iconic three-tiered infinity pool. New arrivals wander through a labyrinth of stepped walkways that connect Amankila’s freestanding pavilions, which are modeled to reflect their surroundings (and closely resembling the Royal Water Palace outside Amlapura in East Bali).

Each traditional Balinese alang-alang thatched-pavilion roof offers canopied king-size beds, sunken tubs and sumptuous mother-of-pearl vanities. The most indulgent accommodations are the Ocean View Suites, especially those that have private swimming pools. Families should take advantage of Amankila’s connecting suites or the two-bedroom Amankila Suite, which includes butler service.

Below the resort sits a private black-sand beach, where guests can enjoy the calm surf and embark upon one of the many boating excursions Amankila offers. The best spot to unwind, however, is on a chaise lounge by the 135-foot lap pool at the adjacent Beach Club. Steps from the sand, the club offers lunch service and can also be reserved for a romantic meal under the stars. Plans to create a full-service spa and gym are in the works, but in the meantime guests enjoy treatments in the privacy of their suites, the Massage Pavilion or by the beach.

Editor’s Note: As beautiful a setting as Amankila has, the view is slightly marred by multiple oil tankers that park offshore, though these don't keep many guests from swimming in the water here.

Couples adore the romance factor here. Families should keep in mind the cantilevered hotel grounds are not suitable for smaller children.