Wow! What an amazing feeling to be in Veluvana Bali, Indonesia.
From the blessing of water gently speckled on my head and face and a small flower placed on my ear by a young man named Komang to the clatter of a group of small feet, lead by a stocky young man named Alit, ushering my luggages to a bamboo house shaped like an octopus with a circular swimming pool as a rooftop, all these atop a small hill adorned with growing shrubbery as walls, rice fields, banana trees, coconut trees, grasses, flowers, flagstones, and assortment of harmless insects.
In minutes, I am immersed into a world that others from where I come from could only read in books. I am living a dream. I can finally smell the fresh air. I can hear the rhythmic tapping of raindrops. I can see the white clouds dance its way through the sky. I can feel small tuft of air passing by my ear from small butterflies whirling around me. Then, from behind me, I hear a small voice calling, âMiss. Miss. May I come in.â I turn and beckon for her to come. A young woman named Devi so eager to see another foreign face and to prepare my bed for the night so that I may slumber in heavenly peace. Her friendly demeanor humbled me, treats me like a long time friend who she has not seen for sometime. As I watch her work, she embraces me in sharing her culture as she whip out the mosquito curtains. I am learning a new way of living, a new way of understanding, a new culture whose practices are ever so mysterious and supernatural. I am learning what is unknown to me. I am grateful to experience this.
One morning, my phone ding. A ding that carries the breakfast menu sent with kind words by young woman named Rasmita and a young man named Mang Adi asking what my palate desires to taste.
Oh, let me share about what my palate whispered to my brain in utter amazement. The authentic Indonesian cuisines serve from the Dineora Restaurant at the Veluvana Bamboo House is magically delectable. As I busy myself preparing for my first meal, a tiny voice suddenly greets me from behind, a voice whose footsteps seem to float in the air for I didnât hear her coming at all. I am startled and amused. I turn to look at her. We both smiled. Her name is Yuyun. I am very impressed to witness a young woman with a humble aura of strong confidence and certainty and whose English pronunciation is perfect. She places on the table âNasi Gorengâ. A national dish of Indonesia ever so distinct by its aromatic, earthy and smoky flavor, owed to generous amount of caramelized sweet soy sauce and powdered shrimp paste. A taste so typically stronger and flavorful than just any fried rice. Nasi Goreng became my new favorite every morning.
And, off course. The innocent smile that Cahya shows every time I see her at the Dineora Restaurant, Her attention to details of my breakfast order is remarkable and her gentle placement of plates, food, and utensils is a sight to see, almost so mother-likeâŚnourishing.
Most of all, I am astounded to see the exquisite poetry in motion displayed by a young man named Surya. His romantic display of dancing in a dinner show is superb complete with traditional makeup and costume. His romantic show is equally comparable to a Japanese theatrical show, particularly in Kabuki, where Suryaâs meticulously display of facial and hand movements create a convincing portrayal of femininity in which slight twitch of lips and abrupt side eye look tells a story of history.
Wow. I am in utter amazement. The experiences that all my senses felt cannot be restricted in just words. The young men and women, Surya, Devi, Komang, Yuyun, Cahya, Rasmita, Alit, Mang Adi, Gede, Dek Adi, Gusti, just a few of the staff, who choreograph the smooth operation of Veluvana Bamboo House are inspiring. These young people carry with them and embedded in their DNA the humble art of caring through service. I am deeply impressed by their eagerness to serve, their professionalism, their sincerity in attending to my comfort, and world...
   Read moreMy boyfriend and I chose Veluvana for our first anniversary, and it was hands down the most incredible and unique resort experience we've ever had. I have travelled to 70 countries, stayed at different places from luxurious desert resorts to igloos and camping. These bamboo houses completely redefine "luxury". They truly connect us to nature! ||Octopus House|Our stay at the Octopus House was pure enchantment. Waking up to stunning mountain views from our private sanctuary, watching the fields transform from vibrant green to golden yellow â it was truly picturesque. But the absolute highlight was the swimming pool on the roof! My boyfriend captured amazing videos from up there; it was such an unforgettable and innovative experience. The beautiful flower pool that was part of the services we paid for was an incredibly thoughtful touch, and even a little rain couldn't dampen its magic||And I have to mention the smart design that Octopus house offers us, even the smallest details impressed us. My boyfriend particularly loved the ingenious luggage counter â perfectly designed with the ideal height and width, making it incredibly convenient and efficient for organizing our belongings. This smart design truly elevated our comfort. ||Bull House - Freedom, Fun & Wild Beauty||A short, scenic 15-minute drive took us to the Bull House, nestled in Veluvana Mountain, and this became our absolute favorite and one of the best houses we've ever experienced! Here, we truly found ultimate freedom. With no walls but only our soul, it felt wild, liberating, and absolutely refreshing. Just pure joy was what we carried. The views to the mountain were simply unparalleled â from top to bottom, far to close, it was breathtaking. I chose this place specifically for my boyfriend, who loves swimming, and we spent entire days just enjoying the pool, soaking in the panoramic vistas. The morning sunrise view from the Bull House was an experience that we will never forget. There are simply no words to describe its beauty. We truly enjoyed, relaxed, and bonded together in this tranquil paradise.||Exceptional Staff - The Heart of Veluvana|What truly sets Veluvana apart, beyond its breathtaking beauty, is its extraordinary staff. They are more than just hosts; Their 24/7 support made our entire stay effortless and unforgettable. Need a ride to dinner? No problem â they'd whisk us away by scooter or car, making every outing easy and personal.||A special shout-out to Surya, who was incredibly welcoming, informative, and always there to help. We also had the pleasure of meeting a fantastic ââTikToker staffââ Komang, who was so energetic and enthusiastic, showing us the best spots and even giving us tips on how to pose for photos! Every single interaction made us feel genuinely cared for and like true friends.||A Must-Experience "New Bali"|I went to Bali 10 years ago, and coming back, I can confidently say that Bali is totally new to me. Thanks to staying at Veluvana,Veluvana isn't just a place to stay; it's an experience for the soul. It's a new kind of Bali, offering freedom, wild beauty, and unparalleled hospitality. We are already dreaming of our return and wholeheartedly recommend Veluvana to anyone seeking an unforgettable escape. Prepare to be amazed!|Small suggestion |To further enhance the resort's beautiful "close to nature" theme, it would be wonderful if the cutlery provided were made of bamboo instead of plastic. Additionally, developing a "farm to table" concept for the food offerings could further enrich the dining experience, making it more diverse and connecting guests even more deeply with the...
   Read moreWow â we truly cannot say enough good things about Veluvana. My wife and I spent the first four nights of our honeymoon in Sidemen and chose Veluvana after seeing some stunning photos on Instagram. Since we booked somewhat last-minute, availability was limited, and we werenât able to spend all four nights in our preferred villa, The Scorpio. Instead, we ended up staying in four different villas: Snail House, Octopus, Owl, and finally Scorpio.
Initially, the idea of switching villas each night felt like it would be a logistical headacheâbut it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. Each villa had its own charm and personality, and it allowed us to experience everything Veluvana had to offer.
Ambiance & Design
The villas are just as magical as they appear in photosâif not better. Each one is beautifully crafted from bamboo, with intricate details and a distinct vibe. Our personal favorite was the Owl House, but honestly, we wouldâve been happy staying in any of them. ⢠Snail House doesnât offer a view, but the design is cozy and unique. ⢠Octopus includes a private elevator that takes you to a rooftop pool (yes, really). ⢠Owl has this enchanting treehouse-like feel. ⢠Scorpio offers incredible jungle views.
One standout feature across all the villas? The outdoor showersâwarm, open-air, and surrounded by nature. It made every shower feel like a luxury jungle retreat.
Service & Staff
This was hands down the biggest surprise and the highlight of our stay.
We arrived exhausted at 2:30am after a 25-hour travel day and 1.5-hour drive from the airport. Even at that hour, we were greeted warmly, our bags taken care of, and everything explained with patience and kindness.
Each night we moved to a new villa, we were added to a dedicated WhatsApp group with 16 staff members who responded instantly to any question or requestâwhether it was meal adjustments, activity bookings, or just checking in to see how we were doing.
On our second night, we werenât feeling well and returned early from an outing. The staff noticed, and without us asking, brought lemon ginger tea to help us feel better. My wife has gluten and dairy allergies, and the team was incredibly attentiveâmaking sure every meal was safe for her, without us having to remind anyone.
One staff member even offered us her personal scooter so we wouldnât have to walk far to drop off laundry. That level of kindness and hospitality just blew us away. We also booked a romantic dinner and a couples massage, and the team went above and beyond to make both feel truly special.
I could go on and onâthe service was simply exceptional.
Location Perks
If you take a short walk down the road, youâll find some great little coffee shops and local spas. The area is peaceful, scenic, and full of charm.
Final Thoughts: If youâre on the fence about booking VeluvanaâDO IT. Weâre so glad we did. It was a truly unforgettable experience, and weâd return in...
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