The newly revamped Karma Beach, accessible by a private cable car, cements the 54-villa resort as one of Bali’s top choices for a luxurious cliff-top retreat.
Cliff-top views abound at Karma Kandara. (Photo: Karma Resorts)
The Look
Perched on southern Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, the 54-villa Karma Kandara is a blissful sanctuary for holidaymakers seeking out a tranquil slice of the tropics. Alabaster-white walls and pops of sky-blue accents frame scenic cliff-top views of the Indian Ocean, while traditional Balinese-style villas featuring natural materials like stone, teakwood, and ironwood tile roofs are easy on the eye. The main draw here is Karma Beach, the resort’s signature beach club, which has undergone an extensive refurbishment by Munich-born designer Tina Kirschner. In her words, “We’re keeping the typical Karma deconstructed beach vibe but with a more modern, sexy twist.”
Inside the three-bedroom luxury pool villa. (Photo: Karma Resorts)
The Rooms
At our three-bedroom villa, brightly colored doors open to steps that lead to a generously sized courtyard and a private infinity pool. It was paradise found—until we discovered that the resort is equally popular among a tribe of playful monkeys. With a grin on his face, the reservations manager cautioned that we’d be charged if the primates ate the food from our minibar. That said, the villa was expansive yet intimate, with cozy nooks that encourage guests to unwind with a book or drink, as well as comfortable poster beds that ensured we had a deep sleep every night. With a smart television in the living room that came with Netflix and Apple TV, it was a tough choice between staying in all day and heading out.
Karma Beach from above. (Photo: Karma Resorts)
The Food
Relaxing by day and even more alluring after dark, the resort’s signature restaurant di Mare offers Mediterranean cuisine and fine wines on a cliff-top overlooking the Indian Ocean. The crab omelet is excellent, as is the croissant French toast—a lovely treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. For a more casual setting, take a scenic cable car ride down to the newly remodelled Karma Beach, which now has two distinct offerings: Karma Beach Dining, and Karma Beach Bar. The former has an increased seating capacity of 110 and serves moreish pizzas and delicious sushi platters, alongside well-crafted cocktails.
The former pizza area at the back of the restaurant has also been transformed into a new bar and lounge zone, which will set the stage for parties led by guest DJs. With large swing chairs overlooking the ocean and wooden stools paired with a single large communal table, the new setup is perfectly designed for communal dining and chilling out.
An ocean-facing spa bale. (Photo: Karma Resorts)
Don’t Miss
A stay at Karma Kandara isn’t quite complete without a spot of pampering at the luxurious Karma Spa, which is home to cliff-hanging spa bales (pavilions) set into the jagged limestone cliffs. Expect 180-degree views of the natural surrounds as you relax in the soaking pool after a well-deserved massage or two. Treatments here range from traditional Balinese massages to detoxing programs, anti-aging facials, and spiritual healing sessions.
More information here.
