Best Hotels in Nusa Penida: Where to Stay (2026)

By Blaise Jaeger — Nusa Penida hotel owner & long-time resident · Updated August 2026

When I first visited Nusa Penida back in 2015, there were only two hotels to choose from. It was a simple decision to make: Ring Sameton on the north coast, owned by Indonesians, or Namaste Bungalows, located near Crystal Bay and run by French expats. It’s interesting to note that the nationalities of the owners have significantly influenced the island’s tourism industry. Namaste Bungalows, in particular, has attracted a sizable French tourist market, which has in turn fueled further investment from French investors. This has led to the emergence of a “French Corner” around Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay. Today, with over 450 hotels in Nusa Penida listed on Booking.com, I’ve narrowed down my top picks for the best hotels in Nusa Penida — but first, let me help you choose the right area.

Where to stay in Nusa Penida: which area?

After ten years on the island, my first piece of advice isn’t a hotel — it’s an area. Where you sleep changes your whole trip, because Nusa Penida is bigger and slower to cross than it looks on a map, and getting around takes time.

• Divers → around Toyapakeh. If you’re here to dive in Nusa Penida, this is the smart base. Our dive centre Dune Penida offers free pick-up within about 5 km of Toyapakeh, and Maua, Namaste Bungalows and Adiwana Warnakali all sit inside that radius.
• First trip, couples & families → Toyapakeh, Gamat Bay or Crystal Bay. The west-coast “French Corner” puts you close to the best snorkelling, the finest sunsets and easy boat access, with plenty of restaurants nearby.
• Small budget → the north coast. This is where you’ll find the biggest cluster of guesthouses and backpacker spots, at the lowest prices.

Insider tip — avoid the centre of the island. On the map it looks central and convenient, so people assume they’ll be close to everything. In reality you end up far from the coast, with long scooter rides to every beach and viewpoint. Stay near the coast you want to explore.

The first 5-star hotel in Nusa Penida

Maua Nusa Penida is the first 5-star hotel on the island, and it opened relatively recently. It has 25 air-conditioned villas with a dressing room, a private garden and a private pool, each with a beautiful view of Gamat Bay. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a large swimming pool and a spa. You can also book one of the classic hotel rooms with an awesome valley view.

Hotel ranked first on Tripadvisor

Full transparency: I own Adiwana Warnakali, and I’m a partner in the Dune Penida dive centre based there — so I’m obviously not neutral about this one. Here’s my honest take anyway.

The 4-star boutique hotel Adiwana Warnakali is the champion in all categories for Nusa Penida hotels on Tripadvisor: best Tripadvisor ranking, best traveler ranking, best value for money. Its 15 air-conditioned rooms all share the same breathtaking view of the sea, Mount Agung, and the island of Nusa Lembongan. It offers all the services of a comfortable hotel, including a restaurant, room service, a swimming pool and a spa, and it is home to the PADI 5-star Dune Penida diving centre.

New: Adiwana Warnakali private-pool villas

A few hundred meters from the resort I have built three brand-new private-pool villas. Each one is fully private — no shared corridors, no shared deck — with its own infinity pool facing the Badung Strait and Mount Agung, en-suite bedrooms, a living room and a full kitchen. There are two 2-bedroom villas and one 1-bedroom villa, and all three are now open.

The 1-bedroom villa with private pool — now open

This is the one I’d book for a couple. It’s a single-storey villa with one en-suite bedroom, a living room that opens onto the deck along two full glass walls, a full kitchen (not a kitchenette — proper worktop, island, fridge and hob), a walk-in shower and a free-standing bathtub set against a window. The private infinity pool runs along the deck, and on a clear morning you watch Mount Agung come out of the haze from the sofa without getting up.

Because it’s a full kitchen rather than a bar fridge, it also works for a longer stay — a week here costs a lot less than a week of restaurant meals, and there are shops a few minutes away. Guests use the resort’s restaurant, spa and dive centre as normal.

Opening rate: 3,400,000 IDR per night (down from 4,400,000 IDR), breakfast for two included. That’s roughly what a garden villa costs at the island’s other 5-star address, for a villa with its own pool and a kitchen. Booking is open on Airbnb and directly with the resort — booking direct is the cheapest route, since there’s no platform commission on top.

The 2-bedroom villas — now open

The two 2-bedroom villas follow the same plan with a second en-suite bedroom, for a family or two couples travelling together. Opening rate: 5,772,000 IDR per night (down from 7,400,000 IDR), breakfast for four included.

Do the arithmetic before you assume the small villa is the cheaper choice: at four people, the 2-bedroom works out at about 1,443,000 IDR per person, against 1,700,000 in the 1-bedroom at two. If you’re travelling as four, the bigger villa is the better deal — and you still get the pool to yourselves.

Both 2-bedroom villas are on Airbnb and bookable directly with the resort, and Roy answers on WhatsApp if you’d rather check dates first.

Try the glamping!

Autentik Nusa Penida has developed a unique “glamping” concept. This eco-lodge offers guests 8 luxury safari tents nestled in the heart of unspoiled nature, with breathtaking views of the coconut groves, the majestic Agung volcano and the ocean. For nature lovers, it’s a return to the sources of sorts — while keeping the comfort of a chic lodge. A refreshing and unforgettable experience.

Joglos facing the sun

Tanah Damai — “Land of Peace” in Indonesian — is aptly named. Set in the heart of the jungle, in strict harmony with nature, this hand-built, human-sized hotel offers 4 small, unoverlooked traditional wooden houses. It also features a magnificent villa with three air-conditioned bedrooms, perfect for a family or group of friends, and a 200 m² deluxe suite overlooking the sea, ideal for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway.

Everything has been designed to preserve intimacy and quiet. Nestled in lush greenery made for contemplation, you’ll enjoy the infinity pool overhanging the jungle and the ocean — offering a breathtaking view and outstanding, memorable sunsets.

The restaurant favours homemade meals and quality food, whether for colourful breakfasts or delicious dinners. Vegan options are also available to suit everybody’s taste.

The charm of the first bungalows on Nusa Penida

Namaste Bungalows is the first French-run hotel in Nusa Penida. It’s also an oasis of tranquillity, located just minutes from Crystal Bay and the welcoming Sakti Village. It has 10 bungalows arranged around a reception, a restaurant and a swimming pool overlooking the valley, Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay.

FAQ — where to stay in Nusa Penida

Where should I stay in Nusa Penida?

Stay near the coast that matches your plans. Base yourself around Toyapakeh for diving and easy access, Crystal Bay or Gamat Bay for a first visit, couples and families, and the north coast if you’re on a budget. Avoid the centre of the island — it feels central but leaves you far from everything.

Does Nusa Penida have 5-star hotels?

Yes — two addresses reach that standard. Maua Nusa Penida is the island’s first 5-star hotel, with 25 private-pool villas above Gamat Bay. Adiwana Warnakali is the top-rated resort on Tripadvisor, and its three new private-pool villas — one 1-bedroom and two 2-bedroom — all opened in 2026.

Which hotels in Nusa Penida have a private pool?

Three, as of 2026: Maua (all 25 villas), the new Adiwana Warnakali villas above Toyapakeh, and the family villa at Tanah Damai. In many places on the island, “pool” means a shared hotel pool. If a private pool is the reason you’re booking, check the room type carefully — several Nusa Penida listings use villa photos for rooms that share the main pool.

Which area is best for divers?

Stay around Toyapakeh. Our dive centre Dune Penida offers free pick-up within about 5 km of Toyapakeh, and Maua, Namaste Bungalows and Adiwana Warnakali all sit inside that radius, so you reach the boats quickly each morning. Our complete guide to diving in Nusa Penida covers the sites, the seasons and the currents.

Is it better to stay overnight or visit Nusa Penida on a day trip?

Stay at least 2–3 nights. Day-trippers only see a fraction of the island in a rushed loop; staying lets you reach the beaches and dive sites before the crowds arrive from Bali and enjoy the sunsets. See how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali.

How much does accommodation cost in Nusa Penida?

Budget guesthouses on the north coast start around 250,000–400,000 IDR a night, mid-range boutique rooms sit between 900,000 and 2,000,000 IDR, and private-pool villas run from about 3,000,000 IDR upwards. As a 2026 benchmark, the new private-pool villas at Adiwana Warnakali are 3,400,000 IDR a night with breakfast for two (1-bedroom) and 5,772,000 IDR with breakfast for four (2-bedroom).

Any questions?

Before leaving, take a moment to complete your travel planning. If Nusa Penida is part of a broader journey, you may find it useful to plan your trip to Bali before heading to the island. For a full overview, don’t miss our complete travel guide for Nusa Penida, which brings together everything you need to know in one place. You’ll also find helpful practical information about Nusa Penida, covering transport, getting around, and essential tips. And beyond where to sleep, you’ll find plenty of ideas in our guide to the best things to do in Nusa Penida, plus the best ways to get here.

If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll be more than happy to help and answer your questions!

About the author — Blaise Jaeger

Blaise discovered Nusa Penida in 2015, opened the island’s first PADI dive centre in 2017 and owns the Adiwana Warnakali boutique resort, where he is also a partner in the Dune Penida dive centre. A PADI Master Scuba Diver with more than 700 logged dives, he has lived on and around the island for years — the hotel picks and area advice on this page come from that first-hand experience, not from a booking database.