By Sonia Taylor|
Securing a crumbling guest house smack bang on the pathway down to Bingin Beach, a Portuguese family has transformed the coveted site into Terra Cottages Bali, a Moroccan-inspired boutique oasis worthy of its stellar location.
Nestled in the best enclave of the Bukit Peninsula, the newly opened 21-room hotel beautifully bridges the gap between comfort, design and affordability, a real coup amid the rapidly developing high-end (and often overpriced) Bali accommodation market.
Terra Cottages Bali takes its design concept from blending elements of the Balinese compound and Moroccan Riad, where dwellings surround a central courtyard.
The soothing space is awash in varying tones of terracotta render, reminiscent of mud-brick Berber homes in North Africa. This complements the traditional red-roof tiling typically found in Balinese compounds, as well as thatched roofing at the restaurant.
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The landscaping is another nod to both cultures, with ample tropical foliage staccatoed by strategically-placed cacti.
Every room enjoys its own private terrace or balcony overlooking either tropical gardens or the crystal-clear pool, complete with in-built loungers. Inside, expect thick, comfy mattresses, air conditioning, mood lighting, beautiful interior styling and gorgeous herringbone-laid pink marble tile work.
With wonderfully friendly staff to boot, the result is a stylish space with a relaxed, village-like atmosphere nestled behind one of Bali's best beaches – perfect ingredients for the ideal getaway, and from $140 per night.
Terra Cottages Bali is located in an enviable pocket of the Bukit Peninsula in Bali's south, known as Bingin Beach. Bingin is less than 14 minutes from Uluwatu and 50 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport by car.
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I'm greeted by multiple smiling faces at the terracotta and timber reception area, before walking a plant-lined path that opens to a large courtyard. There's a lot of eye candy to take in between the sparkling pool and amber-rendered cottages, but I distinctly notice a beautiful breeze rustling my hair, reminding me how close I am to the ocean.
I make my way toward the Alang Alang thatched grass roof of the restaurant and kitchen area where breakfast is served each morning. The calming space is grounded with pink and white marble tiles, timber and pottery, and highlighted by low hanging brass lanterns from the gorgeous raked ceiling.
I'm handed my freshly-made rosella, cinnamon and lemongrass welcome drink to enjoy while taking in the contrasting greens and pinks of my serene surroundings.
A tonal dream of soft terracotta hues, the hotel is a collection of red-roof dwellings located around the central courtyard and aquamarine pool, a concept that blends traditional Balinese compound with Moroccan Riad. It's built using materials sourced or manufactured in Bali and wider Indonesia.
The design layout helps to create a distinct community feel that somehow doesn't impinge on privacy. The boutique village vibe, one emblematic of Bingin itself, is a feature you just won't find at big-name hotels a suburb over.
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There are 21 rooms throughout the hotel, located across two-storey dwellings and standalone cottages. Each one enjoys its own balcony or small terrace, with in-built seating, embroidered pillows and Moroccan-style coffee table.
Air conditioned rooms are rendered in the same earthy terracotta-pink shades found on the property exterior, with recesses carved out for the sink area and open wardrobe space. The windows have a one-way tint on the glass to cleverly add privacy without compromising on design or views of the pool and gardens.
Interiors feature local timber joinery and furniture with embellishments like carvings, contrasted with brass fixtures such as ambient souk-style pendants hanging by each side of the bed. Speaking of, beds are complete with exceptionally comfortable mattresses, textural Moroccan throw pillows and lush white canopies (just in case you forgot you're in Bali).
My room is a Deluxe Suite with Bath, the key difference to other room categories being a glorious white standalone bathtub located behind the bed. However, all showers feature white and pink marble tile work, laid in a lovely varying patterns.
All room bookings come with breakfast, the menu featuring seven options including the likes of fresh tropical fruit and fruit juices, a dragonfruit smoothie bowl, salmon eggs benedict, avo toast, banana and pineapple pancakes and Balinese kopi (coffee). I was impressed with how swiftly the kitchen served up the tasty meals each morning.
If you know Uluwatu and the Bukit, you really can't beat Bingin. And within Bingin, Terra Cottages Bali's location is up there with the best, right next to Mick's Place.
Hidden down a gorgeous stone laneway fringed by bougainvillea, you don't actually need a scooter or car to enjoy the best of the area (a rarity in Bali).
So while you could easily book Terra Cottages Bali for the location alone, this lodging goes beyond relying on its GPS coordinates and offers charm in spades.
This is a stay that feels less hotel and more boutique village, the peaceful terracotta aesthetic and Moroccan-styled comforts providing a touch of the romantic against the Bali sun and ocean breeze.
With style, affordability, location and legendary Balinese hospitality, this was the kind of stay where I found myself hugging the staff upon leaving, with a promise to return very soon.
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The Bukit Peninsula is all about spectacular cliffside beaches and surf breaks, but fair warning: incredible views often means loads of stairs to reach the sand (worth it, though).
Terra Cottages Bali is well placed to access them all – including the likes of Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Impossibles and Dreamland – while being located right on the pathway that leads down to Bingin Beach and the famous Kelly's Warung.
The hotel is a mere two to six minutes' drive or ride from a collection of great eateries that line the road up to and including Jalan Labuansait, including The Cashew Tree, Laggas, Chela, Alchemy, Drifter Surf Shop & Gallery, The Loft and Ours Uluwatu.
Considering the peninsula's dramatic cliffside landscape, there are a few impressive cliff-edge bars to visit, such as El Kabron (seven minutes' drive) and Ulu Cliffhouse (14 minutes' drive).
But if you're after a culture injection between swims, Uluwatu Temple is 15 minutes' drive, where you can catch a traditional Balinese fire dance, known as the Kecak Dance, every sunset. It's set in one of the most impressive locations on the island – an amphitheatre perched cliffside overlooking the ocean.
This writer was a guest of Terra Cottages Bali. Rates start at IDR 1,350,000 ($140) when booked direct via email or from IDR 1,500,000 ($156) via booking.com.
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