Keramas Sacred River Retreat Resort and Villa

Guests appreciate the friendly staff, delicious breakfast, and comfortable, clean rooms with beautiful bathrooms. They also enjoy the well-kept facilities and serene surroundings.

What a wonderful experience I had at Keramas. This property is perfectly tucked away on the southeast coast – thankfully away from the hustle and bustle, the tourist-thickness and about an hour from the airport. Just off the main road, ostensibly between Sanur Beach and Ubud, this little piece of heaven is in a real neighborhood, so you have a chance to get a true feel for Bali. Upon arrival in the courtyard, an impressive rooftop high Buddha head fountain and a family of incredibly caring staff meet guests. Managed by one of the famed doyennes of Balinese 5-star hospitality, the whole experience is magic – and very affordable. There are nineteen totally unique villas fronted by antique hand carved doors, some with their own pools, some on the Keramas Sacred River and some in a conjoined building. Everything is connected by loosely manicured tropical gardens, a lovely green tiled pool and water channels filled with graceful koi and other finned friends. From between the ginger plants, ferns, and bright red tea plants, mossy Buddhas, Ganesha’s and other cultural deities and fountains in carved pots peek out to guide your way. Underfoot strong sprigs of verdant grass are plugged into the lacey cement pavers. The Hidden Restaurant serves locally sourced foods from Indonesian specialties, Western and European options and nutrient packed juices and elixirs. It sits next to a dark wood indoor / outdoor yoga pavilion – both over the river. The property also has its own resident temple and special event pavilion. Owned by a warm-hearted Balinese family, Keramas is a labor of love organically created with a keen aesthetic and gives back to the community with a foundation that supports low-income neighbors with ceremony services they would not otherwise be able to afford. A gaggle of white ducks and geese gleefully quack and honk as if every passerby was coming to see them. There are two adorable goats and a very special cow and her baby, who appreciate visits and gentle rubs behind their ears. A few resident cats are appreciative of a dish of milk and a pet. While I was there, several yoga retreats were being hosted from different parts of the world and other visitors came and went on daily excursions to different parts of the island. Of special note is an incredible masseuse, whose healing intuition and strong hands are exceptional; she is a positive force in the universe and someone I visited daily. Keramas has a gentle feeling of home but features all the amenities one could hope for, from intricate pool flowers that can be ordered for special occasions, to excursion transport and beyond. While I was there, I was the grateful recipient of recommendations from the GM and owner, who know everyone in Bali and were so generous sharing their relationships. Keramas is a special destination and a place I will return to again and again.

Fantastisk Et magisk sted, med god service.