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Home » Amankila Bali Review: Is It Worth It?

Amankila Bali Review: Is It Worth It?

Amankila Bali is a secluded hilltop resort on the east coast of Bali, managed by Aman, the world’s most exclusive hotel brand. Perched on the forested slopes of Indrakila hill in Karangasem Regency, it overlooks the Lombok Strait with sacred Mount Agung as its backdrop. 

The name itself signals the intent: Aman means peace in Sanskrit, and Kila means hill in Balinese. 

SatuSatu considers it one of the most complete luxury experiences Bali offers. With 34 freestanding suites, three tiered pools, and a private beach club below, Amankila is built for travellers who want to disappear into quiet luxury and emerge knowing what East Bali actually feels like.

What Is Amankila Bali?

Amankila Bali is a 34-suite luxury resort in Manggis, Karangasem Regency, on the eastern coast of Bali. It is part of the Aman group and was named one of the 2025 Global 100 Luxury Hotels. 

The suites are freestanding, thatched with alang-alang grass, raised on stilts, and decorated with inlaid pearl and coconut-shell furniture. Nine suites come with private pools. All include canopied king-size beds, a living area, a large bathroom with soaking tub, and an outdoor terrace with ocean or garden views.

The resort stretches from its hilltop position down to a private beach club on a black-sand beach. Three tiered infinity pools cascade down the hillside in a design inspired by Bali’s rice paddies. 

There are three restaurants and a spa offering traditional Balinese treatments in open-air pavilions among the palms. The setting is intentionally remote. There is no passing retail, no nightlife nearby, and no crowds. What you find instead is the east Bali that most visitors to the island never reach.

Location and Getting to Amankila Bali

Amankila Bali is located at Jalan Raya Manggis, Manggis, Karangasem Regency, approximately 90 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport. The resort provides complimentary transfers in WiFi-equipped cars, which is a practical touch given the distance. 

The surrounding area is quiet and undeveloped, with no commercial development in the immediate surroundings. The location matters for what it unlocks nearby. East Bali is home to some of the island’s most atmospheric heritage sites. 

Tirtagangga water palace and the royal water garden at Ujung are both within easy reach. Besakih Temple, Bali’s largest and holiest temple complex, is accessible for a cultural day trip. 

Blue Lagoon Beach, known for snorkeling and diving, is approximately a 10-minute drive. This part of Bali has remained largely unspoiled, and staying at Amankila positions you to explore it at a pace that the southern resort areas simply cannot support.

The Amankila Bali Experience: Suites, Pools, and Service

Amankila Bali

The suites at Amankila Bali are deeply private. The hillside positioning and dense tropical vegetation mean that even the closest suites feel genuinely secluded. Suite 37 in the Ocean Suite category is frequently mentioned as having the best view in its category. 

The Indrakila Suite is the flagship option and comes with airport meet-and-greet service, champagne on arrival, and dedicated guest host support throughout the stay.

The main three-tiered pool is the focal point of daily life at the resort. It never feels crowded, partly by design and partly because the guest numbers are capped by the 34-suite limit. The beach club below offers a long pool, daybeds, and access to the black-sand beach. 

The beach itself is quiet and peaceful rather than ideal for swimming, but the setting is extraordinary. Afternoon tea is served daily on the steps of the library in traditional dress, with Indonesian ginger tea, Bali kopi, and cakes.

Service at Amankila is the element guests return for. It is attentive without being intrusive. Staff are consistently named by name in guest reviews, which reflects the personalised relationship that a 34-suite property makes possible. 

Rates start from approximately $1,259 per night for standard suites, placing it firmly in the ultra-luxury bracket. That price buys genuine seclusion, a level of service that is hard to replicate at scale, and access to a part of Bali that feels nothing like the south.

Why Amankila Bali Stands Out

Most luxury resorts in Bali are located in the south, in or near Seminyak, Nusa Dua, or Ubud. Amankila is something different. The east coast positioning is a deliberate choice. 

The landscape here, with Mount Agung towering over emerald-green rice paddies and the Lombok Strait stretching to the horizon, is more dramatic and more historically rich than almost anywhere in the south. 

The resort sits within reach of water palaces, artisan villages, and temples that represent old Bali before tourism reshaped the island’s identity. The design is another distinction. The motifs throughout the property are drawn from east Bali’s cultural heritage, particularly the royal water palace at Ujung. 

Paras stone, traditional Balinese carvings, and thatched roofs are used not as decoration but as a genuine material commitment to the region. The result feels like a place that belongs to its landscape rather than sitting on top of it.

For guests who want activity alongside rest, hiking in the surrounding hills, cultural tours to nearby temples, and snorkeling excursions are all available on request. But most guests come for the stillness. 

One honest caveat worth noting: industrial shipping vessels occasionally visible on the Lombok Strait have been mentioned in guest feedback, and the black-sand beach, while beautiful, is not ideal for swimming. These are minor points in context, but worth knowing.

The Honest Verdict: Is Amankila Bali Worth It?

Amankila Bali is worth it for the traveller who wants a genuine retreat rather than a resort hotel. The price is significant, but what it purchases is not simply a luxury room. 

It purchases seclusion, a landscape that most Bali visitors never experience, and a level of service that is measured in names remembered and preferences anticipated rather than amenities listed. The suites are beautiful. The pools are exceptional. The east Bali cultural setting is irreplaceable.

It suits couples seeking privacy, travellers who have done the south Bali experience and want something richer, and anyone for whom the destination matters as much as the room. 

The 90-minute drive from the airport is real, and the remoteness means you are committing to this part of the island for the duration of your stay. That is a feature, not a drawback, if you choose it knowingly.

For a Bali experience that goes beyond poolside cocktails and into the island’s older, quieter soul, Amankila is one of the few places that delivers on both counts without compromise.

Explore Further with SatuSatu

Amankila sits at the heart of East Bali’s cultural landscape, and SatuSatu brings the wider island within easy reach for those who want to explore beyond the resort. 

SatuSatu is a Bali travel platform that brings together transport, cultural experiences, and curated activities in one place, all bookable on SatuSatu.com with support for local payment methods including BCA, Mandiri, OVO, DANA, credit cards, and more.

One experience that pairs beautifully with a stay in east Bali is the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu. It is one of Bali’s most iconic sunset cultural performances, held on the cliffs above the Indian Ocean at Uluwatu Temple on the south coast.

For guests who plan to explore beyond East Bali during their trip, the SatuSatu Bali All-Access Pass makes it straightforward.

The SatuSatu Bali All-Access Pass unlocks access to 50+ top Bali experiences across the island in one flexible package.

Bali All Access

Choose from a 1-day pass at $59.95 (IDR 999K), a 2-day pass at $104.95 (IDR 1.799M), or a 3-day pass at $144.95 (IDR 2.499M), and unlock experiences spanning destinations across the island, from the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu to snorkeling in Padang Bai and wellness and spa experiences across Bali.

Every pass includes a free eSIM and a dedicated Bali concierge to handle all the planning for you, saving you up to 60% compared to booking individually, with 90-day validity from purchase for maximum flexibility.

FAQ Amankila Bali

What is Amankila Bali?
Amankila is a 34-suite luxury resort in Karangasem, East Bali, operated by Aman. Set on a forested hillside overlooking the Lombok Strait, it features three-tiered infinity pools, a private beach club, and an open-air spa.

How much does Amankila Bali cost per night?
Rates typically start at around $1,259 per night for entry-level suites. Prices vary by suite type, season, and booking platform, with the Indrakila Suite costing more and offering additional benefits.

Where exactly is Amankila Bali located?
Amankila sits on Jalan Raya Manggis in Karangasem, East Bali, about 90 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Nearby attractions include Tirtagangga, Blue Lagoon Beach, and Besakih Temple.

Is Amankila Bali good for couples?
Yes. Its private suites, secluded setting, black-sand beach, and intimate atmosphere make it one of Bali’s top romantic resorts. The private-pool suites are especially popular with honeymooners.

What is there to do near Amankila Bali?
Nearby attractions include Tirtagangga, Ujung Water Palace, Besakih Temple, Blue Lagoon Beach, and local artisan villages. The resort also arranges guided hikes, cultural tours, and water activities.