Sumberkima Hill Retreat is a gem in the hills of West Bali. An area elusive to most tourists, Sumberkima feels like a getaway and truly something different than what you’d expect of a Bali experience.
Located about 4 hours from the airport and about 3 hours from popular Canggu or Ubud, Sumberkima Hill Private Villa Retreat is more of an effort to get to, but one for which you will be rewarded.
With a mountainous landscape, 31 completely unique private pool villas, views towards either the sunset or the sunrise, sustainability initiatives, and tons of adventures in the area, Sumberkima Hill is a fantastic option of a unique and beautiful place to stay in Bali.
Sumberkima Hill Story
Sumberkima isn’t a hotel. It isn’t even a resort. It’s actually its own little community of private residences which are scattered on either side of and long a hill with fantastic views. The villas are private, but the area coexists with villages, locals, schools, and restaurants. There are a few common/public areas, including the spa, yoga studio/gym, and a large common pool which are shared among all the villas.
Each villa is also privately owned and therefore completely unique. Some have a more traditional Balinese style, while others are stunningly modern and edgy. All the villa owners share a passion for Bali and giving back to the community together.
The area can get extremely dry in dry season (May-October) but will become much more lush and green come rainy season. There’s hiking, scuba diving, and tons of exploring to do in the area – so make sure you leave enough time!
The Different Sumberkima Hill Villas
One of my favorite parts of the Sumberkima Hill Retreat is that they divide their villas into sections depending on what kinds of views they have – sunrise view, sunset view, sea view, and volcano view. You can see 4 volcanos on the neighboring island of Java, which the sun sets behind – or a sunrise over the ocean. You can’t go wrong!
Just take a browse through their different villas and you’ll be able to understand how unique they all are. We stayed in the huge 5-bedroom Villa Singa, which I hear was one of the first villas built on the Hill and built in a more traditional Balinese style with a HUGE pool.
Villa Singa at Sumberkima – Our Villa
We stayed in the incredible Villa Singa, which is a great spacious villa for larger groups. We loved the extremely open and spacious living area, tons of seating, massive long pool, and incredible sunrise view. The villa has its own little crows’s nest-style lookout point covered in bouganvillea, which has a sunset view from the top and provides a perfect sheltered yoga space.
The pool area perfectly faces the sunrise, and is perfect for reflection photos with a view! There are two bedrooms on the lower level with rustic wooden furniture and two at the back – all with their own spacious bathrooms open to the outside – one walled-in room within the living room.
We loved ordering breakfast to the balcony and enjoying it with a view, playing cards on the outdoor game table, and swimming in the MASSIVE pool! This is apparently one of the older villas on the hill and Villa Singa truly feels like you rented an Airbnb and are staying in someone’s house – it has that much personality.
Which Villas I Recommend at Sumberkima
Villa Asmara 2 – Romantic Villa for Couples. This smaller villa truly has all your need for a romantic getaway. And with ALL FOUR views – sunrise, sunset, volcano, and sea – you truly never need to leave!
Villa Bali Mynah – 2 Bedroom + Modern. This villa has a sleek circular pool and an edgy design facing the sunrise, with glass windows and a completely open rooftop with 360 degree views and a swinging lounge.
Villa Luna or Villa Felix – Futuristic + Edgy 1BR – Villa Luna and Villa Felix (same design) are perhaps the most modern villa designs at Sumberkima Hill Retreat. With sharp edges, rectangular shape, and seating hanging from wires and sleek wooden surfaces, these villas nearly feel like you’re in a spaceship. The villas are next to each other overlooking the main huge pool (no private pool) and the views are unbeatable.
Sumberkima Eco Initiatives + Sustainability
One of the things that impressed me the most about Sumberkima was all the ways they give back to this little West Bali community. They started an initiative called Metamorfosa which helps restoring the forest and the coral reefs in and around Sumberkima.
They even have an ‘underwater art gallery” with all sorts of new coral reefs they have planted! You can even take part by planting a tree or sponsoring a baby coral. Or, you can take an adventure tour with a local guide to explore the area too.
Sumberkima Hill Retreat + Villa Amenities
Each villa at Sumberkima Hill is equipped with its own kitchen, private pool, and living area. The Villas are 1-5 bedrooms, so you can find whatever you need between all 31 villas.
As this area of West Bali is mostly full of smaller hotels and homestays, it’s pretty luxurious to find spacious private villas out here with kitchens too. These villas are an awesome idea for a group of friends getaway, and even better if someone likes to cook! Make sure to bring some cards or board games for a fun night in (there’t not much nightlife in the area, ha) or commit to some zen with sunrise yoga and sunset swims.
Sumberkima Main Pool
Sumberkima’s public pool (can be used by all villas) is perhaps one of the most photogenic parts of the retreat. I’ve never seen anything like it – it quite literally protrudes horizontally from the hill, suspended 10ft in the air on stilts by the end. There’s an empty platform underneath the pool that will apparently be a restaurant to join the other two one day.
It’s one of the best places in the area to watch the sun set right between two of Java’s tall volcanoes, with a view of West Bali National Park and Menjangan island. There are 5 or 6 villas right above the pool also. Some have a private pool and some use this main pool as their pool.
Sumberkima Wellness + Yoga
Sumberkima prides itself on being a haven for rejuvenation. They have a full yoga shala/gym area that can be used by anyone in the villas. Provided are yoga mats, blocks, pillows, and any yoga supplies for yoga classes, and they even have weights, ropes, TRX straps, and more for different workout styles.
If you want to book a class they have teachers on site and drop-in classes each day at 730am (usually), and prices depend on number of people. But, you can also use the space at your leisure. We did a bit of a workout and then Youtube’d a yoga class, which was amazing in its own way as well and relaxing sun went down.
The yoga shala faces the sunrise, so I would recommend doing a super-early morning class for first light, or perhaps waiting until a bit later in the afternoon so the sun isn’t glaring in on you. The views are incredible at any time of day, however – with bright flowers, green palm trees, and the deep blue sea.
Sumberkima also offers up space to host a yoga retreat, and can also host classes on the tiny sand quay near the beach too!
Sumberkima Spa
If you want to take your zen to the next level, you can book spa treatments right on-site as well. They offer many standard Balinese spa options – from foot/back massages to full body, hot stone, and package treatments. The prices are also really fair; they’re the best I have seen at a retreat/resort and only slightly inflated from any spa you might pass on the street. I didn’t try one myself, but it’s worth checking out.
Sumberkima Hill Restaurants + Food
There are two restaurants on-site at Sumberkima: Senja and Suma. We expected the prices to be inflated at such a nice retreat, but we were pleased to discover quite the opposite (at least at Suma restaurant, which was the only one open during our stay). Both restaurants can deliver food to your villa, or dine-in.
Senja is a more traditional Indonesian Restaurant with a sunset cocktail menu. This is the place to be to watch sunset – unless you’re in the main pool or in your sunset-facing villa.
Suma has a more worldly menu, quite reminiscent of a trendy Bali cafe you would find in Canggu, but in a traditional joglo building. You can find great breakfast options like eggs benny, smoothie bowls, or pancakes (45-55kish), and diverse dinner options like wraps, poke bowls, risotto, and burgers (60-80kish). Make sure ti try one or both of the tapas platters if they have any! This restaurant faces the sunrise, so would be great in the morning.
WEST BALI: Things to Do Around Sumberkima Hill + Adventures
Again, Sumberkima Hill is located centrally in northwest Bali with PLENTY of room for adventure all around. The retreat offers tours and transport for certain activities as well, so you don’t even need to worry much about planning. Here are some must-do’s:
Canoe to Gili Putih for Sunrise
If you can make it out of bed early, try a guided canoeing trip to the tiny sand quay about a mile or two off the coast. Especially in the morning, the waters are extremely calm and flat for great kayaking conditions. Your guide will take you through some mangrove forests and to spend some time on one of the tiniest islands you will ever see – just a tiny stretch of sand raised out of the water with some places to sit and a swing.
Bring: Make sure to bring shoes to step in the water (there are creatures in the sand here that might not like you stepping on them), sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and any belongings in a dry bag! The sun gets hot fast.
Gili Putih Barbecue
Something I really want to return to do one day is a barbecue on Gili Puitih Island. This is something Sumberkima usually offers when tourism is high, and the island would be an awesome place for a REALLY unique sunset barbecue with friends.
Hiking, Trekking, and Waterfall-Chasing
The hills around here are home to tons of adventures! You can hike trails up the hills surrounding Sumberkima – even the hill directly behind it. You can visit villages on your hikes, or perhaps look for some waterfalls in the nearby area or even more waterfalls in the entire region.
Remember that it will be dry and hot in the dry season (May-October) so it may not be as green as you expect. But in the wet season and especially near the end of it, it will be the lush Bali you imagine.
Diving and Snorkeling in Menjangan Island
Menjangan Island (part of West Bali National Park) is one of the best places to go snorkeling AND scuba diving in all of Bali. With pristine reefs, colorful sea walls, and interesting sea life, you’ll have a good time with either option. The water here is INCREDIBLE and tropical, and feels like you;ve entered another world.
Keep in Mind: the entry fee for the National Park is 200k, no matter if you are stepping foot on land or diving in the sea. This inflated tour prices by a bit, but it’s worth it for the experience.
Wildlife Spotting in West Bali National Park
West Bali National Park is one of the most prolific wildlife reserves in Bali. Here you can find a few different species of deer, black (ebony leaf) monkeys, warthogs, white starlings, and more. The beaches are nicer on the EAST side of West Bali National Park if you want to swim, but the wildlife can be found anywhere.
Final Tips for Sumberkima Hill Retreat Bali
Drone Laws
There’s a TINY airport right next to Sumberkima, meaning you will be in a NFZ in most of the resort. You can self-unlock for this zone to fly around the resort either on your drone website or the app. Reception can help you with this.
If you paddle to Gili Putih, it’s in the RED zone of the airport (right in the flight path) so unfortunately you won’t be able to take off at all no matter what you do.
Check Out All Options/Amenities
Make the most of your trip – try out all there is on offer! Don’t miss out on the beautiful big public pool, do a workout or meditation in the yoga shala, and test both restaurants (which are the best in the area anyway – really).
Don’t Miss West Bali NP
While all the way out here, it would be a shame not to check out West Bali National Park. It’s something different for Bali and a great experience.
Bring Friends
Sumberkima has some big villas for some great prices. Plan a friends group adventure trip out to West Bali and stay here!
Let me know if you have any questions about staying at Sumberkima Hill Retreat in West Bali! Thanks to Sumerkima for hosting us! I had a great experience and all words are always my own.
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Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.