Bawah Reserve

from AU$2780
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Photo of Bawah Reserve
Overwater Villas - Exterior
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Tented Suite - Exterior
Overwater Villas - Exterior
“Those dreaming of a remote eco-retreat need look no further. Tucked amidst three lagoons, remote Bawah Reserve promises an enchanting escape for romantics in thatched overwater bungalows & tented suites. Impressive eco-credentials, unique design & homegrown gourmet fare set this magical spot apart. ”

Hotel review

Bawah Reserve is a clutch of remote forested islands where you can snorkel and dive reefs, kayak to empty palm-fringed beaches, dine on delicious local food and become more carefree and indolent with every passing hour. Wake in your Overwater Bungalow or Tented Beach Suite to the sound of waves lapping gently on a white-sand beach, tempting you in for an early swim. With still-wet hair, drop in to the cute barefoot Boat House beach bistro for a breakfast of Anambas Shakshuka and Kunyit Asam (turmeric shots). The only exclamation you are likely to hear from fellow guests is an occasional ‘ooh, look’ when the turquoise lagoon surface is broken by a flash of sunlight glinting off a turtle’s shell.

Fuelled by a Boat House breakfast, take a forest stroll up to a clifftop lookout which offers a magnificent panorama of Bawah’s little islands floating in their crystal-clear, blue-green marine reserve. Then spend an afternoon drift-snorkelling among turtles and schools of brilliant fish, and kayaking to Coconut Beach to play with baby black-tip reef sharks.

As night falls, the open-air, breeze-cooled Tree Tops restaurant becomes the centre of attention, with friendly waiters serving Lautan Sour mocktails and delicious dishes, notably the Bawah-herbed snapper carpaccio.

As well as its obvious charms, the resort is determinedly responsible: it has a lagoon solar farm, electric golf buggies, zero hard plastics, permaculture gardens, coral and turtle nurseries, on-island water sterilisation and bottling, and locally grown food.

Bawah Reserve offers a stunning tropical paradise and sustainability in one perfect package.

Matthew Brace
Matthew Brace Review published: 02/27/2024

Recommended for

  • Great walks

    • Follow verdant walking trails to scenic viewpoints, take guided permaculture tours or hike to a cave filled with snoozing bats

  • Eco break

    • A magical eco-retreat with community programmes, its own renewable micro-grid and a real focus on nature & wellbeing

  • Kayaking

    • Kayak between five beautiful islands in boats with clear undersides — perfect for spotting marine life

  • Honeymoons

    • Kick back in gorgeous overwater bungalows at this secluded escape, perfect for honeymooners

  • Eco

    • Built from bamboo & recycled materials, the resort is also the first island in Indonesia to be powered by a renewable microgrid

  • Snorkelling

    • A marine conservation area, Bawah & its nearby islands are a superb snorkelling spot with bright coral, reef sharks & turtles

  • Diving

    • Hone your diving skills or take a course with expert instructors in a magical area brimming with biodiversity

  • Spa

    • Unwind in one of the Aura Spa's four treatment rooms, with a focus on rejuvenation using natural ingredients

  • Restaurant

    • The Boat House is more relaxed; Treetops promises Indonesian cuisine, a romantic atmosphere & amazing views

  • Yoga

    • Start the day with morning yoga or pilates classes on a platform overlooking the ocean

  • Organic food

    • Including fruit and vegetables harvested from the resort's permaculture garden

  • Cinema

    • Catch a movie under the stars at the outdoor cinema

  • Family Suites

    • Multi-bedroom Pool Villas are ideal for families

  • On an island

    • Private island, part of the Anambas archipelago

  • Good wine list

    • Dedicated wine cellar

  • Restrictions on children

    • Over 5s are welcome

  • Sailing

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Art Classes

  • Quiet

  • Gourmet

  • Romantic

  • Designer

  • Trekking

  • Barefoot Luxury

  • Outstanding location

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Full of character

  • Full board

  • Landmark

  • 5* Luxury

  • Retro/Vintage

  • Watersports

  • Chic

  • In/by a Nature Reserve

  • Boutique

  • Sea Views

  • On the beach

  • Hills & mountains

  • Tennis

  • Secluded setting

  • Wellbeing

  • Wildlife Area

  • Traditional

  • Windsurfing

  • Charming

  • Scuba course

  • Luxury

  • Intimate

  • Birdwatching

  • Views

  • Cooking classes

Facilities

  • Rooms

    36 rooms in this hotel

  • Spa

    Unwind in one of the Aura Spa's four treatment rooms, with a focus on rejuvenation using natural ingredients

  • Restaurant

    The Boat House is more relaxed; Treetops promises Indonesian cuisine, a romantic atmosphere & amazing views

  • Bar

    Sip craft cocktails at the Jules Verne Bar or the laid-back Grouper Bar

  • Cinema

    Catch a movie under the stars at the outdoor cinema

  • Family Suites

    Multi-bedroom Pool Villas are ideal for families

  • Good wine list

    Dedicated wine cellar

  • Restrictions on children

    Over 5s are welcome

  • Massage

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Outdoor dining

  • Bath robes

  • Safe

  • Library

  • Not suitable for disabled guests

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Laundry

  • Sitting Room

  • Garden

  • Suites

  • Swimming Pool

  • Private villas

  • Air conditioning

  • Wifi

  • Views

Activities

  • Great walks

    • Follow verdant walking trails to scenic viewpoints, take guided permaculture tours or hike to a cave filled with snoozing bats

  • Kayaking

    • Kayak between five beautiful islands in boats with clear undersides — perfect for spotting marine life

  • Snorkelling

    • A marine conservation area, Bawah & its nearby islands are a superb snorkelling spot with bright coral, reef sharks & turtles

  • Diving

    • Hone your diving skills or take a course with expert instructors in a magical area brimming with biodiversity

  • Yoga

    • Start the day with morning yoga or pilates classes on a platform overlooking the ocean

  • Sailing

  • Art Classes

  • Birdwatching

  • Trekking

  • Watersports

  • Tennis

  • Wildlife Area

  • Windsurfing

  • Scuba course

  • Cooking classes

Map & Location

Other reviews

Bawah Reserve - Hotel Review

"In a pristine tropical archipelago in a far-flung corner of Indonesia, the brand new Bawah Reserve is a luxury retreat that’s brilliantly put-together and sustainably minded. It’s an adventure to get to – and even more fun once you arrive."

Originally published by Telegraph Travel

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