Tanjung Benoa is often lumped together with Nusa Dua by the travel agents, but there are a few differences. Here’s the rundown on Tanjung Benoa.
•Why do you stay in Tanjung Benoa:
Tanjung (cape) Benoa is the long point of land that extends north from Nusa Dua. Like Nusa Dua it is home to many large resort hotels. Unlike Nusa Dua, it is not located inside a deluxe complex, but rather runs along a street trafficked by locals as well as tourists. Tanjung Benoa a great variety of high end hotels, such as the Conrad, and water sport activities. You’d stay in Tanjung Benoa if you wanted a resort experience with more interaction (although still limited) with locals.
•Distance from Kuta / airport:
15-20 minutes
•Where do you stay in Tanjung Benoa:
Tanjung Benoa is home to Melia Benoa, Bali Tropik, Villa Ayu, Puri Joma, Puri Benoa, Sari Tanjung, Conrad Bali, Bali Royal International, Bali Becik, Puri Tanjung, Bali Royal, Matahari Terbit, Aston Bali, Peninsula Resort.
•Budget Accommodation:
There is some budget accommodation available in Tanjung Benoa, although not on the beach side of the road. The beach on this part of the Bukit isn't as nice as that found down at Nusa Dua, but for a budget traveler, who wants affordable accommodation, cheap internet and a combo of modern western restaurants and local warungs, Tanjung has something for you.
Here are some budget options for you.
Rasa Sayang Beach Inn (0361) 771643
Jl. Pratama #88X
Tanjung Benoa
Located on the left side of the road heading north this small place has 20 rooms and feels like a typical guesthouse. Rooms are tightly packed with connecting porch and bamboo chairs. There are 3 types of rooms:
Room with fan, 75,000rp
Room with AC, 125,000rp
Room with AC and hot water, 175,000rp
Extra bed is 20,000rp
Services offered are safety deposit box, laundry service, car, motorbike and bicycle rental, transportation and tour service, airport transfer, water sports service.
Credit cards are not accepted and check out time is 12 noon.
Rooms come with TV and fridge.
A short way up the road on the same side I came to Ombak Putih Bungalows.
Ombak Putih Bungalows (0361) 771038
Jl. Pratama #101X
Tanjung Benoa
The entry to this place was down the side alley and the building looks relatively new. Once a member of staff had opened the door, I passed through into swimming pool area which was decorated with colorful plants. The whole feel of the place was something right out of Southern California, bright and airy, red tile rood, light colored walls and felt altogether quite tranquil.
The staff who were from Flores told me the owner as Dutch. They told me Ombak Putih Bungalows has a total of 8 rooms, which come in a combo of single room places and double rooms (that is a suite of 2 rooms).
Every room has AC, fan, bathroom, TV, fridge.
The hotel has a swimming pool, hot water, coffee maker, water cooker, room service, laundry service, airport pick up and Breakfast is possible.
The 2 rooms suite goes for 350,000rp per night, a single room 250,000rp,
Tanjung Mekar (0361) 772063
Jl. Pratama
Tanjung Benoa
Up the street from Ombak is an older place which can be identified by the es kalapa carts parked outside. Tanjung Mekar is a simple 2-storey place that comes complete with Balinese kids running around. There are 4 simple rooms (1 with AC, 3 with fan). The guesthouse has cold water, breakfast and each room has a bathroom.
The feel of the place is a shady older style guesthouse and good for low budget relaxing.
1 person 1 night is 75,000rp
2 person 1 night is 80,000rp
Discount for a week, the price is 60,000rp per night.
Along from Tanjung Mekar also on the left side is Pondok Agung.
Pondok Agung (0361) 771143
Jl. Pratama #99
Tanjung Benoa
This place has a well kept spacious garden and a nice bale to relax under. The 2 storey rooms are spacious and are well appointed with good furniture and hardwood floors. Very relaxing to sit on the second floor balcony and enjoy the afternoon.
Pondok Agung has 11 rooms. There are 7 different room pricings depending on a variety of factors including AC / fan, or TV etc.
A Standard room with fan goes for 100,000rp. A Bungalow with kitchenette, AC, TV is 260,000rp
Extra bed is 20,000rp and Breakfast is 10,000rp
•Activities:
Water sports including para-sailing, banana boat, wake-boarding, water-skiing, jet-skiing, fishing, are provided by companies such as Hotdog. You can also organize snorkeling and diving trips from here. The actual beach is not that great in Tanjung Benoa, so you might ride a bicycle or catch a taxi down to the beaches in Nusa Dua.
•Facilities:
Tanung Benoa is not set up in any organized way like Nusa Dua, but there are local warungs along the main street, small clinics such as Pratama Clinic, car hire place such as CV. Arta Niaga.
•Restaurant:
There are restaurants along the main street including Loco Cafe. Guests are also welcome to go to the Bali Collection and eat at the restaurants there. In my opinion, people feeling like a change from their hotel restaurant should jump in a taxi and head over to Kuta / Seminyak for more of a choice.
•Local interest:
At the northern end of Tanjung Benoa is the local fishing community. The area is definitely third world, complete with narrow concrete streets, locals hanging out and kids running around. If you make it to the furthest point you can walk along the beach area and check out the boats and fisherman’s life up close. There is a warung called Surya Cafè serving cold beer.
Chinese temple:
A Chinese temple, Klenteng Darma Yasa, is located at the eastern tip of Tanjung Benoa. There is also a Balinese temple at the small crossroads.
