Amankila: Clifftop sanctuary above the Lombok Strait in East Bali with iconic three-tiered infinity pool and private beach club

Perched on a lush cliffside high above the shimmering turquoise waters of the Lombok Strait in East Bali’s tranquil Karangasem regency, Amankila opened in 1992 as one of architect Ed Tuttle’s most celebrated achievements. Translating to 'peaceful hill,' the 31-suite sanctuary overlooks a secluded stretch of black-sand beach and the dramatic profile of sacred Mount Agung. Thirty-one stilted thatched-roof suites are linked by elevated wooden frangipani-lined walkways, inspired by the royal water palaces of nearby Ujung and Tirta Gangga.

Arrival welcomes guests at the soaring open-air lobby framing the resort’s world-famous centerpiece: a dramatic three-tiered infinity swimming pool that cascades down the cliffside to mirror Bali’s traditional stepped rice paddies. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating coastal and cultural adventures: private morning cruises aboard Aman’s traditional outrigger boats to swim with manta rays, guided cultural tours of ancient Bali Aga indigenous villages at Tenganan, scuba diving in Amuk Bay, and reserving a cliffside table for sunset dining.

Coastal living balances cliffside serenity with private beach club recreation: a private path or open-air buggy leads down to the secluded black-sand beach cove featuring a 41-metre lap pool, private thatched beach bales, and complimentary water sports. The open-air Aman Spa provides traditional Balinese healing therapies in secluded garden pavilions. Dining spans modern Indonesian fine dining at The Restaurant, casual poolside lunches at The Terrace, and grilled seafood at the Beach Club.

Accommodations comprise 31 suites (204 square metres of indoor/outdoor living, including Ocean and Pool Suites) and the two-bedroom 660-square-metre Amankila Suite. Each suite features hand-woven alang-alang thatched roofs, coconut wood and rattan furnishings, wide outdoor dining terraces with daybeds, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs.

Romantics, ocean lovers, and design connoisseurs seeking dramatic cliff-and-sea architecture, iconic multi-tiered pools, and untouched East Bali culture should book Amankila without hesitation. Travelers seeking bustling nightlife or crowded surf breaks should look to Seminyak or Canggu instead. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 620 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5 on Google across 440 reviews.