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Sidemen is a rural, agricultural region in East Bali that’s perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the south, with its stunning rice terraces, laid-back local vibe, and several luxury resorts.
The name "Sidemen" is used for both the wider area and the main village within it, which can make choosing the right location confusing. Being one of our favourite areas to stay in Bali, we’ve spent lots of time here and have put together this quick guide to where to stay in Sidemen, including our favourite hotel picks.
In a rush? The best place to stay is in Sidemen Village, where Samanvaya and Wapa Di Ume are the top 5-star resorts. For something more affordable, we love Uma Agung Sidemen. Sidemen is also famous for its beautiful bamboo villas, such as Velvuna (Sidemen Village) or Hideout (Selat Village).
Overview
The two main areas that people tend to stay in Sidemen region are Sidemen Village and Selat Village to the north.
Both villages are fairly rural, so it won't make a huge difference to your trip which one you choose. All of the attractions in the region are spread out, so you’ll need your own transport or taxis either way. Still, it's useful to know the main differences:
Sidemen Village (blue) – Most of the hotels and guesthouses sit just south of Sidemen Village, along Jalan Raya Tebola. Here, you’ll find a handful of restaurants and shops within walking distance. You'll only be a short drive/cycle from the market, silver workshops, and the rice field trek.
Top Accommodations: Samanvaya, Wapa Di Ume Sidemen, Uma Agung Sidemen, Velvuna
Selat Village (orange) – Selat is another village around 10 minutes drive north of Sidemen Village. It's famous for its many bamboo villas that overlook the rice terraces or the jungle. It’s more secluded, so we recommend choosing accommodation with a kitchen or onsite dining.
Top Accommodations: Hideout, Magic Hills, Camaya
Area Guides & Accommodation
Sidemen Village
Despite being the biggest village in the region, Sidemen Village is still pretty small compared to other popular destinations in Bali.
The tiny village is centred around the local market, where vendors sell fresh fruit and veg each day. On the outskirts, you’ll find many silver workshops, access to the rice terraces, small convenience shops, and souvenir stores.
Most tourist accommodation in Sidemen Village sits along one road called Jalan Raya Tebola, just south of the centre. Stay here and you'll have a handful of local restaurants and tourist shops within walking distance (no further than 10 minutes).
Many of the hotels offer shuttles around the area or have bicycles available to use. Plus, you'll be just a short drive from attractions like Gembleng Waterfall.
Accommodation in Sidemen Village
Top Pick: Samanvaya - Our favourite! A luxurious, adults-only resort in Sidemen with three fantastic restaurants, a bathhouse and spa, and several infinity pools overlooking the rice terraces. Has a mix of rustic bamboo-style suites and chic, modern pool villas. See full review below.
Our Review: Samanvaya
- Luxurious rooms with private pool and epic views
- Eco-friendly and supports the local community
- On-site spa and bathhouse
- Adults only - not suitable for under 14s
Samanvaya has recently expanded, so half the resort now sits on either side of the main road. We stayed in one of their new Sari villas, which overlooks the rice terraces, and we couldn't have been happier.
From the outside, the resort blends into the lush Sidemen valley, surrounded by expansive gardens and greenery.
Boutique Pick: Wapa Di Ume Sidemen - A boutique 5-star resort in Sidemen with family-friendly rooms and adults-only luxury glamping tents. The resort has a two-tiered infinity pool, an on-site spa, yoga classes, and complimentary sightseeing. See full review below.
Our Review: Wapa Di Ume Sidemen
- Stunning views of Sidemen's rice fields and hills
- Great facilities including restaurant, spa, and gym
- Exceptional service from staff
Right in the heart of Sidemen, Wapa di Ume is a beautifully designed, Balinese-owned 5-star boutique resort with so much to offer.
One of Sidemen's original tourist hotels, Wapa has recently had a big upgrade with the addition of its new luxe glamping tents, which we were lucky enough to check out on our recent stay.
Affordable Pick: Uma Agung Sidemen – This lovely guesthouse is super affordable with spacious rooms and a large infinity pool set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Agung. We've stayed here multiple times. See our full review below.
Our Review: Uma Agung Sidemen
- Beautiful infinity pool with Mount Agung views
- Very affordable given the level of comfort
- Friendly and accommodating staff
- No air con (although this wasn't much of a problem)
Uma Agung is one of our favourite places to stay in Sidemen on a budget, offering affordable luxury combined with a distinctly Balinese feel and homely touches.
The resort is larger than you'd expect and spread out enough to give a sense of privacy. We even had our own terrace, where freshly brewed coffee was waiting for us upon arrival.
Bamboo Villa: Velvuna - The most famous bamboo houses in Sidemen village (the ones you’ve probably seen all over Instagram). Five unique open-air villas with private pools, stunning rice terrace views, and amazing personalised service. The staff can arrange romantic dinners on your balcony, floating breakfasts in the pool, or even a flower bath.
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Where To Eat in Sidemen Village
Asri Dining - Stunning, upmarket restaurant belonging to the Samanvaya resort (though outside guests are welcome). It has a stylish yet cosy decor with lots of greenery and cosy nooks. The menu is mostly Western dishes, with a focus on Mediterranean - both the gnocchi and the meatballs were fantastic.
D’padi Restaurant – With elegant decor and candlelit tables, this is another great spot for a romantic date night. The menu has a good variety of Western and Indonesian dishes, all of which tasted great and were reasonably priced. They have live acoustic music some evenings.
Warung Wisma Bojana – This is a great place to enjoy a casual lunch with stunning views across Sidemen’s rice terraces. We’ve tried the local dishes here which were all delicious, with a good spice level and sizeable portions.
Selat Village
Selat is another small village, around a 10 minute drive north of Sidemen Village. While there's very little to see or do in Selat itself (blink and you’ll miss it), the village's picturesque rice paddies and lush jungles make it a hotspot for Bali's famous bamboo villas.
Although slightly further from the main activities in Sidemen Village, such as the silver workshops and Gembleng Waterfall, Selat is still well-placed for other activities, including rafting down the Telaga Waja River or visiting Pura Besakih (Bali’s most important temple), which is less than a 30-minute drive.
Selat doesn’t have a lot of choice when it comes to restaurants. Aside from a few very local warungs and the restaurant at Camaya Bamboo Villas, there aren’t many choices nearby. We’d recommend choosing accommodation with a kitchen or onsite dining options if you're staying for a while.
Accommodation in Selat Village
Quiet Escape: Hideout – One of Bali's most luxurious and sought-after eco-retreats, with a collection of stunning bamboo villas set among nature in Selat. Each of Hideout's villas has a unique design, from multi-level treehouse villas with infinity pools to smaller cosy cabins overlooking the river.
Our Review: Hideout
- Unique villas peacefully secluded in nature
- Eco-friendly design using locally sourced bamboo
- Modern comforts and amenities
- Remote location
We recently stayed in Hideout Falcon, a modern bamboo house perfectly hidden within its own beautiful secluded garden.
The spacious house had a large bed with a mosquito net, a cosy indoor seating area with sofas, and a small kitchenette and dining table.
Something For Everyone: Magic Hills – Magic Hills have eleven different bamboo villas to choose from which vary significantly in terms of size and level of luxury. The more expensive ones have hot tubs, air conditioning, and beautiful views, whereas the smaller ones are more basic and affordable.
Luxury Pick: Camaya – Some of Sidemen's most luxurious and expensive bamboo villas. Each of the five stunning villas has a unique design, beautiful views, and its own private infinity pool. They also come with a scooter to explore the surrounding area. Camaya has its own restaurant within walking distance of the villas (or you can have the food delivered to you).
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