When we visited Amed during our 8-day Intrepid Family Bali adventure, Hidden Paradise Cottages was our home for two nights – and it quickly became one of our favourite places we stayed during the entire trip.
Located directly on Lipah Beach, Hidden Paradise Cottages combines traditional Balinese charm with spacious bungalows, tropical gardens and one of the most relaxing atmospheres we experienced anywhere in Bali. It isn’t a flashy five-star resort, but that’s exactly why we loved it.
We were travelling as a family of four, with Intrepid arranging our accommodation as part of the itinerary. While we might not have discovered this little beachfront retreat on our own, we’re so glad we did. By the time it was time to check out, we were genuinely disappointed to be leaving and wished we’d booked a whole week instead.
If you’re looking for somewhere to completely unwind while still giving the kids plenty of room to swim, snorkel and explore, this little beachfront property deserves a place on your shortlist.
Location
One of Hidden Paradise Cottages’ biggest selling points is its location.
Situated on Lipah Beach, around 10 minutes from central Amed, the property sits directly on what is widely regarded as one of Amed’s best snorkelling beaches. Unlike many of the rocky beaches nearby, Lipah Beach has a lovely stretch of sand that makes it much easier for families to access the water.
The beachfront is peaceful rather than busy, with colourful fishing boats resting on the sand and local operators offering snorkelling and traditional fishing boat trips. Coral reefs and sea turtles are only a short swim from shore.
Within a minute or two of the hotel, you’ll also find several local restaurants, cafés and small convenience stores, although we rarely felt the need to leave thanks to the excellent on-site restaurant.
For those hiring a scooter or car, free parking is available at the property. Ngurah Rai International Airport is approximately a three-hour drive away, making Amed best suited to travellers looking to spend several nights exploring Bali’s quieter eastern coastline.
Accommodation features
Hidden Paradise offers a range of spacious standalone bungalows nestled throughout beautifully maintained tropical gardens.
Families can either book one of the larger family bungalows sleeping four, complete with a freestanding bath, or spread out in two neighbouring bungalows. I would have preferred to be in the same bungalow, but as this stay was organised through Intrepid, we were given the neighbouring bungalow option.
And although I was a little uncomfortable being in separate bungalows, the kids loved it! I should note that we have a tween and a teen, so if they were any younger, we would have ensured that an adult was in the room with them.
The adults’ bungalow featured a comfortable queen bed, while the children’s bungalow had two twin beds. Both rooms were surprisingly spacious with plenty of room for luggage and featured:
- Air conditioning
- Mini fridge
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Comfortable sitting area
- Mosquito nets over the beds
- Large wardrobes
- Private verandah with outdoor loungers overlooking the gardens
One feature we particularly loved was the semi-open-air bathrooms. They were enormous, beautifully designed and made showering feel like part of the tropical experience. Despite the mosquito nets, we actually didn’t encounter any mosquitoes during our stay.
The entire property feels wonderfully lush, with winding garden paths, tropical plants and birds creating a very peaceful atmosphere.
Is Hidden Paradise Cottages family friendly?
Absolutely. While Hidden Paradise doesn’t have kids’ clubs or organised children’s activities, it offers something many families value even more – space.
Our kids had plenty of room to explore the gardens, swim in the pools and play safely on the beach directly in front of the property.
There are two swimming pools, including a shallower children’s pool, while the calm beachfront allows older children to snorkel almost immediately off the sand.
The relaxed atmosphere means parents can actually unwind while still keeping an eye on the kids. Families with school-aged children who love nature, swimming and snorkelling will particularly enjoy staying here.
On-site activities and entertainment
Life at Hidden Paradise revolves around slowing down with days easily spent alternating between the beach, the pool and the restaurant.
Activities available include:
- Snorkelling
- Diving
- Canoeing
- Fishing trips
- Walking tours
- Beach massages
- Motorbike hire
The beachfront massage pavilion looked particularly inviting, while snorkelling straight off Lipah Beach was undoubtedly one of the highlights.
If you’re after water slides and daily activity schedules, this probably isn’t the resort for you. However, the Westin Resort Nusa Dua might be right up your alley if you prefer this kind of structure.
But if your family doesn’t need kids club and to be ‘on the go’ the entire time, Hidden Paradise Cottages is hard to beat.
Dining options
One of the biggest surprises of our stay was the restaurant. Tumpek Restaurant overlooks the beach, with an undercover yet open-air design that perfectly captures the ocean breeze. Every meal comes with uninterrupted views across the water, making it a lovely place to start and finish each day.
The food was genuinely excellent.
After eating plenty of Indonesian food during our Bali holiday, the kids appreciated having access to delicious woodfired pizzas whenever they wanted a familiar meal. Meanwhile, we happily worked our way through the Indonesian dishes, all of which were fresh and flavoursome.
Breakfast was included and offered both American/Australian and Asian options.
Although there are several nearby restaurants within walking distance, we found ourselves returning to the hotel restaurant because we enjoyed it so much.
Staff and service
The hospitality was another standout. Every staff member we encountered was friendly, welcoming and genuinely helpful throughout our stay.
Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, whether it was asking if we could take our pizza back to the room, answering questions or simply stopping for a friendly chat.
It’s easy to see why so many online reviews specifically mention the warmth of the staff.
Value for money
Considering the beachfront location, spacious standalone accommodation and quality restaurant, Hidden Paradise Cottages represents excellent value for money.
Room rates include breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking and access to the swimming pools.
While luxury travellers looking for high-end resort facilities may prefer somewhere like Nusa Dua or the Westin Resort & Spa Ubud, families wanting authentic Balinese charm without sacrificing comfort will find excellent value here.
Things to know before you book
Like most accommodation, Hidden Paradise isn’t perfect.
A few things worth knowing include:
- Wi-Fi can be a bit hit-and-miss if you’re planning to work remotely. Sometimes it works and sometimes it’s slow.
- The property is designed for relaxation rather than resort-style entertainment.
- Amed is around three hours from Bali Airport, so it’s best suited to travellers spending several days exploring East Bali.
- Not everyone will appreciate a semi-open-roofed bathroom.
- A rooster lives next door.
None of these affected our enjoyment, but they’re worth keeping in mind before booking.
Our verdict
There are very few hotels that leave us genuinely disappointed to check out but Hidden Paradise Cottages was one of them.
Everything about our stay felt easy. The gardens were beautiful, the beach was peaceful, the food exceeded expectations and the cottages were right up our alley. It made it incredibly easy to slow down after a busy week of travelling around Bali.
If we’d known how much we were going to enjoy it, we would have happily stayed a full week instead of just two nights.
For families wanting a quieter side of Bali where days revolve around snorkelling, swimming, good food and simply enjoying time together, Hidden Paradise Cottages is an easy recommendation.
Family Holiday Destinations ratings
Location
Rooms
Cleanliness
Dining
Staff & service
Value for money
Family-friendly
Who is Hidden Paradise Cottages best for?
We think Hidden Paradise Cottages is ideal for:
- Families with school-aged children or teenagers
- Families wanting to snorkel straight from the beach
- Couples looking for a quiet beachfront escape
- Travellers wanting a more authentic side of Bali
- Anyone planning to explore Amed, Tulamben and East Bali
If you’re after water parks, kids’ clubs and nightly entertainment, you’ll probably be happier elsewhere. But if you’re looking for somewhere peaceful where the whole family can reconnect and enjoy Bali’s natural beauty, Hidden Paradise Cottages is one of our favourite places we’ve stayed.
FAQs
Yes. Hidden Paradise Cottages is an excellent choice for families thanks to its spacious bungalows, beachfront location, children’s pool and relaxed atmosphere.
Yes. The property sits directly on Lipah Beach, making it easy to swim, snorkel and relax just steps from your bungalow.
Absolutely. Lipah Beach is one of Amed’s best snorkelling spots, with coral reefs, colourful fish and sea turtles accessible straight from the shore.
Yes. Tumpek Restaurant is located on-site and serves Indonesian and international cuisine in a beautiful beachfront setting. It was one of the highlights of our stay.
We stayed for two nights, but after experiencing the peaceful atmosphere, we’d recommend at least four nights if your itinerary allows. It really is the sort of place where you can slow down and simply enjoy Bali.
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