"Even though this Ed Tuttle-designed classic on Bali's hushed east coast has been around for more than three decades, stepping inside its hilltop lobby still induces goosebumps. The view from here is dazzling: three travertine pools, cascading like Balinese rice paddies towards the crashing waves of the Lombok Strait below. There's a fringe of blushy bougainvillea and a backdrop of swaying palms, plus a small army of saronged staff serving satay skewers and passionfruit daiquiris to guests lounging at the poolside balés. The villas, connected by a stilted walkway cutting through the jungle, are spacious pleasure palaces with arched doors and floors from creamy terrazzo, vaulted alang-alang ceilings, and furnishing with mother-of-pearl-y coconut and seashell inlays. And while the two pools, that three-tiered stunner and a palm-fringed one at the beach club below, make it tempting to simply loll around all day, the sunrise breakfast in a hidden hilltop balé and the morning cruise with snorkeling tour on the resort's private outrigger is well worth the 5 a.m. wake-up call." - Chris Schalkx, Juliet Kinsman
