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If you had told me our kids would rate three nights in the cool mountains of North Bali as one of their favourite stays in Bali, I might have questioned whether we were talking about the same kids! But they absolutely loved Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa in the village of Wanagiri in the Munduk Mountains of North Bali, and so did we.
Think misty mountain mornings, a heated infinity pool and jacuzzi, ridiculously comfortable beds, sunset views, delicious food and nights roasting marshmallows around the fire. It was completely different to our usual Bali stays, and that’s exactly why I’d recommend adding a few nights here to a family Bali itinerary.
BOOK DIRECT WITH ALTA VISTA BALI MOUNTAIN VILLA
Getting to Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa
Alta Vista is located in Wanagiri in the mountains of North Bali, close to Bedugul, Lake Beratan, Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. The drive into the mountains is winding, so allow plenty of time. My biggest tip with kids is not to make it just about getting from A to B. Add a stop along the way, have snacks ready, and enjoy the change in scenery as you head higher into the mountains.
Pack a jumper! After the heat of southern Bali, it was slightly surreal to actually feel cool in Bali. During our stay, I only used a jumper in the evenings; it wasn’t cold, but cooler than the rest of Bali.
Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa
Alta Vista isn’t a multi-villa resort, but it doesn’t feel like your typical private villa either. Think of it as a single house with five bedrooms, where the five individual villas are spread throughout beautiful gardens, with the swimming pool, jacuzzi, dining area and lounge in the centre. You can book individual villas or the whole estate, making it a fantastic option for extended families or groups travelling together.
We were incredibly lucky during our stay and had the entire place to ourselves. Let’s just say the kids weren’t complaining about having a heated infinity pool practically to themselves! The estate is large enough that everyone can have their own space, but the shared areas bring everyone back together, something I really loved about it. A truly perfect place to stay with family and friends.
The Villas at Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa
The villas are spacious, beautifully presented and most importantly, incredibly comfortable after a big day exploring North Bali. And the beds! Honestly, they were some of the most comfortable beds I’ve slept in during all of our Bali holidays.
CHECK OUT THE FLOORPLAN OF EACH VILLA
Villa 1 “Arcadia” Best for Families
Arcadia is the largest villa at Alta Vista and can sleep up to five people: 2 adults, 2 children under 12 years and 1 child under 3 years in a cot.
The main bedroom has a king bed and opens directly onto a lounge area, separated by sliding doors. This is what makes it work so well for families.
The sofa in the living room can be converted into two beds, with the second bed pulling out underneath. It means the kids have their own sleeping area while still being connected to Mum and Dad’s bedroom, much better than trying to squeeze everyone into the same room.
Just keep in mind that everyone shares the one bathroom. Luckily, the bathrooms at Alta Vista are huge! All five villas have similarly sized bathrooms with a large bath, separate shower and plenty of space for a family getting ready.
Arcadia also has a smart TV with Netflix in the living area, which is very handy for some downtime with the kids. For a family of four, this would definitely be my first choice. A family of five can fit if the youngest child is under three and sleeping in a cot.
Villas 2 to 5
The remaining four villas are:
- Villa 2 “Brava“
- Villa 3 “Caria“
- Villa 4 “Delphi“
- Villa 5 “Eden“
These villas are better suited to two adults (or two teenagers), although you can add one rollaway bed for a child under 12 and a cot for a child under three if required.
Brava and Eden can be configured with twin beds or a king bed, while Caria and Delphi have king beds. They don’t have the separate living room that you get with Arcadia, so once a rollaway bed and cot are added, there is obviously less space to move around. Each villa still has a large walk-in wardrobe and the same generous bathroom setup, including a bath, separate shower and one bathroom to share.
The kids stayed in Villa 2 Brava, and we were in Villa 3 Caria. Both rooms had televisions, but only cable channel access. The TVs may be upgraded in the future, so reach out to Alta Vista if you need further clarification.
Gardens at Alta Vista
One of the things that makes Alta Vista feel so special is the amount of space around the property. The five villas are spread throughout beautifully maintained mountain gardens, with plenty of little places to escape to and enjoy the surroundings.
The Treehouse
The Treehouse quickly became one of our favourite spots at Alta Vista.
Perched high on the property, this is the place to come for sunset. On a clear day, the views stretch across the North Coast of Bali and all the way towards Java. There is a comfortable lounge area with bar facilities, making it the perfect spot to take a drink, settle in and watch the sky change colour.
Make sure you come back after dark too. With far less light pollution than South Bali, the stars were absolutely beautiful and gave the Treehouse a completely different feel at night.
The Garden Pavilion
At the lower end of the estate you’ll find the Garden Pavilion, a peaceful little retreat surrounded by greenery. It’s a lovely spot to read a book, do some yoga or simply find a quiet corner away from everyone else. The pavilion can also be set up for a special dinner or used for an in-house massage.
Alta Vista has a great in-house spa menu, so if you fancy a massage without leaving the villa, just ask the staff to arrange it for you.
Dining at Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa
One of the things we loved most about staying at Alta Vista was not having to think about where to eat. Meals were prepared for us and served around the huge communal dining table, which quickly became one of our favourite parts of the stay.
Breakfast was relaxed and worked perfectly for our family. The night before, we simply let the manager know what time we wanted it served, very handy when you’re travelling with a teenager who would happily sleep until lunchtime and another child who has been awake for hours!
Now, the coffee situation was slightly more challenging for me. Alta Vista supports local producers, so it serves only the fragrant Arabica coffee grown in the very village around it. As a Melbourne coffee snob, I love my morning latte, and there aren’t really any nearby coffee spots open early. The local coffee mixed with my Oatside milk was actually a lovely way to start the day. Also, when we visited Munduk Moding Plantation, I bought some cold brew to bring back for breakfast the next morning.
Dinner was another highlight. There is a good mix of Indonesian and Western dishes, which makes things easy if you are travelling with kids who aren’t quite ready to embrace every Balinese meal. If you prefer the meals to be served at your villa, the staff will also arrange to set up and deliver your meal at your villa.
We loved eating together around the big dining table, and then, once the sun had disappeared over North Bali, the fire beside the pool would be lit. After dinner, we would roast marshmallows around the wood fire. Sitting there in the cool mountain air with the kids was so simple, but it turned out to be one of those special family moments we will remember from this trip. It was peaceful, cosy and very different from our usual Bali evenings, and we loved it.
The Staff at Alta Vista
One of the things that really stood out during our stay at Alta Vista was the team. Manager Pak Suri was fantastic from our very first interaction. He was responsive and helpful, and he made everything feel easy before we had even arrived. Once we were there, he was always available to help with meals, activities or anything else we needed.
Dewi was also wonderful with the kids. Warm, patient, and always checked that we had everything we needed. There is also overnight security on the property, which gave us extra peace of mind. Even though Alta Vista feels very private and tucked away in the mountains, we always felt completely safe during our stay. Wanagiri village is known for its safety and the friendliness of its people.
It never felt overly formal or intrusive. The team seemed to know when to step in and help, but also gave us plenty of space to enjoy the property as a family. For us, that warm and personal service was a big part of what made Alta Vista feel so special.
Coffee and Food Near Alta Vista
While we were very happy eating most of our meals at Alta Vista, there are a couple of nearby places that are definitely worth seeking out – especially if, like me, good coffee is an important part of your day!
Bilik Kopi
Bilik Kopi was hands down the best coffee we found in the area.
This isn’t a fancy cafe. It’s a tiny roadside coffee stall run by Dedi from his motorbike, and that is all part of the experience. Dedi is incredibly passionate about coffee and even makes some of his own coffee-making tools. Most importantly, the coffee is so, so good.
He only had cow’s milk available when we visited, but was more than happy to make my coffee using the Oatside oat milk I’d brought with me. You can pick up Oatside from the Indomaret near Alta Vista, which is handy if you prefer plant-based milk.
Opening times can vary, so I’d recommend checking Bilik Kopi’s Instagram page before making a special trip. If you’re a coffee lover, don’t miss this one.
NOORD Cafe
For somewhere you can sit down for a proper meal, coffee or drinks, NOORD Cafe is another place I’d highly recommend. The cafe has a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and North Bali, and offers a good range of food and drinks.
It’s also a great option for families, with a playground beneath the cafe, so parents can sit back with a coffee while the kids have somewhere to play. Great coffee, delicious food, beautiful views and a playground. NOORD ticks a lot of boxes for families exploring the Munduk area.
Indomaret Wanagiri
For drinks, snacks, and basic supplies, Indomaret Wanagiri is only a 7-minute walk or a 1-minute drive from Alta Vista.
It has a small but useful selection of groceries and everyday items, and it is also where we bought Oatside milk for my morning coffee. I didn’t notice any nappies, though, so if you’re travelling with a baby or toddler, I’d make sure you have enough with you rather than relying on being able to buy them here. There is also an ATM at the Indomaret, which we used without any problems during our stay.
If you’re planning to walk, keep in mind that Alta Vista sits down from the main road, Jl Raya Wanagiri, and the road between the villa entrance and the main road isn’t flat. It’s not extremely steep, but I definitely wouldn’t describe it as an easy wander, especially on the way back with shopping or with younger kids.
Things to Do Near Alta Vista and Munduk
While you could very easily spend a day doing absolutely nothing at Alta Vista, there is plenty to explore nearby in the Munduk Area.
Regional Waterfalls
North Bali is famous for its waterfalls, with plenty to explore around the Munduk and Wanagiri area. If you’re visiting with kids, it’s worth checking how difficult the walk is before deciding which waterfall to visit, as some involve a lot more stairs and trekking than others.
Hubby and I chose Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, which is only around a 10-minute drive from Alta Vista. 50,000 IDR for entry (approx. $4 AUD each; kids are cheaper). There are plenty of steps, so you will definitely get a bit of a workout, but we found the walk manageable, and it’s one I think many families with kids could do. Our kids decided they would much rather stay back and relax at the villa. Suri, the Alta Vista manager, can recommend waterfalls that suit your family and organise a driver and guide if needed.
Bali Farm House
Bali Farm House is another easy family option to pair with a stay in this area. A 10-minute drive from the villa, the farm has a wide range of animals, including alpacas, ponies, donkeys, dogs and much more. A huge playground with a small train to ride to keep them entertained and the food and drinks are great. Highly recommend a visit.
Munduk Moding Plantation
You can also visit Munduk Moding Plantation as a day guest. There is no entrance fee and no minimum spend requirement when you visit. You are also welcome to dine in the restaurant, and if you would like to swim in the infinity pool and jacuzzi, there is a fee of 300,000IDR per person.
There are loads of activities available, including a playground, coffee experiences, plantation activities and other family-friendly experiences, so it can easily fill a good part of the day. We booked massages at the spa as I love their MMP signature massages. Well worth a visit.
Lakes Buyan and Tamblingan
Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan are nearby and an easy walk from the villa. I walked up to Warung Wedang Sari from the villa for a beautiful view of Lake Buyan. You can have a guide take you on a trek and a canoe trip through the Twin Lakes, including a visit to the Ulun Danu Tamblingan Temple.
Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa – Practical Information
- Location: Wanagiri, North Bali
- Website: altavistabali.com
- Enquiries: [email protected]
- Booking flexibility: Book 1 villa, 2 villas or the entire 5 bedroom estate. Great for families of all sizes
- Recommended stay: 3+ nights
- Nearest airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport, approx. 2.5 hour drive
- Don’t forget: Warm layers for early mornings and evenings
Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa FAQ
Is Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa suitable for kids?
Yes. We found it fantastic for kids, thanks to the heated swimming pool, jacuzzi and large gardens. It is particularly well-suited to families seeking a quieter stay away from South Bali.
Can you book just one villa at Alta Vista?
Yes. Individual bedroom villas can be booked when the entire estate hasn’t been reserved or larger groups can book multiple villas or the whole property.
Is the swimming pool at Alta Vista heated?
Yes and this is a huge bonus in the cooler climate of Munduk. There is also a heated jacuzzi beside the pool.
How many nights should you stay at Alta Vista with kids?
I’d recommend at least 3 nights. We stayed for three nights and found it gave us time to enjoy the villa rather than simply using it as a base for sightseeing. You could also use it as a base to visit places like Pemuteran or Lovina.
Does it get cold in Alta Vista?
Compared with southern Bali, yes. We loved the change in temperature and I would recommend packing a jumper or light jacket, particularly for mornings and evenings. We didn’t use the air conditioner during our stay in July.
Is Alta Vista good for large families or groups?
Yes. With only five-bedroom villas across the estate, Alta Vista is particularly appealing for extended families or groups who want to stay together while still having their own space.
Would We Stay at Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa Again?
Yes! Alta Vista showed our family a completely different side of Bali.
We loved the cooler weather, the mountains, the food, the heated pool and the incredibly comfortable villas, but some of my favourite memories are much simpler. Sitting together around the dining table, watching the sunset and roasting marshmallows around the fire.
If you are spending 10 days or more in Bali, I wouldn’t spend the entire trip at the beach. Add a few nights in Alta Vista and thank me later.
For families wanting space and somewhere completely different from the busy resorts of South Bali, Alta Vista Bali Mountain Villa is one I’d happily recommend.
Kate xx
Please note: We were hosted at Alta Vista Mountain Villa for 3 nights. We paid for all meals, laundry and day trips. All thoughts are our own.
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