Spice Trader, Nusa Penida: My Favourite Place to Stay on the Island

On By saar.decosterIn Asia, Indonesia

If you’re looking for beautiful accommodation on Nusa Penida, Spice Trader Nusa Penida is a place worth considering. With private bungalows, a stunning pool overlooking the ocean and palm trees, and delicious breakfast, it quickly became one of my favourite places to stay during my trip to Indonesia.

After spending my days exploring the island’s famous beaches and viewpoints, there was one place I genuinely looked forward to returning to every evening: Spice Trader on Nusa Penida.

Beautifully surrounded by tropical greenery and overlooking the water, it offered exactly the kind of peaceful escape my sister and I needed after months of travelling around Australia.

But is Spice Trader worth booking? Here’s my honest review, from the private bungalows and pool to the food, location and overall experience.

If you’re still planning your stay, check out my complete Nusa Penida travel guide for the best things to do, beaches to visit and practical tips for exploring the island.

Quick Overview: Spice Trader Nusa Penida

  • Accommodation: Private bungalows surrounded by tropical greenery
  • Best feature: The beautiful pool and ocean views
  • Breakfast: Included during my stay
  • Atmosphere: Peaceful, relaxing and surrounded by nature
  • Food and drinks: Available to order from a nearby restaurant
  • Best for: Travellers looking for a comfortable, scenic place to relax
  • My verdict: One of my favourite places to stay during my Indonesia trip

Beautiful Private Bungalows

One of the first things that stood out to me about Spice Trader Nusa Penida was the accommodation itself.

Instead of standard hotel rooms, guests stay in their own spacious little bungalows. Each one has a private outdoor seating area with comfortable chairs, making it the perfect place to enjoy a quiet morning coffee or relax after a long day exploring the island.

The rooms are beautifully designed, spacious and incredibly peaceful. I loved how the accommodation felt tucked away in nature rather than like a standard hotel.

If you’re spending a few days on Nusa Penida and want somewhere comfortable to return to after visiting the island’s beaches and viewpoints, these bungalows make a lovely base.

Wondering whether the island itself is worth visiting? Read my honest review of whether Nusa Penida is worth visiting to find out what I loved about the scenery, beaches and overall experience.

The Most Beautiful Pool View I’ve Ever Had

Without a doubt, the highlight of Spice Trader Nusa Penida is its pool area.

I’ve stayed in quite a few beautiful places while travelling, but this was honestly one of the nicest pool views I’ve ever experienced.

Imagine relaxing on a sunbed, cooling off in the infinity-style pool or lying in a hammock overlooking the water and endless palm trees.

It’s one of those views you could stare at for hours without getting bored.

After months of backpacking through Australia, staying here felt incredibly luxurious. For the first time in a long while, my sister and I could simply slow down.

No rushing. No planning. Just relaxing.

Outdoor Bathrooms Make the Stay Even More Special

Every bungalow also comes with an outdoor bathroom.

Showering outside, surrounded by tropical plants, was one of those little details that made the stay feel even more unique. Everything was beautifully designed and well maintained, creating a luxurious resort feeling while still blending into the surrounding nature.

It’s a small detail, but it added to the feeling that we were staying somewhere special rather than just booking a place to sleep.

Poolside Food and Cocktails

One thing we absolutely loved about Spice Trader was how easy it was to order food and drinks while relaxing.

From the pool or even from our private terrace, we could order from a nearby restaurant. Within just a few minutes, our food and drinks would arrive.

The cocktails were excellent, the food was delicious, and we ended up ordering several more times during our stay because it was simply that good.

For me, this made the accommodation even better. After a full day of exploring Nusa Penida, sometimes the last thing you want to do is get ready and head out for dinner. Being able to enjoy food and drinks without leaving the property was a real bonus.

A Peaceful Part of Nusa Penida

A Peaceful Location on Nusa Penida

Although Spice Trader Nusa Penida is slightly away from the busier areas, that’s actually one of its biggest strengths.

The atmosphere felt incredibly peaceful, especially as the sun started setting. You could walk around the property, enjoy the quiet and take in the beautiful views without feeling surrounded by crowds.

There are also a few small shops nearby with elevated terraces where you can enjoy a drink with a view. Within around five to ten minutes on foot, you’ll find several restaurants if you’d prefer to eat out.

The surrounding area also has several viewpoints and lookout towers, each offering a different perspective over the coastline.

Getting around the island takes a little planning, so read my guide on how to get around Bali for more transport tips before your trip.

If you’re looking for a peaceful place to stay rather than somewhere in the middle of a busy tourist area, this was one of the things I appreciated most about the accommodation.

Breakfast With an Incredible View

Breakfast was included in our stay and quickly became one of my favourite moments of the day.

Waking up to fresh banana pancakes while overlooking the water and palm trees is honestly hard to beat.

It was the perfect start before heading out to explore the island. Nusa Penida has plenty of incredible places to discover, so having breakfast sorted before a day of sightseeing was especially convenient.

And, of course, enjoying it with a view like that made getting out of bed a little easier.

Is Spice Trader a Good Base for Exploring Nusa Penida?

Yes! While I loved spending time at the accommodation itself, Nusa Penida has so much to explore that you’ll probably want to spend at least some of your days out and about.

Spice Trader can be a good base for visiting many of the island’s best-known attractions, including:

  • Kelingking Beach: Famous for its dramatic cliff shaped like a dinosaur.
  • Crystal Bay: A popular beach and a lovely place to watch the sunset.
  • Broken Beach: A striking natural rock formation with an arch over the ocean.
  • Angel’s Billabong: A natural rock pool near Broken Beach.
  • Diamond Beach: Known for its white sand, turquoise water and dramatic cliffs.
  • Atuh Beach: A beautiful beach on the eastern side of the island.

Keep in mind that Nusa Penida is larger than it might look on a map, and some roads can be challenging. Plan your sightseeing route in advance and allow enough time to get between attractions.

If you’re still planning your trip, check out my Nusa Penida travel guide for more ideas on what to see and do around the island.

If you’re deciding which other destinations to include in your Bali itinerary, have a look at my guide to the best places to visit in Bali for more inspiration.

Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida, one of the island's most famous viewpoints

Would I Stay at Spice Trader Nusa Penida Again?

Absolutely!

Spice Trader was one of my favourite places to stay during my travels in Indonesia. The private bungalows, beautiful pool, delicious breakfast and peaceful surroundings made it somewhere I genuinely enjoyed coming back to every day.

What I loved most was that it wasn’t just a place to sleep between sightseeing trips. It was somewhere we actually wanted to spend time.

Nusa Penida is full of spectacular viewpoints and beaches, but travelling can be tiring too. Having somewhere this relaxing to return to made the whole experience even better.

Would I recommend Spice Trader Nusa Penida? Definitely, especially if you’re looking for a beautiful, peaceful stay with tropical views and a little extra comfort.

If that sounds like your kind of accommodation, you can check out Spice Trader on Booking.com here.

Planning a Trip to Indonesia?

I’ve written more Indonesia travel guides based on my own experiences, including destinations, stays and things I actually did during my trip.

If you’re planning your own Indonesia adventure, check out my Indonesia travel guides for more honest travel tips, places to visit and ideas for your itinerary.

→ START HERE: Indonesia travel guide

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→ BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
→ LOMBOK TRAVEL GUIDE

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Frequently Asked Questions About Spice Trader Nusa Penida

Is Spice Trader Nusa Penida worth it?

In my experience, yes. If you’re looking for peaceful accommodation with private bungalows, beautiful views and a stunning pool, Spice Trader is well worth considering. I particularly loved the relaxing atmosphere and the chance to slow down between sightseeing trips.

Does Spice Trader Nusa Penida include breakfast?

Breakfast was included in the price of our stay. I especially loved the banana pancakes and the views while eating breakfast. Check the current booking conditions to confirm what’s included for your chosen room and dates.

Is Spice Trader Nusa Penida close to the main attractions?

Spice Trader can be used as a base for exploring Nusa Penida, including places such as Kelingking Beach, Crystal Bay, Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong. However, travel times depend on your route and transport, so check distances before planning your days.

Does Spice Trader Nusa Penida have a swimming pool?

Yes. The pool was one of my favourite features of the property, with views of the water and surrounding palm trees. It was the perfect place to relax after exploring the island.

Who is Spice Trader Nusa Penida best for?

I’d recommend it to couples, friends, solo travellers and anyone who wants a peaceful, scenic place to stay. If you enjoy beautiful accommodation and want somewhere to unwind after a day of exploring, it could be a great fit.

Where can I book Spice Trader Nusa Penida?

You can check availability, prices and room options on Booking.com. Prices and availability vary depending on your dates.

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