My wife booked this hotel, one of four we stayed in on our Bali trip. It's 4.5 hours from the airport - if you travel up in the evening, you miss the opportunity to visit some under-visited and interesting sites on the way. It's way up in the North West of Bali in the national park - great for wildlife, onshore and underwater. The resort arranged reasonably priced transfers with a knowledgeable driver. It is peaceful and beautiful. We stayed in one of the two suites with private outdoor gardens and it's big plunge pool/jacuzzi fed by a natural volcanic hotspring was a real treat. There were only two other guests at the resort when we were there. The staff are friendly, gentle and helpful. The swimming pool has a view to die for. It was a great option for us as I could dive (slightly wacky, but very knowledgeable guides, especially for Secret Bay) while my wife used the spa and went bird watching and jungle trekking. The restaurant food was unexceptional, except on the night when we booked a special meal via the chef and it was outstanding. Perfect for couples, honeymooners, and divers wanting something special: absolutely zero nightlife so ideal if you want a peaceful, special retreat. Maybe because we went in the rainy season we got a special deal, but we thought it was exceptional value for money.

In one word FABULOUS!!! This hotel is like a dream and to be honest I do not know how I'm going to make justice to it in words. The grounds, the rooms, the hotel, the staff, the activities, and the restaurant everything is just perfect!!!
We asked for a transfer from Ubud to Gawana via e-mail and as promised we had a pick-up on-time in a really nice ac car, the driver really went out of his way to show us the landscape and brought us to some lovely spots around Bali.
When we arrived we were greeted with some nice fresh towels and a welcome drink. James, the hotel manager showed us to our Lumbung . The Lumbung was fantastic. It is very private and very spacious. You have a nice terrace with some chairs where you can look at the Bay and chill. Downstairs as you enter there is a day bed or sofa, a stereo with a selection of CD, a fridge, there is a separate bathroom which is huge. There you can find a safe, sandals, kimonos, a huge marble bath, shower (the water comes from a natural hot water source), double sinks, and air dryer... Upstairs, you have a king size bed, with a mosquitoes net and AC.
You would think it is quite common, but it is in every single effort and details that the sublime aspect of this hotel is. Staff is making sure every detail are perfect from tucking your mosquitoes net at night to your clothes being washed, ironed and delivered back to your Lumbung in a few hours.
We had a five night package with a few activities: Snorkeling in Menjangan a must if you go you have to do it great day out, Massage was fantastic, discovering the natural reserve, interesting.
At the hotel, there is a game room with a huge pool table and a very good connection to internet. The restaurant is very good too Indonesian dishes or European (I'm French and they do some lovely Chicken Breast with Mushroom sauce). The hotel did a special Babi Guli night when we were there (Pork roasting, barbecue of fish with traditional dance and music). It was a great evening. All the guests had a laugh trying to dance with the dancers and played music on the drums!!
A special note to our favorite barman Dedy -He managed to create cocktails which were fantastic and we had a very good time at his bar.
But really all the staff is fabulous from Mokhsen the general Manager who played pool with us, James the hotel manager who sang us a great cheesy song and brought us a cake for our anniversary, to the taxi driver who taught me a few words of Balinese and the waitresses I was teaching some French too.
UNFORGETABLE

Excelent location in a tiny bay near Menjangan Island and Bali Barat National Park in the north of Bali
All rooms are big "gawana" Balines traditional cottages. A 2 store big constructions fully air conditioning and with a big balcony.
A really romantic place.
The swiming pool is excelent.
Spa and International Diving center.
Far away from any other facilitie except Mimpi resort.
You will need a car if you want to go out.
Friendly staff.
In my opinion good value for price

I and my husband went to Gawana for our honeymoon in January 2007 and absolutely loved it...one of the best places we have ever stayed in..

Quiet, beautiful romantic place, mind blowing view, great service, very nice,helpful and courteous people.. and great food. As it was a lean seasons, we were one of the 5-10 people there at that time but that was no issue at all..

The only problem with this place happens to be the distance from the airport(approx. 4 hrs by car) or any other place like the main Bali city..

Ideally i would recommend a three to four day stay here clubbed with another three to four days closer to the main city. Also highly recommend the snorkeling. You can also sample the food in the neighboring resort for variety but Gawana food is much better.