Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan? Hereโ€™s How to Pick the Perfect Area & Hotel for Your Trip

Despite being a small island that’s easy to explore, Nusa Lembongan has a few different areas that are popular for accommodations and each of these areas offers a slightly different experience for your trip.

There’s no “wrong choice” per say, but your stay experience can be impacted by your location, so it’s important to understand each of the different areas when deciding where to stay in Nusa Lembongan.

In this guide, I’m breaking down the common areas of hotel clusters and the top hotel picks by budget so you can book your stay in Nusa Lembongan with confidence and get the most out of your trip!

Nusa Lembongan & Penida quick hits


Photo of Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida jutting out into the ocean

Where to Stay
– Budget: Castaway Island Hostel
– Mid-range: Royal Cottages Nusa Lembongan
– Luxury: The Tamarind Resort

Things to Do
– Road trip around the island
Explore Nusa Penida
– Enjoy the quieter pace
See the manta rays


If this will be your first time in Bali, check out my Ultimate Guide for First Timers to help you plan your trip!

The Best Areas to Stay in Nusa Lembongan

Infographic comparing where to stay in Nusa Lembongan with details on Jungut Batu, Mushroom Bay, and Dream Beach. Jungut Batu is social and budget-friendly with a central location but busier, smaller beaches. Mushroom Bay is laid-back and family-friendly with calm waters but can be crowded with day trippers. Dream Beach offers a romantic, boutique vibe and scenic views but has strong currents and fewer cafes.

Jungut Batu

If this will be your first time in Nusa Lembongan — which if you’re reading this post, I’m assuming it is ๐Ÿ˜‰ — the Jungut Batu beach area would be a great place for your visit!

Jungut Batu has a long, sandy beach — perfect for relaxing and swimming — and is very walkable!

This area can best be described as lively, but laid-back with plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area making it a strong choice to base yourself for your trip!

Mushroom Bay

Mushroom Bay is where I stayed during my first trip to Nusa Lembongan, and I really enjoyed the time here!

The area has many mid-range properties and resorts — this is what brought my friend and I to the area — and it’s also family-friendly.

Mushroom Bay Beach is a great place to watch the sunset in the evenings, and while it has calm waters, this is where many ferries and boats come in to dock, so it’s best to keep an eye out before swimming in the water.

Overall, I felt the Mushroom Bay area was well-connected; we were able to walk to many restaurants and cafes, and had short scooter rides to all the attractions and activities we wanted to see!

Use this link to book our exact Nusa Lembongan accommodation!

Dream Beach

If you prefer a quieter, more boutique stay, Dream Beach will be the area you want to check out!

This area is great for couples looking to get away, or really anyone who appreciates a nice, calm escape.

Plus, being on the Western side of Lembongan, Dream Beach makes a for a great sunset spot!

Other Areas to Stay on Nusa Lembongan

There are two other areas that have accommodation clusters, and I wanted to give a quick overview for each of these as well:

  1. Lembongan Village — this is a more inland area for those looking for a more budget, locally-authentic stay
  2. Nusa Ceningan Island — right across the narrow Yellow Bridge, Ceningan tends to feel more adventurous and attract a younger crowd, but can only be accessed by walking, riding a scooter over the bridge, or by boat

Handpicked Nusa Lembongan Hotels for Every Traveler

Below, I’ve curated a list of several properties that will fit many different styles of travelers.

Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for a social hostel or excited for a luxe, relaxing getaway, there will be something that works for you in Nusa Lembongan!

I’ve broken down my recommendations by budget and you can use the quick links below to jump to the section that best suits you:

Budget Stays on Nusa Lembongan

Castaway Hostel: overall best hostel on Nusa Lembongan

Castaway Hostel is my top pick for a budget stay on Nusa Lembongan.

This hostel provides breakfast (great for keeping costs low), is well-located near Mushroom Beach, and has great reviews from previous guests! In fact, several guests stated that they came back time & again because they had such good experiences.

Key points in previous guest reviews:

  • Comfortable dorm beds in clean rooms with spacious lockers
  • Ensuite bathrooms in every dorm
  • Warm and welcoming environment

With all of the common areas and hosted events, Castaway Hostel is the perfect spot to book for a solo traveler looking to socialize without staying at a party hostel!

Dream Beach Hostel: for a quiet, but social stay

If you’re looking to enjoy the quieter area of Dream Beach, but still want an affordable stay, Dream Beach Hostel is a great option for you!

Traveler’s love it for the:

  • Massive beds & black out curtains
  • Amazing & friendly owners
  • Location near several sunset spots
  • Pool & common areas

Check out why it got 9.5โญ๏ธ on HostelWorld and book Dream Beach Hostel for yourself before it fills up!

Mid-Range Accommodations on Nusa Lembongan

top recommendation!

โœจBest Mid-Range Hotel: Royal Cottages

Why I love it:
From the delicious iced tea welcome drink, to the private-feeling pool, and the cozy rooms… I loved everything about my stay at the Royal Cottages!

Good to know:
๐ŸณBreakfast included
๐Ÿ›๏ธSmall, quiet property with only 4 rooms
๐Ÿšถโ€โ™€๏ธWalking distance to Mushroom Bay Beach

Pool area at Royal Cottages Nusa Lembongan featuring cushioned sun loungers with umbrellas, a stone fountain wall, and tropical landscaping. A black float with beach balls rests in the water, capturing the relaxed vibe of this top accommodation option when deciding where to stay in Nusa Lembongan.
Photo from TripAdvisor

Royal Cottages: mid-range hotel that feels like a private escape

The Royal Cottages at Nusa Lembongan is where I stayed for my 3 days on Lembongan island. I felt like it was a great property for the price we paid!

There are only a few rooms on the property so it’s very peaceful and quiet; even when another guest checked in, we still felt like we basically had the entire hotel to ourselves!

Each room has a large shaded patio to enjoy and in the evening, the receptionist will turn on relaxing music and colorful lights while you enjoy your time by the pool.

Breakfast is provided each morning — I loved the pancakes and had them both mornings!

Plus, the location is great — walking distance to Mushroom Bay Beach and a quick scooter ride to most attractions on Nusa Lembongan.

Check out availability and pricing for Royal Cottages Nusa Lembongan here –>

Kawans Inn Lembongan: a great value for money

Previous guests of Kawans Inn Lembongan rave about the value for money and several reviews mentioned coming back to the same hotel because they loved it so much the first time around!

While the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, the room that has the best reviews is the room with its own private pool, so I highly recommend grabbing the pool room at the Kawans Inn if it’s available!

Reviewers also enjoyed:

  • the location near the port, beach, and several dining options
  • delicious breakfast with coffee options beyond instant coffee
  • convenience of nearby scuba shops for divers
  • incredible hospitality of the staff

Don’t wait to book your affordable private pool room at Kawans Inn!

Pondok Baruna Frangipani Resort: a well-situated and lively hotel

Pondok Baruna Frangipani Resort has an excellent location tucked away right off the main road! You’ll be just a few minutes walk from the beach and excellent restaurants!

Or, if you don’t feel like going very far at all, there is an on-site dining option as well that has received great reviews from previous guests.

Some other highlights that those previous guests have noted:

  • Spacious rooms and bathrooms on the property
  • Great organized tour options from the hotel
  • Live entertainment for guests to enjoy in the evening
  • Plenty of shops and food options nearby

Check prices & book your Nusa Lembongan stay at Pondok Baruna Frangipani Resort –>

One thing to note if you are a light sleeper is that some reviews have mentioned that they could hear DJ sets from a hotel next door. So if you do need a very quiet sleep experience or don’t have ear buds to help manage the sound, this may not be the best option for you.

Luxe Stays on Nusa Lembongan

The Tamarind Resort: a beautiful resort with top-notch staff

The Tahttps://booking.tpk.lu/xfVut6Pkmarind is a beautiful resort situated right in heart of Jungut Batu! The resort boosts beautiful views from its pools and rooms.

While the reviews rave about the views, spa, pools, and rooms, the biggest factor that makes this resort stand out is its staff!

Review after review stated how exceptional the staff is and how the utmost care is taken in providing the best experience for guests.

The Tamarind Resort is truly a luxurious experience on Nusa Lembongan!

Batu Karang Lembongan Resort & Spa: perfect for relaxation

The Batu Karang is located about halfway between Jungut Batu and Mushroom Bay, a stunning spot with peaceful surroundings. Overlooking Secret Beach, this resort has incredible views of the water and volcano from rooms and the on-property restaurant!

The resort itself has 3 beautiful pools, a steam room, and a sauna — so you won’t lack places to relax!

Past guests love the on-site food and mention the delicious spread of the included breakfast.

What I especially love about this resort is that it has a room for most groups — anything from a twin share, to a penthouse suite, and even some villas — all for a very reasonable price!

Book the Batu Karang Resort & Spa for the utmost relaxation on your Nusa Lembongan stay!

Practical Tips for Nusa Lembongan

Length of Stay

If Nusa Lembongan is one stop on a longer Bali trip, I recommend spending 2-3 nights (3 full days) on the island.

This will give you time to explore the island itself, hop over to Nusa Penida for a day trip, and experience a day snorkeling or scuba diving with the amazing marine life surrounding the Nusa islands.

Read more: How to spend 3 days exploring the Nusa Islands

Getting Around Nusa Lembongan

While Nusa Lembongan is a small island, I think the best way to get around yourself is by renting a scooter — if you have previous experience driving one.

Otherwise, you’ll definitely want to stay in the Jungut Batu area where you’ll have more walkability and book day tours from there to get around the island!

Getting to Nusa Lembongan

If you’re already in Bali, getting to Nusa Lembongan is very quick and easy with the fast boats at Sanur port.

The trip will take about 30 minutes plus transfer time from your hotel. You can book a combo transfer and ferry ticket on 12Go for the smoothest experience!

Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan

Remember, no matter which area you stay, it’s easy to explore Lembongan island!

So don’t overthink, pick the area with the vibe excites you the most, and get ready for an incredible few days in Nusa Lembongan!

Check out my 14 Things to do in Nusa Lembongan post next to help you build out your itinerary โ†’

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