Escape to Paradise: Coco Resort Penida's Untouched Beauty
Escape to Paradise: Coco Resort Penida - My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the beans on Coco Resort Penida. Forget the filtered Instagram lies, this is the unfiltered truth, warts and all, about this slice of Indonesian heaven. Is it really "Paradise?" Well, let's get messy and find out.
First Impressions & Accessibility (Getting There is Half the Battle!)
Penida Island. Sigh. Even saying the name makes me want to chug a coconut. Reaching Coco Resort isn't a walk in the park, let's just say that. The roads? Let's call them "adventure tracks" – full of bumps, dust, and the occasional rogue chicken. Accessibility is… well, not great. If you're relying on a wheelchair, prepare for a challenge. Forget the elevator. Forget smooth sidewalks. Think rugged. Think adventurous. (But hey, that’s part of the charm, right?) Airport transfer is offered, which is a lifesaver and you absolutely need to use it. Otherwise, you're on your own, and trust me, you don’t want to be lost on a motorbike at sunset on Penida.
Check-in & The Promise of Relaxation (and Maybe a Nap)
Check-in was… efficient. They were friendly, sure, but efficiency is the name of the game. No frills, no fuss. Just a quick "Welcome! Room's ready! Enjoy!" Which, honestly, after the bumpy trek from the ferry, was perfect. They also offer contactless check-in/out, which I appreciated – less faffing about. Now, about the “relaxation” part… they promise it, and boy, do they deliver.
My God, That Pool with a View.
Forget everything you think you know about pools. This is it. The Pool with a View. Swimming pool [outdoor] is accurate, but it’s an understatement. Picture this: infinity pool, merging seamlessly with the turquoise ocean, the dramatic cliffs of Penida rising around you. I swear, I spent a solid two hours just staring. That view? Just…wow. I even saw a few dolphins playing in the distance. Okay, maybe I dreamt that part because I was so relaxed. But the pool itself? Absolute perfection. It's the reason you come. It’s a reason to live.
The Spa - My Personal Oasis (and the Unexpected Side Effect)
I’m not gonna lie; I’m a sucker for a good spa. Coco Resort Penida? They did not disappoint. Seriously, consider this Spa/sauna. They have Massage, Body scrub, Foot bath, Body wrap. It was heavenly. I opted for a Balinese massage, and let me tell you, I floated out of that treatment room. Pure bliss. The only downside? I accidentally fell asleep during the massage and snored the entire time (mortified!). But hey, it just proves how incredibly relaxed I was.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Food, Glorious Food (and Occasional Hiccups)
Okay, let's talk about the food. Restaurants, plural! They have Restaurants, Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Snack bar. Their Asian cuisine in restaurant is pretty amazing. They also offer something for every diet, with Vegetarian restaurant. But that Breakfast [buffet], offering Asian breakfast and Western breakfast, felt a little… repetitive after a few days. I mean, how many variations of fried rice can one stomach handle? They do have Breakfast in room and Breakfast takeaway service, which is a brilliant option if you're still recovering from the sunset cocktails at the Bar.
The Rooms - Comfortable, but Not Always Perfect (and That's Okay!)
Okay, to be honest, my room wasn't exactly pristine. There were a few minor imperfections – a slightly wonky door here, a barely-there water stain there. But honestly? I didn’t care. The Air conditioning and Blackout curtains were perfect for afternoon naps. The bed was HUGE, and I slept like a baby. They have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! which is essential. They supply Free bottled water and Complimentary tea. Air conditioning, Desk, Mini bar, and good Soundproofing. The Private bathroom was decent. It's a perfectly fine room. I was so relaxed that the minor issues didn't even register. A true escape from the stresses of life.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the COVID-19 Stuff (Because, You Know, It's Still a Thing)
Coco Resort takes Cleanliness and safety seriously, which is comforting. They have Daily disinfection in common areas and Hand sanitizer. Staff trained in safety protocol, Professional-grade sanitizing services and all that jazz. You can even opt to have your Rooms sanitized between stays. It's reassuring without being overbearing. Cashless payment service is also useful.
Things to Do (Besides Lazing by the Pool, Obviously)
They have Fitness center, Gym/fitness. You're on Penida, which is packed with things to do. Snorkelling, diving, exploring temples, chasing waterfalls… Penida is an adventure playground. Coco Resort can help organize tours, which is convenient. But be warned: the island is busy. And, as I mentioned before, the roads? Prepare for a bumpy ride.
Services & Conveniences - The Bits and Pieces that Make Life Easier
Coco Resort offers all the usual suspects: Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes. They even have a Gift/souvenir shop, which is handy for picking up those last-minute presents (or just souvenirs for yourself – no judgement!).
The Verdict: Is Coco Resort Penida Worth the Trip?
Hell, yes. Despite the minor imperfections, Coco Resort Penida is a special place. It's not just a hotel; it’s an experience. It's a chance to disconnect, unwind, and reconnect with… well, yourself. The view from the pool alone is worth the price of admission. Yes, the journey to get there is a bit of an adventure. But that just makes the ultimate reward you experience, the paradise you find, so much sweeter.
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Ready to Escape to Paradise? Book Your Stay!
Offer: Experience the Untouched Beauty of Coco Resort Penida! Book your stay now and receive a complimentary spa treatment and a sunset cocktail at the poolside bar! Plus, get 10% off all tours and activities booked through the resort!
Sunninghill Escape: Your Luxurious South African Getaway Awaits
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly Instagram-filtered Bali itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL, the messy, sunburnt, mosquito-bitten, borderline-hysterical account of my (attempted) zen retreat at Coco Resort Penida. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?
Day 1: Arrival (and the Great Ferry Fiasco)
- 6:00 AM (ish) - Airport Apocalypse & Smuggler's Blues: Woke up before the roosters in a panic, convinced my flight was going to disappear into thin air. Finally made it! Jakarta airport: chaos, a symphony of delayed flights, and the distinct smell of questionable airline food.
- 9:00 AM - Serangan Harbor Shuffle: Found the ferry to Nusa Penida. Or tried to. Turns out, a sudden (and completely unpredicted, of course) monsoon rolled in. This meant dodging puddles, battling wind and rain that made me question the very fabric of reality, and squeezing onto a boat that looked like it was held together by prayer and duct tape. I swear I saw Noah himself give us a sympathetic nod.
- 11:00 AM - The Boat Trip from HELL (but with a view): Seasickness. Oh, the seasickness! I’m a seasoned traveler, damnit! I’ve weathered trains in India, buses in Morocco, heck, even a camel ride. But this…this was a whole other level of nausea, mixed with the sheer terror of bobbing around in a boat that was clearly not designed for anything beyond a calm lake. But, LOOKING back? The views were unreal. The dark, churning water crashing against the cliffs, the sky a bruised purple. It was…gloriously dramatic. Still, I would be throwing up in the bathroom, feeling like a giant hot mess, for the rest of the boat ride haha.
- 12:30 PM - Coco Resort: Blessedly Solid Ground (and a Mosquito Army): Finally, land. I hugged the dry land like I was a castaway! Check-in was a breeze, the staff at Coco Resort were genuinely lovely and welcoming. The bungalow? Picture-perfect. Think: whitewashed walls, a billowing mosquito net, and a view of the most ridiculously beautiful coral reef I’ve ever seen! BUT. The mosquitoes. Oh, the mosquitoes. I swear, they had a welcome party planned for me. IMMEDIATELY spent the next hour furiously applying bug spray and hiding under said mosquito net, praying for a quick death by sleep.
- 2:00 PM - Lunch & the “Relaxing” Pool Day. Lunch? Delicious Nasi Goreng. Pool? Stunning infinity pool. Relaxation? HAHAHA. The tropical heat was intense. By the end of the day, I was just too sunburnt. I'll save the pool for tomorrow, and, after the rough ferry ride, I just needed to SLEEP.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner & the Nighttime Insect Symphony: Okay, dinner. At the resort's restaurant. More delicious Indonesian food. The stars were out. The insect chorus was in full swing, a cacophony of buzzing, chirping, and clicking. It was strangely soothing, until a giant cockroach decided to do a fly-by on my salad. I’m still processing that one. Back to the bungalow to make sure the mosquito net was tight. Head to bed with an eye out for any potential cockroach shenanigans.
Day 2: Diving Dreams (and Delayed Realizations)
- 7:00 AM - Sunrise Shenanigans and Breakfast Debacle: Woke up before dawn, determined to catch the sunrise. Walked outside, bleary-eyed, and promptly tripped over a rogue flip-flop. Landed (gracefully, of course) in a pile of sand. The sunrise, however, was worth it. Golden light spilling over the reef, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. Breakfast? I ordered fresh fruit and got a plate of what looked suspiciously like bruised, overripe papayas. Decided to roll with it.
- 9:00 AM - Dive Time (Or So I Thought): Booked a dive trip. I’ve (sort of) dived before. This was SUPPOSED to be a gentle introduction to the Penida waters.
- 10:00 AM - The Dive Site's First Impression? We arrived at the dive site. The boat bobbed around in the turquoise sea. I got all my gear on, and I wanted to die. It felt like hours before the safety checks were over, and I was about to get in the water.
- 10:30 AM - First Dive: We jumped into the water and I was struggling to feel comfortable in the cold water, and the gear, and I had a hard time going through with the dive. I got my mask fogging. Had to go up to the surface.
- 11:00 AM - Second Dive: The crew helped me breathe and tried again. I was struggling to feel comfortable in the cold water, and the gear. I just felt like it was all too much, and I wasn't ready, which made me regret coming here. I was scared and embarrassed. I came up for air and told them I'm out.
- 12:00 PM - Regroup and Reflect: Back on land, I felt defeated. Like a total failure. But also, strangely, relieved. I realized that I wasn't ready, and there's nothing wrong with that. My therapist says it's called "boundaries".
- 1:00 PM - Lunch & the Great Pizza Fiasco: Back to the resort. I thought I'd treat myself to pizza (because comfort). But then, the pizza arrived. It was…a culinary crime. The base was soggy. The cheese was questionable. I ate maybe two bites.
- 2:00 PM - Beach Bliss & Beach Bumming: I went to the beach, and sat in the sun. The sea was warm, and the sand was clean. The ocean breeze was blowing, and I just zoned out.
- 5:00 PM - The Sunset Viewing: Found a spot on a cliff for sunset. The colors were amazing. I sat there and made some quick calls to my friends to rant all day.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner & a Second Cockroach Encounter: Trying to remain positive, I got dinner at the resort. The food was good. The waitress was lovely. But during dinner, I saw a giant cockroach again. It made me want to not eat anymore. Back to the bungalow to make sure the mosquito net was extra tight, and the doors locked.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime stories and thoughts: Going to bed early, and going through my thoughts.
Day 3: (Attempted) Island Exploration & The Farewell Fiesta
- 8:00 AM - Jeep Adventure? I'm Not Sure: Rented a jeep for a day of island hopping. The roads were…let's just say, not paved. The jeep bounced around like a bucking bronco. I was pretty sure my fillings were going to be shaken loose.
- 9:00 AM - Kelingking Beach (Sort Of): Kelingking beach. The iconic T-Rex shaped cliff. The view…breathtaking. The climb down…harrowing. I made it about halfway down the treacherous path before my legs started to scream and I decided, "Nope".
- 11:00 AM - Broken Beach - The Ultimate Photobomb: Broken Beach’s natural infinity pool. Gorgeous. Photobombed by some monkeys who clearly thought my snacks were up for grabs.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch & the "Lost in Translation" Meal: Found a warung by the beach. The menu? All in Indonesian. Pointing, gesturing, and a lot of hopeful smiling. The meal arrived. It was…edible. I think it was the local dish, but I am not 100% sure.
- 2:00 PM - Crystal Bay (and the Great Swim Disaster): Decided to brave the waves at Crystal Bay. Got pummeled by a rogue wave. Spent the next hour choking on saltwater and feeling like a beached whale.
- 4:00 PM - Back to the Resort & Post-Adventure Analysis (and nap): Back to the resort. I was exhausted. That jeep ride was the workout I didn't ask for! A long nap was in order.
- 6:00 PM - Farewell Fiesta!: The resort was having a cultural performance tonight!
- 7:00 PM - The Dance Performance: I watched the performance and tried to relax.
- 8:00 PM - Dinner Last dinner at the resort. The food was good. I'm going to miss the lovely staff.
- 9:00 PM - Packing and Reflecting: I packed my things, and re-lived the memories.
Day 4: Departure:
- 7:00 AM - Last Breakfast: Breakfast at the resort. So many delicious local fruits!
- 8:00 AM - The Final Ferry: Took a ferry back to the main land. It was so fast!
- 9:00 AM - Goodbye: I made
