Mule Malu

Mule Malu is a small eco-boutique hotel on Jl. Pantai Bingin, a few minutes' walk from the Bingin steps and a short ride from Padang Padang. Rooms are arranged around a garden and a free-form pool, under thatched roofs with natural materials throughout.

Its kitchen mixes Italian and Indonesian cooking, which makes staying in for dinner an easy option after a day at the beach. The scale is small, so the atmosphere is calm and personal.

It suits couples and surfers who want something more personal than a large resort at a mid-range price. Booking direct through the website or by email often gets the best rate, according to the hotel. Bring a torch for the walk back from Bingin's restaurants at night, as the lanes are poorly lit. The beaches below are reef breaks, so wear reef shoes for walking in at low tide, and check the tide times before you go, as Bingin's sand almost disappears at high water. Ask the team for advice on the best tide for swimming.