Staying at Bali’s leading boutique hotel: Mathis Amed Lodge
The location:
AMED is one of those areas in Bali that people still refer to as ‘undiscovered’. It is around 3-4 hours away from the airport, located on the East Bali Coast. It is a sleepy fisherman village which is slowly developing for tourism. No beach clubs competing for attention, no traffic. Just volcanic black-sand beaches, wooden boats resting on the shore, and Mount Agung watching everything in silence. Tourism feels personal rather than ‘business’
Small boutique hotels and hillside lodges blend into the landscape instead of dominating it, many built with deep respect for nature and the local community.
I’ve visited Amed a couple of times and probably one year ago, I saw a place on Instagram that captivated my attention and curiosity - the Mathis Amed Lodge.
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In December, I finally booked a stay at Mathis Amed Lodge.
I planned a 2-night stay, but once I checked in I immediately extended it to a 3-night stay as I realised I’ve stumbled upon a gem.
The construction of Mathis Amed Lodge:
Mathis Lodge was completed in 2019 after two years of turning what felt impossible into reality, building a resort high up on the hills of the Lian Valley.
The ambition behind the project was immense and becomes even more striking when you learn how it was done. We were lucky to meet Santo, the first General Manager of Mathis Amed, who shared stories from the construction period, when every single building material had to be transported by truck and then manually offloaded by hand up the hill.
At that time, there wasn’t even a paved road leading to the site. Beyond the logistical challenge, the owners had a very clear vision for the lodge, shaped by places they had traveled to and stayed in themselves. By working primarily with natural materials, they wanted to ensure the resort blended into its surroundings rather than disrupted them, creating what Mathis Lodge is today, a property that feels aesthetic, intentional, and deeply connected to its environment.
The lodge today:
Mathis Lodge Amed offers a unique boutique stay set high above Amed with an astonishing sea view, combining privacy, space, and enough activities to keep you entertained if needed.
The lodge is made up of 20 individual lodges spread over 2 hectares of land. Some lodges have a private outdoor jacuzzi (it is one of the best) or a private infinity pool along with family rooms (for up to 4 guests). The interior design draws inspiration from East Indonesia, blending refined details and natural materials influenced by Papua, Sumba, and Sumbawa.
A personal highlight is the infinity pool with sea views, and the on-site Asmat Restaurant and Bar - offering some of the best food I’ve had in Amed. There is also a Spa, where we had the Relaxing massage and can confirm it was truly relaxing.
Additional amenities include daily breakfast, shuttle service to the beach, concierge support, and optional experiences such as local activities (hiking), excursions and private transfers, making it an easy and well-rounded base for exploring Amed.
Curious to know more?
During our stay, we had the chance to meet the General Manager of Mathis Amed, Mr. Komang Sudiyasa. We quickly found ourselves sharing a mutual fascination with the location, the sense of calm, and the thoughtful hospitality that defines the lodge. The more we spoke, the more intriguing the story behind Mathis Amed became.
On my last morning, I brought my laptop with me to breakfast with one intention: to understand more deeply the philosophy, nature, and hospitality behind Mathis Amed.
What followed was a conversation about place, intention, and what it truly means to create a guest experience rooted in nature and high-level of hospitality.
Here is what the GM - Komang Sudiyasa shared about the philosophy and intention behind Mathis Amed Lodge is:
Dear Komang, how does the Mathis Amed Lodge’s setting shape the guest experience?
Mathis Amed Lodge is located more than 400 meters above sea level high above the Amed coastline and it is surrounded by huge green hills. This remote setting shapes the entire guest experience.
I have spent 26 years in hospitality, much of that time working in South Bali, and I can say that Amed feels completely different. Here, you are much closer to nature. You can breathe it, you can feel it. It is calmer and it is quieter.
Many guests come to Amed for snorkelling, which is one of the most famous activities in the area. However, what I often notice is that guests do not feel the need to go out much at all. They experience nature while staying within the resort itself. The feedback we receive is very positive. Guests enjoy spending quality time here, slowing down, and being present.
Most guests describe their stay as an escape, almost like a retreat. This is exactly the feeling we want to create.
2. Mathis Amed Lodge is a leading boutique hotel in Bali. What makes it distinct from other resorts on the island?
Mathis Amed Lodge is under the management of DiJiwa Sanctuaries that has built a very strong reputation. What we focus on most is genuine, natural service and maintaining high standards across every aspect of the guest experience.
Despite the remote location, guests often arrive and immediately say “WOW”. The area itself already feels prestigious, but the owners worked very hard to create a strong architectural and cultural concept for the resort.
Our design blends Balinese culture with influences from across the Indonesian archipelago. One example is our restaurant, ASMAT, which is named after the Asmat people of Papua and inspired by the symbolism of the Asmat king. The architecture is designed to be close to the environment, to blend into the landscape and help guests feel connected to nature rather than separated from it. These are the things that make Mathis Amed unique.
3. I immediately noticed the design and the cultural influences of the place. What is the meaning?
The design of Mathis Amed Lodge is deeply connected to Indonesian culture and environmental awareness.
The owners are a Belgian couple who have spent more than 20 years living in Bali and traveling extensively across Indonesia, including Sulawesi, Borneo, and Papua. All of these regions inspired the design of the resort.
When building Mathis Amed, the goal was to reduce the use of concrete as much as possible. The structures rely heavily on wood and natural materials in order to reduce long-term environmental impact. This approach allows the resort to blend naturally into its surroundings and creates a sense that it truly belongs to the landscape rather than dominating it.
For me, this balance between design, culture, and nature is what defines the soul of Mathis Amed.
4.If guests had just one day at your resort, how would you advise them to spend it?
If a guest only has one day at Mathis Amed, my recommendation is actually to not do too much.
One day is not enough to rush activities. The best thing guests can do is relax and wind down. Simply being here is already an experience - but they need to just slow down. If they have time, I always recommend visiting the SPA, as it adds to the healing and restorative feeling of the stay.
And to truly feel the place and make the most of the resort, I usually suggest staying at least three days.
5. What is the feedback the guests leave? Do you notice any difference in how they feel after their stay?
Even during periods when tourism is slower and occupancy is lower like now in December, the feedback we receive is very encouraging. We often have guests who arrive for three nights and then extend their stay to seven. Many guests tell us directly how beautiful and incredible they find the place and how it affects them positively. They feel way more relaxed, they managed to slow down and fully immerse themselves into the pace of the area.
Another big compliment we get is on the food we serve.
Under DiJiwa Sanctuaries, we regularly review our chefs and invest heavily in training. Food quality is very important to us, and we work hard to maintain high standards. As General Manager, I make sure those standards are respected. I spend time in the kitchen, I clean, I communicate with the team, and I try to lead by example. Our staff work from the heart, and that enthusiasm is something guests really feel.
All of our food is fresh, and this makes a big difference to the overall experience.
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My goal is always to make guests feel a strong “wow” during their stay.
This comes from many elements including service, atmosphere, and especially food.
6. Do you face any challenges? Or is it all perfect?
Of course, we also face challenges. We are located up in the mountain and the road access can be a shock for some guests at first, and there is new construction in the area. When guests arrive, they sometimes comment on this. However, we always communicate openly, explain the situation, and most guests become very understanding once they settle in. Happily, this is not disturbing or affecting their stay.
7. What do you think of the future of tourism in Amed?
Based on our internal data, around 70 percent of tourists who come to Amed are here for the nature. These guests usually prefer to stay away from commercial areas and crowded cities. They come here to escape, slow down, and reconnect with the environment.
Amed is becoming more popular, which brings both opportunities and concerns. Personally, I hope it will not develop in the same way as places like Canggu. For now, Amed is still exclusive, and this is something we want to protect. Interestingly, some guests even become interested in investing in the area after their stay.
8. What is the vision for the future of Mathis Amed?
Our vision for the future is not about expanding the number of lodges. We will keep the 20 lodges as they are in order to maintain intimacy and exclusivity. What we are working on instead is creating new experiences for guests, especially more retreat-style offerings. We are planning a dedicated wellness center area, and we also aim to keep the sense of privacy by maintaining the space between villas.
We already work with several retreat organisers, and this is something we plan to develop further.
Environmental responsibility is also very important to us. We are actively involved in protecting the land, including large-scale tree planting initiatives. We have already planted over 1,000 trees, with more added regularly. Our property has no boundary walls, which reflects our philosophy of openness and respect for nature.
Places like Mathis Amed Lodge truly stand out!
Set in an unconventional region of the island and built with intention, it is designed to last, not just to attract attention for a season.
It is a place shaped by its environment, its culture, and the people behind it, offering something increasingly rare:
… authenticity, space, and a genuine sense of belonging to the land!
👉 If you are interested in staying at Mathis Lodge Amed, you can book your stay directly via their website.
Enjoy your trip to AMED! 🐠
