My mom and I did a 4-day, 3-night retreat at Bali Silent Retreat in July 2023. It proved to be a truly wonderful and memorable experience, marking our first-ever mother-daughter trip. Our primary goal for this journey was to unwind without any fixed agenda. Here are the top five aspects we thoroughly enjoyed: 1. Registration and Getting There: The registration process was effortless, thanks to the highly responsive and helpful Office Angels. After reviewing the calendar on their website to explore available rooms, we completed the form. The Office Angels promptly responded with our booking confirmation and payment instructions. 2. Getting There: Bali Silent Retreat is situated approximately 2 hours away from the airport. They have a dedicated team of drivers to facilitate airport transfers during check-in and check-out. Both our drivers, Eka and Eba, were punctual, accommodating, and attentive to our needs. A word of advice for international travelers: plan to arrive in Bali before noon to allow ample time for the fairly distant drive to the retreat, considering the possibility of heavy traffic. The earlier you reach the retreat, the more time you can spend enjoying the serene ambiance. 3. The Environment: After a full day of travel, we found ourselves immersed in the tranquil countryside of Penatahan. The retreat is nestled amidst picturesque paddy fields, organic gardens, and an overall setting that promotes mindfulness and disconnection from the outside world. It was precisely what we were seeking. It gets dark by 7pm here. We visited during the new moon, offering us an opportunity to witness the enchanting beauty of the night sky. For stargazers, BSR offers a captivating night viewing experience. I also loved the nightly orchestra of the living nature once night begins. You will never feel alone. The sunrise and the sunset is also remarkable. 4. Daily Agenda: BSR offers daily activities such as morning and evening yoga, guided meditation, and Shavasana, all conducted by knowledgeable teachers. Additionally, there is a shuttle service to the nearby hot springs, perfect for those wanting a brief escape from the retreat. There is also a nightly gamelan performance at the registration office that take place during sunset. The gamelan sound, and the sunset is just captivating. It serves as a compelling reminder to pause, embrace the moment, and fully appreciate the present. I also had the privilege of learning to play the gamelan from Wayan who was so patient and gracious. 5. Organic, Vegetarian Food: The food at Bali Silent Retreat was simply exceptional. It was a delightful spread of home-grown, delicious, and nutritious dishes. With a daily-changing menu of wholesome, real foods, we were thoroughly impressed. Should BSR ever publish their cookbook, we would undoubtedly be among the first to order it. We regretted not having sufficient notice to visit the kitchen, but we were informed that interested guests can arrange a kitchen tour through the Office Angels (Reception). Additionally, BSR organizes other food-related activities on a weekly basis, so do check their agenda. Others: • The staff were exceptionally attentive and supportive, contributing to the overall greatness of our experience. • We specifically planned our visit to coincide with the new moon to participate in the Agnihotra ceremony during sunset. We highly recommend this unique experience. The Agnihotra takes place twice a month, during the new and full moon phases. • Guests come from all corners of the world. While you will likely not make new friends because its a silent retreat, the people are all respectful, and a pleasure to be around. In conclusion, our time at Bali Silent Retreat was truly amazing. We were truly able to embrace "la dolce far niente" where we granted ourselves the freedom to do as we pleased, free from goals and expectations. We will be back.

Loved loved loved my 3 nights here. I came with my husband and as a real talker I must admit I was nervous. It was everything I needed and more. So peaceful, calm, beautiful scenery, amazing staff, tasty food, a lovely bungalow and the chance to actually switch off. Sleep, move, breathe, eat, read, sleep, repeat.

I stayed at BSR for 4 nights and the whole experience was so wonderful. I love how eco friendly the retreat is, with a focus on sustainability, organic vegan food (except for the lovely locally raised duck eggs) and silent meditation ROOMS: I booked the single upper room. The bed was clean and comfortable, the room itself is simple but has everything you need. You will hear the other guests next door, but I didn’t find it disturbing at all. The view out onto the jungle was magnificent, I enjoyed sleeping with the roller up so I could watch the sunrise in the morning. FOOD: each meal was super delicious and nutritious, I didn’t miss meat at all! There are always multiple dishes to choose from, most of the ingredients are grown at their onsite garden. My favourite was the sauteed vegetables with cashewnut sauce and the egg omelette murtabak. Warm meals during breakfast and dinner, lunch is a bit simpler with raw vegetables, salad and bread but still very nice. I also made extensive use of the tea station, can’t resist fresh mint tea! ACTIVITIES: I joined each morning and afternoon movement/stretching and meditation session, this was such an enjoyable daily activity. I especially appreciate the instructor with the short hair, his guidance and instructions were clear and easy to follow. I also recommend listening to the daily evening bamboo instrument sessions with Wayan, he is so talented! He will also teach you some simple tunes if you want (in return for some English teaching). The garden tour was very eye opening and inspiring as well. The head gardener is so passionate and shared with us many things that he learned from his father and grandfather. Overall I would really recommend this retreat for anyone who loves nature, serenity, light yoga, meditation and healthy vegan dishes. I hope to come back one day!

Enjoy silence and beauty nature. The grounds and mountains views are peaceful and sublime. Lots to learn about modern and green ways of living, such as natural ways of mosquito prevention and energy conservation. The food medicine talk was eye opening. Loved the yoga - so fun and relaxing. The meditation was powerful though an absolute beginner may want to consult some material on what to do during the period as it’s usually just silence. Thich Nhat Hanh has many instructions on this referencing the classic Buddhist Anapanasati sutra. The food. High quality, local, nutritious. Breakfast and dinner were sumptuous with numerous cooked meals to choose from. I’ll be in the lookout for these foods from now on. I felt lunch was a bit lean as it was just salad but it didn’t matter. The snack and herbal tea tables were so good. The library area is wonderful for a bookworm and an absolutely peaceful atmosphere to read or even nap in. Finally the live gamelan in the evening was beautiful and Wayan even taught me a few songs. What a beautiful experience of mindfulness and it connected me back to my musicality and creativity. There is a lot more going on but these were the highlights. You won’t be bored and get to see things in a different way if you’re open to it. I did stay outside at Mongan Homestay via airbnb for a more budget experience.

Spent 4 days at BSR and it was a beautiful spiritual experience and an opportunity for deeper inner connectedness. Appreciated the yoga and meditation sessions. Grateful for the kind staff and the food is some of the best you’ll ever eat.

Stayed here for 2 nights 3 day and could have stayed longer to go deeper inwards and get more clarity. Unlike, Vipassana, BSR is a lot more relaxed and freflow. You can read, write and choose to do whatever you want in the day from meditations, movement to taking a nap in a hammock. The location is amazing, surrounded by ricefields and very lush and everything in BSR is very well thought out. They have cute signs everywhere, grow their own food, incorporate locals and their traditions, have an expansive library etc.. The staff is also very sweet and professional and you can tell they love what they do. Now a bit on the room for improvement. 1. Because it is more relaxed, I saw a lot of people with computers and their phones outside the cowork. They have a place call the cowork by the reception but this place kind of defeats the purpose of being there. I saw people there smoking, and having calls.. 2. You pay a daily rate for the room and another for food and activities. In my opinion the food fee is very high for what you get. Everyone raves about the food and it was good but I personally only found the dinner really good. Breakfast was very basic and lunch was a very bland green salad and raw veggies with dips. 3. If you don't like bugs and nature, this is not the place with you. There is no AC, it rains a lot (in rainy season) and you will hear mosquitoes at night and you will see other bugs around. 4. Last, the rooms... I stayed in the private single top floor and they aren't lying about, if you are a light sleeper don't stay here... you literally hear everything, specially bathroom noises and snoring...

Spent 5 days at Bali Silent Retreat and it was a nourishing experience for both the mind and body. The guided yoga & meditation, farm-to-table plant based diet, the mini library, the space for reflection, the cultural experiences all contributed to it. I would also recommend attending the living pharmacy workshop as it was really insightful. All in all, it was a holiday that left me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I also took home the habit of meditation, something that i am really grateful for. For light sleepers: the nights can be a little noisy. so do take note~

I stayed here for 1 week in a bungalow Positive things: - The nice and smiley stuff - the very tasty food - The amazing view - the yoga and meditation sessions ( i wish there were more variety though) Negative things: -sleepless nights.. the nature outside was loud, which i am ok with, but also geckos(type of lizard) “inside the cottage” was making very loud sound each 30minute the whole night every night.. i understand it s nature, but maybe if the cottage was not open, from the ceiling and next to the bed we could avoid the geckos or the frog i found inside .. - the opening in the wall next to the bed was making me feel i have no privacy.. as i could be seen from outside. At the end, i left the place feeling physically tired from the lack of sleep, but mentally refreshed.

This is a 5 star Ashram experience. Disneyland for the seeker. Go and enjoy the silence, nature and tranquility this place has to offer. Would recommend everyone who is looking for the quiet bali

Bali Silent Retreat offers a serene environment perfect for meditation and reflection. The yoga classes are top-notch, and the healthy culinary offerings, especially the fresh herb tea, stand out. The labyrinth walk provides a unique spiritual experience. A visit to this retreat during a Bali trip is highly recommended for a transformative journey.