I have one big quibble about Alam Asmara Dive Resort to get out of the way right off the bat: this isn't a dive resort. They don't have a dive boat or even a dive shop. It seemed I may have been the only diver staying there. This wasn't a huge deal for me, as I already had dives planned with another dive shop for my stay, but it does seem like a significant misrepresentation of what to expect at Alam Asmara.
That said, Alam Asmara is a nice place to stay in Candidasa, which is a great place to experience more of the 'real' Bali. The resort consists of just a dozen or so bungalows right on the seaside in Candidasa. There's a good selection of restaurants just a short walk from the resort, which has its own spa and restaurant.
Photos of the Alam Asmara Dive Resort. Click on any of the thumbnails to see the full size image.
Rooms are large and somewhat typical of Balinese hotel bungalows. There's a large front porch with chairs for sitting. This also has a small table with coffee and tea facilities. However, there's no water heater like you usually find in hotels. Instead, Alam Asmara provides a carafe of hot water, filled everyday in the afternoon. Inside the room is a large bed (although it was two twin beds on a single platform in my case) with mosquito nets, a television and wardrobe. Out back is the large open air bathroom, which has a big stone-lined tub and shower. Although open air, the bathroom is completely surrounded by high stone walls, providing complete privacy. To one side of the room is a small fish pond, which empties into a stream running under the walkway running the length of the property.
Breakfast was served in the seaside Rendezvous restaurant. The included breakfast consisted of a very simple buffet with on meat and one potato selection, as well as some fruit and breads, plus eggs cooked to your order.
It's perhaps worth noting that, while Alam Asmara is right on the ocean, there isn't any beach. The seaside in Candidasa is mostly rocks, so few if any resorts have a beach.
Hotel facilities include one restaurant, a swimming pool and spa.
Rooms feature air conditioning, mini-bar, color television with several satellite channels, hair dryer, free tea and coffee facilities, and in-room safe.
Pluses: Comfortable rooms; quiet location.
Minuses: This 'dive resort' has no dive shop.
Rooms at the Alam Asmara Dive Resort may be booked through Agoda, or use Hotels Combined to compare rates for the resort from dozens of online booking sites.