How to Choose a Hotel in Bali: Tips and Examples

Bali - the word conjures up images of heavenly beaches, emerald rice terraces, and vibrant sunsets! In recent years, Indonesia's most touristy island has seen a plethora of hotels open - on the coast, in the jungle, near sacred temples and volcanic beaches… The variety is simply incredible. How do you choose a hotel in Bali that will truly give you the island experience and truly appreciate Balinese service? We offer some tips and examples of Bali resorts.

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua

Determine the type of vacation

Before looking at pretty hotel pictures, determine the purpose of your trip:

Clubs and nightlife. Ideal areas for this type of holiday are Canggu, Kuta, and Seminyak.

• W Bali Seminyak: an icon of glamorous Bali living. A vast multi-level pool overlooking the ocean, the renowned Woobar, home to the best sunset parties, and ultra-modern rooms.
• Potato Head Suites & Studios in Seminyak: a hotel located at Bali's most famous beach club. You'll not only get a stylish room but also access to all the events, pools, and restaurants at Potato Head.
• Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach: A large and very stylish resort with several pools and a great location.
• The Slow (Canggu): An ultra-hip boutique hotel with its own art gallery and popular restaurant.

W Bali Seminyak

A laid-back beach vacation. Choose from large resorts with private beaches, pools, and full service. A single hotel offers everything you need for relaxation and seaside pleasure. Choose a Bali hotel near the beaches. Here are some good luxury options for the Nusa Dua resort:

• The Mulia, Nusa Dua. A luxurious five-star resort with expansive grounds, a private beach, swimming pools, and a magnificent spa. Perfect for a relaxing ocean getaway.
• Grand Hyatt Bali. One of Bali's largest hotels, with lagoons, restaurants, a beach, and all the amenities for a relaxing vacation. Excellent service and facilities.
• Melia Bali, Nusa Dua. Direct beach access, a large pool, tropical gardens, and all-inclusive amenities make this an ideal choice for those seeking relaxation in a luxurious setting.

The Mulia, Nusa Dua

A retreat-style vacation – yoga, meditation, and jungle walks. You're looking for hotels in Bali's cultural capital, Ubud, and its green surroundings, far from the hustle and bustle.

• Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan: Here you can practice antigravity yoga, meditate by the river, and live in complete harmony with nature.
• Amandari (Ubud): One of the first luxury hotels in Ubud from the iconic Aman chain, it's a recreated Balinese village with villas immersed in greenery.
• COMO Shambhala Estate (Ubud): a complete world-class wellness resort. Individualized nutrition and detox programs, yoga, and Ayurveda, led by top specialists.
• Capella Ubud: Jungle glamping. You'll stay in luxurious tents with antique furniture and copper bathtubs suspended over a gorge.

COMO Shambhala Estate

For surfing in Bali, look for a stylish boutique hotel or villa in the resort area of Canggu.

• Dreamsea Bali (Uluwatu) is a boutique hotel/surf lodge located right on a cliff above the ocean. Direct access to the spot, yoga, and co-living are available.
• Kima Surf Camp (Seminyak / Canggu / Uluwatu) – a surf camp with accommodation, boards, lessons, and transfers. There's a pool and yoga classes.

Dreamsea Bali

For a family vacation in Bali, your options are family resorts in Nusa Dua or Sanur.

Example hotels:

• The Westin Resort Nusa Dua: The Westin Family Kids Club is one of the best on the island, with a separate area for toddlers and teens. The highlight is the 12-meter waterslide in the pool, which kids absolutely love.
• Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali (Tanjung Benoa): a huge Bamboo Kids' Fun Club with a waterslide, trampolines, and a playground. The all-inclusive package eliminates the hassle of dining and includes a variety of water sports.
• Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay: The Jimba Club kids' club is a separate villa with a pool and a rich program of activities (surfing lessons, cooking classes). Each villa has its own private pool.

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua

Honeymoon in Bali. Consider cliffside villas in Uluwatu or secluded hotels in Ubud.

• Alila Villas Uluwatu: an architectural masterpiece perched atop a 100-meter cliff. Its famous infinity pool and Sunset Cabana, floating above the cliff, are arguably the most photographed locations in all of Bali.
• Bulgari Resort Bali (Uluwatu): The resort is located on a secluded cliff with elevator access to a private beach.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Bali (Nusa Dua): The main area and lobby are located on a high cliff, while the villas and beach area are below, by the calm ocean.

Alila Villas Uluwatu

The best places for Instagram. Ideal areas are Uluwatu (cliff views), Ubud (jungle and design), Canggu (fashion and style).

• Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa, located in northern Bali, features an infinity pool literally immersed in clouds and mist in the morning, creating a surreal effect. The views extend over coffee plantations, mountains, and valleys.
• The Edge Bali (Uluwatu): The main highlight is The OneEighty pool, a section of which has a glass bottom and extends 6 meters beyond the edge of the cliff.
• La Favela in Seminyak: a hotel inside the most Instagrammable bar. It's a labyrinth of rooms overgrown with greenery, vintage furniture, antiques, and the atmosphere of an abandoned Brazilian mansion.

The Edge Bali

Vacations in Bali. The island offers several exciting options for a carefree vacation with a wide range of options.

Paradisus by Meliá Bali. One of Bali's flagship all-inclusive resorts. Spacious grounds, numerous restaurants and bars included in the package, and a special premium area, The Reserve, for more discerning guests.

Samabe Bali Suites & Villas. Offers the "Unlimited Privileges" concept, one of the most luxurious all-inclusive options. This includes not only food and drinks, but also daily spa treatments, excursions, and 24-hour butler service.

Paradisus by Meliá Bali

Choosing a resort area in Bali

Choosing the right area of the island to suit your interests is 90% of the vacation experience. Each area has its own unique characteristics. Keep in mind that Bali's traffic can be a time-consuming process due to the congested roads. Therefore, the key principle when choosing a place to live is to live where you plan to spend most of your time.

Changu is a fashionable hipster

The epicenter of surf culture, healthy eating, and digital nomads. Dozens of trendy cafes, yoga studios, bars, and shops. Life is vibrant from dawn to dusk.

Who is Changu suitable for: young people, surfers, freelancers, anyone who likes to be in the center of events.

Depositphotos

Ubud - the spiritual heart of the island

Jungles, rice fields, yoga retreats, temples, and art galleries. There's no ocean here, but there is peace, creativity, and the enchanting Monkey Forest.

Suitable for: those who seek harmony, culture, nature and are not tied to a beach holiday.

Nusa Dua - for the whole family

A perfectly maintained, secure area with five-star resorts, pristine beaches and a calm ocean.

Suitable for: families with small children, elderly couples, lovers of a classic all-inclusive beach holiday.

Kuta and Seminyak - for nightlife

Two adjacent districts on the southwest coast of Bali. They boast chic restaurants, fashionable boutiques, and expensive beach clubs (Potato Head and Ku De Ta). These are the liveliest.

Who it’s for: those who appreciate good service, fine cuisine and are willing to pay for it.

Uluwatu: panoramic views and surfing

Majestic cliffs offer incredible ocean views, top surf spots, and the most beautiful sunsets. The atmosphere is more relaxed and authentic.

Suitable for: experienced surfers, couples looking for a romantic getaway in Bali, and wildlife photographers.

Depositphotos

Types of accommodation: pros and cons

Now that you know why and where you are going, all that remains is to choose where to stay.

Large resort: Pros: huge grounds, plenty of restaurants, swimming pools, a kids' club, private beach, perfect for a family vacation. Cons: crowded, lack of authenticity. What to look for:

1. Beachfront: Make sure your hotel has its own direct beach access, not across the road.
2. Recent renovations: The resorts in Nusa Dua and Kuta were built a long time ago. Look for hotels that have undergone a complete renovation in the last two to three years (e.g., Paradisus Bali, Novotel Bali Benoa). This guarantees fresh rooms and modern plumbing.
3. Food Reviews: If you're planning to eat at a hotel, read reviews about the quality of breakfasts and restaurant prices.

W Bali Seminyak

Boutique hotel: Pros: unique design, personalized service, cozy atmosphere. Cons: small space, limited infrastructure. What to look for:

• Location on the map: Boutique hotels are often located away from main roads. Check Google Maps to see how easy it is to get to the beach, cafes, and main streets. Will you be forced to walk down a dark road every time?
• Soundproofing: In busy areas, activity never stops. Check reviews to see if guests complain about noise from nearby bars or the road.
• Pool and lounge area size: The pool may appear large in photos, but in reality it's a small "bathtub" with three lounge chairs. If relaxing by the pool is important to you, pay attention to this.

Private villa: Pros: Complete privacy, private pool. Cons: Self-organized meals and activities. Ideal for groups of friends and large families. What to consider:

• Management company: Book villas from reputable companies with good reviews, not from random individuals. This ensures that any issues (with air conditioning or internet) will be resolved quickly.
• Included services: Check how often cleaning is done, whether breakfast is included in the price, whether there is a chef (and how much it costs).
• Security: It's preferable to choose villas in gated communities. If the villa is a standalone property, check if there's night security.
• Surroundings: Check satellite maps for nearby attractions. Being next to a construction site, a rooster farm, or a noisy bar can ruin your vacation.

A guesthouse. The pros are budget-friendly, but the cons are minimal comfort and service. The best option for budget travelers. What to look for:

• Hot water and air conditioning are not always included. Be sure to check the description.
• Reviews of cleanliness: this is the main indicator that will tell you whether a guesthouse is worth staying at. Also, inquire about their internet service.
• Location: Choose guesthouses that are not located on the noisiest streets so you can rest at night.

COMO Shambhala Estate

Bali with Kids: How to Choose a Family Hotel

When choosing a hotel for a family vacation, pay attention to the following options:

• Kids' club availability. This isn't just a room full of toys, but also creative workshops, active games, and Balinese dance lessons. Check the minimum age for children, opening hours, and availability of a shaded outdoor playground.
• A toddler pool. A huge, deep infinity pool is nice, but not for children. An ideal hotel should have a separate shallow pool or at least an area with a gentle, gradual entry into the main pool. Water slides are ideal!
• Safe Beach. Beaches with powerful waves are a surfer's paradise, but a parent's nightmare. Choose a hotel near a calm ocean, without strong currents or waves.
• Family rooms or interconnecting rooms. Look for hotels that offer two-bedroom rooms or guarantee connecting rooms with a door between them.
• Children's menu and high chairs available. Having a children's menu and high chairs available in a hotel restaurant is a sign of professional service.

For a family vacation in Bali, we recommend looking for a hotel in the following beach areas:

• Nusa Dua is the number one choice. It's the "gold standard" for family vacations in Bali. It boasts secure, well-maintained grounds, wide stroller-friendly sidewalks, and pristine beaches with calm waters. The best family resorts are concentrated here.
• Jimbaran. A quiet bay with a gently sloping entrance and calm waters. Perfect for evening strolls along the beach and dinners at seafood restaurants right on the sand.
• Sanur is a quiet, upscale area with a long promenade protected from the waves by a reef. It offers a great atmosphere for a leisurely family vacation.

The Mulia, Nusa Dua

Types of food in Bali

This choice directly impacts your budget and experience.

• BB (breakfast only) is the default choice for 90% of travelers.
• HB – when searching through the island's restaurants for special or children's menus will take up precious time during your vacation. It's also important when you're planning to spend your vacation at a resort, and when a predictable budget is important. Find out which hotel restaurants are included in your plan (often the best ones cost an extra fee).
• ALL (all inclusive) Check which drinks are included (usually these are only local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and imported ones are purchased separately).

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

Tips for choosing a hotel in Bali

• Read the latest reviews. New hotels with even more attractive options are constantly opening in Bali. Also, recent reviews from the last month can help you determine whether there's any major construction going on near the hotel.
• Look at the map. "Near the beach" could mean a 15-minute walk in the heat or a cliff you have to climb down and then back up. Check the actual distance on Google Maps.
• Be mindful of traffic. A 5-kilometer drive to Canggu or Kuta can take 30-40 minutes. Take this into account when planning your trips.
• Book in advance. During high season (June, July, and August), as well as during the New Year holidays in Bali, finding a good hotel can be difficult.

Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali