A little disclosure: there are affiliate links on this page! That just means if you click on a link, find something you like and buy it, we’ll make some cash. Don’t worry, you won’t pay any extra – sometimes you might even get a tasty discount. It’s a win for us and a win for you too! See the full disclaimer here.
Are you planning to stay in Bali? Close to 10 million tourists visited Bali in 2023, so the island is more than equipped with so many choices of places to stay. If you are like me, it can be a bit overwhelming to find the perfect place to stay in, as there are so many beautiful and great hotels, especially if you live further away and visit to Bali is a once-in-a-lifetime situation. The good news is, there are so many excellent hotels, and Bali in general is quite affordable, especially for many tourists due to our very cheap currency. Without further a do, let’s delve and answer our question: where to stay in Bali?
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is what people imagine in their minds when they think of Bali beaches. If you want Bali sandy beaches, watersports, crystal clear water, then Nusa Dua is where you want to be.
Top Pick: Nunamkhalu Private Villa and Spa
- Budget friendly and delivered luxurious experience
- Not beachfront, but free shuttle available
- Recommended if you want to stay in and enjoy the hotel experience
I put my money where my mouth is, as they say. For our honeymoon, we stayed in Nunamkhalu, and it was absolutely worth it. We paid £30 (about USD 38) per person per night (£60 per night for both of us), which is unbelievable considering we had our own private villa with a private pool.
The villa was enormous, with a kitchen and a huge bath that fit two people. It was incredibly luxurious. Yes, you heard that right – we had a private pool just for us, and I even went skinny dipping for the first time in Bali!
The only downside was that it wasn’t beachfront, but there was a free shuttle to Pandawa Beach, the closest one. Honestly, I don’t know where else you could get such luxury for just £30 per person per night. We did pay a little extra for breakfast, but it was excellent.
This place is perfect if you want to stay in and enjoy the hotel. We visited right after spending three days sailing in Komodo, so we were quite tired and ready to relax. We really enjoyed the time to unwind and recuperate. The area isn’t like Jimbaran, where you can easily walk to the beach and find restaurants. It’s a bit more secluded.
Ulu Segara Luxury Suites & Villas
- Built for honeymoon and couples
- Beach front with a few facilities
- A little bit secluded area
We also stayed here for our honeymoon. I had visited with my family the year before and enjoyed it so much that I decided to return for our honeymoon. One of the breakfast staff even remembered me, which was amazing!
(PS: check out my post on having luxury honeymoon in Bali on a budget! Yes – you can definitely have a luxurious honeymoon while preserving your wallet, especially after paying for a wedding.)
Ulu Segara is a bit more expensive than Nunamkhalu, but it’s located right on the beachfront. We stayed in the hotel rather than a villa, but it was still fantastic. Ulu Segara was specifically built as a honeymoon resort, and you can tell from the facilities. The bathroom is massive, spacious enough for two people to shower and bathe together. There’s a glass wall beside the bath, so I could enjoy a bath with an ocean view, though it’s also visible from the bedroom!
The poolside loungers are arranged in pairs, perfect for couples. Despite this, when I came with my family, we didn’t feel out of place since there were other families there as well.
We loved the beach, which is shallow and great for swimming. You can borrow a kayak for free to use on the ocean and there are bicycles available if you want to go for a ride. Nearby Geger Beach is popular with surfers, and Ulu Segara provides a free shuttle service to get there. Just be aware that there are many monkeys at Geger Beach, so take common-sense precautions to avoid having your belongings snatched!
The downside is that it’s quite a distance from everything else. Like Nunamkhalu, it’s ideal if you want to stay in and enjoy the hotel.
The Apurva Kempinski Bali
- Known locally as one of the best – and most expensive five-star hotel in Bali
- Great family facilities, also very suitable for honeymoon.
Not too far from Ulu Segara is the Kempinski Hotel. Known as one of the best hotels in Bali, it’s also one of the most expensive. If you have the budget and are looking for a luxurious experience, I highly recommend staying here. The rooms themselves aren’t particularly special, but the facilities are outstanding.
The resort is spacious with plenty of green spaces and a massive pool equipped with water slides and activities for kids. The architecture is grand, with intricate Balinese sculptures and decorations. The staff are very nice, though it’s worth noting that most hospitality staff in Bali are exceptionally friendly.
One highlight of Kempinski is the Koral Restaurant, billed as “the First Aquarium Restaurant in Bali.” You don’t need to stay at the hotel to dine there, but you do need to book in advance (booking link to Koral Restaurant here) as it fills up months ahead. We went during our honeymoon and it was an unforgettable experience. The restaurant has a massive sea aquarium filled with beautiful corals and sea life, making it feel like dining underwater. You can watch fish, small sharks, and rays while you eat.
Koral Restaurant offers fine dining with a dress code, so no slippers or creased T-shirts. They serve a set menu, though they can cater to dietary needs. The executive chef is Michelin-starred, which shows in the quality of the food. It was an expensive meal, but perfect for special occasions like a honeymoon. They even gave us a small “happy honeymoon” cake, which was a sweet gesture.
Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran
- Unique lagoon pools
- Jimbaran – quite touristy but close to many facilities
- Great for families and couples
- Great location to see the sunset!
The lagoon is the standout feature of this hotel, and it looks incredible. You can even swim in it! Some rooms have direct access to the lagoon, so you can swim just outside your door.
Le Meridien is a well-known international hotel chain, so you can expect good rooms and service. If you love sunsets, this is a great place to stay because Jimbaran Beach faces west, offering beautiful sunset views.
Jimbaran is becoming quite popular and lively, but I don’t think that’s an issue considering the size of the hotel itself. It’s also a great location for exploring Nusa Dua and Jimbaran since it’s not as remote as Nunamkhalu and Ulu Segara. Plus, Jimbaran is conveniently close to Ngurah Rai Airport, just 8 km away, making it easy to get to and from the airport.
AYANA Resort and Spa Bali
- Renowned for honeymoon resort
- Secluded location – best if you want to stay in and enjoy the hotel
Ayana is also in Jimbaran, but it’s on the far side, about 8 km from Central Jimbaran. I was surprised it’s still considered Jimbaran! Ayana is a massive resort, covering an enormous area. There are multiple pools to choose from, including the ocean pool, river pool, thalassotherapy pool, main pool, lower pool, kids pool, and an indoor-outdoor pool. I counted 12 pools in total, not to mention the entire ocean since it’s a beachfront property. They even have a golf putting course!
One special feature is the Rock Bar, located on the cliff face. It’s in a secluded area and offers fantastic sunset views. It is especially a popular spot for honeymoon couples due to the special seating area. This exclusive spot is perched on a rocky outcrop directly over the ocean, providing stunning panoramic views of the sea and the horizon (and the sunset if you time it right!). The bar is quite fancy, so smart attire is required. Be sure to book a table in advance to ensure you don’t miss out!
Ubud: Cultural Heartland and Natural Beauty
When you think about Balinese art, mountainous areas and rice fields, then you’ll want to stay in Ubud. It’s 1 hour away from the airport (Nusa Dua is practically next to the airport) – so best to organise your trip so you don’t have too many trips between Ubud and Nusa Dua to avoid spending too much time on the road (Balinese traffic, is not enjoyable at best!). Ubud tends to be more affordable than Nusa Dua too, so you could get really nice accommodation for really not much money – great win!
Top Pick: Alamdini Resort Ubud
- Great location and accommodation, but booked out WELL in advance
Alamdini is located not too far from Ubud City Centre, but it wont feel like it at all. Ubud is quite busy and cramped, while Alamdini feels so green, spacious and peaceful. The resort offers bike hire, which is great to explore the rice fields with. The good news is that, due to its proximity to Ubud City Centre, you are never too far from the main attractions in Ubud such as Ubud Palace and Ubud Market (700 metres away) and Monkey Forest (1.2 km away!). So it feels like a great win-win for Ubud, especially location wise as it’s walking distance pretty much from everything. The room is very comfortable and spacious. There is of course a swimming pool, as per standard in Bali. If you are thinking of staying here, book WELL in advance as it’s quite popular, I never managed to get a booking before it’s all sold out!
Menzel Ubud
- Enjoy rice field view from your room or even the pool!
- Great location
Menzel has quite a unique concept with their villas, which is perched literally on top of the rice fields. So you can enjoy those beautiful rice field straight from your room, or even from the swimming pool! In some cases, you may be able to catch a glimpse of sunset looking across the rice field too. The location is again quite close to Ubud Centre, so it is walking distance to many places. The price is also quite affordable for what you get. In fact, I book my clients here for their honeymoon, on my special Bali honeymoon travel service!
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
I think this is equivalent of Kempinski in Nusa Dua – known as one of the best, but also one of the most expensive hotel in Ubud. You can really tell why – it looks absolutely incredible. Four Seasons is a known upscale hotel chain – they even have a private jet service! Just to give a scale on what it actually is.
Alaya Resort Ubud
Alaya Resort Ubud is a stylish boutique resort nestled in the heart of Ubud. Surrounded by lush rice fields, the resort offers a serene and authentic Balinese experience. The spacious rooms are designed with traditional Balinese touches and modern comforts. The resort features an inviting swimming pool, a tranquil spa, and a restaurant serving delicious Indonesian cuisine. Alaya Resort is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in Ubud’s natural beauty and culture.
Adiwana Resort Jembawan
Adiwana Resort Jembawan is a wellness retreat designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. Located in central Ubud, this resort offers a range of wellness programs, including yoga, meditation, and spa treatments. The elegant rooms are designed with natural materials and offer beautiful garden views. With its focus on holistic wellness and serene surroundings, Adiwana Resort Jembawan is ideal for travellers seeking a restorative escape.
Bisma Eight
- Great location and accommodation, on the expensive side
- Infinity pool with great views of Bali’s jungle
Great boutique hotel with a stunning rooftop infinity pool which has great jungle views of lush greeneries. Bisma Eight is located again not too far from central Ubud, which is a good plus. It’s in general a lovely hotel, but on the expensive side especially for Ubud.
Whether you prefer the luxurious beachfront resorts of Nusa Dua or the cultural richness and natural beauty of Ubud, Bali offers a diverse range of accommodation options to suit every traveller’s needs. Each of these hotels provides a unique experience, ensuring a memorable stay in this tropical paradise.