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Deciding where to stay in Bali can make or break your trip. So picking the right area and hotel to call ‘home’ for a few days or more is essential. After spending over ten months here across eight visits, I think I’ve finally got the island’s four corners sussed out, so I hope this helps you to plan your perfect trip to Bali, which – regardless of what some people might say – I truly believe can deliver a special experience for everyone who visits.
Of course, there is no denying both the good and bad of Bali, but this is arguably one of the best islands to visit in Asia and, indeed, beyond. Still, this very much comes down to staying in the right area for you and finding the side of Bali that you came here seeking.
Across the ‘Island of the Gods’, you’ll find a little bit of everything, from luxury resorts and ‘expat’ enclaves to party-heavy beaches, jungle retreats, and remote sea-facing escapes. Thankfully, Bali is relatively compact, meaning you can sample more than one region on your trip, and I really recommend you book two different bases to experience the distinct sides of the island. There are plenty of ways to explore the island, with official taxis being the best way of getting around Bali from Denpasar Airport.
Having spent countless days (and my own dollars) putting together and revising this guide, 90% of these hotel recommendations are from my own personal experiences staying in Bali, and the other 10% come courtesy of friends’ suggestions.
A note on pricing: I’ve tried to list accommodation in Bali by luxury, mid-range and budget but keep in mind, budget in Nusa Dua might be a similar price to luxury in the north, so all pricing and my categorisation are done based on the location of Bali, rather than as an island overall. I’ve also stayed at or visited 90% of these properties personally over the last few years.
Contents
Main South
The long beach strip along the south coast from the airport up to Tanah Lot is one of the most popular places to stay on the island, but each part is slightly different.
In Kuta, it’s more about the party. In Seminyak, it’s a little more classy. Then, in Canggu, there’s a quickly growing digital nomad and international scene, still sprinkled with some local life and customs – although, in 2023, those local touches are becoming harder to find even here!
This is one of the most touristed areas of Bali, making it the best place to stay if you want easy access to beaches, nightlife and a wide variety of restaurant options and don’t find the sometimes intense international crowds.
Kuta – Good for partying and ease of access
Kuta gets a bad (fair?) rep as being the party central part of the Island. When I was 21, I loved it, but now I give it a wide berth (though maybe sometimes you’ll find me reliving the good old Alleycat days).
It is close to the airport, full of nightclubs, bars, small shops and plenty of haggling opportunities. There are plenty of accommodation options and shops here which are a good price and right by the beach.
POPULAR KUTA ATTRACTIONS:
- KUTA BEACH SUNSETS
- DISCOVERY MALL SHOPPING
- NIGHTLIFE
LUXURY: SHERATON KUTA RESORT
This luxury resort is right in Kuta, connected to a mall and has beautiful pool views of the ocean and sunset.
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MID-RANGE: THE 101 HOTEL
Affordable choice with rooftop pools and has a party vibe you can join in or avoid. Located on the main party road towards Legian.
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BUDGET: GORA BEACH INN
Affordable twin rooms built around a pool. A heavy party place located in the Poppies streets surrounded by shops. I can’t promise luxury at all, but I had some good times here.
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Seminyak – Good for beach chills and stylish nightlife
Further along the coast Seminyak still has plenty of restaurants, nightlife and the beach but also comes served up with some of the famous premium nightspots such as Potato Head (who launched their own hotel in 2019) and Ku De Ta. It is slightly more chilled out than Kuta and here you will find plenty of luxury hotels and villas.
There are some exciting new luxury hotel openings here I’ll be checking out on my return such as Katamama which uses the finest traditional materials in its decoration.
POPULAR SEMINYAK ATTRACTIONS:
- BEACH CLUBS
- FANCY RESTAURANTS
- BEANBAG BEACH SUNSET BEERS
LUXURY: MAYA SAYANG VILLAS
My favourite place in Bali I stayed – luxury private villas with breakfast chefs, pools and in the heart of Seminyak.
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MID-RANGE: THE IZE
Great location in Seminyak and affordable prices. Clean minimalist look with a rooftop pool and chill vibes.
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BUDGET: HOTEL LIBERTA
A little out from the main hub, but close by the beach in Seminyak is expensive. A relatively cool and simple place to rest up.
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Canggu – Good for surfing and chilling
Moving along the coast you hit Canggu which is my favourite of the three. With a more chilled-out surfer vibe here you will find plenty of Acai bowls and cool coffee shops as well as Echo Beach which is well-known for its surf.
There are also plenty of rice terraces around you so you get a good mix of the island and the coast. It is also in the direction of Tanah Lot, one of the most famous temples in Bali.
If you are a digital nomad in Bali, then Canggu is also great with the DoJo co-working space being a reliant internet and working spot.
POPULAR CANGGU ATTRACTIONS:
- SURFING
- TANAH LOT TEMPLE
- RICE PADDIES
LUXURY: COMO UGA
This is a brand new opening so I haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but initial reviews from my friends in Canggu are raving. Beautiful rooms in an epic location, bringing serious luxury to the Canggu area!
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MID RANGE: BALI DREAM VILLAS
Not the easiest to access but beautiful villas and rooms with a jungle feel and tranquil pool to escape the Bali madness.
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BUDGET: CHILL HOUSE
I only spent one night here but it does the job and has a more social hostel vibe while also being able to arrange Surf lessons.
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The Bukit
Below the airport is a small bulge off the main Island known as the Bukit. Full of luxury resorts, private beaches and local villages you are spoilt for choice here.
BTDC – Good for luxury resorts
The BTDC is a gated, private development which houses some of the most luxury resorts. It has a beautiful beach (but not those killer sunsets) and some high-end beach dining. To be honest, I am not a massive fan of staying away from the real Bali but for a few nights to chill out, you can’t go wrong here.
The prices are pretty steep but if you are on honeymoon or looking to literally just switch off and not explore this is a great spot.
LUXURY: THE ST REGIS
I wish I could personally afford to stay here. The food was amazing, the resort and service impeccable and my friend who got to review it was blown away beyond words. Just being in the restaurant and seeing how intimate the resort is was enough to convince me to include it.
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MID-RANGE: MERCURE NUSA DUA
A great affordable option on the outskirts of the BTDC area. Marriott style luxury resort built around pools and gardens with a short walk/shuttle to a reserved beach area and the first place I stayed on my 4-year would trip.
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MID-RANGE / BUDGET: THE GRAND WHIZ
Located right next to the Sofitel and minutes from the beach this resort actually can be super cheap if you look for the right deals at the right time, I’ve stayed here plenty of times at heavily discounted rates when available, though on paper the rates as standard are higher.
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Nusa Dua – Good for village life
The BTDC sits within Nusa Dua but as it is outside the development I’ll give it its only place to shine. Home to one of the most ‘luxurious resort’ in the world the Mulia – it sits in contrast to the small local village of Sawangan slightly further inland I spent a couple of months calling home.
There is some great surf around here near Geger Beach, and also some secret beaches nearby which are stunning and usually empty (drive down the dirt tracks near the Ritz).
POPULAR NUSA DUA ATTRACTIONS:
- BEAUTIFUL BEACHES
- SURFING & BLOWHOLE
- LUXURY RESORTS
LUXURY: THE RITZ-CARLTON
This recently opened hotel (2017) with its private beach, Bali vibes and so much greenery is the ultimate place to stay and relax whilst being close enough to plenty of activities.
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LUXURY: THE MULIA
This resort is huge, and has a vast arrange of options but it is stunning and even if you aren’t a guest you should heed my following tip: For $80 you can get Sunday brunch at the Mulia with free flow food AND booze for four hours, when you know how expensive wine is in Bali it will seem like a steal! I took my parents here for Christmas Day last year and it was a real treat.
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MID-RANGE: THE NEST HOTEL
I stayed here over Christmas with my parents and it’s outside the complex just before Benoa. Good affordable prices and a nice rooftop pool with swim up bar.
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BUDGET OPTION: VILLA ANJING
This village is one of those super chilled places in the village I used to call home so you get a much more local feel. Pool and ocean views at the top of the hill. Car / Bike recommended + a love for a few dogs.
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Benoa – Good for water sports
Benoa is the stretch of sand which points back to the mainland on the map. The beach here is not the best for sunbathing or families but has plenty of water-sports options and as such the accommodation prices here are usually cheaper than the main Bukit area.
That said, the beaches here are a lot more local in feel and with the water sports going on aren’t the best sands for relaxing / cleanliness.
POPULAR BENOA ATTRACTIONS:
- FERRIES TO ISLANDS
- WATER SPORTS
- SCUBA DIVING
LUXURY: MANTRA SAKALA
This suite hotel + beach club with its lagoon pool you can roll out of bed into was perhaps one of the best hotels I have ever seen except when I stayed the pool was closed due to Algae so I checked out early although after checking back with them (Nov 18) the problem was just an opening teething issue).
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MID-RANGE: IBIS STYLES
A pretty standard Ibis hotel which can usually be booked at a great price and good value given its proximity to the beach.
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BUDGET: WANGSA CONDO
Apartment style accommodation down a small side street but not a long walk to the beach. Great prices and a good pool to chill in.
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Jimbaran – Good for seafood and sunset
Jimbaran bay beach looks back across the airport and has some killer sunsets. I always head down to treat myself at Sundara beach club for an amazing spice old fashioned and to catch the last rays of the day from the pool.
The beach is nice and there are plenty of fresh fist restaurants to pick from plus a lot of accommodation options. Being pretty close to the airport makes this the perfect nearby stop point from the Airport if Kuta is off the radar.
POPULAR JIMBARAN ATTRACTIONS:
- FRESH FISH MARKET
- NEARBY SURF
LUXURY: FOUR SEASONS
Again, one I wish I could stay at but I have only used the Sundara beach club (amazing spiced old fashion), pools and the resort restaurants as a guest. Perfect location, great rooms but insane prices. Maybe one for your honeymoon trip…
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MID-RANGE: KERATON BEACH RESORT
This resort is actually rather luxurious and I really loved how Balinese in style it is. When i stayed there I found the rooms slightly older than many of the newer hotels in Bali which is why I’m assuming the prices were lower than similar starred hotels.
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MID-RANGE: WATERMARK HOTEL & SPA
The Watermark Hotel is crazy cheap for the accommodation it offers. With a rooftop and ground level pool, top service and amazing room details including private pool villas the five-minute walk to the beach is covered with your own private shuttle.
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Uluwatu – Good for temples and beach clubs
On the far south of the Bukit is Uluwatu – famous for its beautiful cliffside temples and monkeys. It is also home to plenty of luxury hotels, villas and surf bars. I have hung out at Finns beach club (now re-branded – Finn’s has moved) and Single Fin which are great spots to chill by day or the latter for a few evening drinks as well.
POPULAR ULUWATU ATTRACTIONS:
- MONKEY TEMPLE
- TRADITIONAL DANCE
- PRIVATE BEACH CLUBS
LUXURY: THE UNGASAN
These beautiful ocean views and chilled out vibes are all over Bali but here felt super special. You also have the bonus of the beach club with its crystal clear coral waters.
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MID-RANGE: ULUWATU COTTAGES
An affordable option if you want ocean views from your pools – a good choice if you have a group and want to stay in a similar place but not at villa prices.
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Central Hotspots
Head inland in Bali and it seems a world away from the beaches. Known for hippy hangouts and Yoga sessions, the jungle and rice terraces are an ideal place to switch off.
Ubud – Good for culture and yoga
Ubud, the ‘cultural capital’ of Bali is home to the famous Yoga Barn, lots of cooking schools (trust me, you want to be able to cook Balinese food!) as well as the Monkey Forest which draws in the crowds.
Enjoy the traditional dance here, visit the palace and pick up beautiful handcrafted woodwork and be sure to sample all the delicious vegan restaurants in Ubud, this is one of the best spots in Asia to dine out as a vegan.
Top Tip: You may have seen the amazing Hanging Gardens pool hotels of Bali, but you need to be a hotel guest… Jungle Fish Pool Club makes for a great alternative!
POPULAR UBUD ATTRACTIONS:
- CULTURAL SHOPS
- MONKEY FOREST
- THE PALACE
- YOGA BARN
YOGA AND WELLNESS RETREATS
Ubud is one of the mecca’s of the world for yoga and wellness retreats, and with the serene setting you can easily see why – even my mum took some yoga classes when I brought her here.
Many hotels and local retreat centres offer packages which include daily classes, organic (and often vegetarian/vegan) meals, spa sessions, and evening meditations. I rarely get the chance to totally detach and destress from work, but Ubud is the ideal place to recharge. I haven’t detailed any specific yoga retreats in this section, as I haven’t personally been to one, but WellBook is dedicated to wellness retreats, and offers a vast selection, so is a good place to start looking.
LUXURY: MANDAPA: THE RITZ-CARLTON
The Ritz Carlton hotel here is something special. 100% in tune to the beautiful nature and feel of Ubud. On the pricey side but good for a special occasion (which Bali is ideal for!)
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MID-RANGE: SRI BUNGALOWS
I really loved staying here and opening the curtains on to rice fields and a pool set within them. Great hospitality and super close to everything in Ubud.
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PRIVATE VILLAS: VILLA PALM KUNING
A short walk out of Ubud centre to this small village offers you incredible private villas with pools. When I took my parents to Bali in 2018 this was their favourite place we stayed.
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Tegalalang and Kintamani – Good for nature & Mountains
Slightly further north of Ubud is Tegalalang which is well known for its rice terraces you should have seen on any postcard of Bali.
Most people will head here for a few hours in the day but the in this beautiful location I loved spending two nights there and listening to the sound of the jungle whilst watching the fire-flies dance outside the window.
POPULAR CENTRAL BALI ATTRACTIONS:
- RICE PADDIES
- TREKKING MOUNT BATUR
- ULUN DANU BRATAN TEMPLE
Kintamani is also usually passed through quickly as people come to do the sunrise trek up Mount Batur and snap a few shots of the temple on the lake (you know the one, it is on all the brochures) but there is actually plenty of trekking and lush greenery here so you can easily spend a couple of days exploring. Find a local guest house or grab a tent and enjoy the natural side of the island.
TEGALALANG: ABING TERRACE
In the middle of the Jungle surrounded by palms and rice fields and a beautiful pool. Pay the extra for a suite to get the best views.
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KINTAMANI: SEGARA HOTEL
Simple a-frame style cabins boasting a great location right next to the lake. Friendly crew and good for a pitstop.
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Other Bali destinations
The east coast of Bali offers black sands and some great diving spots. Padang Bai is where the boats jet off towards the Gili Islands but there is more to see than just the dock.
Sanur – Good for families
Sanur is a good middle ground between quiet beaches and nightlife. You can get a good balance here as well as a great base to take day tours from. The beach is protected by a reef making it a great spot for families.
With plenty of accommodation as well as bars and restaurants which aren’t exclusive to resorts, you don’t have to spend a small fortune here as you would in, say, the BTDC. However,
POPULAR SANUR ATTRACTIONS:
- ISLAND FERRIES
- TAMAN FESTIVAL ABANDONED GHOSTLAND
- MASSAGE & YOGA
LUXURY: THE FAIRMONT
My friends stayed here as a family and I really loved the facilities and the location when I went to visit them. It’s a bit on the pricey side IMO but seems a popular pick for those with kids. (Now under the Intercontinental brand)
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BUDGET/MID-RANGE: THE JANAN VILLA
A great value option with extra space and a good location – a really short walk from the beach but worth it if you want to save some cash and still have a pool and nice facilities.
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Tambalang Region – Good for waterfalls, lakes and temples
The central part of Bali is getting more and more popular as people discover its lush jungle waterfalls and hiking roots, as well as the famous temples and lakes that are located here. I haven’t personally stayed here, but it’s somewhere well worth visiting if you are driving around and if you find any amazing accommodation, please drop it in the comments!
POPULAR TAMBALANG ATTRACTIONS:
- TEMPLES
- THE TWO LAKES
- WATERFALLS
Amed – Good for scuba and relaxed vibes
Amed has the ultimately sleepy town vibe to it. Think black sands, plenty of dive shops and small huts to kip in and you get the picture. Music nights are shack like bars, dust roads that kids play on and plenty of pop up hammocks. I loved it but got slightly bored after two nights.
There are also plenty of dive shops here. I used No Fear Diving, who can take you the 30-minute drive up the coast to Tulamben to dive the Japanese Wreck of the HMS Liberty, a great dive site I have visited a couple of times.
POPULAR AMED ATTRACTIONS:
- HMS LIBERTY WRECK SCUBA DIVING
- BLACK SAND BEACHES
LUXURY: THE KAMPUNG AMED VILLAS
These private villas outside of Amed are beautiful. Traditional Javanese style wooden huts with intricate carvings, outside dining spaces and private pools. Also the nicest staff ever. My favourite place to escape in Bali and one of my favourite places I’ve ever stayed.
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MID RANGE: HIDDEN PARADISE
These cottages surround a tranquil pool and have a perfect location on the tip of the coast offering great ocean views from the restaurant.
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BUDGET: BILA BUNGALOWS
Cheap and cheerful with super nice hosts and an on-site dive centre. On the road just back from the beach views and hammocks hanging outside each room.
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Lovina and Singaraja – Good for dolphins and history
Situated on the North coast and a popular spot on route from Java (the ferry crosses into Gilimanuk, 90 minutes away). Lovina is well known as a spot for watching Dolphins.
With the same dark sands of the north-east imagine a laid-back resort. With a lack of high rises and some good bargains to be had, it might be worth the (long-ish) trip up here during Dolphin season.
On a side note, there is a SICK dolphin attraction in the south of the island with toothless dolphins stuck in a chlorinated pool just meters away from the ocean so head up here to see them in the wild rather than get fooled into seeing them there.
MID-RANGE: HOTEL SUMA
My research trip to Lovina was affected as it was during the 2017/2108 alerts of the volcano eruption so many of the accommodation providers were sadly closed. This resort that is right next to the beach offered good priced rooms and can arrange the dolphin trips. Also with a nice pool and fresh coconuts.
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South-West Coast – Good for peace and escape
The long stretches of beaches that span from Tanah Lot up to Gillimanuk make for a stunning drive, which is good as it can be painfully slow! If you have a driver it is well worth stopping off to see these empty stretches of paradise to imagine what the Island could have been like years ago.
There are a few hotels and guest houses dotted along which are perfect if you want to be away from the main tourist bustle of the resort areas and have a bike or car.
I used to really enjoy spending nights in the Pan Pacific Tanah Lot hotel but it has now sadly closed down and been demolished to open a Trump hotel, as such I can’t recommend anywhere personally to stay along here.
Beyond Bali…
A lot of people will tie in their trip to Bali with a visit to Lombok and/or the Gili Islands and while I’ve written more about those on separate posts, here are a few of my favourite accommodation ideas there to help out.
Lombok
Lombok is a vast island that offers some of the best volcano trekking in Indonesia at Rinjani, alongside amazing beaches and deserted waterfalls. Following the tragic earthquakes and tidal waves of 2018, now is a great time to support the local business here.
THE SUITES LOMBOK, SEKOTONG
These modern and beautiful villas right on the water also give you access to three smaller ‘gilis’ that you can even swim or take a boat out to. I loved staying here as it’s quite removed from everything.
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KILA SENGGIGI BEACH, LOMBOK
Not overly fancy, but these bungalows were great for a one night stop close to the beach and before continuing onwards to the ferry port.
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The Gili Islands
The Gili Islands aren’t untouched paradise any more, but they are still paradise. Sadly after the recent events that also affected Lombok tourism is slowly recovering here, so swing by and share your support with the local businesses. Gili T is more party, Gili M is more chill, and Gili Air is kinda in the middle and my favourite.
GILI AIR: STAY SHARK VILLAS
Although I haven’t stayed here, it was founded by my friends Esin and Phillip who I met diving in Raja Ampat and I built their website. The handful of private villas, with plunge pools and poolside breakfast, seem much nicer than most of the places I have personally stayed here, never quite managing to book myself into the right place on Gili Air.
Turtle Beach Hotel is the closest I found and that I usually recommended but the prices seem to have gone quite high lately compared to the quality.
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GILI MENO: MAHAMAYA RESORT
A real beauty, and although I’ve only eaten here it would be somewhere I’d book. The bonus of staying on Meno is you can explore lakes, snorkel around underwater sculptures and even check out abandoned resorts.
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GILI T: GILI BREEZE TROPICAL BUNGALOWS
These bungalows offer a chilled out spot, nice pool and of all the places I stayed on Gili T offered me the best sleep as it didn’t seem as party heavy.
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A bit more Bali Guide information
Getting Around Bali
Getting around Bali is pretty affordable. Blue Bird taxi group offer metered fares; Uber now operates though be aware they have a lot of clashes with the local taxi services. Hiring a private driver and you can pick up a driver for the whole day for around $50.
There is also a great and relatively new service called GoJek which is bookable by an app and is a crazy value bike taxi service! For about $5 a day you should be able to hire your own bike.
Things to know about Bali
In Bali be wary of driving by yourself at night on a bike with a bag in view. Too many of my friends have been pulled off their bikes by their bags. In the dark, your valuables are an easy win to steal with little after-thought for the damage to you when you come off your bike.
Beware of alcohol that is not legit. Dirt-cheap drinks have been known to be mixed with methanol to dilute them, and there have been deaths from tourists drinking these. The Gili Islands and Bali are two places to be aware of this.
In the Gili Islands and Lombok be aware of minimal if any police presence, although mainly safe there have been more reports of thefts and attacks, particularly in Lombok, from the international community of late.
Do try the local foods at the Warungs, these criminally cheap plates loaded with local flavours are delicious. While some people can be put off by the window display type ordering, if you visit earlier in the day to a busy restaurant, the turnover of the dishes are high.
A dodgy stomach, or ‘Bali Belly’, is likely the worse you will suffer in Indonesia but be sure to take out travel insurance in case you do fall ill. In the more developed parts of the country, hospital access is easy and advanced, and in places such as Bali, you can find Australian operated hospitals and dentists if you would prefer. Pharmacies are well stocked, and you can usually get most things with just a quick chat (or point!)
Always shop around when exchanging currency, especially when you are already abroad. If using an ATM be sure it has not been altered and aim to arrange an emergency credit card before you set off on a trip as a backup.
Bali has its pros, but it also has its cons – After spending so long there over so many visits, it would be naive for me not to point them out. Check out this post to get an idea of what to watch out for in Bali: Beautiful or Beyond Repair? Or if you want to know my favourite beach, and how to get there, check out my post on the best beach in Bali.
And if you want to explore the rest of Indonesia, my Ultimate Indonesia Travel guide has you covered and is packed full of helpful blog posts. Safe travels 🙂