I’ve been to Bali many times now, and I still love going back. Each time I go, I spend quite a bit of time researching where to stay in Bali, so I thought I’d put together a post on the different parts of the island. Indonesia is a great value holiday destination, and you can find excellent food and accommodation in Bali at reasonable prices (along with lots of luxury options too).
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If you have the time, I would recommend splitting your trip and spending some time in different areas of Bali and the surrounding islands.
Where to Stay in Bali
Ubud
One of my favourite places in Bali is Ubud, situated inland, up in the hills. It’s a very spiritual place, with a beautiful palace and temples, along with lots of yoga classes and retreats. It also has great places to eat and an enormous market. It has definitely become more touristy in recent years, partly due to the book/film Eat Pray Love, but I still love it. I would definitely include a few days in Ubud in your Bali itinerary.
If you’re into shopping, you can easily spend a day in the market, which is huge and full of jewellery, clothes and amazing furnishings. And If you love healthy eating, then this is the place for you – there are loads of organic, vegetarian & vegan restaurants and smoothie bars. (Don’t worry – there are lots of less healthy places too). Everywhere I’ve eaten in Ubud has been amazing.
Read our Ubud guide for more info.
Ubud is a good starting point to hike Mount Batur as it’s much closer to the mountain than the other resorts and means the early start isn’t quite so early!
Where to Stay in Ubud
I’ve stayed in various accommodations in Ubud, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts. I recommend staying close to the town centre so you can walk in and out easily, or choose a hotel with a free shuttle bus.
Budget – We love Pertiwi Bisma 1, which has a great location in the centre, plus a pool and rainforest views. Meruhdani Boutique Hotel Ubud and Jati Cottage are also central options with pools. I’ve also stayed at Unique Homestay which is a good budget option.
Mid-range/Luxury – If you want rainforest luxury (with an Instagramable pool), then go for a resort in the jungle – ideally one that offers transfers like the Kayon Resort. It’s my favourite place to stay in Ubud, as it’s still super easy to get into the town, but you feel like you’re in paradise. You can read our review here.
Luxury – Bisma Eight is a beautiful resort located a 15-minute walk from Central Ubud offering contemporary suites and villas. Rooms feature a Japanese soaking tub and a separate living area and villas have a private pool. The resort has an outdoor temperature-controlled pool, a garden, a sun terrace and a library.
Luxury – For absolute luxury, head to the Four Seasons Sayan. I stayed here a few years ago and it is incredibly opulent. We had an insane villa with a private plunge pool. It’s also not far out of town so easy to get in and out. Read our review of Four Seasons Sayan.
After Ubud, I would head to the beach. Here you have plenty of options.
Seminyak or Canggu
Most people choose Canggu or Seminyak on the southwest coast of Bali. Seminyak is an upmarket coastal town with high-end resorts, restaurants and boutiques. Canggu is more relaxed and has great surf along with excellent beach bars and clubs and a thriving arts scene. You’ll also find lots of yoga and wellness options here too.
If you want to party then also consider Kuta. For me it is a bit too hectic, it’s a bustling town with loads of bars and very noisy, however, I can’t deny that I’ve had some fun nights out there.
Where to Stay in Seminyak
Budget – Amerta Seminyak is a short walk from the beach, with an outdoor swimming pool, a bar and restaurant and a garden. All rooms have air conditioning and private bathrooms. There is free WiFi and bike hire is available.
Mid-range – Located on Legian Beach, The Bali Niksoma Boutique Beach Resort has two swimming pools, a spa and a beachfront bar and restaurant, WiFi and free parking.
Luxury – Seminyak Beach Resort is a beachfront property with an incredible infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The hotel has an excellent spa and wellness centre, bars and restaurants and a variety of room options including suites and villas with hot tubs and ocean views. We had a lovely time here relaxing by the pool.
Where to Stay in Canggu
Budget – D’djabu Villas Canggu have an outdoor pool and garden, located 300m from Batu Bolong Beach and 700m from Echo Beach. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms and free WiFi is available in all areas.
Budget – Serenity Eco Guesthouse. is a holistic retreat only 150 metres from the beach, with meditation, massage, a 14-metre outdoor pool and a permaculture garden and daily yoga sessions. Both dorms and private rooms are available.
Mid-range –The Clifton Canggu Seaside Villas have private pools, free private parking and free WiFi. The air-conditioned one-bedroom villas have access to a shared kitchen, and bicycle and car rental is available.
Luxury – Blossom Eco Luxe Villas by Ekosistem are located in the centre of Canggu, 170m from Cangu Beach and 160m from Old Man Beach Club. One and two bed villas have private pools and gardens and are powered by solar, using sustainable products.
Bali East Coast
Sanur
On the southeast of Bali is Sanur, which is a relaxed little town with lots of good restaurants, including plenty of local warungs. It’s a good spot for families, as the beach is more sheltered. Being on the East Coast, you can also enjoy beautiful sunrises here.
Where to Stay in Sanur
Budget – Yulia 1 is a bed and breakfast located 600 metres from Segara Beach. There is a pool and garden and all rooms have a private bathroom.
Mid-range – We had a great holiday at Peneeda View Beach Hotel, which has four pools and is set right on the beach.
Luxury – Beachfront Tandjung Sari Hotel is a traditional Balinese-style property with an open-air restaurant and bar.
Amed
Divers should head to Amed. From here you can dive the famous Liberty Wreck. The ship was hit by a Japanese torpedo and beached near Tulamben. In the 60’s the local volcano Mount Agung erupted, causing the Liberty to slip off the beach and finally sink.
Where to Stay in Amed
Budget – Jukung Dive Bali Resort is a great option for divers, with a lovely swimming pool, a few steps from Jemeluk Beach. Rooms are air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and there is free WiFi and parking.
Mid-range – Bali Dream House is a waterfront property offering elegant standalone villas set within tropical gardens. There is a pool overlooking the ocean, along with a restaurant serving fresh seafood and a daily Continental breakfast.
Luxury – MATHIS Lodge Amed has ocean views from its lovely lodge rooms and restaurant. Some rooms have private pools or hot tubs. The Balinese-style resort also has an incredible infinity pool.
The Bukit Peninsula
Nusa Dua
If you’re after luxury resorts, visit Nusa Dua, where you can find high-end and all-inclusive Bali hotels. There are some beautiful beaches here which are also good for families as they are protected by a reef and don’t have big waves. There is less of a ‘local’ feel here but if you want to fly and flop then this is a good place to do it.
Where to Stay in Nusa Dua
Budget – Kubu Garden Suites & Villas Nusa Dua offer en-suite, air-conditioned rooms with private terraces. There is a pool and it’s a 10-minute walk from restaurants and bars and the closest beach.
Mid-range – Beachfront Melia Bali has a large lagoon swimming pool and tropical landscaped gardens. There are 5 restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines including Indonesian, Mediterranean and Japanese and the resort offers a range of activities including canoeing, paddle surfing, bicycling, archery, tennis, basketball, squash, and kids activities.
Luxury – There are plenty of luxury options in Nusa Dua including the impressive cliffside Apurva Kempinski Bali. This 5-star resort has a 60m pool and some rooms have their own private pool. The hotel has a spa, eight restaurants and bars including an aquarium dining experience.
Uluwatu
One of my favourite places is Uluwatu. If you plan on surfing in Bali, (and you have some prior experience!) then this is the place to stay. A dramatic cliff face leads down to the beach, with lots of bars on the way. It’s home to the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple on the cliffs (and lots of monkeys). Recently it’s also become a popular area for health and fitness with lots of gyms and yoga studios popping up.
Uluwatu is a special place to watch the sunset from one of the many bars. Watching the surfers with a cocktail while the sun goes down is a lovely way to spend an evening.
Where to Stay in Uluwatu
There are so many gorgeous places to stay in Uluwatu, from cute guest houses and apartments on the cliffside to luxury resorts.
Budget – Uluwatu Breeze Village is a 10-minute walk from Padang Padang Beach. There is a pool and rooms have air conditioning, mosquito nets and private bathrooms.
Mid-range – The Elementum is located a short walk from Dreamland Beach, Cemongkak Beach and Bingin Beach. It has an outdoor swimming pool, a garden, a terrace, a bar and a restaurant.
Luxury – I stayed at Anantara Uluwatu which has a gorgeous infinity pool and a lift that takes you straight from the hotel to the beach!
Read our review of Anantara Uluwatu here.
Bali North Coast
If you want to get away from it all, you can head to the north of Bali, where there are smaller hotels and fewer tourists.
Lovina
Lovina is a collection of villages stretching over 8km of coastline. Unlike the south, you’ll find black and grey volcanic sand here. Lovina is well known for its resident bottlenose dolphins and the nearby Banjar Hot Springs – a popular spot for relaxing.
Where to Stay in Lovina
Budget – Puri Bali Hotel is a great value accommodation with a pool and gardens. It is 200m from Lovina Beach. Rooms have air conditioning and private bathrooms, and the hotel has a restaurant and free WiFi.
Mid-range – The Grand Villandra Resort has a beautiful swimming pool overlooking the ocean, set in lovely gardens. There is also a hot tub, restaurant, lounge and free WiFi and bicycle rental is available.
Luxury – Lata Lama offers one, two and three bedroom villas with private pools, close to the beach. The villas have kitchens so you can prepare your own meals and breakfast can also be delivered to your room. Lata Lama also offers free bicycle hire.
Nusa Lembongan
If you have time during your Bali holiday, visit one of the islands. Nusa Lembongan is easily accessible and takes about 40 minutes to reach by boat, so you can go for a day trip, or stay for a few nights. There aren’t many transport options on Nusa Lembongan (no cars or taxis), so once you are there it might be handy to rent a scooter or golf buggy to get around. When booking your boat ticket I recommend choosing the Tanis Express option, which docks at the lovely Mushroom Beach on the West side of Lembongan.
Where to Stay on Nusa Lembongan
Mushroom Beach and Jungutbatu Beach are good areas to base yourself in. Both beaches are lined with warungs, restaurants and accommodation.
Budget – The Nau Home offers air-conditioned double rooms at Mushroom Bay. The guest house has a pool and free WiFi and is a short walk from bars and restaurants.
Mid-range – Bay Shore Huts are set in tropical gardens with ocean views. There is an outdoor pool and restaurant serving both Indonesian and Western dishes and fresh seafood.
Luxury – Aqua Nusa – Luxury Lembongan Villas have incredible views over Lembongan’s surf breaks. The one, two and three bedroom villas have private pools, kitchens and separate lounges. Coconut Beach is a 5 minute walk and Jungut Batu Harbour is within a 10-minute walk from the property.
Nusa Ceningan
Next to Nusa Lembongan is Nusa Ceningan, which can be accessed via a yellow pedestrian bridge that connects the two islands. It’s rustic, quiet and laid back, similar to Canggu 10 or 15 years ago. There are some beautiful spots for lunch, dinner or drinks with a clifftop or beachfront views. To get around you need to ride a scooter/motorbike. To get to Nusa Ceningan you need to take the ferry to Nusa Lembongan first and then cross the bridge. When booking your boat ticket I recommend taking the Rocky Fast Cruise option as this boat docks at Telatak Village on the East side of Lembongan, which is much closer to the bridge.
Where to Stay on Nusa Ceningan
Budget – Beachfront Wooden Beach Sunset Cottages has air-conditioned rooms with outdoor showers. Breakfast is available at the family-run cottages and there is free WiFi.
Mid-range – The Palms Ceningan Hotel is a waterfront property overlooking one of the best surf breaks on the island. All rooms have ocean views along with the swimming pool and restaurant. Staff can help with organising diving or surfing trips and with bike rental.
Luxury – Blue Lagoon Avia Villa offers one and two-bedroom villas with private pools. There is a bar and restaurant with stunning ocean views. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the Yellow Bridge which must be booked in advance.
Nusa Penida
Next to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan is Nusa Penida, a much larger and lesser-visited island. Nusa Penida has a much more local feel than other areas of Bali, with traditional Balinese culture a part of everyday life. This is also a great spot for diving.
Nusa Penida is very underdeveloped in comparison to the other two islands, and particularly compared to mainland Bali. So it’s a great place to visit for a traditional Balinese experience (for now anyway). You can get here via a speedboat from Sanur on the mainland (30 minutes) or via boat from Nusa Lembongan.
Divers and snorkellers come to Nusa Penida to see Manta Rays (year-round) and Mola Mola (Sunfish) between August and November.
Where to Stay on Nusa Penida
Budget – Nusa Majesty Bungalows are an excellent budget accommodation, close to the beach and dive shops and just behind a great coffee shop. There is a pool, garden and bar, as well as free parking and WiFi. Rooms have air conditioning and private bathrooms.
Mid-range – Kabeh Jati Garden Villa & Restaurant has a guitar shaped swimming pool! The resort has a bar and restaurant and offers double rooms or two storey triangle houses.
Luxury – Set on a hillside overlooking the ocean, Pramana Natura Nusa Penida has an outdoor swimming pool, garden, a restaurant and bar. Suites and villas all have sea views, some with private pools. Breakfast is included each morning.
If you’re planning to visit the islands for a day trip you can take a return boat crossing to Nusa Lembongan or Penida or join an organised boat tour that visits both islands. This is a good option if you would like to snorkel too.
Lombok
A little further west is the Indonesian island of Lombok. Lombok has some beautiful beaches as well as an active volcano and is great for hiking, although not technically in Bali, it makes a great addition to a Bali trip.
Lombok offers a contrast to Bali in many ways. Though the islands are similar in size, Lombok is less developed and touristy and has much better roads than Bali! The main religion in Lombok is Islam (as opposed to Hinduism in Bali) offering a different culture and experience but it still has a similar laid-back vibe.
Senggigi in the west of Lombok has beautiful beaches, some high-end but smallish hotels, a mixture of fancy restaurants- verging on fine dining, as well as more local-style restaurants.
Kuta Lombok in the south is a popular surfing spot. Here you’ll find long beaches lined with warungs. You can hire your board from the warung and they put you on one of their boats to take you out to the surf break.
In the north are incredible waterfalls like Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep, and some excellent hiking opportunities.
It takes around 2.5 hours (depending on the conditions) to get to Lombok from Bali via speedboat. Or you can fly in under an hour.
Where to Stay in Lombok
budget – Ibludan Hotel has an outdoor pool and a garden, located south of Senggigi. Rooms have air-conditioning, free WiFi and private bathrooms and breakfast is included in the rate.
Mid-range – Jeeva Santai Villas offers suites and villas with private pools on Mangsit Beach. There is a two-story restaurant and bar, and a pool, both with sea views. All rooms have air conditioning and there is WiFi throughout.
Luxury – The Chandi Boutique Resort & Spa is an ocean-view property with a pool, spa, restaurant and beach bar. The resort is located in Senggigi, a 5 minutes drive from the centre.
The Gili Islands
Just off the coast of Lombok are the Gili islands, – Gili Trawangan (or Gili T), Gili Air and Gili Meno.
These tiny paradise islands are all free from cars, with white sand beaches, and each has its own appeal. Gili T is the busiest of the three, and the most popular island to visit, with lots of bars and hotels (although it’s still very low-key – no high rises). Gili Air is quieter and more relaxed, and Gili Meno is the smallest and most underdeveloped of the three islands, a real desert island experience.
It takes a couple of hours to get to the Gili Islands from Bali by boat (or there is the option to fly via Lombok), so it’s wise to head back to Bali at least a day before your outbound flight, just in case there are any disruptions. (It’s worth noting that boats and buses in Indonesia rarely leave on time, so be prepared to wait).
Where to Stay on the Gili Islands
Budget – Sejuk Cottages on Gili Air are located 50m from the beach and have an outdoor pool. Bungalows are decorated in a traditional Indonesian style and have air conditioning and private bathrooms.
Mid-range – Located on Gili Trawangan, Pearl of Trawangan is a beachfront property with a stunning landscaped pool with a swim up bar. The resort is a short walk from Gili T’s bars and restaurants and the market.
Luxury – 5 star Cocana Resort Gili Trawangan has a private beach area, gardens, a bar and restaurant and terrace. Some of the rooms have direct access to the large swimming pool and the villas have private pools.
How to Get to Bali
If you’re visiting from Europe, the most expensive thing will be the flight, which unfortunately does require a stopover. Usually in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta. But if you can cope with that then it’s well worth the trip. From Australia, it’s an easy direct flight (hooray!).
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