Where to stay in Bali
Ubud and the Ayung River valley suit travelers who want rice terraces, jungle and culture over a beach: we would look at Amandari, Mandapa, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Capella Ubud, Bali, and Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, which is the furthest out, roughly a 40-minute drive north of Ubud. The Bukit Peninsula, covering Uluwatu, Pecatu, Ungasan and Jimbaran, suits cliff and ocean views: Bvlgari Resort Bali, Alila Villas Uluwatu, Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts by Hilton, Raffles Bali and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa have the larger beachfront resorts that work for families and mixed groups: The Apurva Kempinski Bali, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, The St. Regis Bali Resort and Conrad Bali. Seminyak and Canggu suit travelers who want restaurants and shops close by: The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali, The Legian Seminyak, Bali and Regent Bali Canggu. Sanur is calmer, with Andaz Bali, by Hyatt. For a remote east-coast stay far from the southern crowds, Amankila looks over the Lombok Strait near Manggis, and Soori Bali sits on a black sand beach on the southwest coast in Tabanan.
Quick picks
- First visit, jungle and rice terraces near Ubud: Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (US$1,210–1,524 / night)
- Cliff-top ocean views on the Bukit: Bvlgari Resort Bali (US$1,430–1,829 / night)
- Beachfront resort in Nusa Dua: The Ritz-Carlton, Bali (US$275–374 / night)
- Seminyak beach with a long track record: The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali (US$259–381 / night)
- Quiet east coast away from the south: Amankila
- Open-air villas in the forest north of Ubud: Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape (US$855–1,022 / night)
- Newest villa resort on the southern tip: Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts by Hilton (US$462–798 / night)
Reference rates: nightly, 2 adults in one room, before tax, across four dates a year; from about US$152 a night.
Conrad Bali
Tanjung Benoa · near Tanjung Benoa peninsula · opened 2004
Conrad Bali opened in March 2004 on the Tanjung Benoa peninsula. The main resort has 313 rooms and suites, plus Conrad Pool Villas, and a refurbishment in 2019 covered those rooms and the public areas. It suits families and groups who want a large beachfront resort.
Reference rate: US$152–183 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Hilton for Luxury
Andaz Bali, by Hyatt
Sanur · near Sanur beach · opened 2021 · 149 rooms
Andaz Bali opened in April 2021 on the former grounds of the Bali Hyatt in Sanur, and was the Andaz brand's first property in Indonesia. It has 149 guest rooms, including 18 Garden Villas and four Beach Villas. Sanur is calmer than Seminyak or Canggu, so we suggest it for a relaxed stay close to the beach.
Reference rate: US$215–350 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Hyatt Privé
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali
Seminyak · near Seminyak beachfront · opened 1978 · 74 rooms
The Oberoi opened in 1978, and was the first resort in Seminyak, on a beachfront site between rice fields and the sea. It has 74 rooms, including 14 villas with private pools; the Lanai rooms face the gardens. Works well for a long-established, low-rise Seminyak stay with some of the largest villas in the area.
Reference rate: US$259–381 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali
Sawangan, Nusa Dua · near Sawangan cliff and beach · opened 2015 · 313 rooms
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali opened in 2015 in Sawangan, Nusa Dua, on about 12.7 hectares of beachfront and cliff-top land. It has 313 rooms, including 34 cliff-top and ocean-view villas, with some Cliff Villas having private pools. A 2015 reviewer noted that few rooms had ocean views, so we recommend checking the room category.
Reference rate: US$275–374 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Marriott STARS
The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Nusa Dua · near Nusa Dua Selatan · opened 2019
The Apurva Kempinski opened in February 2019 on the south side of Nusa Dua. It is a large resort, with sources commonly giving 475 rooms, suites and villas, the final phase being 43 private villas. Works well for a big-format beach resort with a wide choice of room types.
Reference rate: US$305–326 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts by Hilton
Ungasan · near southern tip of Bali · opened 2023 · 72 rooms
Umana Bali opened in November 2023 at the southern tip of the island in Ungasan, and was Hilton's first LXR property in Southeast Asia. It has 72 villas laid out in terraces on limestone cliffs, from 403 square metres, each with a private infinity pool and an outdoor hot tub. We would look at it for a large villa with ocean views on the Bukit.
Reference rate: US$462–798 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Hilton for Luxury
The Legian Seminyak, Bali
Seminyak · near Seminyak beachfront
The Legian is an all-suite beachfront hotel in Seminyak; several sources describe 67 suites and a separate three-bedroom Beach House. The Club at The Legian next door has 11 villas with private pools, and a 2012 refurbishment added a 30-metre infinity lap pool and sun deck. We would suggest it for travelers who want suites rather than villas close to the Seminyak restaurants.
Reference rate: US$481–565 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Regent Bali Canggu
Canggu · near Canggu coast · 150 rooms
Regent Bali Canggu was Regent's first resort in Indonesia since IHG acquired the brand in 2018. It has 150 suites and villas, many with sea or garden views and direct lagoon access, and two penthouses of 618 square metres each with a private infinity pool. It suits Canggu's beach and cafe scene combined with larger-format suites.
Reference rate: US$482–615 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: IHG Destined
The St. Regis Bali Resort
Nusa Dua · near saltwater lagoon and beach · opened 2008
The St. Regis Bali Resort opened in 2008 on the beach, with a design by Bill Bensley. The one- and two-bedroom Lagoon Villas have private pools and direct access to the resort's 3,668 square metre saltwater lagoon. We would suggest it for travelers who like a lagoon and a mix of villas and suites in the Nusa Dua area.
Reference rate: US$600–710 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Marriott STARS
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali
Pecatu, Uluwatu · near Uluwatu limestone cliffs · opened 2009
Alila Villas Uluwatu opened in 2009 on a plateau at the cliff edge in Pecatu, with limestone cliffs dropping to the Indian Ocean. The architecture is by WOHA, and the resort was designed to pursue Green Globe certification. It suits the design and the cliff setting rather than for a beach on the doorstep.
Reference rate: US$650–787 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Hyatt Privé
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran · near Jimbaran Bay · opened 1993 · 156 rooms
Four Seasons opened here in June 1993. Its 156 accommodations are 147 villas plus 9 residence villas, and every villa has a private plunge pool. It sits on Jimbaran Bay on the Indian Ocean side, which gives sunset views and an easy drive to the airport, and suits families and couples who want a villa layout on a beach.
Reference rate: US$669–781 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Virtuoso
Soori Bali
Kelating, Tabanan · near Kelating black sand beach · 48 rooms
Soori Bali is on the southwest coast of Tabanan, with 48 villas and a kilometre of volcanic black sand beach reserved for guests. The site was formerly Alila Villas Soori, and the architects were SCDA. Sources warn that the beach has strong currents and is not for casual swimming, so we suggest it for travelers who want quiet and scenery over a swimming beach.
Reference rate: US$842–961 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape
Payangan, north of Ubud · near Ayung River and waterfall · opened 2022 · 16 rooms
Buahan has 16 open-air villas with no walls or doors, set against views of seven mountain peaks and the Ayung River gorge. It is the first Banyan Tree Escape and sits about a 40-minute drive north of Ubud. We would suggest it for travelers who want to be in the forest and are happy to be away from Ubud's restaurants and shops.
Reference rate: US$855–1,022 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Accor Preferred (HERA)
Capella Ubud, Bali
Keliki Valley, Ubud · near Keliki rice terraces and rainforest
Capella Ubud is a tented camp in the Keliki Valley, designed by Bill Bensley, with tents facing rice terraces, rainforest or the valley. Each tent has a private deck and a salt-water plunge pool, and sources describe about 22 one-bedroom tents plus a two-bedroom lodge. It suits couples and small groups who want something more informal and characterful than a conventional villa resort.
Reference rate: US$869–882 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Sayan, Ubud · near Ayung River valley · opened 1998 · 60 rooms
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan opened in 1998 on the Ayung River, about 6 km from central Ubud. Most sources describe 60 keys, with suites in the main building and villas down the slope, each with a plunge pool. The Sacred River Spa and the Ayung Terrace restaurant are the main facilities, and the hotel works well for a first Ubud stay with a river-valley setting.
Reference rate: US$985–1,111 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Virtuoso
Raffles Bali
Jimbaran · near Bukit Peninsula coast, 30 minutes from the airport
Raffles Bali has 32 villas, each with a private pool, spread over gardens that slope toward the water. It is on the Bukit Peninsula in Jimbaran, about a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Because the hotel is small by Bali resort standards, we recommend it for couples and small groups who want space and privacy.
Reference rate: US$1,005–1,158 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Accor Preferred (HERA)
Amandari
Kedewatan, Ubud · near Ayung River gorge · opened 1989
Amandari sits in Kedewatan, west of central Ubud, above the Ayung River gorge and rice terraces. The architecture is by Peter Muller and dates from 1989; sources describe about 30 suites, including village suites, pool suites and valley suites, plus a three-bedroom villa. We would book it for a quiet, low-rise stay that is more about the valley than a beach.
Reference rate: US$1,175–1,428 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Kedewatan, Ubud · near Ayung River · opened 2015 · 60 rooms
Mandapa is about 10 minutes outside Ubud on the Ayung River and opened in 2015 as the third Ritz-Carlton Reserve. It has 35 suites on the hillside and 25 villas along the river, with four dining concepts and a spa. Consider it for a first stay in Ubud when you want a larger, more fully serviced property than the smaller river-gorge hotels.
Reference rate: US$1,210–1,524 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Marriott STARS
Bvlgari Resort Bali
Uluwatu · near Uluwatu cliffs
Bvlgari Resort sits on the Bukit Peninsula cliffs at Uluwatu, roughly 150 to 160 metres above the Indian Ocean. Accommodation is villas with private pools in one- and two-bedroom sizes, plus larger mansion-style units, and eight Ocean Cliff Villas sit closest to the edge. It suits couples who want cliff views and are comfortable being a drive from the busier beach areas.
Reference rate: US$1,430–1,829 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Marriott STARS
Amankila
Manggis, East Bali · near Lombok Strait coast · opened 1992
Amankila is on a hillside near Manggis in East Bali, looking over the Lombok Strait. It opened in 1992 and is known for a swimming pool that cascades in three tiers down the slope; some suites have private pools. It is a long drive from the airport, so we suggest it for travelers who want a remote coastal stay rather than the south.
Reference rate: Rate on request (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
FAQ
Where should we stay in Bali for a first visit?
Most first visits split between Ubud and the coast. We would put Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, or Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan in Ubud, and The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, or Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay on the coast.
Which Bali hotels are on the cliffs?
Bvlgari Resort Bali and Alila Villas Uluwatu are on the Uluwatu cliffs, and Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts by Hilton sits on terraces over limestone cliffs at the southern tip in Ungasan. The Ritz-Carlton, Bali also has cliff-top rooms and villas in Sawangan.
Which hotels suit a beach stay without much driving?
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali and The Legian Seminyak, Bali are on the Seminyak beachfront, close to restaurants. In Nusa Dua we would look at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, The Apurva Kempinski Bali and The St. Regis Bali Resort.
Which hotels suit a quiet, remote stay?
Amankila on the east coast near Manggis, Soori Bali on the southwest coast, and Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape in the forest north of Ubud are the furthest from the busy south, and each needs a long drive.
Can we swim at Soori Bali's beach?
The beach is volcanic black sand and sources warn of serious currents, so it is not for casual swimming. We would treat the pools as the main place to swim.
How are the reference rates calculated?
Each rate is the nightly pre-tax price for 2 adults in one room on 2-night stays, checked on four dates across the year (February, May, August and November). We drop the most expensive date and show the lowest to the second-highest, in US dollars. Peak dates can cost more; we re-check live rates for your dates before booking.
What perks do I get when booking through Luxavoy?
Typically daily breakfast for two, a hotel credit (often US$100 per stay), and a room upgrade and early check-in / late check-out when available, at rates in line with booking direct. Perks vary slightly by hotel and we confirm them before you book.