10 best hotels in Bali that the travel set are staying in
There’s more to the best hotels in Bali than Eat, Pray, Love would suggest – but it’s certainly a good place to start. After all, the Indonesian island is renowned for its abundance of healthy food, its beautiful and historic temples, and its fondness for yoga, Pilates and meditation. So, it’s no wonder it’s become a mecca for wellness influencers who come here for a total reset (and often end up staying).
When planning your trip, bear in mind that the ideal time to visit might not be its summer, but the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October. Then, crowds will be significantly less, but you'll still benefit from the same high temperatures. Bali’s public transport system leaves a little to be desired, with most relying on cars – though there’s no need to hire one of your own, as Uber is out here and is very cheap. Definitely set aside at least a week to explore – each corner of this beautiful island has its own unique feel.
Most travellers start their trips in Seminyak, which is renowned for its luxurious beach clubs and vibrant nightlife. Those seeking wildlife and culture will next head down to Ubud in the south of the island, where a trip to the world-famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and the Tegalalang rice paddies await. Surfers will find paradise in Canggu, on the south coast, and anyone seeking complete tranquility can catch a ferry to the highly Instagramable Gili Islands, where cars are banned and people get around by foot, or horse and cart.
Wherever you end up staying you’ll find a warm welcome, with some incredibly luxurious stays available for affordable prices. While the majority of hotels feature similar jungle-inspired decor and luxurious swimming pools or yoga pavilions, some are carving out their own new niche with bold, minimalist architecture or just a handful of rooms.
Best hotels in Bali at a glance:
- Best For Design Buffs: Capella Ubud
- Best For Surfer Girls: Alila Villas Uluwatu
- Best For Wellness: The Ritz-Carlton Mandapa Reserve
- Best For Foodies: The Laguna Bali, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua
- Best Affordable Option: Potato Head Suites & Studios
How we chose the best hotels in Bali:
When picking the best hotels in Bali, we tried and tested them ourselves, as well as taking on recommendations from our trusted colleagues and friends with the best taste. We thought about decor – from communal spaces to the rooms themselves – as well as how great the swimming pool and the spa is, what the restaurants have to offer, and if it’s easily accessible. What unites them all is their stylishness and the excellent level of service that you can expect – which is often the most important part of the puzzle.
Ahead, our edit of the best hotels in Bali – from boutique boltholes to luxury resorts.
Potato Head Suites & Studios
One of the best-known beach clubs on the island, travellers often make Potato Head in Seminyak their first stop after getting off the plane. And party-loving revellers will be pleased to hear that you can actually stay on site, too, in one of Potato Head's luxury suites or studios next door, so that they party really can be non-stop if you want. What’s more, this is a hotel that wears its green credentials on its sleeve, with bricks made from coconut shells, local textiles made from plant-based dyes and a smart water and electricity system that is carbon neutral. Despite its lively beach club’s reputation, it’s all about wellness here, with morning yoga sessions and plant-based menus.
Why we love it: Affordable beach party vibes in one of Bali’s most popular and best-known towns.
Price per night: £199
Address: Jl. Petitenget No.51B, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bulgari Resort Bali
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the Bulgari Resort Bali, which, as you’d expect from the name, is one of the most stylish and glamorous destinations on the island. Whether you decide to arrive via helicopter or not (yup, it’s an option) you’ll be immediately impressed by the hotel’s stunning cliff top location, which boasts sea-facing villas for everyone. Accommodation here is seriously boujee, with everyone having their own outdoor living room and private swimming pool, set in gorgeously verdant gardens that guarantee maximum privacy. Breakfast can be served in your room for no extra charge, but why miss out on the sunrise at all-day restaurant Sangkar? Other culinary options include Italian-inspired Il Ristorante by Luca Fantin and the more casual La Spiaggia cafe who do a mean Aperol Spritz sangria.
Why we love it: This is the most extra resort in Bali and we aspire to this level of glam.
Price per night: £1,153
Address: Banjar Dinas Kangin Jalan Goa Lempeh Jalan Raya Uluwatu, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay
Another legacy hotel, the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay has been welcoming guests for over two decades. Situated just 20 minutes from the airport in South Kuta – an area that is beloved by Aussie tourists in particular – it’s only a hop, skip and a jump from a thriving nightlife scene. The 156 pool villas are set out like a traditional Balinese village, and with three communal swimming pools, a private stretch of white-sand beach, a cookery school, a surf school, a spa and a kids club all on site, you’d be forgiven for never leaving your little Four Seasons town. Those with an eye for Instagram moments will love the floating breakfast – think exotic fruits and green juices on a beautiful wicker tray in an infinity pool. Another reason to stay? There’s always the off-chance a future season of The White Lotus could be set here…
Why we love it: You can always rely on the Four Seasons for seamless luxury – and the Jimbaran Bay more than lives up to this reputation.
Price per night: £796
Address: Bay, Jimbaran, South Kuta, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Buahan A Banyan Tree Escape
If you want to be at one with nature – but with all the mod-cons – then this is the resort for you. Opened in 2022, Banyan Tree’s Buahan is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. With just 16 villas on site, each is completely open to the elements, with no doors or walls – just gauzy curtains separating you from the outside world. In the mornings, this means you’ll be awoken by birdsong, while at night, you can enjoy the sound of the crickets chirping. Expect like-minded fellow hotel guests to be of the barefoot, yoga-loving variety, with this spot particularly popular with honeymooners for obvious reasons. Take a dip in the peaceful infinity pool and just soak up the incredible atmosphere – far away from the tourist hubs of the island – this is one of those pinch-me destinations that you’ll hardly believe is real when you’re back on the Northern Line.
Why we love it: The hotel’s owners spent years ensuring that the hotel would only leave a positive impact on the local community, so that it is not only beautiful on the outside but inside too.
Price per night: £692
Address: Buahan Kaja, Payangan, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80572, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Capella Ubud
For one of the kookiest places to stay, look no further than Capella Ubud, a luxurious campsite in the Ubud rainforest, inspired by stories of 19th century European travellers. Of course, this is no ordinary camping trip, with spacious, comfortable tent accommodation featuring all the mod-cons you’ve come to expect, including an en-suite bathroom, king-sized bed, air conditioning, WiFi, coffee machine and organic toiletries, natch. There’s a trio of spa tents, for indulging in local traditional treatments like chakra balancing and pranic healing, while expeditions into the jungle can of course be organised. That said, you might prefer to just chill out by the pool with a cocktail – there’s certainly worse places to do it.
Why we love it: A truly unique place to stay, you won’t forget Capella Ubud in a hurry.
Price per night: £956
Address: Jl. RY Dalem, Keliki, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Como Shambhala Estate
Beloved by influencers, yogis and beauty editors alike, the Como Shambhala Estate has garnered a reputation for being a place of ultimate rest and relaxation, with an incredible spa, yoga studio and gym to help pummel, stretch and realign every muscle in your body. As if it wasn’t obvious, this is a Lululemon-clad destination, with a yoga mat in every one of the 30 suites and nine villas and mocktails and plant-based eating galore on the menu. It’s well worth checking the hotel’s website and socials for upcoming guest retreats too. A heads up, too – the wellness centre is closed until June 2025 for renovations.
Why we love it: It’s very rare indeed that we go on holiday and actually want to do exercise and eat healthy, but there’s just something about the Como Shambhala Estate that brings out the best in us. *Dusts off halo*.
Price per night: £567
Address: Banjar Begawan, Desa, Melinggih Kelod, Kec. Payangan, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alila Villas Uluwatu
With a dramatic location perched on the clifftop of Bukit Peninsula, the Alila Villas Uluwatu attract design buffs and keen surfers alike. Boasting panoramic views across the Indian Ocean, this off-the-beaten-track resort is a rare find in Bali – with modern architecture and minimalist interiors, plus a spectacular infinity pool and fabulous spa. Each villa is set in its own lush gardens with a private pool and sunbathing areas – which is seriously tempting whether you’re a honeymooning couple, a family with a small child or a group of girlfriends on a very decadent hen do. Guests can also enjoy the benefits of a personal butler during their stay, who can help with everything from unpacking to making recommendations or reservations.
Why we love it: This is surfers paradise, with easy access to Bukit Peninsula’s famous waves at Kedonganan, Balangan, Jimbaran and Padang Padang.
Price per night: £788
Address: Jl. Belimbing Sari, Banjar Tambiyak, Pecatu, Uluwatu, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Ritz-Carlton Mandapa Reserve
For those seeking somewhere a little more remote, try the Ritz-Carlton Mandapa Reserve, which, as the name suggests, is a more peaceful resort in the heart of nature. Situated in a beautiful valley next to the Ayung River, it’s an hour's drive from the airport, so attracts a more adventurous crowd who are in Bali for more than the fly-and-flop. Indeed, the world-famous town of Ubud is only a short drive away too, with its monkey sanctuary and rice paddies. Unsurprisingly, wellness is a huge focus here, with complimentary yoga classes twice a day as well as sound healing and medicinal plant workshops, plus a great gym and heated swimming pool with views across the jungle. The adrenaline-junkies amongst you can also tick off white water rafting, available nearby.
Why we love it: This is back-to-nature with the mod-cons, which suits us just fine.
Price per night: £967
Address: Jl. Raya Kedewatan, Banjar, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Laguna Bali, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua
One of the Grand Dame hotels of the island, The Laguna Bali has been around for 35 years now, and underwent a renovation in 2022. Situated on the east coast by the beautiful Nusa Dua beach, this sprawling hotel has a superlative seven swimming pools and six restaurants (including award-winning Asian grill, Arwana; Cornerstone Deli, which has a more relaxed offering; and the Kulkul Beach House, with its Soho House vibes), making it one of the largest resorts on the island – yet with just 19 suites and 11 rooms, you’ll never feel like you’re on top of one another (no fights over sunbeds here). Rooms are elegantly Balinese in feel, with wooden furnishings, floral offerings, local artworks and an abundance of light – and outdoor showers and massage areas making the most of the gorgeous setting. Speaking of the spa, head over to experience a traditional Balinese treatment, which will begin with a foot massage and feature a sound bath too. Bliss.
Why we love it: An abundance of pools and restaurants to choose from.
Price per night: £201
Address: Kawasan Pariwisata, Jl. Nusa Dua No.2 Lot N, Benoa, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80363, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lost Lindenberg
Lost Lindenberg has swiftly become one of the most buzzy properties on the island, loved for its slick approach (check-in is via WhatsApp a few days before you arrive) and warm hospitality (you receive a bracelet and blessing on arrival). With just eight suites, each decorated in a traditional Balinese style, you’re in a select group here – which is great news if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle. Meals are served family-style after a bonfire on the beach, with a focus on plant-based, organic cuisine. Feeling less sociable? You can also dine in-room too. It’s not quite a swim-up bar, but it’s approximately 10 seconds from your sun bed to a cocktail at any one time.
Why we love it: There’s no where we’d rather learn to surf than here – and they throw in as many surf lessons as you need for free.
Price per night: £270
Address: Banyar Yeh Kuning, Jl. Ngurah Rai, Pekutatan, Kec. Pekutatan, Kabupaten Jembrana, Bali 82262, Indonesia
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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