We review the top 10 best luxury hotels in Bali, Indonesia, whether you are traveling as a couple, a family, or as a single business traveler, whether you are looking for spiritual harmony in Ubud or prefer the beach resorts of Seminyak and Nusa Dua.
The Indonesian island of Bali is known for its forested volcanic mountains, achingly beautiful beaches, tropical coral reefs, and a wonderful spiritual essence. Bali is also known as the “Island of Gods”, and there are many distinct areas with different vibes. The Seminyak area is a chic, beachside cosmopolitan dream and thus a favorite with the luxury travel community. It’s famous for its spectacular waves, breathtaking sunsets, and vibrant nightlife. Nusa Dua is derived from the two small islands on Bali’s eastern shoreline. Here, immaculate green manicured lawns front world-class hotels, which are nestled within this luxury enclave. Ubud is the spiritual center of Bali, a place to enjoy culture and arts with views over the lurid green paddy fields.
January is the hottest and also the wettest month in Bali, with temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F). July is the coolest month, averaging 26°C (78°F). You can, therefore, expect a warm, tropical climate all year round but with more rain in November, December, January, and February. The best time to travel to Bali is in April, May, June, and September, just before and after the high season (which falls in July and August). It is still the dry season in these months, so it is slightly less humid, and room prices and villa rental prices are cheaper. Due to the tropical greenery on this island, make sure you bring mosquito repellent, and jelly shoes can also be useful at some resorts that have rocky shorelines. Others have golden sand beaches, so do your research.
Luxury hotels in Bali, Indonesia, include the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay (no club lounge), Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, St Regis Bali (great pool rooms), Soori Bali, Bulgari Bali, W Bali Seminyak, along with numerous Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy properties.
I have compiled a list below containing the luxury hotels in Bali. Whichever you pick, Bali is a magical island, and you will have a wonderful stay.
1. Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay
The completely stunning and family-friendly all-villa Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay spreads across 14 hectares (35 acres) down to the golden sands at the end of Jimbaran Bay. This resort is easy to get to in a taxi, taking just 20 minutes from the airport, and is the kind of resort you will never want to leave, which is a good thing as there isn’t much to do in the immediate vicinity.
Designed on the hillside, this Balinese resort has 147 beautifully designed villas that seem to meld into tropical gardens. The beach and infinity pool are reached via winding pathways that meander between colorful gardens through wafts of hibiscus, jasmine, and frangipani in the warm breeze and across beautifully manicured lawns.
Rooms are stylish, mixing creams with Balinese touches, netted beds, and glass doors leading onto private pools. Bathrooms have double sinks, indoor and outdoor showers, and stand-alone tubs.
Breakfast is served alfresco with absolutely everything you would want, including many items you didn’t even know you wanted. The Pool Terrace Cafe will keep you fed with snacks and sophisticated burgers, and you can also grab a bite or a cocktail at the beach club. More sensory delights await at the open-air Taman Wantilan restaurant, where theatre-style dining is presented by a brigade of specialty chefs at nine culinary exhibitions or show kitchens. Like most Four Seasons hotels, they love the family, and children under five get free meals when adults eat. Under 12’s get a 50% discount too.
2. Amankila
We love Aman Resorts hotels, and Amankila is no exception. and set to the picturesque backdrop of Mount Agung (peaceful hill). This beach resort comprises 34 little villas dotted up the hillside and joined to each other by pretty paths. Each villa is a beach house-style hut with a thatched roof and a terrace furnished with coconut-shell tables, rattan chairs, and daybeds for relaxing in the sun and under the stars. The hotel is located on the silvery gold sands of Jimbaran Bay, the same as our favorite Four Seasons hotel above, although, to be honest, it is hard to choose which is best.
There is a huge lap pool by the Beach Club as well as Amankila’s signature three-tier infinity pools, which drop down from the reception to the shore and are lined with loungers and more thatched buildings. Views are across the Lombok Strait. What makes Amankila stand out from other luxury Bali hotels is that it is situated in Karangasem, one of Bali’s most traditional regencies, offering easy access to the untouched rural countryside, local crafts, and the region’s royal past.
The airport can be reached in 20 minutes, and Amankila’s well suited to young kids and welcomes under-12s for free. Older children can stay for $100 USD a night.
3. Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan, Ubud
This is the second Four Seasons hotel on the island of Bali and has a much more spiritual vibe than the beach-fronted Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay. Voted #1 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2018, Four Seasons Resort Sayan encapsulates Bali at its philosophical and soulful best. The hotel is only a ten-minute drive from the stylish boutiques, artist ateliers, and atmospheric eateries of boho-chic Ubud, making Four Seasons Sayan an inspiring base from which to explore Bali’s cultural heart or to retreat into nature’s meditative embrace.
The Four Seasons Sayan is a tranquil retreat tucked away amongst the lush jungle greenery on the banks of the Ayung River that flows through a river valley in the heart of Ubud. Guests arrive via a dramatic bridge at tree level, beneath which the Ayung River valley spreads its tropical arms. From the gravity-defying rooftop lotus pond that seems to float, suspended above the canopy, the property cascades down the hill to the two-tiered swimming pool, cantilevered over the river, through an enchanting forest that cocoons just 60 suites and villas with stunning rice paddy and jungle views.
Rooms are built from local timber and thatched Alang-Alang roofs and vary from Suite for two tucked in the jungle to the Two Bedroom River View Villas or the Royal Villa, with incredible views of the tumbling Ayung River and lush green surrounds.
The traditional and tranquil spa is perfect for a relaxing massage after a day exploring Ubud. Particularly special are the signature treatments designed to balance the body’s chakras. We also love how family-friendly property this hotel is. It is probably the most child-friendly hotel in Ubud, and the “Pici Pici” Kids Club is brilliant fun for children ages 5 – 12.
4. Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ubud
For thousands of years, the mandapas, Sanskrit for temples, of Ubud have offered a sacred space for devotees to rest their mind, body, and soul. Today, visitors will find a similar escape at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve that fronts the Ayung River near the Ubud jungle and is a secluded paradise where lush, rolling hills and verdant working rice paddies. Here, a traditional Balinese gong’s strike marks your arrival, followed by a refreshing local drink infused with indigenous herbs. Your personal butler, who will remain at your service throughout your stay, will escort you to your villa or suite, one of only 60 available at this intimate property. Showcasing the area’s architecture and craftsmanship, each features a private outdoor space with views of the river or surrounding scenery.
The verdant rice paddies surrounding Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, are more than simply beautiful scenery. The white grains are the foundation for nearly every meal in Bali, accompanied by fragrant spices, colorful vegetables, tender meats, and local fish. Visitors can experience Indonesian cuisine alongside international dishes at our four distinct dining venues, and you can also arrange a romantic dinner overlooking the river or rice terrace.
Away from daily distractions, guests will find joy in even the simplest activities, whether practicing yoga in our peaceful pavilion, enjoying a good book in the library, riding a bicycle through nearby villages, savoring a leisurely meal at our signature restaurant, swimming in the heated pool or surrendering at the hands of one of our experienced spa therapists.
Ubud’s magic not only lies in its charm and centuries-old spiritual and cultural richness. The discovery of hidden temples, the view from atop an active volcano, or bonds re-built on the mighty Ayung River rafts are some of the inspiring and memorable moments at Mandapa.
Located in a district renowned for its arts and crafts, intricately carved temples, and natural beauty, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, captures both the magic of Bali and the serenity of seclusion, offering a place where similar to the mandapas. A fulfilling experience awaits.
5. St Regis Bali
The St. Regis Bali Resort is probably the best miles and points hotel in Bali, but it comes at a price, both in cash or rewards points. St Regis Bali lies in the heart of the beautiful “Garden of Bali” on a stretch of pristine beach. It is the only luxury hotel with an alluring beachfront villa in Nusa Dua. From its 123 beautifully appointed suites and villas, you’ll find understated elegance and infinite panoramic ocean views over 22 acres of lush gardens and the 39,480 ft² crystal blue lagoon. The exceptional 81 suites, 41 villas, and one residence have private signature St. Regis Butler Service and complimentary Wi-Fi. Award-winning dining venues, bars, the distinctive Remède Spa, a fitness center, and a Children’s Learning Center are also on-site. This is the only resort in Bali with ten beachfront villas with a pool and direct access to their private beach.
6. Alila Villas Uluwatu
Alila Villas Uluwatu is a superb resort at the southern tip of Bali, Uluwatu, and we were completely blown away by our experience at Alila Villas Uluwatu.
The lobby offers a sneak preview of the beautiful pool and the ocean and is where you check in and are served a welcome drink and given a spray of their refreshing mist. We were taken to our one-bedroom pool villa in a hotel buggy, one of just 65 villas in the resort, comprising 56 one-bedroom villas, three two-bedroom villas, and six cliffside three bedroom villas. I had the entry one-bedroom villa, which stood at a spacious 3,030 ft²!
The villa’s layout was well thought out, with a proper resting, lounging, and working area and a partition for the bath area. There was also a coffee machine and tea bags available, as well as a mini-fridge and snacks for purchase. On the work desk, there was also a Samsung Tablet that was synced with the entertainment system of the room. On top of having a large library of music and movies, the tablet also acted as a guest directory for the services of the hotel. You could also order food or other requests through the tablet. Interestingly, you can also call the General Manager directly if there are any problems!
The bath area of the villa was located on the right side and spanned the entire interior length. There were various shower options – an indoor rain and jet shower, an indoor bathtub, and an outdoor shower. To make things even better, the bathroom was also overloaded with high-quality amenities – from separate For Him and For Her shower supplies to a bathtub box containing – sun tanning oil, after-sun cooling gel, insect repellent, signature sunscreen, purifying mask, and a bottle of aromatic bubble bath liquid. There was also a pillow mist spray, which acts as a sleeping aid by the bedside!
All villas are beautifully designed, featuring contemporary designs with various Balinese elements, such as wood, water, stone, and rattan. The open-plan design also allows natural light and the sea breeze to come into the room. All villas have their own private pool, which occupies the back half of the unit, along with an outdoor cabana and table. The one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas are arranged in 4 rows on a sloping hill, while the larger three-bedroom villas are located near the lobby area at the edge of the cliff. Guests can call for an electronic buggy to get around the hotel’s 14.4-acre grounds or opt to walk around and admire the meticulously manicured landscape and paths.
In my short two-night stay at the resort, I also had the chance to eat a daily breakfast and one dinner at Cire, their Western restaurant. Breakfast was an a la carte buffet, where guests could order anything off a daily rotating menu of Western and Indonesian food. As such, most of the food was freshly prepared. While the selection was more compact, the quality of the food was very high.
The dinner options were more comprehensive. I had a nice three-course dinner for two, with a starter of nice lobster bisque and mushroom salad, a main course of king prawns, a steak with sides of fries and gnocchi, and ice cream for dessert. I also ordered their signature dessert – the Last Mushroom of Uluwatu, a combination of meringue, ice cream, and cookie crumbs in the shape of a cute mushroom. The dish was also enhanced with a flowing rosemary-scented mist gushing out of the bottom of the plate to heighten our culinary experience.
On the grounds between the restaurants, there was a long 50-meter infinity pool with many chairs and cabanas to lounge or tan. One of the two picturesque overhanging cliff-side platforms was in front of The Warung and served as an extended lounge space for guests to chill and sip cool drinks while admiring the turquoise Indian Ocean, which stretched to the horizon. There was also a pathway next to the platform, which leads to almost 700 steps down the cliff to a stretch of pristine private beach.
At the edge of the hotel was another overhanging platform, used specifically for weddings and functions. Needless to say, with the dramatic platform and gorgeous views of the Ocean, Alila Uluwatu is an extremely popular and superb choice for weddings. At the time I was there, there were weddings happening every day!
Other amenities located on the hotel ground include a gift shop, a library with public computers, a clinic, as well as a separate 24-hour gym building. For those who want to stay active during their vacations, there is also a complimentary morning yoga session. Guests can also schedule further activities with trainers if necessary.
I suppose peaceful is one of the words that I will forever remember from my time at Alila Uluwatu. All the guests I passed by there seemed happy and peaceful, breathing in the magic of the resort. It is no wonder that the hotel has consistently won many accolades and acclaim from all over the world.
7. The Ritz-Carlton Bali
Offering 313 spacious and sumptuously appointed suites and villas in an elegant tropical ambiance, The Ritz-Carlton Bali is a luxurious resort benefitting from a stunning clifftop and beachside setting.
Tranquil views over the azure waters of the Indian Ocean are the perfect setting for resort guests to indulge in an idyllic romantic, family, or business interlude. Along the foreshore are The Ritz-Carlton Club, six stylish dining venues, an indulgent and exotic marine-inspired Spa, a glamorous beachfront chapel, fun and recreational activities at Ritz Kids, and extensive meeting and celebratory event venues for a stay that makes memories that last a lifetime. Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, access to Ritz Kids (Kids Club), a daily schedule of recreational activities, and refreshments served every hour by the pool.
Experience exquisite service at The Ritz-Carlton Club®, with your own exclusive Ritz-Carlton Club Concierge. This club lounge is great, with its own private pool and a manned cocktail bar. Ritz-Carlton hotels don’t offer free club lounge access to Marriott Bonvoy elite members. You only get lounge access if you book a club room or many Ritz-Carlton resorts offer discounted lounge fees to elite members. At this Ritz-Carlton, the rates are around $80 USD per person to upgrade or $60 USD per person to upgrade if you are elite.
This particularly excellent club lounge is located in its own villa halfway between the bottom of the lobby and the Beach. Ritz-Carlton Club lounges have always been exceptional and are usually the best in the particular city that they inhabit. They offer an extensive breakfast, light lunch, afternoon tea, light dinner, and desserts. This lounge offers red and white wine and beer all day with special cocktails, spirits, and after-dinner liquors. The food on offer is massively generous. It will fill you up and make paying for access to this lounge worthwhile. There are at least 2 Chefs at any one time to cook up items to order. Breakfast options include everything you could wish for, including Lobster scrambled eggs.
Every food presentation includes a full buffet as well as four hot items. Lunch onwards also has canapes. The quality of the food is exceptional in this club lounge and skews towards Indonesian specialties, Japanese Sushi and Sashimi, and Seafood.
8. InterContinental Bali
The InterContinental Bali Resort is nestled in 34 tropical acres of lush tropical gardens overlooking Jimbaran Bay on Bali’s southern tip and is just 10 minutes from Denpasar International Airport (DPS). It has a huge 417 guest rooms, including a Club InterContinental wing and a gorgeous open-air lobby.
Designed with the ambiance of a tranquil Balinese village, this five-star luxury property was the first of its kind to be built on the shores of the beautiful Jimbaran Bay to enjoy stunning sunsets. InterContinental Bali Resort is one of the most conveniently located Jimbaran hotels on the beach. It also has six Balinese-inspired pools, and all this loveliness can be bought for around $200 – $300 USD or a mix of IHG points and cash. I saw 20,000 points + $128.00 USD per night but could not find purely reward-based nights available. Midweek in the low season, you can snag a room for as little as $170 USD per room per night. Because of the low prices here, you’re usually better off paying for a room with cash than using your points here.
There is plenty of room for sunbathing around the six pools, including one with fountains that you can swim around in and underneath the jets, and then more room on the beach with comfy loungers everywhere. It is worth noting that the beach is quite rocky, so jelly shoes would be useful here.
IHG Platinum loyalty members usually get a free upgrade from the classic room to a club room here, but without any club benefits. The rooms themselves are beautiful, with lots of dark wood, and club rooms are slightly larger (624 ft² instead of 527 ft²). The bathrooms are marble with double vanity and are also huge, and the rooms also have large terraces. Platinum IHG loyalty members can then pay to upgrade access to the InterContinental Club Lounge for around $120 USD per room per night. The IHG Platinum welcome gift is a fruit plate and chocolates, along with a personalized note.
The 24/7 Club InterContinental lounge is very good here. The design is a classic colonial style that meets Oriental refinement with a crystal chandelier centerpiece and a grand piano. There is indoor seating in air-conditioned comfort leading to an outdoor terrace overlooking a lagoon where you can enjoy complimentary food and drink along with a selection of daily local and international newspapers and lifestyle publications.
Club guests can indulge in a range of complimentary food and beverage options: gourmet breakfast in the lounge or a choice of four additional breakfast venues around the resort. You get light refreshments, such as coffee, teas, soft drinks, mineral water, juices, and snacks, then afternoon tea. Evening cocktails and canapés are also available in the lounge with lots and lots of delicious canapés. The Club InterContinental Lounge also provides an à la carte menu for lunch, dinner, or in-between, but this is a paid menu. Of note, the quality of the food in this lounge is excellent but is nowhere near as generous as the food in the Ritz-Carlton lounge above.
The evening buffet is lots of small dishes, and the staff serves hot canapés. If you are a club lounge guest, you also get free cocktails at the Sunset Beach Bar & Grill until early evening, but there are no canapes here.
One of the pools is exclusively for Club InterContinental guests. Kids are also allowed but must remain calm in this pool. Club InterContinental guests can also use the Jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna at Spa Uluwatu, return airport transfer, 4:00 pm check-out (Platinum status gets til 2:00 pm), and you can continue using the club until you leave the resort (even if you have checked out). You also get unlimited use of children’s daycare at Planet Trekkers. When you leave, there is an additional lounge available with showers, locker facilities, tea and coffee, and an outdoor terrace for guests with late-departing flights.
9. Conrad Bali
If you are a Hilton Honors Diamond member or have any brand loyalty to Hilton, you must try the Conrad Bali, which isn’t the best hotel in Bali but has some of the best hotel rooms in Bali for a major brand. The Pool Villa rooms are just the best, with private plunge pools and gardens. It is located on the quieter side of the island of Bali, in the Nusa Dua resort area, and away from the madness of trendy Seminyak. Take a taxi from the airport to the Conrad Bali Hotel for around $25 USD for a 20-minute taxi ride.
This hotel is simply stunning, from the grand, dark wood lobby with windows that swing open to the vista beyond to the lagoon pools and the huge variety of rooms, some with their own private pool.
The rooms to pick from here are the new Pool Villas, which are considered part of the Conrad Suites Wing, with its own separate entrance. The villas are hidden away between the reflections lounge and the executive lounge. Guests staying in these villas will have access to the executive lounge at the Conrad Bali.
These Pool Villas, although not large, are perfectly formed with their own private garden, plunge pool, sun terrace, and outdoor tub. Sliding doors on both sides of your room can be opened up to let the outside in from either the lawns on one side or you can open up to the private bathtub area on the other. Within the room, you have all the usuals, a double sink, etc., and a large shower area doubling as a private steam room.
The private plunge pool is a highlight in this climate, although bear in mind this is a plunge pool, not an exercise pool, so if you want to exercise, you will need to swim laps in one of the main pools and lagoons. That said, it is magic and sits between the bedroom and your own private lawn in your garden.
Pool Villas at Conrad Bali get all the Conrad Suites benefits. If you are a Hilton Honors Diamond member, you also get these same benefits, the highlight being the Conrad Suites Club Lounge access.
If you are staying in a Suite or a Pool Villa or are a Hilton Honors Diamond member, you get the following benefits:
- Breakfast at RIN restaurant
- Afternoon tea at RIN restaurant
- Evening cocktails at Conrad Suites Club Lounge
- Complimentary internet access
- Complimentary unlimited laundry & dry cleaning
- 15% off food & beverage in restaurants and bar
- 15% off meeting room rental
- 25% off all Jiwa Therapeutic treatments
The breakfast you get with the Pool Villa or being a Hilton Honours Diamond loyalty member is excellent. It can be taken either at RIN or in Suku. RIN is located by the poolside and is a good option. You get a small buffet section along with an a la carte menu that includes egg dishes like omelets and eggs benedict and some more unusual options, including steak and breakfast burritos.
The Conrad Suite Club Lounge is located directly above RIN. There is also an exclusive Conrad Suites Pool. The Conrad Suites Lounge at the Conrad Bali offers a huge range of drinks and cocktails, all presented beautifully, and the canapés are generous and replaced as soon as you finish them, things like sushi, mini-wraps, grilled fish in sauce. They are not comparable to a full meal, but I am a picker when it comes to food, so I found these mini dishes filled me up. For a big eater, they would not be large enough for a full meal.
When compared to the Marriott Bonvoy St Regis hotel in Bali, the Pool Villas in Conrad Bali do not quite match up, but this is taken into account in the price and cost per enjoyment. The Conrad Bali is hard to beat and is definitely one of the best resorts in Nusa Dua. When you stay in a Conrad Pool Villa, you will wake up to the sound of birdsong and waves lapping on the shore. Paradise? It certainly comes close.
10. W Bali Seminyak
W Bali Seminyak may not be the best, but certainly the most trendy and coolest resort in Bali. We stayed here early in 2019, and the entrance to W Bali Seminyak sets the mood right from the start by entering via a long path with bamboo on both sides. The lobby of the W Bali Seminyak is airy, with tall ceilings decorated with henna motifs. The resort lobby opens to a row of day beds where guests laze around and sip cocktails made by the excellent bartenders in the lobby bar. The lobby bar also sold snacks like ice cream, coconuts, and juices.
The resort is divided into two parts, with the left side hosting the various facilities and 157 regular rooms and suites in a 5 storey building, while the right side houses 72 luxurious one to three-room villas, each complete with its own pool!
I stayed in a Spectacular Ocean Facing Escape room on the fourth floor. Upon opening the doors to my spectacular ocean-facing escape room, I heard an awesome EDM song booming through the room. Although this room did not have direct pool access, it had the most incredible views. Inside, a row of cabinets lined the left side of the room upon entering, while on my right was the large bathroom area. In the main area of the room was the signature W bed, topped with 350 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. The room also had a large working desk area and a sleeper sofa. At the end of the room was the spacious balcony, which faced the Balinese-inspired rice terrace WET pool, Woo bar, and the calming ocean, which stretched all the way across the horizon. There were two lounging chairs here. Sit down and relax while taking in the sound of the ocean waves.
The large bathroom area had two separate sinks, a separate bathroom cubicle, a whole standalone Terrazzo bathtub, and a separate rainforest shower area, complete with a sky roof with retractable shade!
Throughout the day, people were hanging out all over the hotel and the multiple pools. There were various seating options, from the day beds to sunbathing chairs and cabanas facing the pool. The resort is actually located on Petitenget Beach – a stretch of public beach with shimmering black sand. Despite it being next to a public beach, the resort had proper perimeter security. A large W sculpture serves as the entry and exit point, where guests can easily walk onto the beach to enjoy the ocean. The playful touch and superb service, combined with the great food and beverage options, made my stay a wonderful experience. I can safely say that W Bali Seminyak is definitely the coolest luxury hotel in Bali.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Image(s) © Travel Wild / Adobe Stock.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.
