Beautiful Bali is often rated as one of the best travel destinations in the world. There is so much on offer – from beautiful beaches, stunning spas, the rainforest, and the warm and welcoming people of Bali.
Here is where to stay in Bali – the five best areas, things to do in each area and some of the best boutique hotels in Bali. This guide should help you make decisions about which part of the island will best suit your trip: Jimbaran or Seminyak or Nusa Dua or Canggu or Uud.
Where to Stay in Bali
1. Seminyak
Seminyak is now the “It” town of Bali. It is probably the most modern town on the island. Seminyak Bali is the perfect place for a relaxation-focused trip for people who like to have a nice meal and shop.
Seminyak is a paradise for food lovers with loads of terrific restaurants, designer shopping if that is your thing, and unforgettable sunsets.
Where to Stay in Seminyak
1. Grandmas Plus Hotel Seminyak
🌟Rating: 8.4/10 I 📍Location: 2 mins walk from Seminyak Beach I 🏩View on Booking.com
Grandmas Plus Hotel Seminyak is perfect for beach bums as it’s a mere 2-minutes walk from Seminyak Beach – one of the most popular beaches in the area.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Grandmas Plus Seminyak
2. Maison at C Boutique Hotel & Spa Seminyak
🌟Rating: 9.6/10 I 📍Location: 8 mins walk from beach I 🏩View on Booking.com
This 4-star Bali boutique hotel contains a combination of French and Balinese designs. Spend your days lounging by the pool and indulging in luxurious treatments at the on-site spa and wellness center at Maison C Seminyak.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Maison C Hotel and Spa
3. Destiny Boutique Hotel
🌟Rating: 7.3/10 I 📍Location: 5 mins walk from Seminyak Beach I 🏩View on Booking.com
Be sure to book a stay in Destiny Boutique Hotels’ modern rooms, for at least a little while during your time in Seminyak. It’s a 5-minute walk from Seminyak Beach, and a 20-minute walk from Double Six Beach (where you’ll find all the hippest beachside hangouts) – this hotel in Bali’s convenient location is an easy sell.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Destiny Boutique Hotels
For more options, check out my complete article on the 8 best boutique hotels in Seminyak.
Where to Eat in Seminyak
There are some amazing Bali restaurants and Seminyak is well known for its fantastic food. Here are a few to try:
⇒ Mejekawi by Ku de Ta is a world-respected restaurant with an amazing beachfront location
⇒ The Plantation Grill offers innovative dishes of grilled meat and seafood in a 1920s setting
⇒ Settimo Cielo at The Layar is a sleek Italian restaurant lit by stunning lanterns
⇒ La Lucciola has amazing ocean and sunset views and all-day eating
Where to Spa in Seminyak
Seminyak is known for its miles of beaches and for having some fantastic spas. If you are after a day spa in Seminyak here are a few options:
⇒ Bodyworks -try the Cream Hair Bath
⇒ Reday Spa -known for great pedicures
⇒ Spring -offers a blow dry, DJ and cocktail in the evening
2. Ubud
Ubud is the opposite of the typical Bali beach perception. It is located in the cool mountains of Bali. It is the cultural center of Bali – and for many the spa center as well. Ubud is one of the best areas to stay in Bali.
Ubud Bali is home to some stunning temples, waterfalls, and rice fields, Gunung Batur an active volcano, the largest freshwater lake in Bali, the Sacred Monkey Forest, and much more.
If you’re looking to buy Balinese arts and crafts Ubud is a great place to shop on your trip to Bali – and don’t forget that haggling is expected. There are numerous temples around Ubud including the Elephant Cave and Gunung Kwai.
Where to stay in Ubud
1. Ubud Valley Boutique Resort
🌟Rating: 9.6/10 I 📍Location: 5 km from Elephant Cave I 🏩View on Booking.com
This stunning resort was created to blend nature, Balinese culture, and modernity. So if you’re looking for an authentic stay that is still luxurious, this Ubud Valley Boutique Resort is perfect.
Sleep in a wooden villa, with all the Bali vibes, and enjoy access to international cuisine, an ensuite bathroom, and a gorgeous pool. The Ubud Valley Boutique Resort Bali is the best of both worlds.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Ubud Valley Boutique Resort
2. Purana Boutique Resort
🌟Rating: 9.4/10 I 📍Location: 2.2 km from Monkey Forest I 🏩View on Booking.com
Purana Boutique Resort is profoundly comfortable, luxurious, and relaxing. Depending on your choice of room, you’ll have either a private pool or a terrace that leads right out into the comune pool. Either option is lovely.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Purana Boutique Resort
3. Tejaprana Resort and Spa
🌟Rating: 9.3/10 I 📍Location: 4kms from Ubud Market I 🏩View on Booking.com
At Tejaprana Resort you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a dream. An award-winning Balinese architect from Arte Architect & Associates designed this serene space. They are renowned for creating places that allow you to clear your mind and spirit.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Tejaprana Resort and Spa
Where to Eat in Ubud
Ubud is home to some of the best restaurants in Bali. The cuisine is diverse – from high-end dining to simple street food – and you’ll find a full range from vegan to carnivore.
⇒ Locavore is considered by many to be the best restaurant in Ubud and serves contemporary European cuisine.
⇒ Mozaic is the place to go for French-inspired cuisine.
⇒ If you’re after romance try CasCades at the Viceroy.
⇒ For a riverside view try Kubu.
Where to Spa in Ubud
Ubud is known for high-quality spas at a low cost. Treatments can vary from a one-hour Balinese massage to a four-hour full body treatment.
⇒ 3 Points for body, mind, and soul treatments
⇒ For massage expertise try the Tamarind Spa
⇒ For an amazing location with your treatments look at the Karsa Spa
3. Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is about luxury accommodation, great food, golf, and relaxing! It is perhaps the most expensive area in Bali. This is the best area to stay in Bali if you are looking for a stay that involves swimming, sun, spa, and generally not doing much.
Where to stay in Nusa Dua
1. The Bale
🌟Rating: 8.9/10 I 📍Location: Sawangan I 🏩View on Booking.com
For a high-end modern option check out The Bale. At the Bale, there are pavilion rooms, which each come with their own infinity pool. The pavilions also have their own garden plus a huge daybed. The Bale Nusa Dua is decorated in a contemporary, minimalist design.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for The Bale
2. Revivo Wellness Resort
🌟Rating: 8.8/10 I 📍Location: Kampial I 🏩View on Booking.com
If you’re after the complete spa experience have a look at the Revivo Wellness Resort. This chic spa resort is in 2.5 hectares of beautiful grounds. Revivo Bali offers a range of spa programmes for different health and wellness needs.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Revivo Wellness Resort
Where to Eat in Nusa Dua
⇒ for a fun mix of East and West check out Mr Bob Bar and Grill
⇒ if you’re looking for decadence head to Kayuputi at St Regis
⇒ keen for a pizza? Head to Nusa Dua Pizza
Where to Spa in Nusa Dua
⇒ Check out their brilliant deals on packages at Zahra Spa
⇒ For an upmarket hotel experience try the Heavenly Spa at the Westin
⇒ Check out the coconut scrub at the Dandelion Spa
4. Jimbaran
Jimbaran is located on Bali’s southwestern coast and features the famous Jimbaran Bay and Jimbaran beach. This small area is known for its upmarket luxury accommodation and its three groups of grilled seafood restaurants on the beach.
Jimbaran’s great food and sunset views keep this a busy area. This is not the place for nightlife but there is some very good boutique shopping.
Where to stay in Jimbaran
1. Belmond Jimbaran Buri
🌟Rating: 9.3/10 I 📍Location: Jimbaran Bay I 🏩View on Booking.com
For a mid-market luxury option check out Belmond Jimbaran Buri. A mix of traditional Balinese cottages and pool villas all in a tropical garden – heavenly.
Not only is there a stunning swimming pool, but Belmond Jimbaran Puri also has an open-air beach spa where you can experience a massage whilst listening to the ocean
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Belmond Jimbaran Buri
2. Kayumanis Jimbaran
🌟Rating: 9/10 I 📍Location: Jimbaran Bay I 🏩View on Booking.com
For something more at the top end of luxury explore Kayumanis Jimbaran Private Estate and Spa. This resort is only one minute’s walk from the beach but is 11km from Seminyak. Perfect if you are looking to immerse yourself in relaxation but would also like the option of being able to head into town.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Kayumanis
⇒ Interested in Nepal? Check out my posts on the Nepal tea house, a full Everest Base Camp packing list, an Everest Base Camp trek itinerary and a day by day Everest base camp trek blog And for post-trek the fantastic boutique hotel Dwarika Hotel Kathmandu, the Dhulikhel Resort and the best places to visit in Kathmandu.
Where to Eat in Jimbaran
⇒ For a more refined beach eating experience head to Sundara Bali at the Four Seasons
⇒ If you are after an Instagram-friendly setting look no further than the Rock Bar. Part of the Ayana Resort and Spa this restaurant has been featured in many travel magazines due to its unique location on a limestone cliff.
⇒ For fantastic seafood served directly on the beach, try Kedonganan Seafood Cafes and Restaurants.
Where to Spa in Jimbaran
⇒ Thermes Marins Bali Spa at AYANA Resort is known for its outstanding massage.
⇒ Bamboo spa features the fabulous L’Occitane products and is known to have some brilliant promotions.
⇒ Or try the Bali New Opium.
5. Canggu
This small resort town is on the south coast of Bali. Canggu is known for its surf beaches and stunning rice paddies. It is located near Seminyak so you can take advantage of that area’s restaurants and boutiques while having a more isolated location.
Where to stay in Canggu
1. Desa Seni
If you’re after a good value Canggu boutique hotel check out Desa Seni. This eco-retreat is set in a beautiful garden and is well known for its excellent yoga. Located on the fringes of Canggu, Desa Seni Bali is perfect if you are looking to relax but want some activity nearby just in case.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Desa Seni
2. COMO Uma Canggu
🌟Rating: 8.7/10 I 📍Location: Batu Bolong I 🏩View on Booking.com
For a more upmarket option have a look at the COMO Uma Canggu. This is the perfect upmarket resort for beach lovers as it is situated on Bali’s south coast.
COMO hotels are known for their high-end service and those who stay at this hotel will have access to the COMO Shambhala Retreat Bali which offers fitness classes and treatments.
➡️ Check Prices and Availability for COMO Uma Canggu
⇒ Read more in my complete post on Where to Stay in Canggu
Where to Eat in Canggu
⇒ Head to Macan Café and try the rosemary-infused lamb.
⇒ if you’re after a great brunch or an amazing sunset head to the strangely titled Old Man’s restaurant.
⇒ or head into Seminyak and enjoy an Australian BBQ treat at the Brazilian Aussie BBQ
Where to Spa in Canggu
⇒ to enjoy a fabulous massage from the comfort of your villa try Casa Home Spa.
⇒ if you feel like doing a dog pose or three head to Desa Seni Yoga.
Flights:
The capital of Bali is Denpasar, home to Bali’s largest airport.
Who Paid for What with this Where to Stay in Bali Post
This is a sponsored post. This means I was contacted by Luxury Retreats and asked if I was willing to put together a post about where to stay in Bali for them that featured their properties. I checked out their website and reviews and they seemed like a good fit with the Boutique Adventurer so I said yes.
This Where to stay in Bali post also contains some affiliate links. This means if you click through on them and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. This does not affect the price that you pay. I wanted to make sure you knew this.
⇒ Beautiful Japan is one of my favorite countries to visit. Check out my posts on One Day in Tokyo, 2 Day Itinerary Kyoto, 10 Day Japan Itinerary, What is Japan Famous For? 31 Japanese Claims to Fame, 9 Beautiful Japan Famous Landmarks, the best things to do in Kanazawa and what to expect on the Nakasendo Trail.
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Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.
Bettina
Sunday 21st of June 2020
Love this thorough Bali guide! This is super helpful and next time I'm in Bali, I definitely want to visit Canggu!
Ophelie
Saturday 20th of June 2020
I have stayed in Ubud, Canggu, Amed, Nusa Penida, Jimbaran and Sanur when I was in Bali. My fav were Ubud, Canggu and Amed :) Thank you for the tips of the places I haven't visited!
Cristina
Saturday 20th of June 2020
Bali is my dream destination and I was supposed to go in a week time! I need to rebook my trip for next year, so it's great to see these recommendations :)
EIPL Group
Monday 30th of December 2019
It's a wonderful article that ever read. I got full of knowledge in this article. Keep on sharing this information and keep motivating us. Thanks for sharing this article.