These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest travel guidance before making your journey. Our writers visited these hotels pre-pandemic.
From beach bars, luxurious spas and famous infinity pools to restaurants serving delicious food made from locally grown ingredients, intriguing activities, and romantic dinners on the beach or under the stars, resorts around Bali really have fine-tuned all the elements that combine to make a holiday on the island a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Add to all this a warm tropical climate, private butlers, kids’ clubs, gorgeous views and excellent service, and you have all that’s needed for a holiday in paradise. Perhaps you seek local excursions with your loved one – or an activity filled family break with the children and grandparents? Or maybe three-hour spa rituals and afternoons lounging in a canopy-view pool will tempt you. Whatever type of trip you’re looking for, here’s our pick of the best resorts in Bali, in locations including Ubud, Uluwatu and Manggis.
Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay
Bali, Indonesia
Tumbling down the hillside, this 147-villa resort has been designed to echo a traditional Balinese village, albeit a very fancy one with swimming pools and sun loungers. It’s got a great perch at the end of Jimbaran Bay, a relatively sleepy beachside town known for its silvery-gold sands lined with brilliant barbecue seafood shacks. The volcanic stone architecture blends beautifully into colourful tropical gardens; twisting stone paths lead to emerald lawns and thatch-roofed bales staring out to sea; a grand infinity pool surveys the beach. Whatever you choose to do, it would be criminal to miss the splendid Spa Village – one of the finest spas on the island.
From
£
376
per night
Rates provided by
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• The best hotels in Bali
The Bulgari Resort Bali
Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
This decadent destination on Bali’s south-western shore is home to butler-serviced thatched villas, each with gasp-worthy Indian Ocean views, a sparkling infinity pool with ethereally draped cabanas, a secluded spa with another outdoor pool, plus a yoga pavilion, a salon and a fitness centre. And let’s not forget the private beach. The hotel’s blend of Balinese architecture and contemporary Italian design might sound like an odd combination, but it works surprisingly well, exuding a Milan meets garden of Eden vibe. From the elegant villas and five-bedroom mansions, to the striking infinity pool and posh black-and-white restaurant, this may be the chicest of Bali resort holidays.
From
£
542
per night
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• The best hotels in Ubud
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
With streamlined, contemporary architecture, the island’s most-photographed infinity pool, villas so chic you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into an Instagram feed, and a location overlooking the Indian Ocean, this may be one of Bali’s most visually stunning resorts. In addition to the famous pool, there’s a swish spa with huge treatment rooms, a 24-hour gym, a yoga pavilion, an organic garden, and a stretch of beach reached by a cliff-hugging stairway. The 65 minimalist villas have one to three bedrooms, and most also have ocean views (though some are distant). Butler service is provided.
From
£
491
per night
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• The best hotels in Canggu
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Bali, Indonesia
Mandapa, hidden in the lush, peaceful valley of the Ayung River, is a true tropical escape that pays homage to Balinese culture and traditions. The visual focal point of the resort is the terrace of rice paddies overlooked by the swimming pool, the Pool Bar and Library. Villas are tucked away in private gardens and the suites are stacked in imposing multi-storey buildings that overlook the rest of the resort, but verdant landscaping conceals most of the buildings. Guests are appointed their own patih (assistant to a Balinese king) who act like butlers, and there’s a children’s camp programme. There are four dining areas with something for everyone.
From
£
482
per night
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• The best hotels in Nusa Dua
Hanging Gardens of Bali
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
This Ubud hotel legend is arguably one of the most photogenic Bali resorts. It’s perched on a lush hillside growing with orchids, bamboo and coffee trees, with views stretching down to the Ayung River below and across the valley to the Indiana Jones-esque Dalem Segara temple. The hotel is renowned for its inventive architecture; traditional alang-alang thatched roof buildings are dotted amid luxuriant fairytale gardens, creating an Eden-like atmosphere that feels lost in time. Leaving the pool – one of the world’s most spectacular – is challenging, but a romantic restaurant, superb riverside spa and an array of activities do tempt.
From
£
486
per night
• The best hotels in Seminyak
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
With a glowing infinity pool cleaved into the hillside, three-hour spa rituals, beautiful architecture (including a show-stopping sky-bridge skimming across the valley), a raft of daily complimentary activities and spacious suites and villas scattered around the sprawling grounds, the Four Seasons Sayan impresses on all levels. Paid activities cover everything from water purification rituals with a Hindu high priestess to river rafting around volcanoes and Indonesian cookery classes. The hotel has two restaurants; Ayung Terrace, where peppy Indonesian dishes are served by batik-wearing staff and the Mediterranean-influenced Riverside Café, a more intimate space above the pool.
From
£
378
per night
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• The best Indian Ocean hotels
COMO Shambhala Estate
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
The reigning queen of Bali, and a key player globally when it comes to destination spas. Few places do it better. The setting is knockout, the yoga top-notch and the fitness classes double as glorious sightseeing tours, incorporating cycle rides through the paddy fields and treks up smoking volcanoes. There are stunning overflowing infinity pools seemingly everywhere, as well as gushing waterfalls and rivers, plus treatment rooms where you can dabble in everything from acupuncture and Ayurveda to hot stone massages and reflexology. Bedrooms are upscale Indonesian with the best beds and linens, and bathrooms which encourage you to let go and wallow.
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Amankila
Manggis, Bali, Indonesia
One of Bali’s longest established luxury resorts. Amankila stands sentry on a hillside overlooking the Lombok Strait on the east coast of Bali. From the imperious main building – all blonde stone, Corinthian columns and puffs of pink bougainvillea – to its shimmering black-sand beach complete with linen-clad attendants, Amankila exudes a refined Balinese charm. Taking centre stage is a spectacular three-tiered swimming pool, which steps down the hillside echoing Bali’s cascading rice fields. Wind your way downhill from here and you’ll find a fourth fabulous pool at ground level, as well as a stunning sweep of volcanic beach.
From
£
616
per night
Rates provided by
Mr & Mrs Smith
• The best hotels in Indonesia
Soori Bali
Kerambitan, Bali, Indonesia
This elegant, eco-friendly retreat is one of the loveliest Bali beach resorts. It was beautifully planned to exude a sense of tranquility, and seamlessly combines the natural environment with bold, contemporary living spaces. Horizontal and vertical lines, natural textures and shades of grey, plus stone and water dominate the design; gardens have been landscaped to maximise the flow of cool air through the resort; and water pools around the property add to the sense of calm and coolness. Every villa has its own outdoor lounge/dining area and private pool, but there is also a communal beachfront pool. There are two restaurants, a gym and a spa.
From
£
608
per night
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• The best spa hotels in Bali
Wapa di Ume Sidemen
Sidemen, Bali, Indonesia
Step outside this boutique bolthole and you’re in the remote and utterly bewitchingly set mountain village of Sideman, which has the feel of Ubud about 20 years ago. The local staff have a real passion for the village and resort, which comes across in their insider tips and a determination that you not only enjoy your stay, but tell others about it. On-site, private pools star alongside a glorious two-tier infinity pool with sweeping views out to the rice paddies, and there’s a superb spa and tempting restaurant. The look manages to merge into the rich paddy clad hillside, while well-chosen Balinese art, local stone and hardwoods feature throughout the public spaces.
From
£
71
per night
Rates provided by
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Contributions by Lee Cobaj, Robin McKelvie & Leslie Patrick Moore