If you are looking for where to stay in Bali or even the best location in Bali, you have stumbled upon the right place. Bali has a multitude of accommodation options and choosing among them can be a daunting task.
They vary based on your travel preferences and also your travel companions – whether you are going solo, as a couple, with friends, or with family. If you are looking for the best places to stay in Bali, first decide if you want quieter locations, party places, stunning temples, nature, cultural immersion or simply early morning surf sessions.
Quick Plan Your Trip to Bali
Are you planning at the last minute and want to skim to the best parts? Here’s what to do if you happen to be in Bali and looking for the best tours and stays.
Where to Stay in Bali?
Kupu Kupu Barong Villas – Personal choice, highly recommended
Anantara Uluwatu – Best location
Top Recommended Tours in Bali
Best of Ubud Tour – Highly rated and top tour for exploring Ubud
Bali ATV ride and White Water Rafting – Best tour for Adventure lovers
I get a lot of queries from friends and fellow travelers on which parts of Bali would I recommend, how much it costs to live in Bali or the top beaches in Bali.
My answer is always the same – First, I need to understand what exactly are your travel and budget preferences so I can guide you accordingly. Instead of answering each query individually, I decided to write this in-depth guide on top places to stay in Bali, categorized budget-wise as well as location-wise.
Now, these are just based on my opinion of traveling around Indonesia for a year. Some of the locations and hotels mentioned have been tried by me personally but not all of them. I have spent around 2 months, total, in Bali during my 3 trips to this beach destination.
Best time to Visit Bali
I have visited Bali both in the dry as well as the rainy season. Personally, for me, I enjoyed both climates and definitely consider Bali as an year-round travel destination. However, for uninterrupted party and beach time, visit from April to October to avoid any downpour from ruining your plans.
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Where to Stay in Bali if You are a Party Animal
Seminyak
Seminyak is my favorite place in Bali, hands down. It has a great mix of awesome beach shacks serving scrumptious cuisine by the sea as well as peppy clubs and classy joints. Seminyak is a must visit if you happen to be in Bali and want to get some decent party scene going, away from the bustling Kuta or the quieter surfer sands of Canggu.
Cute Beach Umbrellas in the lovely shacks at Seminuak, Bali
Best Places to Stay in Seminyak
Budget
Grandmas Plus Hotel Seminyak, Seminyak, Indonesia
The New Moon, Seminyak, Indonesia
Mid Range
Hotel Villa Lumbung, Seminyak, Indonesia
The Haven Hotel Bali, Seminyak, Indonesia
Luxury
The Trans Resort Bali, Seminyak, Indonesia
Kuta
Kuta is the party central of Bali. A short walk from the famous party street of Legian, Kuta itself offers ample options for party goers of all ages. From live music at classy restaurants to the rock lovers delight – ‘Hard rock cafe’, Kuta is your one stop party destination in Bali. Personally, I wasn’t overly impressed by the Kuta beach. However, its still a great option with plenty of lovely sleeps, turtle release every evening and surfing lessons.
Was so happy to release this darling baby sea turtle into the ocean at Kuta, Bali
Best Places to Stay in Kuta
Budget
Hotel Terrace at Kuta, Downtown Kuta, Kuta, Indonesia
Palloma Hotel Kuta, Legian, Indonesia
Mid Range
Ramayana Resort & Spa, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Alaya Dedaun Kuta, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Luxury
Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, Downtown Kuta, Kuta, Indonesia
Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Downtown Kuta, Kuta, Indonesia – My pick for rocking sleeps
Legian
Legian is the “go-to” street for night owls. You can be assured of staying awake till wee hours of the morning, partying at Skygarden or one of the many pubs/clubs sprawled on either side of this wild street. If you have been to Thailand, you could somewhat compare it to the insanity of walking street but I prefer Legian for sure. Having spent sleepless nights dancing away at Skygarden, I can literally guarantee you a fun night out if you happen to stay in this part of town. I would also recommend staying “in” Legian a couple of nights if you plan to party there as commuting to your hotel, drunk out of your mind (which you will be), at 4 am is not advisable.
Pre party at our hostel in Legian, Bali
Best Places to Stay in Legian
Budget
The Sun Hotel & Spa Legian, Legian, Indonesia
The Akmani Legian Hotel, Downtown Kuta, Kuta, Indonesia
Mid Range
Mercure Bali Legian Hotel, Legian, Indonesia
Jayakarta Hotel Bali, Legian, Indonesia
Luxury
Padma Resort Bali at Legian, Legian, Indonesia
Bali Niksoma Boutique Beach Resort, Legian, Indonesia
Where to Stay in Bali if you are Looking for Some Peace and Serenity
Ubud
Bali is not just a big party destination, there is so much more to it. With a ton of interesting things to do in Bali, you cannot miss the “other side” either. In fact, Ubud is so beautiful and very apt for nature lovers like myself (Yup, I happen to be a big party animals as well as freak out over nature and the great outdoors – go figure!).
From paddy fields to monkey forests, waterfalls and rafting expeditions – Ubud is a mecca for travellers. With the rising popularity of co-working spaces here, Ubud also happens to the top choice for digital nomads and entrepreneurs.
Ubud is a great place for mindful travelers. Sustainable tourists prefer to try one of the many eco resorts in Ubud and around Bali.
Rafting on river Ayung, Ubud
Best Places to Stay in Ubud
Budget
Mid Range
Sri Ratih Cottages Bali, Ubud, Indonesia
Saren Indah Hotel Bali, Ubud, Indonesia
Luxury
Mandapa A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ubud, Indonesia
Kupu Kupu Barong Villas and Tree Spa by L’OCCITANE, Ubud, Indonesia – My pick even if you just go for high tea, Kupu Kupu is worth checking out.
Helping in lighting candles at another romantic cabana at kupu kupu
Nusa Dua
The pristine beaches of Nusa Dua are like none other than Bali. I have only been to this part of town once but I was sold on it. Chic shopping center, lovely eateries and sprawling private white sand beaches – what else could you ask for? I am definitely spending more time here on my next trip.
Best Places to Stay in Nusa Dua
Budget
Rantun’s Place, Nusa Dua, Indonesia
D’ Kubu Pratama, Nusa Dua, Indonesia
Mid Range
Bali Nusa Dua Hotel, Nusa Dua, Indonesia
Hotel Santika Siligita Nusa Dua, Nusa Dua, Indonesia
Luxury
The Apurva Kempinski Bali, Nusa Dua, Indonesia
The Ritz-Carlton Bali, Nusa Dua, Indonesia
Jimbaran
Seafood, tropical forests and a long beaches are what makes Jimbaran stand out. Personally, I just love the laid back vibe of Jimbaran, cute Balinese houses, small local pubs and if the surf’s up, you can always head to Dreamland beach.
Best Places to Stay in Jimbaran
Budget
Bukawa Lodge, Jimbaran, Indonesia
Balangan Inn Surf Homestay, Jimbaran, Indonesia
Mid Range
Flower Bud Bungalow Balangan, Jimbaran, Indonesia
Watermark hotel and spa , Jimbaran, Indonesia
Luxury
Jamahal Private Resort & SPA, Jimbaran, Indonesia
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Jimbaran, Indonesia
Sanur
Sanur is the go to place for art lovers and cyclists, among the usual beach goers. The beach has a paved cycling path, shallow waters and the town is full of lovely art galleries.
Best Places to Stay in Sanur
Budget
Little Pond Homestay, Sanur, Indonesia
Puri Maharani Boutique Hotel & Spa, Denpasar, Indonesia
Mid Range
Griya Santrian a beach resort, Sanur, Indonesia
Respati Beach Hotel Bali, Sanur, Indonesia
Luxury
Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali, Sanur, Indonesia
Maya Sanur Resort & Spa, Sanur, Indonesia
Uluwatu
Renowned for the Uluwatu temple which is atop a cliff by the sea and some stunning beaches, this is another awesome location to spend a couple of nights in Bali. I am yet to visit Uluwatu but the cliff-hanging temple is reason enough to drag my lazy ass out of Legian or Seminyak for a scenic sojourn next time.
Best Places to Stay in Uluwatu
Budget
Villa Ricca edo lodge, Uluwatu, Indonesia
Padang Padang Breeze, Uluwatu, Indonesia
Mid Range
Pinkcoco Bali, Uluwatu, Indonesia
Dreamsea Bali, Uluwatu, Indonesia
Luxury
Anantara Uluwatu Resort & Spa, Uluwatu, Indonesia
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Pecatu, Indonesia
Read my detailed post about Where to Stay in Uluwatu for our handpicked selection of hotels and details about each property.
Canggu
Canggu is another one of my favorites. This is not your typical pretty white sand beach with plenty of nightlife, in fact its just the opposite but still really amazing. Its the black sand surfers beach with amazing waves and more suitable to advanced surfers.
With laid back pubs like my favorite – Old Man’s or the fabled Deus Ex Machina, there are plenty of options to meet people over a couple of drinks. Just remember, everything pretty much closes by 2300 hrs as surfers wake up early to catch the waves, so you can always head to other parts later for a night cap.
Best Places to Stay in Canggu
Budget
KOA D’ Surfer Hotel, Canggu, Indonesia
Echoland Bed and Breakfast Bali, Pererenan, Indonesia
Mid Range
The Kirana Hotel Resto & Spa, Canggu, Indonesia
FRii Bali Echo Beach, Canggu, Indonesia
Luxury
Hotel Tugu Bali, Canggu, Indonesia
Ametis Villa, Canggu, Indonesia
Further Reading –
FAQ’s
Which is the best area to stay in Bali for yoga
Ubud hands down is the top place for yogis in Bali.
Which is the best place in Bali for surfers?
Uluwatu is pretty popular area to live in for surfers visiting or living in Bali.
Which is the Cheapest area to live in Bali?
Ubud and Sanur are more cost effective than party central of Kuta or the more posh Seminyak.
Still not sure where to stay in Bali? Tell me where you are headed and I am sure I will have some intel about that area or can get some help from my local Balinese friends. If you have already visited, tell me which are your favorite places to stay in Bali?
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
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Great post and good choices. I have, in fact used them for myself when I was in Bali, a couple of years back. My favourite in Ubud was however, Lodtunduh Sari, quiet, relaxed, cozy and off the grid.. loved it.. do check it out 🙂
Thanks Deepika. Yeah I agree off the grid is lovely too – will check out Lodtunduh as well. Bali has SO many options, its just hard to choose!
Thanks for the details! I am curious about planning a trip for NYE 2020. We want to take it easy/sight see inthe day and definitely want a party vibe for NYE itself.. any specific recommendations for that? Is there another destination (not Bali) you would recommend for NYe?
Hi Jamie, do you mean in/around Bali like the islands of Gili/ lombok or another destination in SE Asia?
I have yet to go to Ubud and jimbaran but the last time I was in Bali I was really surprised at how commercialised, and like a package holiday destination Kuta had become. Absolutely hated it – much preferred it when it was rundown in the nineties. Lol the march of time. Ubud is my absolute favourite place though especially as it has the Yogabarn
I think the one place I definitely wouldn’t like to go to in Bali is Kuta. I’ve seen picture and a few TV shows about the place and it’s not for me! The other places look absolutely amazing though, nice to know there’s lots of options in Bali!
That is a good list for all the three ranges. But one has to do a study which to select from the list. May be ratings besides them will help better.
Great suggestions and locations with all the budgets in mind. Haven’t been to Bali but would definitely use this resource!
This a great guide to help figure out what kind of Bali you want. I’ve long wanted to experience the culture of Ubud.
fantastic, detailed guide to Bali. I love reading these kind of posts for travel planning, since it is short and to the point. I actually had no idea that was so much variety in Bali. I knew about the party-side, but didn’t realize the range of options. Really well put together!
I think Jimbaran sounds cool. This is a great guide. So my question is, what happens if I want to chill during the day in a place like Jimbaran but then head over to the Party areas and then tomorrow go hiking in Ubud? Is it easy to travel around from place to place or are you kind of confined to a region?
I know Ubud is popular but you had me at serenity. I’m not much of a beach person so the paddy fields, monkey forests, and waterfalls sound perfect. I’d love to balance some time there between exploring and writing/reading.
This is such a fabulous guide, people say they want to travel to Bali, but don’t realize that where exactly you go should be chosen based on your travel style and what you like to do. Personally, we’re more serenity than party animals, so I’m thinking Ubud will be our first stop when we go 🙂
Wow, this is pretty comprehensive list you put together. I see some of my favorite brands like W and Four Seasons on your list. Luxury is definitely my style.
These places are lovely. A trip here must be thoroughly planned to be able to visit all of these. Bali beaches are just wonderful. Thank you for sharing this!
SUCH a great guide thank you! I want to go back to Bali and explore more of the places I haven’t been to and this is exactly what I needed to get a feel for the different options!
I’ve always wanted to visit Bali though it is getting more and more popular. I would definitely avoid the touristic spots and party hunters. This guide is really helpful, thank you for sharing the private beaches and laid back spots like Nusa Dua and Jimbaran. They all look just stunning!
I’m gonna be in Bali around May till June for about a month. This is definitely a huge help because I am still deciding where to stay. Thank you . I will definitely be checking some of these places now.
An amazing list to follow. I’m planning a trip to Bali in the next year or so and love ALL these tips. VERY helpful. Looking forward to more from you!
Mary @SVtipsygypsy
http://www.maryandtharon.com
I have explored Nusa Dua, Kuta and Ubud in Bali, and I prefer to party as well as stay quiet or go outdoors. So loved Kuta where I stayed right close to the party places and Ubud. Need to try the rest. A great post!
You are like me then – I still prefer Seminyak over Kuta for living but Legian is my “go-to” place for wild parties.
Lovely and thanks for the tip. For me, I would prefer to stay in Ubud just because or it’s location (in the center of the island) and so many cute shops nearby. I stayed on the south side and it would be hard to traffic around the island every day passing the narrow road through the airport. Unless you plan to stay just in the resorts, I would recommend the south side 🙂 @ knycx.journeying
Wow that was a comprehensive guide! I liked that you divided the places as “party” vs “quiet” and also give options for all budgets. I’m planning to go to Bali in a couple of months so I’m going to check your recommendations (looks like Ubud would be a place for me!)
This is so helpful as we are planning a trip later this year! I’m definitely interested in visiting Ubud since you mentioned paddy fields, monkey forests, waterfalls and rafting expeditions – I want to do it all! Also the romantic cabana at Kupa Kupa looks beautiful! How can I arrange this?
Hi Rachel, You can contact/book kupa kupa barong here – http://www.kupubarongubud.com/
Have fun in Bali!
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It looks like Jimbaran is definitely for me. Everything I love is there: seafood, tropical forests, long beaches. Thanks for making my decision easier.
Hi. Thanks for the detailed information. I am taking two teenagers with me who are not really party goers but enjoy the outdoors. Scuba diving, river rating, water falls, roller coasters, air balloons, snorkeling, etc. We will also enjoy quiet evenings on the beach so we will need to stay on the beach. However our days need to be filled with the above activities and historical sites as well. Outside markets – food and fruit stalls will also be good.
Are the places listed above close to travel to. Are there places that I can omit as I will only be there for 7 days.
Thanks
Hi Nancy, a week is just not enough for Bali but I know time constraint is a big factor in vacation planning. If you want to be close to nature – rice fields, waterfalls, rafting, monkeys then Ubud is the place for you. The biggest theme park though is Waterbom which is all the way in Kuta. So you will def have to be picky about the areas to make the most of your time and get a bit of relaxed Balinese vibe while you are it 🙂 Hope this helps – do let me know where you end up and how you liked it.
Actually I m little bit confused about my tour plan of 7 days with my wife.would you old give me a clear set of 7 days plan with accommodation,food, etc.my tour schedule from 28 the January to 4 the February 2018.
I am not a travel agent/planner, Amir but if you email me I can connect you with someone who can help you with planning your trip.
a brilliant guide well done to the author! also very well timed for stumbling over. I got married 6 months ago and due to work constraints etc am planning a delayed honeymoon- my husband still doesn’t have the time so I’m just going to book and give him the dates to books off! Was deciding between Bali and Maldives and for this trip I am deciding on Bali. Ideally 10 nights, 7 of them visiting natural areas/waterfalls/monkey forest ( I looove nature) and then final few nights to spend like a secluded honeymoon type of area with the pristine beaches and turquoise waters like in pictures… Do you have any recommendations? don’t want night life/party areas .
Is a long awaited holiday and dont know when Il be able to convince him for the next one so Im going to look for exactly what I want! He is in to recycling and quite a tree hugger so something like an eco-retreat would be good to… so many questions eeeek sorry!
Hi I would recommend Ubud for nature and Nusa dua for pristine beaches 🙂 Hope you enjoy Bali!
Thanks! We’re all booked and leave next thursday.. I cannot wait!!
Great. I am in Bali too and fly out now (After 3 months) on 5th March!
I’m travelling to Bali with my girlfriend in May. We’ve been partying all year, and now it feels like we need a break. We want to go diving in Bali, I know good diving spots are located in the south-east of the island. I explored the options you pointed out, and the best seem to be either Ubud or Sanur. We can’t choose between the two. I like Sanur for its proximity to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lemborgan. But my girlfriend prefers Ubud. Which one is better for divers? Is there any third option?
Hi Terry, I would recommend Gili T for diving and Nusa Penida for snorkeling/diving with Manta rays. The underwater world on these islands is way better than in Bali.
HI Jo, I am planning our honeymoon in September later this year. I am sold on Ubud. But we also want to spend a few day on the beach but close enough to visit good restaurants with a good vibe and authentic food. We are not big party people, more laid back quiet time, but good food, markets and lots of good coffee choice is important. Also can you recommend good snorkelling spots? Our budget is mid to upper range. Please can you advise?
Congrats on tying the knot Shehnaaz. Ubud is great for some chilled out peaceful time or yoga sessions. For beach vibes, head to Seminyak, for fun cafes Canggu is awesome! I would recommend to go to the islands for Snorkelling (check out my nusa penida guide for some inspiration). Hope this helps? Feel free to ask anything else – Indonesia is like second home for me!
So what options would you recomend for family. Kids 7 and 11?
Hi Sasha, it would depend on various things. where do you want to stay (Which part of Bali), whats your budget? Do you need a private villa or in sharing? There’s a lovely sharing villa with pool near Canggu if you are in that area? Lmk and I will share the link
Thanks for such a helpful review of areas and hotel recommendations. I booked one your recommendations for Ubud–can’t wait!
Wow thats great, which one did you end up booking? Have fun