Bali is a global icon for its captivating blend of Hindu culture, ornate temples, and intoxicating fragrances of frangipani, jasmine, and sandalwood. The island’s natural wonders, from cascading waterfalls to pristine beaches, beckon travelers from around the world. But Bali’s allure extends beyond its scenery; it’s also home to some of the most exceptional hotels in Asia, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience.
Whether you seek the bustling energy of Seminyak and Canggu or the serene solitude of clifftop retreats and deserted beaches, Bali caters to every traveler. Our guide highlights the best hotels on the island, showcasing their unique features and experiences.
Embrace Nature’s Embrace: The Retreat at Naya Ubud
Located an hour outside of Ubud, The Retreat at Naya Ubud offers a unique experience: a retreat without walls or doors. Framed by the Ayung River and two cascading waterfalls, the property feels like a step back in time, offering complete isolation from the outside world. Guests are welcomed into a central lounge, bar, and restaurant via a pebbled pathway, leading to breathtaking vistas of terraced rice paddies and seven majestic mountain peaks. The 16 villas provide panoramic views of nature, with open-air designs that allow guests to connect with their surroundings. The Retreat’s commitment to sustainability shines through in its zero-waste menu and botanical bar, using fresh ingredients sourced from the property’s farm.
A Sanctuary for Wellness: The St. Regis Bali Resort
Stepping into The St. Regis Bali Resort in Nusa Dua feels like a blissful exhale. The property embodies a minimalist aesthetic, with frangipani trees gracing every corner and bougainvillea draping down the 22 suites and villas. Each features a sunken bathtub, and some boast private pools. This tranquil environment is ideal for the hotel’s signature wellness retreats, offering multi-day experiences focused on emotional balance, mindfulness, sleep optimization, and more. Guests can also enjoy Traditional Chinese Medicine consultations, yoga classes, and delectable meals at the outdoor restaurant helmed by Chef Joshua Purwo Caroko, renowned for his vegetable-forward cuisine. By the end of the year, the resort will unveil Bali’s first longevity clinic, featuring advanced diagnostics, aesthetic treatments, and theta float therapy.
A Universe of Experiences: Desa Potato Head
Desa Potato Head in Seminyak is more than just a hotel; it’s a vibrant complex encompassing the Potato Head Beach Club, 226 rooms, six restaurants and bars, and a wellness facility with a diverse range of classes and spa treatments. It’s a universe of its own, inviting guests to embrace a holistic experience. Start your day with a sunrise meditation on the beach, followed by educational workshops, including the on-site Waste Lab, where you can participate in art classes that repurpose trash. In the evenings, lose yourself in the vibrant energy of Clymax, the property’s wood-floor nightclub renowned for its acoustics.
Serene Sanctuary in the Jungle: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Nestled on the outskirts of Ubud, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan makes a dramatic first impression. Guests are greeted by an outdoor bridge suspended over the sacred Ayung River Valley, offering breathtaking views of tiered rice paddies and lush foliage. The resort’s accommodations are divided between hotel suites in the main building and 42 freestanding villas, many with private plunge pools, luxurious bathtubs, and breathtaking views of the jungle canopy. Enjoy robust and healthy breakfasts featuring fresh juices, and indulge in delectable dinners at the Ayung Terrace, overlooking the river and its calming flow.
The Coolest Hangout: Further
Further, a newly opened haven in the still-sleepy village of Pererenan, is a destination for the cool kids. Its distinctive brick façade is impossible to miss, and the complex is anchored by two buildings that embody its unique concept: a space for guests to enjoy both private suite intimacy and shared moments with like-minded travelers in convivial common spaces. Each of the 12 rooms embraces minimalism with Balinese woodwork, plaster techniques, and natural materials like ochre, brick, and travertine. Further has curated a collection of partner concepts, offering skincare and grooming rituals by Oaken Lab, specialty coffee and small plates by Melbourne-based St. Ali, and ethically sourced surfboards from Thomas Surfboards.
Where Brutalist Architecture Meets the Tropics: The Slow
The Slow, a 12-room boutique hotel in Canggu, exudes a laid-back charm that embraces the region’s relaxed yet trendy energy. Founded by former Australian fashion designer George Gorrow and his wife, model Cisco Tschurtschenthaler, The Slow infuses an art-world feel with installations throughout the property. Each room features minimalist interiors, framed black-and-white images, bamboo chairs, and exposed concrete walls. Dining at The Slow is a treat, with the hotel housing one of Canggu’s finest restaurants, serving Indonesian small plates and creative cocktails.
Sustainable Paradise: The Kayon Jungle Resort
In a world where Bali sometimes grapples with overtourism, The Kayon Jungle Resort in Pekutatan provides a refreshing escape. Nestled on a secluded black-sand volcanic beach, this environmentally conscious property evokes the serenity of an Aman with the vibe of an Ace Hotel. Solar-powered treehouse-style rooms, built on stilts to minimize environmental impact, are nestled within a lush jungle canopy teeming with bodhi, baobab, and banana trees. Guests can indulge in vegan, zero-waste meals at the on-site restaurant, featuring a communal 22-foot black wood table and ingredients sourced from local organic farms. The resort offers a range of adventure activities, including surf lessons, river tours, diving, snorkeling trips, and electric bicycles and scooters for exploring the island’s west coast.
A Serene Village: COMO Uma Ubud
COMO Uma Ubud, with its 30 expansive villas connected by three canal-like pools, resembles a slice of Venice landed in Ubud. But this resort is far from the bustling Italian city. Designed by Japanese architect Rie Azuma, the property exudes a calming, meditative atmosphere, blending Japanese aesthetics with Balinese artistic principles. Set on seven forested acres, it feels more like a village than a hotel, with elevated gazebos and rooms that create a sense of place and instant calm. Intricate wooden carvings adorn the walls, and locally-made batik lamps illuminate the bedside. The resort enjoys a prime location, perched above the sacred Pakerisan River.
Cliffside Splendor: Mathis Lodge Amed
Nestled off the typical tourist path, about four hours northeast of Denpasar International Airport, Mathis Lodge Amed is a gateway to the Bali travelers dream about. The 20 freestanding guest lodges, some featuring outdoor Jacuzzis or infinity pools, are nestled on a verdant volcanic slope in the Lean Valley. Built with thatched roofs, they blend seamlessly with the local aesthetic. Situated over 1,300 feet above sea level, the lodge offers breathtaking views of the Lombok Strait and the majestic Mount Seraya, which lends its silky black sand to the nearby beaches. Prepare for some steps, as the hotel’s amenities, including its cliffside dining area serving classic Indonesian dishes, require a bit of a climb. Spend your time relaxing by the central infinity pool, perched on a clifftop with plush sun loungers and stunning ocean views.
A Wellness Retreat with a View: Six Senses Uluwatu
Six Senses Uluwatu, a wellness resort perched on the edges of the Bukit Peninsula along Bali’s southern coast, boasts dramatic cliffside views. Sustainability is at the core of this resort, evident in the over 100 rooms, each crafted with sustainably farmed timber. Guests can enjoy organic fare sourced from the resort’s organic garden and beehive at one of the three restaurants. Take a garden tour to learn about the hotel’s composting efforts. Indulge in relaxation at the spa, enjoying the sauna and steam rooms before surrendering to a holistic massage or reflexology treatment in one of eight treatment rooms. The resort also offers a daily rotation of fitness classes, including Pilates, yoga, and meditation.
A Bohemian Escape: Bambu Indah
Escape to Bambu Indah, a bohemian retreat overlooking the Sayan Ridge, a welcome departure from the often over-the-top resorts lining Bali’s coast. Set outside of Ubud in a lush jungle landscape, this enchanting property features ethereal bamboo suites nestled within the verdant canopy, proving that sustainability and high design can coexist harmoniously. Owners John and Cynthia Hardy, in 2005, transported eleven antique Javanese bridal homes to Ubud, creating one of the most sustainability-minded hotels in the region. The hotel has since expanded to include bamboo treehouses and two iconic open-air rooms with a moon-shaped copper roof. Enjoy wellness activities and the anti-inflammatory menu at Tembaga, where dishes are crafted with ingredients sourced from the hotel’s permaculture farm.
