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The ultimate guide to the best Bali accommodation

Whether you want to spend your time doing the downward dog in Ubud or surfing the island’s best breaks, we’ve found the best Bali accommodation to suit your needs.

The best Bali accommodation depends on the kind of holiday you have planned and your means and aspirations. Whether you’re seeking a haven of contemplation in Ubud, a laid-back surf hang in Keramas or a stylish over-the-top luxury villa for your entire entourage, we’ve rounded up the best places to stay in Bali.

Seminyak

Choose a warung in Seminyak at sunset to capture the softest of breezes before dusk signals the end of the day. While Seminyak is home to some of Bali’s best beach clubs, boutiques and eateries, you will also discover centuries-old temples and shrines that remind you that traditional Balinese culture is very much alive.

Desa Potato Head Bali

a rooftop garden jacuzzi at Desa Potato Head Bali
Unwind in the ocean-facing rooftop jacuzzi.

Best for: Food-focused travellers who enjoy luxury that considers community and environment.

Desa Potato Head, named among the World’s 50 Best Hotels for three years running, is one of the best eco escapes in Bali, where design, music and sustainability are inseparable from the stay. Drift from a sun-soaked day by the sea to dinner at the relaunched Ijen, the ocean-to-table seafood kitchen that brings its woodfired philosophy closer to the shoreline. Watch waves thunder in as you plot a progressive feast through Desa Potato Head’s eight restaurants, each grounded in local, low-impact ingredients. The chic eco village has 58 artisan-led suites that lean into the brand’s ‘good times, do good’ philosophy alongside music, gallery and wellness spaces.

Address: Jalan Petitenget No. 51B, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach

one-bedroom pool villa at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach
The one-bedroom pool villa blends sleek modern architecture with traditional Balinese design.

Best for: Early gym sessions that justify late nights – the kind of maths that only works on holidays.

Hotel Indigo Seminyak gets full marks for being right on the beachfront in Seminyak. This means you can opt in or out of the action, stepping straight from the property onto Double Six Beach. Swing out of bed to enjoy an indulgent breakfast buffet at Pottery Cafe. Enjoy chicken yakitori for lunch at izakaya SugarSand, or simply pad down to the pool to do a few laps. The design-led lobby is filled with objects inspired by Balinese jukung boats that tell the story of the area’s past as a fishing village. In total, there are 289 rooms, suites and private pool villas, six dining venues, a fitness centre and a separate Sava Spa facility. It’s one of the very best places to stay in Seminyak.

Address: Jl. Camplung Tanduk No.10, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta

Peppers Seminyak

Best for: Long, private pool days with the kids and absolutely no agenda in sight.

Listen to the soothing sounds of the bamboo rindik drifting across the lotus ponds at Peppers Seminyak as you sip on your welcome drink. The Green Globe-certified hotel features 51 private pool villas with one to five-bedroom configurations, making it a suitable stay for multigenerational family holidays or group getaways. The luxury villa resort is just a short walk away from some of the most popular places to eat and drink in Bali. Strut your stuff to the shared rock pool in your new Camilla caftan at sunset and indulge in Ladies Night at The Laneway. Rein it in with a detox package at the Spa at Peppers Seminyak.

Address: Jl. Pura Telaga Waja, Petitenget, Seminyak

Alila Seminyak

an infinity pool at Alila Penthouse Seminyak
Alila Penthouse is designed for families seeking maximum space and direct pool privacy.

Best for: Losing track of time in an infinity pool that blurs with the edges of the ocean.

Rise in the dark lilac light of dawn to set off from your luxurious suite at the five-star, 176-room Alila Seminyak and you’ll likely have Petitenget Beach to yourself. This sophisticated getaway on Bali’s southwest coast is just moments from the high-end boutiques, bars and restaurants that line the streets of Seminyak. But beachgoers will also appreciate the Hyatt hotel’s locale smack bang on the beachfront, away from the chaos and chorus of beeping Kawasakis. Alila Seminyak is designed around a communal area that includes four infinity pools lined with day beds and umbrellas.

Address: Taman Ganesha Jl. Petitenget No.9, Seminyak

Canggu

It’s known for its boutiques and beach clubs, cafes and surf culture. And while Canggu was once more of a secret spot than Seminyak, the enclave once known for its proximity to Echo Beach is now home to some of Bali’s best places to eat, play and stay.

Mana Sanctuary

the Mana Sanctuary bath, Canggu
Mana Sanctuary features enormous, standalone copper baths.

Best for: Travellers craving deeper sleep and a slower, more intentional kind of Bali stay.

Mana Sanctuary is a next-gen wellness retreat designed around the notion that recovery is the foundation of a life lived well. With just 13 suites, it’s intentionally intimate, inviting guests to slow down, recalibrate and reconnect with their physical and mental wellbeing. Party people, this is not your jam. Programs focus on everything from sleep optimisation to movement, nutrition and science-backed therapies. Mornings might begin with breathwork, while afternoons invite time in the spa or cold plunge or sitting in the stillness, watching the birds swoop over the trees, and listening to the river rushing by.

Address: Jalan Padang Linjong No. 88, Desa Canggu, Kecamatan Kuta Utara

Escape Haven

a woman relaxing by the pool at Escape Haven, Canggu
A wellness weekend awaits at Escape Haven.

Best for: Women craving rest and wellness on a deeper level.

Escape Haven is one of Bali’s original wellness retreats, a tropical oasis designed to appeal to those who crave a reset, not just a holiday. Set within luxe, private villas, the retreat is on the map for women who want to get their Zen on. On offer is everything from sunrise yoga to spa treatments. Those who want to go deeper can lean into longevity therapies such as cryotherapy, infrared saunas and IV infusions alongside expert-led programs focused on women’s health, menopause and long-term vitality. It’s the sort of place women seek out for stillness and space, strength and balance away from the hurly-burly of modern life.

Address: Jl. Canggu Padang Linjong No. 85D, Canggu

Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu

sunset view from the rooftop pool at Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu
See the spectacular sunset on Bali’s iconic southwest coast.

Best for: Families. Kids eat free at the hotel, which has a fitness centre, babysitting onsite, children’s pool and slide, as well as art sessions on offer twice a week.

IHG has been part of Bali’s evolution as a destination for decades and knows what those bound for Indo are looking for. Holiday Inn Resort Canggu marks its next chapter. The beachfront resort is suitable for both surfers and non-surfers with a handful of waves breaking right out front and yoga classes a-go-go. The family-friendly resort has stunning ocean views and an infinity pool that is a great rooftop perch to watch the sun sink over the sea. Works of art sourced from around the archipelago and thatched roofs bring the island vibes.

Address:  Batu Bolong A No.93xx, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara

COMO Uma Canggu

Best for: Travelling with kids? They will love having access to the Play by Como space.

Bunker down in luxury at COMO Uma Canggu, which has 119 rooms and suites looking out over the Indian Ocean. Sit on the balcony of your one-bedroom lagoon pool residence as the clouds stretch like pink cotton candy across the sky. Hire a scooter so you can skip into the centre of Canggu to shop, drink and dine before retreating to the resort, which is the epitome of elegance. Active types will appreciate the fact there is one group class per day that is complimentary during your stay, along with an in-room yoga mat with virtual meditation classes on the telly.

Address: Echo Beach, Jl. Pantai Batu Mejan, Canggu

Jimbaran Bay

Near the airport, this tranquil coastal area is home to luxury resorts and Jimbaran Bay’s famous fish markets. Catch a boat from the beach out to the surf break known as Airport Rights, then enjoy a meal of ikan goreng (fried fish) at one of the local warungs that line the shore before wandering through the bustling market stalls.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Best for: Cultural experiences. The resort has an onsite temple and 17th-century shrine where guests can participate in daily offerings and blessings led by an in-house priest.

This sprawling Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay spills down a hillside that traces the curve of Jimbaran Bay. The 156-room resort is laid out like a traditional Balinese village, with 147 pool villas and nine Residence Villas tucked behind stone walls and frangipani trees. The Healing Village Spa is the resort’s showpiece: a two-storey, 2,000-square-metre sanctuary seemingly suspended over water, with 10 all-suite treatment rooms and a spa bale. Challenge yourself in the name of good health with AntiGravity yoga, yin yoga and Pilates.

Address: Jl. Bukit Permai, Jimbaran

AYANA Bali

Best for: Elevated clifftop luxury with room to spread out.

a bathtub with petals at AYANA Bali
Soak in the tub filled with petals at AYANA Villas Bali.

One of the best places to stay in Jimbaran, AYANA Bali pairs convenience – it’s just 12 kilometres from the airport – with all you could want from a luxury Bali break. The 90-hectare resort is huge, occupying a prime position along a 1.3-kilometre stretch of cliff-front coastline above Jimbaran Bay. And encompassing four five-star hotels and no less than 14 freshwater pools, there really is something for everyone here.

AYANA Resort Bali has 294 rooms and suites that fuse traditional Balinese style with classical finishes such as marble bathrooms. Ocean View Rooms boast generous balconies that gaze out over the resort’s lush landscaped gardens that tumble down towards the Indian Ocean in tiers.

RIMBA by AYANA Bali is a 403-room family-friendly resort while the 73 secluded villas that make up AYANA Villas Bali each come with their own private plunge pool. The newest addition to the resort, AYANA Segara Bali’s 223 rooms and suites offer guests contemporary luxury.

The resort encompasses 30 dining venues, two tennis courts, an 18-hole golf putting course, two kids’ clubs, a secluded beach and even a cutting-edge cultural centre, SAKA Museum, that allows guests to go deeper into Balinese traditions. It all comes together across tropical grounds that conjure Balinese culture in details such as koi ponds and water features, with a show-stopper of a main pool – two tiers giving way to endless Indian Ocean vistas – at its heart.

Address: Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran Bay

Uluwatu & the Bukit Peninsula

The soaring cliffs of Uluwatu are iconic, not least for gifting surfers one of the longest left-handers in Bali. Scored by the elements, they’ve been a backdrop in surf mags for decades. As well as being one of the best places to bunker down in Bali, Ulus is one of the island’s most dramatic locations at sunset.

Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts

Best for: Clifftop seclusion with full villa privacy and ocean views.

Those searching for a secluded place to stay in Bali will find their island idyll at Umana Bali, poised high on the cliffs of Ungasan. The allvilla resort is designed for privacy, with 72 expansive one, two and three-bedroom villas, each with its own infinity pool and uninterrupted Indian Ocean views. Tumbling down the cliffs like traditional rice paddies, the property also offers access to a beach club on Melasti Beach, one of the island’s most pristine and under-the-radar stretches of sand.

Address: Jl. Melasti, Ungasan

The Young Villas

The Young Villas, Bali
Each tropical-inspired villa comes with a private pool wrapped in lush palm trees.

Best for: Waking up, grabbing your board and heading straight to Uluwatu for a surf.

The Young Villas offers a collection of one to four-bedroom villas in Uluwatu defined by clean lines, glass walls and private pools softened by pops of pink bougainvillea. Designed for groups and families, the villas in Bingin form a minivillage and attract repeat visitors who like to entertain. They feature soaring 10-metre-high ceilings, arched windows and infinity pools dressed to impress in white terrazzo. Turn your gaze away from the ocean just long enough to decide what to order from the menu designed by the personal chef you have arranged to cook for you inside your villa. A short walk away is an onsite eatery for coffee and brekkie, as well as Nara Spa.

Address: Jl. Pantai Cemongkak, Pecatu, Bali 80361, Indonesia.

Karma Kandara

pool villa at Karma Kandara, Uluwatu
The private pool villas are perched on the clifftops of Uluwatu.

Best for: Dawnpatrol surf missions to chase the waves of your life.

Karma Kandara is like a fancy eyrie where a peacock might nest. In total, there are 54 luxury villa residences of two to four-bedroom configurations perched atop the cliffs on the southern Bukit Peninsula. Follow the white stone pathways that spiral like the whorls of a seashell all the way to the turquoise waters and white sands of Melasti Beach. IMHO, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali. Indulge in a Balinese massage at the Cliff Spa, enjoy fresh seafood with sea views at di Mare, and head to Club 22 for a boogie.

Address: Jl. Villa Kandara Banjar Wijaya Kusuma, Ungasan

Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort

Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort at sunset
Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort offers a front-row seat to one of Bali’s most famous surf breaks.

Best for: Those looking to flop and drop while their partner paddles out to surf Impossibles each day.

Planning a destination wedding? Aussies looking to tie the knot in Bali will find much to love about Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort. This grand dame cascades down the cliffside towards an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. Each of the 76 spacious hotel rooms and suites is oriented to the view. Surfers will appreciate the fact that it’s a short scramble down the stairs to ride the waves. No swell? Schedule an appointment at the spa. Head to 360 Rooftop Dining for dinner. Join sunset yoga. Or head to Botol Biru Bar & Grill for a sunset session. Guests at Anantara can also sign up for a Balinese dance lesson or pottery class.

Address: Jl. Pemutih, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia

The Asa Maia

a gladak house at The Asa Maia
Each room is a restored, century-old traditional Javanese teak house known as a gladak.

Best for: Pressing pause on real life and trading it for yoga, spa sessions, peace and seclusion.

The Asa Maia resort is surrounded by neon-green jungle and has been built around the wellness trend of hot and cold contrast therapy. Dip in the plunge pool before hitting the sauna or steam room before coming in from the cold to your luxurious gladak (Javanese wooden house). Savour nourishing fare at the restaurant. Enjoy the cool of the communal pool. And catch the last rays of sunlight slicing through the trees in the company of new friends. The Balinese sanctuary also engages visually impaired therapists to massage its guests.

Address: Banjar Dinas Suluban, Jl. Pantai Padang-Padang, Pecatu

Pererenan

This up-and-coming area of Bali is like Canggu without the crowds. The Balinese village is close to Echo Beach and Batu Bolong and surrounded by crayon-green rice fields. It’s the next village across from Canggu and popular with digital nomads looking for a more tranquil place to live.

Akashi Residence

a pool with a spiral slide at Akashi Residence
Akashi is built around a central courtyard with a pool and a spiral slide.

Best for: Measuring your day with the fam in waterslide runs, not hours.

The Akashi Residence is a two-storey, six-bedroom, seven-bathroom villa that will accommodate your entire entourage. Designed by architect Alexis Dornier, Akashi is built around a central courtyard containing a pool with a spiral slide and includes a yoga deck and fitness area. There are also sitting areas in the sun and shade, a pool table, ice bath and incredible artworks. The villa comes with a team of lifestyle assistants as well as a private chef who will prepare one meal for you in-house. This Luxe Nomad property is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Bali.

Address: Jl. Dalem Penataran No.5, Pererenan

Tribal Bali

Inside the Tribal Bali hostel
This co-working hostel suits digital nomads.

Best for: Digital nomads who measure success in wi-fi speed and sunset beers.

Tribal Bali is aimed at those who left behind the corporate grind in search of greener pastures. The co-working hostel will also suit flashpackers who appreciate having amenities under one roof such as an onsite cafe and pool, as well as a mix of dorm rooms and private rooms to suit all budgets. Those dreaming of being crypto-bros in paradise can mingle with fellow workers in bucket hats and beads bent over their MacBooks. Want to live your best life as a digital nomad? Tribal Bali is one of the best places on the planet to try out the workation.

Address: Gg. Tribal Jl. Pantai Pererenan, Pererenan

Premadhan Cottage

Best for: Going off-grid for a few days with your significant other.

Guests at Premadhan Cottage are invited to join everything from a rindik music lesson to a workshop on the art of making a canang sari, the daily offerings made by Balinese Hindus. The accommodation at Premadhan Cottage has two-bedroom Uma Bokulu, which translates to ‘Big House’ and includes a private infinity pool; five Gadang Houses that have quick access to the main pool; and Rumah Joglo, which has a private terrace and views over the rice fields and tropical gardens.

Address: No.23-26, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi

Kuta Beach

Australians have been travelling to Kuta on Bali’s southern coast since the 1970s. While this stretch of sand might now be less popular than the hipster-clogged enclaves of Seminyak and Canggu, it doesn’t come with the same price tag, and so remains Bali’s best spot for backpackers partial to a cheap Bintang (and phallic bottle opener).

Mamaka by Ovolo

the infinity pool at Mamaka by Ovolo
Raise a glass poolside at Mamaka by Ovolo.

Best for: Floating above Kuta in Bali’s highest infinity pool with the gals.

Mamaka by Ovolo is more like an elegant urban resort than a hotel. The vibrant 191-room boutique hotel has pops of colour throughout and curtains of greenery that wrap around the beachfront property like velvet upholstery. The resort is mere metres away from Kuta Beach, where you can watch the waves crash on the sand. Mamaka by Ovolo is the only hotel in the world with an official Rip Curl School of Surf onsite so you can embrace the thrill of riding the waves. Check for real-time updates on the live Kuta Surf Cam. If the sea looks like a granite slab, head to the rooftop where you will find Kuta Social Club.

Foodies also flock to Street 32.

Address: Jl. Pantai Kuta No.32, Legian, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali

Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali exterior
This family-friendly resort is situated in a quiet oasis near South Kuta Beach.

Best for: Families. In addition to Rascals Kids’ Club, there’s a playground, and kids under the age of 12 eat for free at the Palms.

Catching a free airport shuttle to Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is one of the perks of a stay. The resort has direct access to South Kuta Beach, so you can drift from your king-sized bed to your walk-out patio. Those planning a big, fat destination wedding should book out all 193 rooms at the resort, which has a kids’ pool, cabanas and poolside loungers. Book a massage at Tea Tree Spa and order light bites at Envy. Holidaying sans kidlets? Tuck a frangipani behind your ear and paddle to the Pool Bar for a pina colada.

Address: Jl. Wana Segara No.33, Tuban, Kec. Kuta

InterContinental Bali Resort

the classic garden room at InterContinental Bali Resort
InterContinental Bali Resort combines classic Indonesian heritage with modern luxury.

Best for: Settling scores with your mates on the resort’s court, where ‘friendly’ rallies can quickly escalate.

InterContinental Bali Resort was one of the first five-star resorts to be built in South Kuta. The property, which has recently had a refresh, remains as popular as ever with guests who want proximity to the surf beaches, restaurants, bars and boutiques. Join your kids spinning in and out of the beachfront pool before handing them over to a nanny so you can settle in at the Sunset Beach Bar & Grill. Meander along the paths that twist through the manicured gardens to find the fitness centre, Spa Uluwatu and Japanese bonsai garden. Savour a seafood platter at Bella Cucina, and tuck into teppanyaki at KO Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge.

Address: Uluwatu St No.45, Jimbaran, South Kuta

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Ubud

There are two types of visitors to Bali: those who head straight for the lacquered green landscapes of Ubud and those who leave the airport bound for the beaches. The central hills district is for those craving a hit of Balinese culture, surrounded by terraced rice fields and jungle.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Best for: Fans of Eat, Pray, Love. Actress Julia Roberts and her family stayed in one of the private residences during filming.

Set above a jungle-wrapped bend of the Ayung River near Ubud, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan swaps ocean for rainforest and rice terraces. Guests can even check in by river, as former US president Barack Obama and his family did, arriving after a gentle rafting trip. Villas and suites look onto lush slopes and the water below, anchored by the Sacred River Spa and its restorative rituals. Days slide between poolside lazing, temple visits and signature experiences such as Starry Night Meditation and the cocoonlike Sacred Nap in the Dharma Shanti Bale.

Address: Jl. Raya Sayan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud,

Cicada Resort Bali Ubud, Autograph Collection

Cicada Resort Bali Ubud, Autograph Collection
An expansive pool set within a lush jungle canopy at Cicada Resort Bali Ubud.

Best for: Conscious travellers who trust the Marriott resort to stay true to its philosophy: Good for me, Good for the World.

Cicada Resort Bali Ubud, Autograph Collection, in Sebatu, just beyond the Tegallalang rice fields, is pitching something more purposeful than your average Bali stay. Its Curated Journeys of Self Transformation draw on Balinese ritual, mythology and the rhythms of nature for travellers seeking stillness with substance. There’s a private onsite Melukat purification spring, holistic treatments at Pravi Spa and mindful dining experiences. Suites and pool villas are tucked into rainforest, but the focus here is less escape, more reset with intent.

Address: Jl. Raya Bilukan, Sebatu, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar

Plataran Ubud Hotel & Spa, Ubud

Plataran Ubud Hotel & Spa, Ubud
Plataran Ubud Hotel & Spa is a tranquil oasis right in the centre of Ubud.

Best for: Travellers seeking a slower, more contemplative stay in the heart of Ubud.

Tucked into the folds and pleats of Ubud’s emerald landscape, Plataran Ubud Hotel & Spa feels far from the clot of gridlocked Gojeks, yet close enough to dip into galleries, temples, bars and eateries. Rice paddies fringe the property, where days move from morning yoga to spa rituals and evenings scored by soft gamelan. This peaceful sanctuary is less about spectacle, more about stillness. Prefer to be by the coast? Visit Plataran Menjangan Resort & Spa.

Address: Jl. Raya Hanoman Pengosekan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali

Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, Bali

The River Café at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, Bali
A secluded riverside infinity pool hangs over the sacred Petanu River.

Best for: Exploring the sacred Petanu River, which snakes through rice terraces and rainforest for 50 kilometres.

Your skin will be redolent with clove oil throughout your stay at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa as you indulge in therapies and rituals. Maya is nestled on an 18-hectare parcel of land fringed with palms. Expect a sigh to ripple along the walkway that leads to the yoga pavilion, where the bright melody of bells bounces all around. There are dedicated yoga, Pilates and meditation sessions with a private instructor. Refuel at Mayasari or The River Café and enjoy a drink at the Tree Bar.

Address: Jl. Gn. Sari, Peliatan, Kecamatan Ubud

Soulshine Bali

an outdoor lounge and infinity pool at Soulshine Bali
Sit by the pool while sipping on cocktails.

Best for: Socalled soul rockers who gather to find healing through music and sound.

Don’t be surprised if musician Michael Franti makes a cameo in the yoga shala at the end of shavasana. That’s simply part of a stay at Soulshine Bali, the sound and luxury wellness resort owned by the rapper. The resort looks like it might have been reimagined by Dr Seuss with whimsical murals, overwater swings and waterslides. All up there are 33 suites, some with oversized bathtubs, balconies and record players. Complement your stay with visits to the spa and restaurant.

Address: Jl. Ambarawati, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud

Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape

the main pool at Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape
Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape is an adults-only ‘conscious luxury’ retreat with 16 private pool villas.

Best for: Naturelovers who appreciate the Firefly Project, designed to protect the insects that fly like sparks in the night.

Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape is an adult-only “conscious luxury" retreat with 16 private pool villas in the jungle outside Ubud. Rise with the sun in your open-air villa to views over Bali’s seven peaks, shrouded in gauzy mist at dawn. Villas are built from hardwoods salvaged from old boatyards, with bales that nod to traditional Balinese places of ceremony. Sustainability runs through a zero-waste, plant-forward menu, stewardship of the surrounds, and a cultural approach to wellness in the Toja Spa.

Address: Buahan Kaja, Payangan, Gianyar Regency, Bali

Nusa Dua

Enjoying a beachside holiday in Nusa Dua is not a magic formula. Book a suite in an oceanfront resort suffused with frangipanis, sink into a sun lounger for a week or two and spend your time jalanjalan (going for a walk) to local temples and neighbourhood warungs. It’s Bali minus the mad bustle.

REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort Nusa Dua

Best for: A results-driven wellness stay that goes beyond the usual spa brief.

Set within a secluded pocket of Nusa Dua, REVĪVŌ swaps out poolside cocktails for something more structured and wholesome. Guests work with a team of practitioners to build personalised programs aimed at improving health span, covering exercise, nutrition, sleep and diet. Days might include Pilates, breathwork and targeted therapies, with open-air spaces designed to keep things calm rather than clinical. It’s way less about ticking off treatments and more about measurable resets, with a growing focus on evidence-based longevity and biohacking interventions.

Address: Jalan Desa Sawangan, Benoa

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali from above
The Ritz-Carlton Bali is just steps away from the white sands of Nusa Dua.

Best for: Beachfront luxury that makes everything feel easier for families with tots or teens in tow.

Surfers will love reliving their best cutback at Breezes Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, but the real appeal is that it offers something for everyone. Teens love Snapchatting pics of the floating breakfast; foodies bounce from Senses for breakfast to Bejana for lunch and Beach Grill for dinner. Expect kids in floral hats playing in the pool, teens beachbound in bikinis and boardies, and grizzled surfers padding down to the sands of Nusa Dua.

Address: Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Benoa

Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort

Best for: Balancing family time and downtime, with one pool set up for volleyball and another with play equipment dedicated to kids.

Look up Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort on Google Earth and you’ll see an expansive property softened by blue-green pools set like gems into the earth. The Marriott property has contemporary corners made for reflection and atmospheric eateries for guests who want to mingle. There are 307 suites and four distinct pools for varied experiences. Forgo the gym and hire a bike to explore every nook of the Nusa Dua neighbourhood.

Address: Kawasan Pariwisata Lot SW 4 & 5, Nusa Dua Bali, Bali

The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

poolside villas at The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Stay in one of the tranquil poolside villas.

Best for: Conscious travellers who appreciate the resort’s “Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction" initiative.

The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, is aimed at everyone from business travellers to honeymooners who want space away from their weird rellos. Although it opened more than 30 years ago, all 287 rooms have been brought thoroughly up to date. The Laguna now caters to modern travellers who might want Bali lobster in brown butter sauce at Arwana or a moonlight massage in the spa. The resort supports charities like the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation, providing meals to underprivileged Balinese families.

Address: Kawasan Pariwisata, Jl. Nusa Dua No.2 Lot N, Benoa, South Kuta

Paradisus by Meliá Bali

the Junior Suite with lagoon access at Paradisus by Meliá Bali
Step right into a lagoon-style pool from your luxe suite.

Best for: Travellers who want a structured, all-inclusive stay.

New to Nusa Dua, Paradisus by Meliá Bali brings a reworked all-inclusive model to the island, with 492 suites, seven private villas, four pools and eight dining venues. Set on the beachfront, days are designed to run smoothly, with dining, drinks and activities folded into one seamless stay. The resort can accommodate flop-and-drop holidays, but is far from formulaic, with curated experiences inspired by Bali’s culture, natural beauty and way of life.

Address: Jl. ITDC Nusa Dua Lot BC, Benoa

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    Today, Nepal is the only independent country with a 45-minute deviation to universal time; an oddity that’s become a symbol of national pride. The quirk is nearly as endearing as Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport where carved varnished wood and shiny red bricks rule. One sign points to a ‘Travelator’ and another to a ‘Grievance Handling Desk’ while visas are noisily stamped at customs for US dollars, cash only. When am I?  

    Nepal gray langur
    Spot the endemic Nepal gray langur. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

    The 15 or 45 minute anomaly sees me tap out completely on timezone calculations. Why bend my brain calculating if it’s quarter to or quarter past elsewhere when I’m in the honking here and now of Kathmandu where the air is high-altitude crisp, the prayer flags flutter and the street dogs howl?  

    How tourism is changing in Nepal

    Bardiya National Park
    Bardiya National Park is rich with wildlife. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

    India is not the only association many Nepalis would like to shake. With eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, including Mount Everest and Annapurna, Nepal has long attracted mountaineers and trekkers, and expedition numbers are continuing to rise.  

    Tourism is one of the country’s biggest sources of foreign currency, so this growth is not negative, per se. But according to Ang Tshering Lama, who co-founded Phaplu Mountain Bike Club, being reduced to a mere trekking destination is limiting.  

    “Trekking is just one layer of our identity,” says Ang. “When it becomes the dominant narrative, it limits how we’re seen and how we see ourselves.” Nepal’s recent success, however, in diverting trekkers to less-trafficked areas such as Manaslu mofuntain, where visitor numbers rose by 117 per cent last year, offers hope that tourism can diversify even more radically.   

    Local men in Bhada village
    Local men in Bhada village. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

    The founder of CHN, Shiva Dhakal, wants that change. “The whole idea of the Community Homestay Network is to promote experiences outside of trekking,” he says. “Community tourism changes lives and helps kids stay home instead of coming to the city or migrating to the Middle East.”  

    Ang grew up seeing people leave, “not because they wanted to but because there weren’t enough opportunities to stay”, he states. Yet from remote villages to living traditions; food, art, music and emerging subcultures, “there’s so much that’s not being seen.” 

    CHN is opening some of those doors. It doesn’t own, or fund, any homes. Rather, it promotes homestays to travellers on a single, slick platform, while fostering entrepreneurship in places where women, marginalised castes, Indigenous people and the youth stand to benefit the most.  

    A new generation demanding more

    Dalla Town Hall
    Dalla Town Hall, where volunteers discuss anti-poaching tactics. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

    The future prospects of next-gen Nepalis can no longer be ignored. On a Kathmandu tour with 33-year-old guide Monica K.C, we pass buildings torched in the September 2025 ‘Gen Z protests’, including the Supreme Court and Parliament House. Seventy-two people died. “They were anti-corruption protests,” says Monica. “Politicians’ children are living a lavish life but the airports are crowded with youngsters leaving to find work.”  

    We stop in ‘little Tibet’ at the wondrous sixth-century Boudha Stupa. “The wheel of life is Buddhism in a nutshell,” says Monica. “Things such as hate, ignorance and anger keep you rotating around the wheel, so you must follow the principles of Buddhism to detach. If you can’t, there’s no nirvana for you.”  

    Boudha Stupa's prayer wheels
    Boudha Stupa’s prayer wheels are used to recite Buddhist prayers. (Credit: Kate Lewis)

    In a sun-drenched twist to the usual temple visit, we ascend the stupa’s sloping plinth and roam its whitewashed dome. Tendrils of diaphanous prayer flags stream from a steeple-like structure where the Buddha’s unblinking eyes stare out. No nirvana for you… 

    bouda stupa prayer flags
    Tibetan-style prayer flags embellish the whitewashed dome of Bouda Stupa, a Buddhist temple. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

    The dome is delightfully free of guard rails or chiding from security. There is, however, a stern ‘No TikTok’ sign, perhaps in response to the youth’s newly flexed power. The booted-out Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, was replaced in a resounding election victory in March by 35-year-old Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) – a former rapper and mayor of Kathmandu. The RSP’s manifesto indicates tourism is a priority, and that Nepal’s cultural identity in areas such as gastronomy will be strengthened.  

    Boudha Stupa vendors
    Vibrant souvenir shops and cafes around Boudha Stupa. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

    A more confronting stop awaits at Pashupatinath Temple. Today is Bala Chaturdashi, a Hindu festival where thousands of devotees gather to honour their dead ancestors. Vendors hauling foam mattresses do a lucrative trade as people set up for a night of vigil. This includes burning the bodies of recently deceased relatives on bamboo pyres in the Bagmati River, which flows into the sacred Ganges.  

    A woman at annual Hindu festival Bala Chaturdashi
    A woman at annual Hindu festival Bala Chaturdashi, in Kathmandu. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

    Wrapped in a shroud, the bodies are positioned with their heads facing north to the Himalayas where Lord Shiva resides. They’re covered with flowers and straw and set alight by male family members.  

    Hours later, the ashes are swept into the river where devotees will take a holy dip the next day. As much as Monica assures us it’s not voyeuristic to watch, I struggle to do so. “Here you see the reality of life because everyone ends up there,” she says, gesturing to the river.  

    Life unfiltered in the Terai region

    tharu woman
    Tharu woman and master weaver Parbati Chaudhary in Bhada Village. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

    The reality of life needs processing time, which the western Terai region delivers in spades. The Terai is largely separated from India by the Karnali River and Bardiya National Park, where elephants, rhinos and the elusive Bengal tiger roam.  

    Once a nomadic tribe, the Indigenous Tharu people are now the largest ethnic group here. “They didn’t know their daily life was interesting for international travellers but they’re starting to understand now,” says CHN founder Shiva.  

    safari through Bardiya National Park
    Take a Jeep safari through Bardiya National Park. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

    We fly Buddha Air to Dhangadhi airport and drive five hours to stay in Tharu homes. The journey to Bhada village is a blur of roadside fruit stalls, traffic-stopping sacred cows and fields sown with wheat, rice, mustard, spinach, cauliflower and potatoes. Nepal’s agriculture feeds only Nepal.  

    Marigolds
    Marigolds are an important part of Hindu rituals. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

    “The only thing we export is young people,” says our guide Bikal. As the light dims and we plunge evermore rural, mysterious mounds of compacted hay – some house-sized – loom like the creatures from Where The Wild Things Are. Even our trusty driver gets flummoxed by a dirt road that abruptly ends and we find ourselves hurtling across a paddock.  

    On arrival, some are ferried to mud-walled cottages greened by gourd creepers, with thatched roofs and rustic-chic mosquito nets. Myself and two others are ushered to the home of corner store owner, mechanic and mushroom farmer Man Kumar Chilaruwa and his wife Rajkumari.  

    community homestay entrance
    A warm welcome at a community homestay. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

    They escort us to a bunker-esque back building with steel doors and a folding security gate, behind which is gleaming linoleum, dolphin-printed tiles and a shower cavity that must be gingerly stepped through to reach the toilet.  

    The ceiling lights emit a rainbow of colours (the bathroom light gets stuck in, frankly, a quite frightening red). We’re nevertheless touched that our hosts invested in all this bling when the average salary is around $275 a month.  

    In the coming days, we participate in Tharu traditions such as making moonshine, dancing, weaving straw handicrafts and gold-panning. We’re fed well with staples of rice, mustard greens, lentil pancakes, daal, curried chicken and tomato chutney served on antibacterial saal leaves.  

    food at community homestay
    Dig in. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

    Sonara community homestay president Indradevi Tharu tells us river snails are often served, and the boiled and pickled flesh of rats hunted in the rice fields. “Perhaps next time?” we say and all have a laugh.  

    The power of community homestays 

    community homestay owners in Nepal
    Barda community homestay owners Parbati Chaudhary and Ram Krishni Devi Chaudhary. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

    Immersing Western visitors in foreign cultural practices is not new. But with the Tharu, I never get that uneasy sensation that I’m being performed for. Despite being the only tourists, there’s no ‘othering’; just warm, composed and ultra-dignified welcomes. Like we’ve always been here.  

    “I love to have travellers in my village so I can see the world,” says local woman Parbati Chaudhary. “Why would I travel the world when the world comes to me?” 

    The graceful acceptance the Tharu offer, as well as the slow pace, works miracles on my frazzled nervous system. One day I even take a nap on a vacant homestay bed. 

    Sonara community room
    An authentic stay in the Sonara community. (Credit: Kate Hennessy)

    Roosters strut and goats bray as we sit on the ground in al fresco kitchens, rolling rice flour into cylinders steamed to make dhikri (dumplings). When water is needed, we fetch it using a hand-operated pump as a family of ducks strolls by, side-eying us like curious neighbours.  

    Animal lovers will delight in Tharu villages. Kind and resourceful inventions are everywhere, such as snacking stations where two posts lean together, with leafy boughs dangling on rope for baby goats to forage from.  

    CHN’s CEO, Aayusha Prasain, nods knowingly when one in our group says she cried when she left her host, Shayam Chaudhary, in Bhada. Shayam’s 17-year-old son, Prashant, had translated, which deepened the connection.  

    “Community tourism turns travel into a relationship, not a transaction,” says Aayusha. “It places decision-making power in the hands of local communities, especially women and youth.” Since 2018, CHN has hosted more than 4000 travellers from 52 countries in 408 households, and estimates women’s participation has increased by 381 per cent.  

    Elephant watch
    Elephant watch. (Credit: Simon Urwin)

    In the Bardiya community, where vexing human-animal conflict has been a balancing act for decades due to elephants raiding crops, long-time homestay operator Salik Ram Chaudhary says young people keep the older ones on their toes.  

    Gathering greens
    Gathering greens. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

    “We can’t keep homestays stagnant,” he says. “We have to upgrade our service and redefine our product or young people won’t see it as an attractive business. If we can keep evolving with this travelling trend we’re confident the youths will stay and continue it.” 

    Back in Kathmandu, Monica explains that after the deaths of young protestors in September, a determination had spread to not let their sacrifice be in vain. “We want to keep holding the government accountable,” she says. “We don’t know what situation we’re facing, but we’re ready to face it.”  

    Interested in Nepal but prefer to experience it in total comfort? Read our guide to luxury travel in Nepal