Bali has long earned its place on the travel map. And it is easy to see why.
With its sweeping beaches, green hills and valleys, and a captivating culture, this island is a natural draw not only for Indonesia and its Asian neighbors but for the entire world.
The island's hotels are part of the appeal too. You have a wide range of places to stay, from lavish high-end resorts you may never want to leave, to more affordable options that mostly serve as a base for exploring Bali's many wonders.
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Here are 12 Bali hotels across different price ranges and with different offerings that you may want to consider:
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Set well back from the coast, tucked into dense bamboo jungle overlooking the sacred Ayung River, this beautiful, tranquil resort is a world of its own.
Wildlife and the occasional shouts of rafters racing down the river are the only sounds that break the seclusion of each villa at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.
All 42 thatched-roof villas come with an open-air shower overlooking the river valley and a pool that seems to spill endlessly into the jungle's leafy depths. There are also 18 suites.
And if you need one more reason to be convinced: Travel + Leisure named it the number one resort in the world for 2018.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan: Sayan, Ubud, Bali 80571 Indonesia; +62 (361) 977577
W Bali – Seminyak
There is no denying the high-octane glamour this beachfront hotel wears so naturally. It is large by Bali standards, yet it radiates its own sense of cool and calm.
A room in the main building puts you right in the middle of the action.
Farther from the beach are the hotel's lovely and affordable private pool villas. The 24-hour AWAY spa, the best on Bali, is a real bonus. That is great news for night owls in need of a foot massage after an evening at WooBar.
Equally handy are the hidden sliding doors that conceal and reveal the bathroom and bedroom areas, along with a three-tier main pool made for plenty of lounging and photo shoots.
W Bali - Seminyak: Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Seminyak, Bali 80361 Indonesia; +62 361 4738106
AYANA Resort and Spa Bali
Despite the size of the place, there is still a sense of seclusion and space. There are more than 350 rooms, suites, and villas, some perched on the cliff with stunning sunset views. The rooms and design are very well done, well appointed without going over the top.
The hotel sits high above the Indian Ocean near Jimbaran Bay, so it is a bit of a trek from here to the livelier areas of Seminyak, Kuta, and Legian. That is not a bad thing at all, but getting out and about is trickier if for some reason you feel like escaping.
You will also have access to the Rock Bar, where the sunsets put on an unbeatable show. The hotel is a popular spot for weddings and honeymoons.
AYANA Resort and Spa: Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Bali 80364 Indonesia; +62-361 702222
The Colony Hotel
The Colony Hotel sits in the heart of Seminyak, giving you easy access to the upscale restaurants and boutiques that define this stretch of southern Bali.
A big plus of staying at the Colony, if you are not fond of resorts full of cheerful kids splashing in the pools: children under 15 are not allowed. Another bonus is the on-site Jari Menari massage studio.
You cannot help but notice the 20 rooms, done up in a beautiful yet minimalist style. The junior suite comes with a spacious balcony overlooking the 16-meter pool.
The Colony Hotel Bali: Jalan Laksmana 22, Seminyak, Bali 80361 Indonesia; +62 361 736160
Hoshinoya Bali
Hoshinoya is a Japanese group of resorts that, so far, has ventured beyond the country only twice: to Tahiti and to Bali.
And it has fully embraced its Bali setting, with a deep respect for Balinese Hinduism and the environmental reverence you find here. For example, it draws its clean water from subaks, the shared irrigation systems on Bali that are more than 1,000 years old.
Its villas are adorned with wood-carved artwork depicting the trees, flowers, and birds of the surrounding Ubud. Three canal-like pools thread through the green grounds, accessible from any villa.
Hungry? Here you can sample seafood such as tuna and black tiger prawns, prepared with local seasonal produce and spices like turmeric and ginger.
Hoshinoya Bali: Jl.Pejeng Kangin, Tampaksiring, Gianyar, Pejeng Kangin, Tampaksiring, Bali, 80552, Indonesia; +62 361 8493080
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Now that is a view. Alila's clifftop villas in Uluwatu sit roughly 100 meters (about 330 feet) above the Indian Ocean.
You can choose from one-, two-, or three-bedroom villas, and even the one-bedroom villas have a private pool. The room design is modern with traditional Balinese touches in the woodwork, water features, stone, and rattan. The bathrooms are a blend of indoor and outdoor space.
Other amenities include a sunset cabana, yoga, and a 24-hour gym.
Uluwatu sits on the southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula and is known for its surfing and the clifftop Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple.
Alila Villas Uluwatu: Jl. Belimbing Sari, Tambiyak, Pecatu, Kuta Selatan Pecatu Kuta Selatan, Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia: +62 361 8482166
Amankila
Set on a headland in Candidasa in eastern Bali, high heels are not recommended during a stay at Amankila, as there are plenty of steps to climb.
Luckily, golf carts are on hand to ferry you down to the beach club, set on a generous strip of black-sand beach.
If you have had enough of the sand and are wondering what to do on Bali at sunset, try watching the sky shift color from the hotel's signature three-tier pool.
For early bookings, try to score an upgrade to Villa 37, reportedly the resort's most sought-after villa, which enjoys the best ocean view.
Amankila: Manggis PO Box 33, Manggis, Bali 80871 Indonesia; +62 361 341333
Anantara Resort Seminyak
This five-story hotel, set right in the center of Seminyak Beach, has 59 suites with pool or ocean access.
The single penthouse comes with an adjoining outdoor lounge space and a terrazzo bath, so you can fall asleep to the sound of the crashing waves.
Anantara will also help you get in on Bali's amazing recreation: surfing, river rafting, and even kite flying.
Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort: Jl Abimanyu (Dhyana Pura), Seminyak, Bali 80361 Indonesia; +62 361 737773
Michi Retreat
Ubud is where artists flock, so if you are staying here, it makes sense to stay somewhere with artistic leanings. The resort is an eclectic collection of rooms reflecting the styles of the various countries where Michi's founder traveled over the years.
Adding another dimension to the experience, mosaic grottoes look out over a particularly striking stretch of the Wos River.
Michi Retreat: Jukut Paku Street, Ubud, Bali Indonesia; +62 361 8987021
Gajah Mina Beach Resort
This is a small, family-run, budget resort on the west coast. Its 12 villas, within walking distance of three beaches, are spread across a tropical garden, making them feel more like private homes.
The decor has the usual Balinese touches, using materials such as volcanic stone, teak, coconut wood, and unpolished marble. The villas range in size from one bedroom to three bedrooms with a private pool. The resort's shared pool mirrors the shape of the surrounding rice terraces.
If all of that still has not relaxed you enough, the resort offers a massage service in a thatched-roof pavilion overlooking the private beach.
Gajah Mina Beach Resort: Jl. Pantai Balian, Surabrata, Lalanglinggah, Selemadeg Barat, Lalanglinggah, Selemadeg Bar., Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82162, Indonesia; +62 811-386-052
The Open House Bali
Here is a good option for travelers on a tight budget who want to live out their Bali dreams without taking out a second mortgage.
Open House is just a few steps from the beach in Jimbaran, in the southern part of the island. You will also find a traditional fish market nearby. One of Open House's stated goals is to help guests get acquainted with the local culture.
Its 17 rooms are done in a spacious style, using reclaimed wood and colonial cement tile.
Open House has a pool that all the rooms open onto, in case you are not in the mood for the beach. The vibe here, in two words: friendly, laid-back.
The Open House Bali: Jl. Pemelisan Agung No.25, Jimbaran, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia; +62 361 709160
Harmony Hotel
Affordable and cozy, just a few minutes from the beach, this is one of the best value-for-money options in Seminyak. The rooms are a decent size and come with Wi-Fi and a TV.
All the rooms are set around a shared mosaic pool. Breakfast is included.
This hotel is a good choice for budget-conscious travelers who are after the basics and plan to spend most of their time out and about.
The Harmony Seminyak: Jl. Drupadi 234, Seminyak, Bali Indonesia; +62 361 737711
