Bali is the most popular island holiday destination in the Indonesian archipelago. The island’s home to an ancient culture that’s known for its warm hospitality. Exotic temples and palaces set against stunning natural backdrops are some of its top attractions. Dining in Bali presents endless choices of local or far-flung cuisine. After sunset, famous nightspots come to life offering exciting clubbing and packed dance floors. Inland, towering volcanoes and pristine jungles greet you with plenty to see and do. Most can’t stay away from the beach for long, though. Enjoy amazing beach resorts and luxury resorts in any of Bali’s famous areas. These include Kuta, Seminyak and Jimbaran where most of the great hotels and villas are right on the beach.
1. Alila Villas Uluwatu
Staking a stylish claim on Bali’s rugged Bukit Peninsula, Alila Villas Uluwatu is a cool, contemporary cliff-hanger of a resort which delivers dramatic eco-friendly design in a jaw-dropping setting. Panoramic views over the Indian Ocean complement architecturally striking pool villas, each with serene, minimalist interiors, seductive outdoor living spaces and personal butlers on tap. Stir in a top spa, fine dining and legendary surfing, and it’s a delicious cocktail.
2. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Rising out of rice fields above the Ayung River, the Four Seasons Sayan is a sophisticated tropical resort offering swish facilities, sterling service and experiences to remember, from biking through local villages to art tours and beautiful Balinese healing rituals.
3. COMO Shambala Estate Hotel
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
4. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Ubud, Bali)
With the Ayung river coursing through its verdant 14 acres, its own sawah (rice paddy) and an ancient temple, plus gracious staff to boot, Mandapa is an homage to Balinese culture.
5. Alila Seminyak
A swish 220-room resort on Seminyak beach. Rooms are low-key and luxurious with masses of space and fancy touches, while other facilities include five swimming pools, a shadowy spa, a terrific restaurant and unfettered access to a magnificent stretch of twinkling black-sand beach
6.The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah (Ubud, Bali)
The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah is a superb hotel that pays homage to the arts of Bali, housing a private collection of Balinese paintings. The luxuriously secluded villas are tucked into a garden of trees, lotus ponds and small lakes. A beautiful island retreat.
7.Hoshinoya Bali (Tampaksiring, Bali)
Hoshino Resorts’ first property outside Japan blends together influences of its homeland with a Balinese edge, creating an elegant, tranquil hillside retreat that holds its own among stiff competition in Ubud’s luxury retreat scene.
8.Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay
A stack of new luxury hotels may have hit Bali’s shores of late, but this restorative beach-side idyll, refurbished last year, continues to see off the competition with its fabulous facilities, superlative spa and exceptional staff.
9.Stone House Hotel (Ubud, Bali)
Outside a manic melting pot of artists, expats and tourists in Ubud is the Stone House, a concealed sanctuary for tropic escapism boasting salvaged wooden textures – all with fascinating backgrounds – and manicured blooms, with enough home comfort to tempt you to linger here for good.
10.Fivelements Hotel (Abiansemal, Bali)
Everything you dream about for a wellness holiday in Bali: a beautiful retreat in a river valley, a huge bath alongside a river, an outdoor shower in a private garden, a restaurant serving delicious vegan food, and a spa offering massages and cleansing treatments.