Book Ahead: Where To Stay In Bali

Tired city dwellers have been relaxing in Bali’s healing waters and experiencing its ancient rituals for decades. If you really want to switch off, unwind and indulge, Como’s Shambhala Estate is a 22-acre jungle sanctuary near Ubud. And it’s one of the island’s most transformative wellness retreats. Guests wake to meditation beside the Ayung River, followed by ginger tea and nutrient-rich dishes from the award-winning kitchen. Ayurvedic consultations, hydrotherapy, and tailored wellness programmes – from detox to performance – are led by resident experts in yoga, acupuncture and oriental medicine. With private villas, vitality pools and jungle trails, the estate has been tailored for deep healing. 

From £320 per night.

Visit COMOHOTELS.COM

You don’t have to break the bank to find good accommodation on the island, and this cool surf camp proves it. This Canggu hostel offers all-inclusive packages with daily surf lessons, pool training and yoga – ideal for beginners and intermediates. Guests can stay in spacious shared dorms or private rooms and have access to two pools, a rooftop bar and a cinema lounge for post-surfs downtime. The vibe is social but relaxed, with themed dinners, pool parties and happy hours twice a week. 

From €69 per night. 

Visit ELSEWHERESURFCAMPS.COM

Set in the untouched highlands near Ubud, Buahan is a sanctuary where guests go to switch off from city life. Its open-air villas embrace a ‘no walls, no doors’ concept, offering uninterrupted views of the jungle and mountains. Guests can expect zero-waste, plant-led dining, handmade furnishings, and a spa rooted in local wellbeing traditions. Sustainability runs through every detail – from firefly conservation to sourcing ingredients within an hour’s radius. You can do as little, or as much, as you like, although you’ll want to spend at least a couple of days relaxing by the central pool with its red sun loungers and parasols. 

From £550 per night. 

Visit ESCAPE.BANYANTREE.COM

Nirjhara is a design-led eco-resort tucked between rice paddies, waterfalls and black-sand beaches on Bali’s southwest coast. Guests can surf at sunrise, cycle to the Tanah Lot temple, or trek through UNESCO-listed terraces. You can also take part in healing journeys that lead to Sebatu’s sacred springs, while sunset horse rides offer a slower rhythm through Tabanan’s countryside. Canopy Suites come with rooftop tubs and treetop views, though the hotel’s main saltwater pool and spa is where you’ll want to relax after a day of excursions. 

From £355 per night.

Visit NIRJHARA.COM

A favourite among solo travellers – and LuxeGens – The Farm Hostel is Canggu’s most sociable stay. With two pools, jungle-style dorms and nightly events, from beer pong to pub crawls, it’s designed for meeting people and making memories. Beds come with privacy curtains, lockers and daily housekeeping, while the rooftop bar and all-day café is where you’ll meet new friends. Guests get wristbands for cashless ordering, and the location puts you minutes from Batu Bolong’s surf, cafés and nightlife. During your stay, be sure to visit the nearby Bali Social Club, a cool padel and wellness community hangout. 

From £20 per night.

Visit THEFARMHOSTEL.COM

If you’re heading to Bali on a family trip, Nusa Dua is one of the island’s best regions to stay in, thanks to its calm beaches, walkable layout and resort-style amenities. Ayodya Resort Bali sits on a 300m stretch of white sand and offers interconnecting family rooms, a kids’ pool, and cultural activities like Balinese dance shows and theatre nights. Parents can relax at the spa or beach club while little ones enjoy the gardens and lagoon-style pools. With multiple restaurants, in-room dining, and all-inclusive packages available, it’s an affordable option whether travelling with little ones or teens. 

From £75 per night.

Visit AYODYARESORTBALI.COM

Traditional thatched villas, lush gardens and a beachfront location make The Oberoi one of Seminyak’s best stays. Imagine unwinding in open-air spa pavilions, swimming in the ocean-facing pool or enjoying candlelit dinners with live Balinese music in the resort’s natural amphitheatre. Rooms feature teak furnishings, sunken bathtubs and private terraces, while the café serves breakfast under hibiscus trees. You’ll barely need to leave during a stay as the resort is also home to tennis courts, a fitness centre, though its curated selection of cultural experiences allows guests to learn about local communities and Bali’s lush landscape. The group also has a sister property in Lombok. 

From £250 per night.

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Wake to birdsong and mist drifting through the treetops at Anantara Ubud, a hillside retreat in Bali’s lush interior. Villas come with infinity pools suspended above the rainforest, while suites built into the canopy offer views of Mount Agung. Guests can trek to sacred temples, join crystal chakra rituals in jungle caves, or dine at Amerta for open-fire feats. Two heated pools, a yoga deck, and a kids’ club make it ideal for couples and families alike. Even the spa rituals (led by a local high priest) feel totally unique. 

From £575 per night.

Visit ANANTARA.COM

Set on 6,400 sq m of private coastline in east Bali, The Seed is a one-of-a-kind estate built for luxury group trips. Sleeping up to 21 guests across four villas – including a treetop hideaway – it’s packed with some seriously fun extras: a jungle gym, oceanfront cinema, pool with a 5m diving platform and an infrared sauna. There’s even a soundproofed basement club kitted out with DJ decks, as well as a private restaurant serving dishes made with estate-grown produce. Cocktail bars and private chefs also cater for groups and special occasions. 

From £2,800 per night.

Visit THESEEDBALI.COM