28 of the best · Bali, Indonesia
Amandari and Mandapa above the Ayung, the clifftop resorts of the Bukit, the bays of Jimbaran and Nusa Dua, and the design hotels of Seminyak and Canggu.
Our 28 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three Bali addresses we return to, chosen from this list by people who know the island well.
Above the Ayung gorge
Aman’s Ubud resort: suites in walled village compounds above the Ayung river gorge, with a pool that follows the terraced rice fields.
On the Ayung river
A Ritz-Carlton Reserve on the banks of the Ayung, with villas, a spa and Kubu, its restaurant in bamboo cocoons by the rice fields.
Jalan Kedewatan, Banjar Kedewatan, Ubud, Gianyar 80571Explore View on map
On the Uluwatu cliffs
Bulgari’s villas on the cliffs of the Bukit, high above the Indian Ocean, with an inclinator to the beach.
The stories behind the list.
The back story
Pavilions above the Ayung gorge at Ubud, villas on the limestone cliffs of the Bukit, the bays of Jimbaran and Nusa Dua, and the design hotels of Seminyak and Canggu: how to choose where to stay, and why the island’s geography matters.
Above the river gorges.
Above the Ayung gorge
Aman’s Ubud resort: suites in walled village compounds above the Ayung river gorge, with a pool that follows the terraced rice fields.
A camp in the rainforest
Luxury tents in the rainforest at Keliki, north of Ubud, designed by Bill Bensley.
A wellness estate
COMO’s wellness retreat above the Ayung at Begawan, with programmes of yoga, treatments and healthy cooking.
Close to the town
A smaller COMO resort at Sanggingan, a short way from the centre of Ubud.
In the Ayung valley
The Four Seasons in the Ayung valley at Sayan, entered across a bridge to a lotus pond on its roof.
Above the Pakerisan
Hoshino Resorts’ villas above the Pakerisan river, each with a canal-like pool at its door.
On the Ayung river
A Ritz-Carlton Reserve on the banks of the Ayung, with villas, a spa and Kubu, its restaurant in bamboo cocoons by the rice fields.
Jalan Kedewatan, Banjar Kedewatan, Ubud, Gianyar 80571Explore View on map
Home of Apéritif
Pool villas above the Petanu river valley at Petulu, with Apéritif, its fine-dining restaurant.
Br. Nagi, Jl. Lanyahan, Petulu, Ubud, Gianyar 80571Explore View on map
On the cliffs.
Modern villas on the cliff
Modern pool villas on the clifftop at Pecatu, with the famous cabana hanging over the edge.
Above Impossibles beach
A clifftop resort on the Uluwatu coast, above the surf breaks.
On the Uluwatu cliffs
Bulgari’s villas on the cliffs of the Bukit, high above the Indian Ocean, with an inclinator to the beach.
Pool villas above the sea
All-villa resort at Pecatu, on the Bukit cliffs, with a design inspired by the old Javanese kingdoms.
Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Pecatu, Kuta Selatan, Badung 80361Explore View on map
Beside the cliff temple
A clifftop resort that shares its view along the coast with the temple of Uluwatu.
Terraced down the cliff
A resort terraced down the cliff at Sawangan, south of Nusa Dua, built around a grand open-air staircase.
Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Sawangan, Nusa DuaExplore View on map
On the bay.
Home of the Rock Bar
A large resort on the headland south of Jimbaran Bay, with ocean pools, a spa and the Rock Bar on the rocks below the cliff.
Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Badung 80364Explore View on map
Villas on the bay
Villas climbing the hill above Jimbaran Bay, with Sundara, its beach restaurant, on the sand below.
Villas on a private bay
Raffles’ villas on the hillside above a quiet bay at Jimbaran, each with its own pool.
Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera 1A, Jimbaran, Badung 80361Explore View on map
Calm beaches.
Formerly Amanusa
Aman’s private villas at Nusa Dua, on the site of the former Amanusa, looking over the golf course to the sea.
Lagoon pools
A beach resort in Nusa Dua set around a chain of lagoon pools.
On Nusa Dua’s southern beach
A grand beach resort at Sawangan, on the southern end of the Nusa Dua coast, with several restaurants and a large spa.
Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Kawasan Sawangan, Nusa Dua 80362Explore View on map
Butler service by the sea
A beachfront St. Regis in Nusa Dua, with butler service and a lagoon pool.
The west coast.
Rooms, restaurants and a beach club
A creative village on Petitenget beach: design hotels, restaurants, a recording studio and the Potato Head Beach Club.
Jalan Petitenget No. 51B, Seminyak, Badung 80361Explore View on map
A museum you can sleep in
A hotel at Canggu’s Batu Bolong beach filled with the owners’ collection of Indonesian art and antiques.
Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong No.117x, Canggu, Kuta Utara, BadungExplore View on map
Gardens on Seminyak beach
Thatched villas and lanais in old gardens on Seminyak beach, one of the island’s first luxury hotels.
Jalan Kayu Aya, Seminyak, Badung 80361Explore View on map
Seminyak’s party hotel
The W on Seminyak beach, with its Woo Bar and pool facing the sunset.
Beneath Mount Agung.
Terraced above the strait
Aman’s east-coast resort at Manggis, with three pools stepping down the hillside towards the Lombok Strait.
17 of the best Restaurants
8 of the best Cafés
11 of the best Bars16 of the best Sights17 of the best Arts & Culture
14 of the best Nature & Beaches6 of the best Walks
9 of the best Shopping
11 of the best Health5 of the best Property5 of the best Developments5 of the best Drivers & Boats6 of the best Getting Around