How to choose the best Bali accommodations? From luxury ocean-view hotels and high-value Airbnbs in downtown Ubud to seaside vacation rentals in Canggu, I’m unboxing four accommodations with different styles. I also include recommendations for accommodation areas in Bali. If this is your first time planning a Bali trip, save this guide now!
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Recommended Areas for Bali Accommodations
Bali isn’t exactly huge, but it’s not small either. Although attractions may look close on the map, due to Bali traffic congestion, a short 10-minute drive can often turn into more than half an hour—this is completely normal.
Therefore, it is recommended to arrange your accommodation based on the attractions you plan to visit that day. Stay in one area for 2–3 days, then move to the next. This can significantly save travel time and prevent you from wasting precious vacation moments stuck in a car for hours every day.
🗺️ Currently, the most popular areas for Bali accommodations are:
| Area | Features | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Ubud | Spiritual healing, yoga, forest landscapes, art & culture | Travelers wanting to escape the hustle and enjoy meditation and healing |
| Canggu | Surfing, beaches, cafes, free spirits | Young travelers who love hipster vibes, digital nomads, and lifestyle experiences |
| Seminyak | Boutique hotels, restaurants & bars, shopping | Those wanting to balance quality accommodation with food and shopping |
| Kuta | Traditional tourist zone, budget stays, lively beach | First-timers to Bali, backpackers on a budget |
| Uluwatu | Cliff ocean views, luxury Villas, sunset scenery | Travelers seeking resort relaxation, honeymoons, or celebrations |
| Nusa Dua | 5-star hotels, resorts, family-friendly | Families, travelers focused on enjoying hotel facilities |
Simply put:
- Prefer luxury vacations → Recommend Uluwatu, Nusa Dua
- Love cafes, beaches, and social vibes → Choose Canggu or Seminyak
- Want to explore spirituality and nature → Ubud is the only choice
Bali Accommodation Review: Grand Hyatt Bali
Located in Nusa Dua on the southeast corner, Grand Hyatt Bali certainly lives up to its 5-star hotel reputation in terms of atmosphere and hardware standards, even though some facilities are a bit older. I actually really enjoyed my stay. Here is my honest review 👇
Location
Grand Hyatt Bali is located in Nusa Dua, an area filled with large resorts. The overall security and environment are excellent, and the neighborhood is very quiet—unlike the bustling Canggu or Seminyak. It is suitable for travelers who want to relax completely. The Bali Collection shopping complex is right near the hotel, so if you get tired of staying in, you can easily walk over to shop and eat.
The hotel grounds are massive; entering feels like walking into a tropical garden. It takes some time to walk from the lobby to the rooms (comfortable shoes are recommended 🤣), but the upside is that it is completely removed from noise, instantly activating “zone-out” mode.
Room Tour
I stayed in a room facing the pool, and it was nice that the hotel’s private beach was just a 3-minute walk away. The room space is incredibly spacious, with decent natural light during the day and a large balcony where you can stare at the pool and space out. The interior decor is a more traditional Balinese style; while the equipment is complete, you can tell it has some age.
The bathroom is very large, featuring both a bathtub and a separate shower. Notably, there is an extra door in the bathroom that opens directly to the balcony. This means you can walk straight into the shower after the pool without dripping water all over the room, which is quite convenient.
Hotel Facilities
The pools were probably one of my favorite parts. The hotel has five themed pools, including a children’s pool with a water slide and a relatively quiet adult pool. You can easily soak all day without getting bored. There are plenty of lounge chairs by the pool, and servers will check if you need to order anything and provide towels. Drinking a beer by the pool while doing nothing gives you that full vacation vibe.
I also visited the gym. The fitness center at this Bali accommodation is quite well-equipped, with dumbbells, cable machines, and squat racks all available, along with plenty of cardio equipment, so you don’t have to worry about gaining weight from relaxing too much.
Restaurants and Lounge
The hotel offers many dining options, including Indonesian, Japanese, and Western cuisines, so if you stay for multiple days, you can try something different every day. The Grand Club is exclusive to guests with Globalist status, serving sparkling water and soft drinks all day. For breakfast, Globalists can choose to eat here or at other restaurants, with the menu changing daily. In the evenings, Happy Hour starts at 17:00, offering not only unlimited alcoholic beverages (including proper cocktails) but also a very diverse selection of food. You can absolutely get full and satisfied here!
👉 Check today’s best deals at Grand Hyatt Bali：Agoda｜Trip.com | Booking.com
Bali Accommodation Review: Alila Manggis
This time, we stayed at Alila Manggis in the east for a full week. Although this hotel doesn’t go the flashy route, it has an unforgettable tranquil atmosphere and attentive service that truly allows you to relax physically and mentally.
Location
Alila Manggis is located in the Manggis district of East Bali, not far from the small town of Candidasa. The hotel is surrounded by coconut trees and greenery, backed by Mount Agung and facing the ocean, creating a serene environment. Although there aren’t many lively shops or restaurants nearby, the hotel provides a shuttle bus for easy access to nearby attractions, such as the traditional Tenganan Village, to experience local culture.
Room Tour
We stayed in a room on the second floor. The interior is simple, blending local styles. My favorite design element was the comfortable daybed on the balcony, where you can overlook the pool and sea view—sunbathing during the day and stargazing at night is very pleasant. The room amenities are complete; while not luxurious, they are clean and comfortable, making you feel relaxed.
Dining & Afternoon Tea
Breakfast is a la carte, and you can order unlimited dishes from the menu. The menu changes regularly, repeating only about every three days, keeping it fresh every day—and it’s super generous! Additionally, every afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, the hotel offers complimentary afternoon tea on the lawn (or indoors if it rains), featuring traditional local snacks and spiced tea, which is very healing when paired with the sea breeze and greenery.
Activities & Facilities
Every morning, the hotel hosts Yoga or Tai Chi classes on a wooden deck by the sea. Accompanied by the sound of waves, it allows your body and mind to relax. In the afternoons, the hotel usually arranges cultural experience activities, such as stone painting or making local prayer decorations, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of Balinese culture.
There is also a small bar by the sea with a very chill vibe. In the evening, sitting here with a drink, listening to the waves, and enjoying the sunset is incredibly relaxing.
If you are looking for a place in Bali to escape the hustle and bustle and truly relax, Alila Manggis is highly recommended. The staff here are super friendly; they will chat with you or remember your preferences, making you feel right at home. The environment, service, and activities at Alila Manggis are heartwarming and healing, suitable for travelers who want to slow down and enjoy life.
👉 Check today’s best deals at Alila Manggis：Agoda ｜Trip.com｜Booking.com
Bali Accommodation Review: Kubu Tropis
For our stay in Ubud, we chose Kubu Tropis, a guesthouse located in the city center yet offering a quiet escape amidst the noise. The location is fantastic, within walking distance to Ubud Palace, the market, and numerous restaurants. Being situated in an alleyway, it lacks the noise of the city center.
Note: We arrived at this place and the next one very late, so my own photos turned out ugly 😂. Therefore, the photos below are from Agoda or Airbnb, but I feel the reality isn’t much different, except for perhaps a bit more wear and tear than shown in the photos.
Location
Kubu Tropis is located in downtown Ubud, about a 10-minute walk to Ubud Palace and the market. There are many restaurants and cafes nearby, making it very convenient. However, since it is in a small alley, cars cannot drive in. You have to walk about 100 meters from the alley entrance to reach the guesthouse entrance, so be prepared if you have large luggage.
Room and Facilities
The guesthouse is a two-story Villa style, and every room has a balcony. We stayed in a double room on the second floor. The room was spacious and bright, with decor blending traditional Balinese style and modern design. The room has air conditioning but no refrigerator. The bathroom has a separate shower area; the hot water supply is stable, and the water pressure is sufficient.
There is a small swimming pool inside the guesthouse. Although not large, it is enough to cool off and relax in the hot weather.
Breakfast
Kubu Tropis provides daily breakfast on an a la carte basis. There are about 5 choices on the menu, including American breakfast, fruit platters, …etc., accompanied by a drink. Although simple, it tastes pretty good.
Overall, the price is quite cheap, and the facilities and service are up to standard. However, the soundproofing in the room is not very good. If there are guests playing by the pool at night, you can hear it in the second-floor rooms, so consider this if you are sensitive to noise.
👉 Check today’s best deals at Kubu Tropis：Agoda | Trip.com | Booking.com
Bali Accommodation Review: AKAR Suites and Retreats
Finally, let me introduce an accommodation in Canggu, which we booked on Airbnb. Many restaurants, bars, and the beach are within walking distance nearby, making it quite convenient. If you are interested, check out the introduction below.
Location
This hotel is located near the Bali digital nomad hotspot ZIN Cafe, with the Superfood health restaurant right downstairs. The overall location is pretty convenient. You can order room service from the restaurant directly within the hotel, which is a huge blessing for those who want a pure vacation and are too lazy to go out.
Room and Facilities
AKAR Suites and Retreats has multiple guest rooms, but there are only stairs and no elevator. However, the guy at the counter is very enthusiastic about helping with luggage, so don’t worry! The room is actually similar to the photos on Airbnb. At first, I thought the loft design was beautiful, but after staying there, I felt the stairs had too many turns and it was easy to bump into things downstairs. You have to be very careful going up and down, so it is less recommended if you have children or elderly people with you.
Additionally, although this hotel has a pool and gym on the first floor, the pool is very short, and the gym consists of just a few metal bars for pull-ups, so it’s not very practical. However, considering the simple living space and convenient transportation, I think the value for money is quite good, and the small balcony in the room is very cute!
That wraps up our Bali accommodations recommendations. In fact, accommodation in Bali is generally not expensive, and the choices are very diverse. If you want to try staying in a luxury resort Villa without spending too much money, Bali is a very good choice!
👉 Check today’s best deals at AKAR Suites and Retreats：Airbnb
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