The path to happiness starts in Bali. One of these stunning hotels or vacation rentals is likely designed to blend with the island’s vernacular architecture and its spellbinding topography.
You can make your trip to the “Island of Gods” as extravagant or as action-packed as it wants to be. It all boils down to how you get up each morning. The accommodation is the most important aspect of the experience.
A luxurious thatched-roof villa at a luxury resort will envelop you in serenity and indulgence. It offers absolute privacy, sensual spa rituals and cultural experiences. An eco bamboo structure, which is more open-air and less enclosed, will allow you to escape reality while enjoying Bali’s natural beauty.
These are the top places to stay in Bali, no matter your travel style: luxury, adventure, romance, or spiritual healing.
Aura House
Where? There is a bamboo forest on the Ayung River, just 30 minutes south of Ubud. This is part of the Green Village development.
Why: Treehouse cool meets Aura House. This villa is made entirely from local bamboo and set in a lush jungle. It offers tropical living at its best. It is spread over three floors and houses two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a small kitchen and an open-air living area. All are clad in blonde Balinese Bamboo and decorated with locally-made furnishings. The wraparound terraces of bamboo-woven bamboo offer a beautiful view over the forest and the Ayung River below. Guests can also relax in the private pool.
Ideal for: Adventure-seeking couples, nature lovers, architecture lovers, and anyone looking for an eco-friendly escape to the modern world.
W Bali
Location: Located right by the beach in Seminyak on Bali’s West coast, it is surrounded by trendy shopping, lively nightlife and hip restaurants.
What’s the deal? A quiet night in a stylish room while still being close to the action. The W hotel is a popular choice for guests looking to experience Bali’s vibrant, hip design. Although the suites are luxurious and have rain showers, 350-thread count sheets, and iPod docks, the unique communal areas and amazing on-site experiences make the hotel stand out. There are ice-cream trucks at the pool, big-name DJs playing sunset songs at Woobar and a spa that offers post-clubbing massages and oxygen facials. The best brunch on the island is served every Sunday at Starfish Bloo.
Ideal for: Foodies and cool kids looking for a relaxing retreat with an atmosphere, great food, shopping and nightlife.
Hideout Eco Bamboo Home
Where? A riverbank in Selat in southeast Bali. In the shadow of Gunung Agung volcano, amongst lush rice fields.
What is? You don’t need a reason to spend your time in an A-frame bamboo cabin hidden away in the Balinese forest. This eco bamboo home, Hideout Bali, is appropriately named. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t. Checked. Striking architecture; Insta-worthy rustic interiors; checked. Sustainability: checked. A complimentary cat is also checked. It also comes with a fully-equipped kitchen to prepare your meals. There is an outdoor shower and a scooter that can be used to explore the beautiful surroundings. You could not ask for more in life.
Ideal for: Independent travellers with a sense of adventure, guests looking for solitude in the middle of nature, outdoorsy types and wildlife watchers.
Viceroy Bali
Location: A verdant hillside overlooking Petanu River Valley, only minutes from Ubud.
Why? Viceroy Bali offers a sanctuary of the soul where nature takes centre stage and worries from everyday life disappear in a flash. The complex is a fusion of indoor and outdoor spaces that flow seamlessly. Many indigenous artworks are scattered throughout the complex, and Balinese thatched roofs, idyllic bales, and Balinese-style thatched roofs. This all-villa resort boasts all the luxury and pampering amenities you could want, including award-winning fine dining, gravity-defying pools, bespoke spa treatments, and its helicopter pad.
Ideal for: Romantic getaways for couples or honeymooners who are sophisticated and want to be alone. While the emphasis is on privacy, indulgence and luxury, adventurers and culture lovers are equally welcome with thoughtful helicopter tours, cooking classes and guided visits to the safari park.
