Bali, Indonesia. Doesn’t really need much of an introduction huh lol? Bali is stunning at every turn & has so much to offer, from the funky, artsy town of Ubud complete with rice paddies & jungles to explore, to the higher end beachside town of Seminyak, and so many beaches and mountains and rural areas in between. We stayed on Bali for a week total, and easily could have stayed for many weeks more! But in our time there, we overnighted in Ubud, Seminyak, and Jimbaran.
I did TONS of research before we headed to Indonesia for our honeymoon, and we were so happy with everywhere that we stayed throughout the trip. Below, I’ll share with you the details about these three spots and why you should check them out {& check into them!} on your trip to Bali!
Where to Stay in Ubud
Ubud has a plethora of resorts as well as probably thousands of beautiful Airbnb options and also hostels etc. If you stay in a resort in Ubud, it will be slightly outside of town as they are all built into the beautiful jungle. The resort we chose after I researched for months was kind of a mid-range resort in regards to price {you can really go all out in Bali if you want lol} but it was heaven! You’ll know from the moment you walk in to the traditional indonesian music being played live and the stunning walkway through coy fish ponds that you have arrived somewhere magical that just induced relaxation!
It’s a bit off the beaten path, as I mentioned, most of them are, but that only makes it feel even more luxurious. There is a free shuttle into town multiple times per day as well {make sure you sign up for it in advance by calling the concierge} or you can grab a taxi easily from the front of the hotel. The taxis were very reasonably priced so we did this one day so we could go on our own time schedule.
The resort is expansive, but manageable, and still feels kind of cozy. The biggest drawn of this resort is of course a STUNNING infinity pool! The pool has plenty of chairs around it as well as a swim up bar. It was never too crowded and though there were some children {it has a kids club so great for families!} it was never noisy and always felt so relaxing. You can order drinks and food right from your chair, however, we did feel the service was a bit slow for food & bev at this resort. We are Americans though so used to that super fast pace, and in most countries, leisurely service is more acceptable and desired so I wouldn’t let this deter you, just be prepared to be patient 🙂
The breakfast buffet though. WHOA. lol. Best breakfast buffet I have ever had, anywhere, ever! They have a mix of traditional Indonesian breakfast foods as well as allll of the American & European favorites. My top picks, the banana beignets and french toast sticks with choice of toppings. They also had fresh pressed juices, and the breakfast is served on the upper floor overlooking the back of the property and the jungle. Simply stunning!
There is also a spa and a small gym on the property, and there is free yoga in the morning a couple days of the week. It wasn’t the traditional yoga I am used to {being a yoga instructor of vinyasa flow}, but honestly, waking up early to stretch and share some energy with a bunch of other guests on the gorgeous tile patio as the sun is rising higher in the sky was sooo worth it!
We had a premium room which was one of the lower price options {maybe even the lowest) and it was still so big and had a balcony overlooking the jungle. I really can’t say enough about this property!
My favorite things about this hotel: the luxurious feeling of being tucked away in the jungle, the breathtaking infinity pool, our large room with balcony & the breakfast buffet!
Where to Stay in Seminyak
Seminyak is known for its swankiness, and there are tons of resort options available in this ritzier beach town. However, since we were staying at a beach resort in Jimbaran and also had done the resort thing in Ubud {both of which I highly recommend obviously 🙂 } we wanted something more low key, yet still luxurious while in Seminyak. We also wanted to save a little money as we couldn’t splurge every night lol.
This little villa-only hotel was such an amazing find if I may say so myself lol. For the price, this place blew us away. We honestly didn’t feel like we made any sacrifice at all by staying in a smaller place while in Seminyak.
First of all, you get your own villa! Each villa has a large bedroom, gorgeous large bathroom with rain shower and tub, living room, kitchenette, and the pièce de résistance – a private pool, day bed, and lounge chairs! Plus, there are floor to ceiling windows throughout so you have a view out to your patio & pool area with so much natural light. I truly wish we could have stayed here for so much longer. There is also a larger, beautiful pool for the hotel which was never busy at all our whole time there so very relaxing!
The location is great and easily walkable to anything in Seminyak. It’s not beachfront, but you can take a short walk to the beach or one of the beach clubs if that’s something that you really want to do. There is also a complimentary shuttle to the beach and around the area if you prefer not to walk. The restaurant on the property is delicious {seriously you have to have breakfast there!} and the staff was very cordial and helpful at all times.
Another great feature is that you have complimentary access to a VERY NICE gym and spa right down the street. No tiny hotel gym here, you get a full on, high-end gym! I got a manicure pedicure at the spa {after we hiked volcanos etc. for days I really needed the pedi lol} and I would NOT recommend it. I don’t think mani/pedis are their forte in Indonesia unfortunately. They were very nice, but maybe go for the massage or something else if you want the spa experience. At the time we were there, they also offered a discount on spa services since we were staying at the villas so make sure you take advantage of that if they still are!
My favorite things about this hotel: how luxurious it felt having an expansive room with floor to ceiling windows, private pool & lounge area, the breakfast & the location!
Where to Stay in Jimbaran
We finished our honeymoon with a resort stay for two nights {& three full days as we had a midnight flight home} that were definitely a splurge for us but such a nice way to end the trip. This resort is just absolutely beautiful. Words can’t describe it so I’m not going to try lol. Hopefully the pictures speak for themselves!
Upon arrival, they don you with a lei & offer a welcome drink. Once you check in, someone escorts you to your room. We had a deluxe room overlooking the ocean, but I’ll point out that even the oceanview rooms at this resort are set back from the water so you really see it in the distance. The reason for this is that the pool and villas overlook the water, so if you are able to seriously splurge and really want that ocean view, book one of their villas. Our view was still beautiful though as the grounds of the resort are stunning.
I had a lot to say about this property so breaking it down a little different for this one.
Top Reasons to Stay Here:
- Multiple infinity pools, need I say more lol? There is an upper level pool with tons of seating and food & bev service. Plus, theres a lower level pool built on the rocks above the ocean where the sunsets are unbelievable. If you want to hang here for the day in one of the free daybeds, you need to get there EARLY! Or be willing to put your name in and wait until one opens up, but you have to wait there so just to know before you go!
- Private beach access. They have a gorgeous beach and beach bar area that is fully private to the resort. You need to take the resort shuttle {or walk, but it’s semi far} to get to this area and then take the steps or lift down to the beach. Definitely a must do while you are staying there for the views, plus the beach bar is decorated so cute & was dead the day we were there so we had our pick of spots!
- Sooo many restaurant options. When you stay at AYANA or any of the properties here, you have access to the restaurants on all three properties {RIMBA & the Villas at AYANA} with all types of cuisines available so you definitely won’t get bored!
- Best seafood on Bali! Jimbaran is known for being a fishing town – we had dinner at Kisik Bar & Grill one night which is basically a very upscale fish market. You take a tray and pick out all of the fresh seafood you want and they cook it up for you along with a first course and dessert as you sit on a cliff above the ocean waves crashing!
- The Spa. This was by far the best & most breathtaking spa I have ever been to. I got the Detox Body Treatment which was a combination of a detoxifying body wrap treatment and a massage. But the real standout was the Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pool they have. This is a must do! You basically move through different stations in a large therapeautic saltwater pool where strong water jets massage your muscles and the water temperature varies between warm, hot, and cold. It is said to be great for jetlag so perfect for before or after that long flight to Indonesia!
- Easy to be active! Walking around this property and up and down the rocky areas is honestly a workout in and of itself lol. But if you want to get a real workout in, there is a gym that was never busy, tennis courts that I sooo wish we got to play on, and a jogging path throughout the property.
- There’s no need to leave. If you are the type that likes to park yourself at a resort and have everything you need, food, pool, beach, shopping, activities…then this is for you. You really don’t need to go off property here at all, which we wanted for our last couple days of our honeymoon to truly relax and soak in the luxury of this beautiful resort.
My favorite things about this resort: the sunsets over the Indian ocean every night, the BEST fresh seafood in Indonesia, the Mexican restaurant UNIQUE {at the Rimba part of the property} with pools you can float in {I love Mexican food & pools lol}, the little gelato spot, the spa, the infinity pools and grounds overall & the gracious staff that was so kind & polite everywhere we went!
I’ll be posting more photos and videos of our Indonesian adventure on my instagram page so if you don’t follow @sunseekinginstyle then make sure you do! I hope you get to experience some of all of these magical places when on Bali!
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