The Best Hotels to Book in Nusa Dua, Bali

A short amble from the sand, the Vouk sits south of most other hotels in Nusa Dua, backing onto lush stands of tropical forest. It’s resort-style, with balconies dripping with hanging greenery and a long, lovely pool crossed by a raised walkway that runs down to a sea view terrace. Rooms and suites are huge and summery, with designer furniture, warm colours, walk-in showers with room for two, and balconies with jungle views.

Awarta Nusa Dua is everyone’s vision of Bali brought to life: tropical foliage draping over peaceful walkways, wooden massage pavilions screened by flowing curtains, and a waterfall tinkling into a perfect pool. Take your pick from elegant suites in poolside buildings or opulent villas in the gardens, each with a private pool flanked by shady pavilions. Décor is the height of modern Balinese style – carved furniture, regal fabrics, hanging lanterns and wooden screens – executed with real panache.

Edging into tropical greenery by the Bali National Golf Club, the Renaissance is a bumper serving of luxury in a secluded location away from the bustle and noise. A chandelier welcomes guests to the vast, airy lobby, beyond which lie stylish modern rooms full of dangling tassels and designer lighting. There are five bars and restaurants, a spa, and a kids club – it would be hard to ask for more from a resort in Nusa Dua.

The Laguna certainly lives up to its name. Luxury offerings at this resort include 24-hour butler service and lagoon-access suites. Rotate between the seven pools, or indulge in a food journey around the five on-site restaurants. Arwana is one of the best seafood restaurants in Bali – with fresh fish hand-selected from the market each morning.

For total seclusion, choose one of the suites at the Conrad Bali. All feature a walk-in wardrobe and a pillow menu, and if you want to splash out, some include a private pool. Families will appreciate that children under five dine for free, and you can drop them off at Kura Kura kids’ club so that you can get some much-needed adult time. Book a barbecue beach dinner with friends, served on a white tablecloth, before retiring to the campfire with a glass of wine.

Set on a white sandy beach, Mulia Resort exudes pure luxury, with marble bathrooms, free-standing bathtubs and panoramic ocean views behind large, sliding glass doors. For those steamy Bali days, four pools await you. After working up an appetite, there are nine restaurants to ponder over – Soleil offers a decadent Sunday brunch, overflowing with Italian antipasti, fresh langoustines and unlimited mimosas. There’s also an on-site spa with an ice room, a sauna, a hydrotherapy pool and an extensive list of indulgent body treatments.

A 20-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, you’ll find yourself at Sol Benoa Bali by Meliá, with its private beach overlooking the Indian Ocean. Bright, airy rooms have king-size beds, and a breakfast buffet is included as standard. Outside, tropical greenery surrounds the pool and merges seamlessly with the beachfront bar. If you’re looking to go all out, treat yourself to one of the all-inclusive packages with food and drink available 24 hours a day.

Families will love the two-bedroom penthouse at Sadara – which can sleep four adults and two children – with two huge master bedrooms, a dining area and sunken marble tubs. Try traditional herbal drinks at Rasala restaurant or light bites at the poolside Santai Beach House. Each Thursday, the hotel hosts a night market where you can sample Indonesian street food (keep an eye out for fresh fish and satay), listen to traditional gamelan music and shop for local handicrafts.

Translating to “noble villas”, it’s easy to see why Mulia Villas is fit for royalty. There are 108 villas, ranging from romantic escapes to family retreats. Every room boasts ocean views, a private pool, a sunken bath and butler service, so it may be hard to leave. If you’re looking to stay active, why not hire a personal trainer? Alternatively, play tennis at the private courts or try boxing.

The Balé has a firm “no children” policy, ensuring your romantic getaway is truly tranquil. The 29 pavilions are decked out with carved wooden doors, a four-poster bed and an outdoor shower. Curl up with a good book on your private terrace before a candlelit dinner at the Tapa bistro. It has one of the best-stocked wine and spirit cellars on the island. Pair your favourite red with some East-meets-West tapas.

All luxury villas at the Royal Santrian boast a private garden and pool and a spa-style bathroom. Upgrade to the Royal Villa to unwind in a glass-panelled Jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. The spa here is a must-visit, with treatments such as the Sekar Jagat, an aromatherapy massage using Balinese flowers. If you’re looking to impress your loved one, book an eight-course meal for two on the private beach, surrounded by flickering candles and the roar of the ocean.

It’s impossible to find fault with the Ritz-Carlton, Bali. Some suites feature an indoor-outdoor bathroom, and all have a blend of traditional and modern Balinese decor. Naturally, the resort offers five different dining venues. Will it be tapas by the pool or fresh seafood by the sea? The king prawns and lobster from the Beach Grill are gorgeous, as expected, while seafood nasi goreng (a rice dish) steals the show over at Breezes Tapas Lounge.