The Best Beachfront Hotels to Book in Bali, Indonesia

The lagoon-like pool at the W Bali – which is modelled on a rice field – grabs all the attention, but the real highlight is the beachside location. With a handsome, private strip of sand only steps away, it’s likely you won’t be spending too much time in the spacious, contemporary rooms. Morning yoga, resident DJs and a host of enticing restaurants just add to the distractions.

Facing a quiet strip of sand on the west coast is Alila Seminyak, with its distinctly urban, contemporary feel, from the sleek exterior to its 176 suites, which wouldn’t be out of place in New York City or London. An in-house spa and a spate of facilities and activities mean you may not stray far from the resort.

Sloping towards the ocean on the southernmost tip of Bali is the dramatic Apurva Kempinski. The hotel has 475 rooms, most of which offer private pools, and all granting access to the vast, quiet, private resort beach. When you’ve reached your daily dose of sun, a temple-like vibe and a lauded in-house spa are certain to facilitate indoor relaxation.

Sleek and young-feeling, COMO Uma Canggu is the perfect counterpart to this surf-friendly corner of Bali. Its emphasis on wellness means daily fitness classes and hands-on healing and holistic therapies, while at the other end of the spectrum, the resort beach club offers live acoustic sets and DJs along with some of the best sunset views on the island.

Set in West Bali National Park on the rugged, remote west coast, the Menjangan is one of the more unique places to stay in Bali. The rooms, suites and villas are virtually hidden in greenery yet are open and spacious, with attractive touches of local design. There’s an in-house spa, an inviting pool and a small but scenic private beach.

Puri Ganesha Villas takes the form of four handsome one-, two- and three-bedroom villas in the northwest corner of Bali. There’s a central pool, but it’s more likely you’ll be drawn to the private strip of beach. And with dining that emphasises local, organic produce and raw food, you may not feel the need to leave.

Katamama Suites at Desa Potato Head unfolds in an architecturally stunning brick structure that somehow manages to both stand out and blend into the coast. The 57 suites are outfitted with handsome, mid-century Modernist-influenced furniture, and come packed with a host of earth-friendly amenities such as a zero-waste beach kit, natural soaps and items made using local materials.

Stone, thatch and bamboo set the tone at Oberoi Beach Resort, where the rooms and villas are reminiscent of a local-style Hindu temple, and are centred around an inviting pool, only steps from the beach at Seminyak on the west coast. Couple this with an emphasis on activities, from cycling to surfing, and you may be spending much of your stay outside.

Planta Luxury Boutique Resort takes the form of five suites a few kilometres inland from the beach at Canggu, on the southern coast of the island. Rooms are spacious, with a look that blends rustic, local design flourishes, lots of outdoor areas and particularly inviting bathrooms. A pool and open-air massage huts are among the incentives to leave your room.

Strategically positioned in the middle of Jimbaran Beach, said to be in the most beautiful bay in Bali, is Belmond Jimbaran Puri. Accommodation is a virtual village of cottages and villas, many with a private pool, their decor a blend of dark woods and stones. Located only steps from the beach, you can soak up the sun or take advantage of a host of unique cultural activities, from cooking classes to courses in local-style handicrafts.

With its private beach, seven large lagoon pools and a veritable jungle of Balinese fauna, The Laguna is one of Bali’s most luxurious destinations. With trees this high, it can feel like you have the huge hotel all to yourself, which makes stumbling across little waterfalls all the more special. Descend into its escape spa for the ultimate Balinese treatment and, once you’ve been massaged into a semi-conscious state of nirvana, set off from your part of this private beach for a lazy kayak along the quiet Nusa Dua coastline.

Although the area is known for its loud and lively party scene, quiet respite can be found in this secluded enclave of 10 private villas. Just steps away from the world-famous Kuta beach, each villa has its own private pool and, for the ultimate relaxation, comes with its own dedicated staff, including a chef.

Candidasa is a sleepy seaside village nestled amid Bali’s unspoiled beauty, an absolute must for any serenity seeker. At The Watergarden, traditionally carved thatched cottages are hidden in a lush, tropical garden linked by private waterfalls, lotus ponds and freshwater koi streams.

Built on the shores of exclusive Jimbaran Bay, the InterContinental Bali Resort evokes a traditional Balinese fishing village while providing every point of waterside relaxation you’d ever hope for. At sundown, its beach fills with open-air eateries dishing up the freshest seafood.

For the real water babies out there, nothing beats laying your head to rest on a boat. Although not a hotel per se, with its sleep aboard option, boat rental service GetMyBoat allows you to book a boat in almost any location on the island. Sleep soundly, sailors.