Bali Accommodation

Besides applying for a visa, booking hotels and flights are two of the most crucial aspects one has to take care of when planning an international vacation. Bali, being one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in Indonesia, has no shortage of accommodation options. Everything, ranging from luxury hotels to traditional Balinese hut stays, is available on this Indonesian island. If you are planning your next vacation in Bali, it is advised to book accommodations in advance to avoid issues of unavailability during your trip. On this page, we will talk about the types of accommodations available in Bali, popular areas to stay in and a few other related topics.

Popular areas to stay in Bali

The island is home to numerous popular tourist places, each having its own identity. So, when choosing an area to stay in Bali, it is recommended to pick a place that is close to the popular tourist places and attractions. Here is a list of famous areas to stay in Bali, along with the reason behind their popularity;

1. Canggu:

Located 20 kilometres from the airport, Canggu is one of the most popular areas to stay in Bali. If you are a surfer or water sports enthusiast, this is the right place for you. Besides its stunning beach and availability of thrilling adventures, the area has many notable hotels, cafes, and other establishments.

2. Ubud:

If you love the beauty and tranquillity of nature, a bit away from bustling city life, then you should look for accommodations in Ubud. It showcases the authentic tourism experience of Bali, capturing the island's majestic waterfalls, renowned temples, stunning forests and more. It is also Bali’s cultural and spiritual capital, home to many popular yoga and nature retreats.

3. Nusa Dua:

If you are travelling with family or visiting Bali for your honeymoon, Nusa Dua can be a perfect fit for your accommodation needs. Just a 20-minute drive away from the Bali airport, the place is home to pristine private beaches, lush greenery, old temples, and much more. You can find some of the best waterfront, luxury resorts in this area.

4. Uluwatu:

If you are looking for a place to stay that is a bit less crowded and offers authentic Balinese rural vibes alongside scope for surfing, trendy beach clubs and stunning beaches, consider finding accommodations in Uluwatu.

5. Seminyak:

Seminyak is one of the most preferred areas to stay in Bali. You can find all kinds of accommodation options in this area, ranging from luxury beachfront resorts to quaint boutique hotels. The area is famous for its upbeat ambience, posh restaurants, exuberant nightlife and more.

Cool tip:

If you want to really explore and experience Bali’s authentic, off-beat tourism, then consider staying in Sidemen. It is a small and beautiful village on the island, popularly considered a hidden gem in Bali tourism. You can spend hours exploring this rural side of Bali, witnessing its charming natural and cultural attractions. You can find hotels and resorts in Sidemen in Bali pretty easily.

Types of Accommodation in Bali

Bali is a major tourist hotspot in Indonesia, hence, it is no surprise that the island offers a wide range of stay options to cater to a variety of accommodation needs. Here are some of the most common types of accommodations you can choose on your Bali holidays;

1. Hotels

When it comes to accommodations in Bali, the most common choice is staying at a hotel. It is a type of accommodation that everyone is familiar with. It is simple yet elegant and available in all budget ranges. From a budget-friendly hotel to a 5-star hotel, you can pick one depending on your stay and travel needs. Besides getting the comfort of private rooms with attached bathrooms, many prefer staying at hotels for their amenities, which usually include 24x7 room service, fully-stocked mini-fridge, convenient check-in and check-out times, in-room meals, free WiFi, etc.

2. Hostels

Those who are looking for budget lodgings and have no problem staying in shared accommodations and socialising from time to time can consider hostels in Bali. It is ideal for those travelling solo or individuals who just want a roof over their head for the night to rest in between travelling. Similar to sharing rooms, if you stay at a hostel, you will also have to share amenities, like a kitchen and bathroom. This is not for people seeking luxury stays in Bali.

3. Airbnb

Airbnbs are widely available all across the island, offering ideal accommodation to tourists at reasonable costs. They can be cheaper compared to hotels, letting one enjoy living like a local in Bali. If you are an introvert, it is a great accommodation choice, as you won’t have to deal with the hotel front desk or staff or other companions in a hostel. You can enjoy your private stay and the amenities that come with the property, like the kitchen.

4. Resorts

For luxury stay experiences, booking accommodations in resorts in Bali can be a good option. There are different types of resorts available on the island, including the ones surrounded by greenery on all sides and the ones with waterfront views. Staying at resorts is ideal for families and couples, due to the availability of private rooms and luxury amenities, such as on-site restaurants, swimming pools, activity and gym area, spas, bars and so on.

5. Villas

If you are visiting Bali to experience its beauty and culture at a slow pace, you should look for villa accommodations which complement this goal of yours. Staying at a villa is a laid-back, luxurious experience, minus the commotion of hotels and resorts. In addition, the hospitality offered by the villa staff is sure to enhance your holiday experience in Bali. Pool villas in Bali have become quite famous on social media, and if you want to enjoy a floating breakfast, lunch or dinner in a private pool with charming views of the surroundings, it can be a great fit.

6. Homestays

If you want to experience Bali’s hospitality, culture and good food, minus the luxury, on a budget, book a homestay. It lets you stay with a local family, who will be the host, and experience Bali in a home-like environment.

Cool tip:

Not all accommodations marketed as “villas” will offer a villa-like stay experience in Bali. So, make sure to finalise the booking only after checking the reviews and photographs. Even though you can find villas in Bali starting from USD20, realistically you have to spend a shy of USD150-200 to actually get a villa-like stay experience. Most hotels, villas and resorts in Bali have tie-ups with local operators, where you can find restaurant delivery services and car and motorbike rentals at affordable prices.

Recommended Accommodation in Bali (Budget, Mid-Range, Luxury)

One of the best parts about finding accommodations in Bali for a vacation is that you can find a stay in almost all budget ranges. Here is a list of budget-wise recommended accommodations in Bali;

1. Budget

If you want a decent accommodation in a reasonable budget with only the essential amenities, you can look into the following options;

• Lokal Bali Hostel:

It is an affordable, 2-star hotel in Kuta, Bali. The place is known for its large and clean rooms, outdoor pool and good service, and is only 5 minutes away from Waterbom Bali. You can book your stay at the Lokal Bali Hostel starting from INR 1964/night onwards.

• El Homestay Bali:

If you are looking for an affordable yet quality homestay option in Bali, then El Homestay Bali is a great choice to consider. Located in Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, it is only a 10-minute drive away from Pantai Pandawa and is praised for its clean rooms, breakfast and room service. You can book your stay at this homestay from INR 1414/night onwards.

• Baleka Resort and Spa:

Baleka Resort and Spa is a 3-star hotel in Legian, Bali, and has spacious rooms, a concierge, an open-air restaurant, a spa, WiFi and parking among many other things. It is also quite budget-friendly, starting from INR 2856/night onwards.

2. Mid-Range

If you want a more comfortable and higher quality accommodation in Bali for a good price, here are some choices to look into;

• Kano Canggu:

Located just a few minutes away from the city centre, Kano Canggu is a beautiful, mid-range accommodation option you can look into for your stay in Bali. It comes with amenities like a garden, free WiFi, a shared kitchen, an outdoor pool, private room service, free parking and many other things. You can book your stay at Kano Canggu from just INR 9,360/night onwards.

• The Lokha Ubud Resort Villas and Spa:

The Lokha Ubud Resort, Villas and Spa is a 4-star accommodation option in Desa Keliki Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali, just a 20-minute drive away from the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It comes with free parking and WiFi, a pool, a spa, a bar and even a wedding chapel. The cost of staying here usually starts from INR 10,000/night onwards.

Did you know?

There are many stray dogs and a considerable number of wild monkeys in Bali, especially around major tourist places. If you are visiting such areas, it is better to keep your hands off of them for your own safety. There are many reports of tourists getting bitten or their personal belongings being snatched by monkeys in places like the Monkey Forest Ubud, so proceed with caution.

3. Luxury

If you are ready to spend a lot of money on accommodation to ensure a luxury stay experience in Bali with premium amenities, here are some choices for you;

• Villa Uma Sapna:

Located in Seminyak, Villa Uma Sapna is a considerable choice when it comes to luxury accommodations in Bali. It is a luxe villa with top-class amenities like private dining areas, lounges, pools, room service and hot tubs. Rooms are equipped with mini-bars, free WiFi, flat-screen TVs with premium channel access, etc. Additionally, the villa is pet-friendly and also comes with a spa, yoga space, motorbike rentals and other features. Rooms at this villa start from INR 16,646/night onwards.

• Maya Sanur Resort and Spa:

Maya Sanur Resort and Spa is probably one of the most popular 5-star, luxury accommodations you can find in Bali. Located near Sanur Beach in Denpasar Selatan, get ready to stay at one of the modern villas with contemporary rooms. The list of amenities at this resort includes ornate bathrooms, spacious living areas, balconies, direct pool access from rooms, suites with private pool and ocean views, on-site restaurants, a gym, a rooftop garden and much more. The starting price for booking a room at this resort is INR 27,000/night.

Special Consideration for Indian Travelers

Here are some special considerations for fellow Indians travelling to Bali for a holiday;

Restaurants in Bali offering Indian food

When visiting Bali, you are not only going to catch a glimpse of Hinduism outside of India but also its delicious food. Here are some of the most popular restaurants in Bali serving Indian food;

• Warung Little India

Located in Jalan Sukma, Ubud, Warung Little India is often the go-to choice for delicious, finger-licking Indian food in Bali. It is a cosy and vibrant restaurant that is known for its delicious, home-style cooked Indian dishes, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights. Dining at this restaurant is also quite budget-friendly and you can find dishes like a variety of dal, naan, curry, samosas, etc.

• Spice Mantraa Kuta

If you are looking for a posh Indian restaurant to dine at in Bali, then Spice Mantraa in Kuta is the way to go. It is a beautifully decorated restaurant with an elegant ambience, serving different types of food and drinks at reasonable prices. It has received very good ratings online and is known for its signature dishes like Biryani, Lamb Rogan Josh, Smoked Butter Chicken, etc.

• Queen’s Tandoor

Located in Seminyak, Queen’s Tandoor is a fine dining restaurant in Bali, known for its elegant interior and seating and cosy ambience. It is a perfect place to visit with family or a loved one for lunch or dinner. It is basically a part of a parent company with 3 other restaurants in its chain in Bali, named Queens of India (Ubud, Nusa Dua and Kuta). Some of the most loved dishes at Queen’s Tandoor are Tandoori Chicken, Mutton Vindaloo and Fish Tikka.

Hotels in Bali with staff of Hindi-speaking religious practice

Did you know?

In addition to the quoted rates, many hotels and resorts in Bali charge an extra 21% tax. During the time of festivals and peak tourism seasons, like a few weeks around Christmas and New Year, some hotels tend to tack on a charge. However, also note that you can find accommodations in Bali that may charge only a 17% tax or even a 10% tax and no service tax. So, if you want to save a few bucks, make sure to go through the price breakup before finishing the booking.

Accommodation Booking tips in Bali

Here are some tips that can help choose and book the right accommodation for your holidays in Bali;

1. Peak & Off peak season

One of the main things you need to understand before booking accommodation in Bali is the local tourism season. Here’s how different Bali tourist season can affect accommodations;

• During peak season, the island receives a large number of tourists. Hence, it is no surprise that a scarcity of accommodations develops, especially in the major tourist areas. So, if you are visiting Bali during the peak tourism season, make sure to book accommodations well in advance.
• Due to the low availability of rooms, the cost of accommodations in Bali during the peak season rises. You can avoid paying additional money for the same accommodations if you just book in advance when the prices are low.
• During off or shoulder seasons, you will most likely not face any issues of unavailability in terms of accommodations in the major tourist areas in Bali. So, you can either choose to book accommodations for the trip in advance or book them after landing in Bali.

2. Online platforms

Here’s how using online platforms when booking accommodations in Bali can help you;

• If you look for hotels online, you get the ability to compare the available options. This will help you find the right accommodation in your desired budget.
• When you use reputed online platforms for booking accommodations in Bali, you can go through the reviews left by guests to get an idea of what to expect and whether the stay is any good or not.
• You can set alerts on hotel booking platforms to notify you about price drops in the future, which can give you a better deal when booking accommodation for Bali.

3. Deals & Discounts

Here are some possible deals and discounts you can avail of when booking accommodations in Bali;

• Some hotels offer a reward system, in which tourists, ideally frequent visitors, can sign up for a nominal cost and in turn, get loyalty points, which they can use to get discounts or other rewards during following stays.
• There are certain hotels and online booking platforms that offer first-time customers discounts on their bookings. So, make sure to avail of such a feature if available when booking accommodations in Bali.
• If you travel during off or shoulder season in Bali, you can get attractive discounts and deals on accommodations due to the low tourist crowd. So, consider this before planning a trip to Bali.
• If you find two similar types of hotels within a similar budget range, give preference to the one that offers useful amenities and includes meals that you can use during your stay. If both offer the same thing, you can pick any one of the two.

Take-home Message

Finding the correct accommodations for the trip is a very important step. It has to line up with your trip itinerary, and budget and should fulfil all the criteria that you require for the stay, such as an attached washroom, private kitchen, etc. Bali has plenty of accommodation options all over the island, ranging from budget hostels to more luxurious stay options. If you don’t have any budget restraints and are visiting for the experience, you can look for a mid-range or luxury stay option to make the most out of your Bali holidays.