Accommodations in Bali promise hospitality and rejuvenation
Resort near Tegenungan Waterfall. Yousef salah. CC0.
Hotels, hostels and homestays in the region are an experience like no other and, depending on where you stay, offer a variety of benefits. With so much to see and do around Bali, many accommodations offer tours and personal guides to ensure your time is well spent.
Because there is so much natural life to experience, many accommodations emphasize the outdoors in their facilities. Pools, spas, natural hot tubs and gardens are present in most places to encourage travelers to appreciate the region’s natural beauty. Outdoor dining spaces and dance platforms are also common, and guests should expect to spend a good amount of time outside if they want the true Bali experience.
Options for accommodation vary from hostels, homestays and hotels to private rental properties. Whatever the method, travelers are encouraged to find accommodations that best fit their needs — whether it be rejuvenation, discovery or a mix of everything.
Affordable options: Hostels and Homestays
A more affordable option popular with travelers is to rent rooms from locals through a homestay. Bali is known for its hospitality, and many locals are eager to share a room and meal with foreigners as long as they get to hear your story. Homestays vary greatly in their type, rooms available and amenities. Often, a homestay can offer a private room or bungalow, akin to a hotel, and still allow one to meet the family and management, allowing a more local-feeling experience. Prices range heavily for homestays depending on the amenities included or location, but can start at US$10 per night or go to US$50 per night. They can be booked online through sites like Booking.com or in person.
Another option popular with many younger travelers and backpackers is hostels. Hostels, with shared dorm-style rooms and sometimes private options, allow like-minded travelers to meet and explore Bali together. Hostels in Bali are known for their deluxe amenities, often featuring pools, outdoor lounges and lively atmospheres. Prices range in hostels but may cost anywhere between US$6-$40 per night. Here are some hostel recommendations in Bali:
Karma Backpackers (dorms starting at US$15 a night) has a central location near Bingin Beach in Uluwatu, allowing you the perfect location to explore the town. Offering both dorm-style rooms and private options, the hostel has accommodations for every type of traveler. This hostel is known for its social and friendly atmosphere, with nightly free family-style dinners, morning yoga and free daily beach shuttles. The hostel’s rooftop restaurant and lounge are a great place to hang out and meet other like-minded travelers or make plans to surf!
The Farm Hostel in Canggu (US$11 a night) is one of the most highly coveted hostels in Canggu, with its reputation as a friendly social spot. Complete with free breakfast, the Farm is one of many hostels to make your home base in Canggu. Complete with a gym, pool and outdoor lounge amenities, you might mistake this hostel for a resort.
Savanna Hostel in Ubud (dorms starting at US$21 a night) is another hostel with as many luxuries as a poolside resort. Enjoy the nightly offered social events, like quiz night, movies and family dinners. Or, take part in morning yoga and indulge in a poolside massage. Its central location in Ubud allows you to be just walking distance from the Monkey Forest and the famous Art Market, a perfect spot to explore the city.
Mid-Range to Luxury: Hotels, Private Rentals and Resorts
This category often includes hotels, private rental properties and resorts or retreats. However, a high price tag doesn’t always have to go along with these arrangements, especially when there are many affordable options available. Many travelers often go in together on a short-term rental property, a great way to bask in Bali’s beauty in the privacy of a home and split the price. Nonetheless, from a mid-range budget to a very luxurious one, Bali has accommodations to suit every need.
Hotels:
Hotels are a classic option to enjoy your getaway in Bali. Just like other accommodations, hotels in Bali often incorporate elements of nature, highlight the stunning scenery or show off creative architecture. Here are a few hotels to check out:
Nicknamed “The Art Hotel” by travelers, Gayatri Hotel in Ubud (US$120 a night) encourages travelers to immerse themselves in Bali’s culture through traditional Balinese architecture and rich gardens. On the other end is the Pelangi Bali Hotel (starting at US$58 a night) in Seminyak, which is beachside and a great choice for surfers or anyone excited to experience the famous white sands of Bali. Coral View Villas in Amed (double room suites starting at US$84 a night) offers private bungalows for its guests among lush gardens and fruit and vegetable patches. Step into this oasis during your stay in Amed. Check out Ululani in Uluwatu, a gorgeous four-star hotel close to Dreamland Beach. Enjoy your very own fitness center and restaurant on-site while taking in the beauty of this quieter part of town. Rooms start at around US$30 a night.
Resorts and Retreats:
Jeda Villa in Bali. Selamat Made. CC BY 2.0.
Book a stay in one of Bali’s many resorts or retreats to treat yourself to complete and utter zen. Secluded in a world of thick jungle trees and nearby rice fields, Padma Resort in Ubud (starting at US$252 a night) boasts suites and an infinity pool that offer a sprawling view of the endless jungle roof and lush green valley below. Stop in at Desa Seni Eco-Creative Resort in Canggu for a beautiful accommodation that blends wellness with a hotel. Enjoy amazing vegetarian cuisine, a yoga class and all the amenities the resort has to offer. Rates start at US$185 a night.
Balilia Beach Resort in Amed calls itself a “piece of heaven,” and we think they have a point. This beautiful eco-conscious resort (starting at US$55 a night) is situated right on a sandy cove near Amed, making it the perfect place to wake up. Enjoy the resort’s on-site wellness therapies, workshops and access to the area’s natural beauty.
Rental properties may often be found in person or through online booking platforms.