Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Bali

The 393-room Club Med Bali is an enormous, upscale all-inclusive chain resort. Rooms and suites are small and nothing spectacular, though they do have large marble bathrooms and most have balconies. It's the multitude of activities -- for all ages -- that attract visitors to this beachside resort. Along with multiple pools and sports courts, there are golf classes and water sports, even trapeze lessons. Families make up the majority of guests here, and there are activity clubs for babies, children, and teens.

The Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali is a gorgeous five-pearl resort with 73 luxurious (and enormous) villas, many with private pools and/or Indian Ocean views. Located on Bali's southern coast, the hotel is ideal for quiet relaxation, with an elegant spa, a kids' club, a library, a modern gym with cardio and weight equipment, and a peaceful infinity pool abutting the ocean. There are numerous on-site dining options, ranging from a casual pool bar to a themed buffet restaurant, which frequently features traditional dance and music performances.

This 409-room, luxury hotel is nestled near the beach on 16 acres of landscaped tropical gardens. Family-friendly -- with a kids' club and three huge swimming pools -- the resort is about a 10-minute drive to the traditional art and fashion markets, and showcases artwork throughout the property. In addition to the three outdoor pools, there are six restaurants, a full-service spa (with sauna and steam room), a fitness center, and tennis courts. Rooms are large and clean, and have comfortable beds and balconies, minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Kid-friendly activities include fish feeding and contests in the family pool, which has two water slides.

Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran is a five-pearl luxury hotel with 118 rooms and suites, all of which have large balconies and some that feature direct access to the hotel's star attraction: an enormous, wraparound saltwater lagoon-style pool. Le Meridien does not have a private beach, but instead offers access to a luxury beach club on a nearby stretch of sand, though guests are expected to spend a minimum amount in order to use the sunbeds. The hotel include a fitness center, a luxury spa, and a wide range of bars and restaurants with international cuisine. Family-friendly facilities also abound, including an activity-packed kids' club and special family packages with all-inclusive meal plans for little ones.

The sprawling, 278-room Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort is a luxury property that sits on over 250 acres of land along the coast of the Indian Ocean. With a celebrated 18-hole golf course, six bars and restaurants, and several pools with waterslides and waterfalls, the hotel has a lot to offer guests looking to get away from the bustle of the more populated towns of Kuta or Seminyak. The remote location means that there are few restaurants and shops nearby, so it's best for those looking to camp out on a sun lounge or enjoy spa treatments. A variety of rooms are on offer, including spacious suites and villas with private plunge pools and gardens, all featuring a simple, modern style with tasteful decor and an array of amenities.

The 25-room Elephant Safari Park & Lodge is a luxury property that delivers a one-of-a-kind vacation on a refuge with 31 Sumatran elephants, safari rides, elephant chauffeur service, a show arena, a museum, a gift shop, and a botanical garden. There’s also a modern gym, spa, and on-site indoor and outdoor dining. Balinese-style rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, and elephant pick-up platforms, and some even have elephant park views. Suites feature whirlpool tubs and butler service. The gritty safari experience (which requires getting your hands dirty) isn’t for everyone, and the location is a bit removed from the sights, but it nonetheless delivers a luxurious stay with high-end amenities and features. This hotel offers a tourism attraction that involves animals. You can learn more about the cruelty animals suffer in captivity here.

The 301-room Grand Mirage is an upscale all-inclusive beach resort in the quiet Tanjung Benoa area. It caters to families and couples with a wide array of daily activities for all ages, free non-motorized water sports, a pool with a swim-up bar, and an excellent spa with a large hydrotherapy area and treatments also for kids. Spacious rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and free minibars (replenished daily), and all have furnished balconies, some overlooking the ocean. But the property is starting to show its age, and some rooms have maintenance issues. Those not set on staying at an all-inclusive may want to compare rates at Novotel Bali Benoa.

Hilton Bali Resort is a luxury property with a scenic cliff-top location overlooking the sea in the sought-after Nusa Dua resort zone. Among the high-end features here are a private beach with water sports, tennis courts, a full-service spa, an excellent kids' club, several restaurants, and a huge swimming pool complex with sea-facing lagoon. The 408 spacious rooms have marble bathrooms with deep-soaking tubs, as well as balconies or terraces, some with sea views. Villas offer an especially opulent experience complete with butler service and access to an exclusive villa lounge with numerous perks.

The Seminyak is a relatively small luxury resort with direct access to a sandy beach and within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. The hotel’s 105 stylish rooms and private villas have local accents like wood carvings and polished hardwood floors plus amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, deep soaking tubs, and iPod docks. Villas have private pools, and open living and dining areas overlooking the garden. The hotel has two restaurants, a spa, a fitness center, and daily activities for all ages. But the highlight here is the oceanfront infinity pool, complete with stunning sea views and a lounge area with bar service. Travelers looking for even more local charm can consider neighboring The Oberoi, though rates will be higher.

The Courtyard by Marriott Bali Nusa Dua is a contemporary uspcale resort in central Nusa Dua's tourist area with a restaurant, spa, fitness center, and a huge lagoon swimming pool with poolside bar. The 246 rooms are spacious, and include minibars, flat-screen TVs, and balconies or terraces. There's a distinct family-friendly vibe here -- the hotel has a kids' club and kids' pool -- and while the grounds are quite lovely, the rooms feel a bit cookie-cutter modern. The Courtyard is not right on the beach, but its beach club is accessible via a free shuttle. For a similarly priced resort with more personality that sits right on the beach check rates at Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort, though it's a bit farther from the heart of the tourist zone.

Opened in 2013, this 92-room upscale hotel nonetheless offers budget-friendly rates, and is located near the main intersection in Kuta, close to area attractions and the airport -- but a bit far from the beach. The Kana Kuta has a nice outdoor pool, small fitness center, free area shuttle, and free breakfast. Rooms are minimally decorated but spotlessly clean, with high-quality mattresses and linens, and flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers; some rooms have balconies. The kids' center is a draw for families. While the Kana Kuta might be slightly removed from the action, but it's good value for the money.

The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is a luxury family-friendly property located right on a quiet sandy beach in the Nusa Dua Peninsula, an area home to many other high-end resorts. Its 382 rooms are spacious, sunny and upscale, with plenty of traditional Balinese touches such as delicate wood carvings and flower designs, and furnished terraces, some with direct access to the lagoon pool. One of the best on-site perks is free access to a lovely spa complete with a serene outdoor pool, saunas, whirlpools, and steam rooms. There are also a fitness center featuring tennis and squash courts, two large pools, a kids’ club, and a diving center with free scuba diving lessons. Varied dining options range from casual Italian to Balinese fine dining, but food gets mixed reviews. Travelers looking to stay all-inclusive may want to compare rates at Melia Bali Indonesia, located just down the beach.

Formerly the Bali Hilton, the 541-room Ayodya Resort Bali is a sprawling, upscale beachside property with an enormous spa, a fitness center, a colorful kids' club with a big playground, and lagoon-style and infinity pools. Extensive meeting facilities also make the Ayodya Resort an obvious venue for conferences and events, and there are plenty of restaurants with cuisine ranging from Italian pastas to Japanese teppanyaki. Most rooms have attractive Balinese decor and marble bathrooms are lovely, though some furniture looks a touch dated -- still, they're a great value for this caliber.

This upper-middle-range, 381-room hotel is located right on Kuta Beach next to the Discovery Shopping Mall.  Rooms and Villas vary, but all are clean and comfortable and some have private pools. Garden View Rooms can get noisy as there's a nightclub nearby. Features include a lagoon-style pool with a swim-up bar, a full-service spa/salon, fitness facilities, and three on-site restaurants. There's also a huge kids' club here, and the playground and dedicated kids' pool are fabulous. Adults can play too, thanks to tennis and squash courts, and a full-size chessboard.

The beachfront Grand Hyatt Bali is a lavish resort in central Nusa Dua, across the street from the Bali Collection's upscale shops. This is a massive property, and the 636 spacious rooms have marble bathrooms, plush beds, and flat-screen TVs. Balconies are a nice addition, and some offer sea views. Style is pleasantly modern, but not the most chic we've seen, and some rooms look a bit tired. The resort has several restaurants, a white-sand beach with water sports, five swimming pools, a full-service spa, and a big health club with a gym, squash courts, saunas, and plunge pools. While not as luxurious as the nearby St. Regis, the Grand Hyatt is comparable in quality to the neighboring Melia Bali Indonesia, where rates are significantly lower.

Febri's Hotel & Spa is a mid-range, 69-room family-friendly hotel located in the heart of Kuta. The hotel offers a rage of room types, including Family Rooms that can sleep up to five people comfortably. There are two outdoor pools, a full-service family spa, and a free hot and cold breakfast buffet. Wi-Fi is slow (even if you pay extra for the high-speed connection), and the property is not on the beach, but other than that, it's a safe, clean place to stay and is only 10 minutes from the airport.

The 30-room Green Garden Hotel is a family-run, budget hotel offering clean, pleasant rooms close to the beach, shopping, and the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Though the property is a bit dated and in need of some updates, overall it’s a cheap and cheerful option with a small, but lovely, outdoor pool flanked by greenery and an on-site spa offering an array of treatments. There’s also a restaurant and bar that’s popular with locals and guests alike that serves tasty home-style meals as well as a buffet breakfast that's included in the room rates. Families are drawn by the hotel’s larger Family Rooms, which have bunk beds, as well as other kid-friendly offerings like a kids’ pool and babysitting services.

The upper-middle-range, 277-room Eden Hotel Kuta Bali is in southern Kuta, about a five-minute walk to Waterbom Park. "Green" is the overall theme here -- from the hotel's eco-friendly practices to the tropical foliage that surrounds the outdoor pools, restaurant, and bars. Rooms are contemporary and simple, with balconies and stone tile showers. The full-service spa offers a range of treatments, and the hotel has a kids' pool, kids' club, and playground, but there is no fitness center. For a full-scale resort experience, travelers should consider the Bali Garden Beach Resort, which has three pools, a pool bar, and free breakfast.

The Westin Nusa Dua Resort is an upscale seafront resort in central Nusa Dua, across the street from the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center. While not quite as luxurious as some of its neighbors, the Westin has enough style and features -- plus direct access to the beach -- to make it a popular choice. The 433 spacious rooms have sharp modern decor, flat-screen TVs, and balconies with views of the ocean, gardens, or pool. Features include a saltwater pool surrounded by tropical gardens, tennis courts, a full-service spa with shiatsu room, a kids' club and Teens Zone, and several restaurants and bars. About 10 minutes away, the Ayodya Resort Bali has similar features and free breakfast, though its ambience and decor are not as nice as The Westin's.