Best Hotels on the Beach in Bali

The Samabe Bali is an ultra-luxurious beachfront resort located atop a cliff a five-minute drive from central Nusa Dua. Its 81 suites and villas are elegant and stylish, with a gorgeous blend of contemporary and traditional Indonesian decor, top-notch amenities, and balconies offering expansive ocean views. Villas have private infinity pools and up to two bedrooms. With a private beach, a wonderful spa, two excellent restaurants, a gorgeous infinity pool, a kids’ club, and tons of daily activities, there is little guests can’t do on-site. Plus, all-inclusive rates cover everything from free daily spa treatments to cultural tours to beachside yoga classes. Those looking for something a little cheaper may want to compare rates at Kayumanis Nusa Dua Private Villa & Spa.

The 191-room Bali Mandira Beach Resort & Spa is an upscale hotel on Legian Kuta Beach with a modern yet authentic Balinese style and awesome ocean views throughout. Rooms are bright and contemporary, with flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning; some have balconies with ocean views, small private pools, or open-air showers. This lushly landscaped property offers two outdoor pools for kids and adults, a beautiful full-service spa, a poolside bar with oceanfront terrace, an Indonesian restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic ocean views.Guests have direct access to the palm-tree lined beach with loungers and umbrellas on the sand.

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. While the beachside location makes the Ayodya Resort a popular choice, just note that there's little within walking distance.

This luxury mid-size resort on Seminyak Beach in Petitenget, with a stunning three-tier series of infinity pools, a separate adult lap pool, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and multiple on-site dining and bar options, sets itself apart. The rooms are spacious -- ranging from studio suites to expansive villas with butler service and private pools. All rooms have balconies, deep soaking tubs, flat-screen TVs, stocked minibars, Nespresso coffeemakers, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. With a low staff-to-guest ratio, everyone receives topnotch, personalized service.

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. However, the beach is only accessible via a long set of stairs, making this less than ideal for guests with mobility issues, and there is ongoing construction.

Perched on a clifftop above a lovely sandy beach, family-friendly Karma Kandara is one of southern Bali’s most luxurious resorts. It offers 54 stunning multi-room villas set in private gardens with infinity pools, all featuring full kitchens, outdoor dining areas, and upscale amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and outdoor showers. The gorgeous, serene grounds include two pools (one of them overlooking the ocean), a top-notch spa with cliffside massage huts, a Mediterranean restaurant, and a rooftop bar with views. But the highlight here is the hip beach club, complete with cabanas and a restaurant, and accessed via a funicular. Banyan Tree Ungasan Bali has an even sleeker feel, but rates are higher.

One of Bali's chicest properties, the five-pearl Bulgari Resort Bali is an ultra-luxury resort with 59 villas featuring Javanese mahogany furnishings and volcanic rock interior walls (plus five chic three- and five-bedroom mansions). Along with a private beach and gorgeous infinity pool, the resort offers four bars and restaurants, an opulent spa with a long menu of services and the option of private treatment pavilions, a fitness center with personal trainers, and plenty of space for meetings and weddings. However, the removed location, while peaceful and romantic, may not be to everyone's liking, and it's not a good spot for travelers who like to explore destinations on foot. Travelers who'd prefer to be in the center of cultural action might want to check out the Royal Kamuela in Ubud, a luxury property in the heart of Bali's artistic and cultural hub.

This atmospheric luxury boutique hotel has a museum-like quality thanks to its immense collection of historical Indonesian antiques and artifacts. This charming, artsy property is situated by Canggu Beach and offers 22 spacious suites with traditional Balinese decor and modern amenities. Some have private plunge pools, plus there's also a main pool. The spa offers a variety of treatments inspired by old Balinese traditions, and there are an array of classes available such as Balinese cooking, yoga, and floral arrangement. Dining options include an a la carte restaurant and unique cultural dining experiences, and though breakfast is not included, a traditional afternoon tea service is. For those who prefer a more modern aesthetic, the nearby Ametis Villa Bali offers similar amenities and spacious one- and three-bedroom villas with contemporary decor.

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.

One of the only hotels in the Jimbaran Beach area that's directly on the ocean, the mid-sized Jimbaran Puri is a quiet Balinese escape with a luxurious yet relaxed vibe. Spacious, rustic-luxe rooms have patios or private pools, though the tradeoff for the high level of privacy afforded is that the majority lack ocean views. A large, chic pool with a poolside bar faces the ocean and sunset. The two on-site restaurants and 24-hour room service help ensure that guests are well fed, and the extensive breakfast buffet is typically included in the rate. There are spa services available on the beach, and the grounds are lush and tropical, with a temple and various statues offset by lots of native greenery. However, the beach can get a bit dirty and the property lacks a fitness center.

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. For the ultimate luxury resort experience in Nusa Dua -- and prices to match -- the nearby St. Regis could be a fit.

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.

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.

From its cliffside location overlooking the Indian Ocean, to its minimalist, modern architecture that seamlessly melds with lush, green grounds, the luxurious Alila Villas Uluwatu provides a serene retreat with spectacular views at every corner. There’s a gorgeous and vast infinity pool, though each of the 65 villas on the property have their own private pools as well. The sleek, contemporary spaces offer a host of other comforts, from techy amenities like flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi, to gorgeous bathrooms that provide indoor and outdoor showers and tubs. The remote location means that guests are limited to the two restaurants on-site, though these offer tasty fine dining and local cuisine. There’s also a beautiful spa providing sumptuous treatments and a modern fitness center, plus morning yoga classes offered daily. Reaching the beach requires a hike down the cliff via steep stairs though.

The Royal Santrian is one of the smallest yet most luxurious properties in this part of Nusa Dua Beach. Its 20 villas are housed in beautiful traditional Balinese pavilions and have private pools, outdoor living areas, and large bathrooms with outdoor showers. The gorgeous grounds include a stunning infinity pool with beach views and a Martini bar, and a restaurant serving fusion cuisine, sushi, and teppanyaki. The spa offers body treatments and salon services in a serene pavilion with indoor and outdoor facilities, but there is no gym on-site. The adult-only Kayumanis Nusa Dua Private Villa & Spa offers a similar experience and can have slightly lower rates.

The 57-room Bali Niksoma Boutique Beach Resort is an upscale, beachfront property with an elegant Balinese style and superb ocean views. Modern, handsome rooms have minibars, furnished balconies, and flat-screen TVs, and some have private pools and outdoor showers. There are awesome ocean views from two outdoor pools, where free fruit and drinks are offered each afternoon. The property also has a beachfront restaurant/bar, a serene spa with a hot tub, and a gym with a sauna.

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. For adults, there's an excellent spa with its own pool and a couple of bars (though certain premium liquors and wines aren't included in the room rates).

The 150-room Bali Tropic is a family-friendly, upscale all-inclusive with gorgeous traditional Balinese architecture and beautiful tropical gardens. Rooms are spacious and charming, with four-poster beds, lots of ornate wood and stone carvings, and amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and lightly stocked minibars. All units have furnished terraces and large bathrooms with walk-in showers and separate stone tubs. The property has three restaurants, including one by the beach open 24/7, and two bars, but food gets mixed reviews. There is also a decent fitness center, a relaxing spa, and a large pool with a swim-up bar and a kiddy section. Those looking for something more contemporary may want to compare rates at Sadara Boutique Beach Resort.

The 55-room Alila Manggis is a green property in a remote area with an open-air flow and a good mix of traditional and on-trend design. Modern rooms have rainfall showerheads, minibars, and flat-screen TVs, plus balconies or terraces -- some with amazing ocean views. This upper-middle-range hotel offers beach access and an interesting, geometric-shaped pool with ocean views, as well as an organic garden within biking distance. The on-site restaurant, Seasalt, is super popular and there is a full-service spa with a variety of treatments.

The mid-range La Joya, Villa & Bungalows is built with escape-minded travelers in mind. The remote location on Balangan Beach -- far from the hectic tourist areas elsewhere in Bali -- is perfect for a relaxing beachfront getaway. The 22 rustic rooms include bungalows and one large villa; all are air-conditioned and include modern amenities. Lush greenery and flowers fill the property, while the sandy beach -- known for its surfing -- is just down the hill. Other features include sports facilities, a spa, two pools, and a poolside restaurant. Travelers might want to also consider the nearby Blue Point Bay Villas & Spa, which has similar amenities and gorgeous cliff-top views, though it lacks direct beach access.