Top Ten Luxury Hotels in Bali

Today (June 26, 2020): Top ten luxury hotels in Bali

Also known as the Land of the Gods, Bali has long been a popular destination for vacationers, backpackers, dreamers, wellness seekers, and adventure hunters. It has something to offer for everyone – kickass nightlife in Seminyak and Ubud, looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields that exude serenity for those seeking solitude and peace, gobsmackingly beautiful sunsets for honeymooners, and temples galore for those looking to experience a different culture. While Bali may have started as a backpacker paradise, today, Bali is more luxurious than ever. Luxury hotels have been popping up in the last few years like mushrooms after the rain.

I recently spent four glorious weeks in Bali. I have never been before, and when I was invited to attend a travel conference there, I jumped on the opportunity, made an exploratory trip out of it, got to know the island, activities it offers, and experienced many the fantastic hotels the island offers. Read on to find out which hotels made our list of to ten luxury hotels in Bali.

Think I missed one? Comment below to let me know your favorite hotel in Bali.

10. Soori Bali

Driving to Soori Bali through the many small villages, vast rice fields, and no sign of civilization, you may ask yourself, “Where the hell am I going?” I promise you; you will not be disappointed upon arrival. Located on the southwest coast of the island, Soori Bali epitomizes the Bali we dream about – lush, serene, and truly luxurious. The sublimely minimalistic resort is nestled between verdant rice paddies and glistening (and surprisingly silky) volcanic black sand beach. The hotel’s villa-only accommodations come with a private pool and vary in size from one to 10 bedrooms. The hotel offers two fantastic restaurants, a bar, and a store offering locally sourced jewelry and clothes and the best spa I have been to in Bali making it a perfect candidate for our list of top ten luxury hotels in Bali.

Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking with Polished Traveler (e.g.room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, seasonal welcome amenity, and $100 food & beverage credit).

Soori Bali s part of Virtuoso Travel.

Soori Bali Main Pool

9. COMO Shambhala Estate

Shambhala Estate Hotel delights with breathtaking views of the Balinese rainforest and the stunning River Ayung and a tranquil atmosphere. This 30-room resort is by far Bali’s most luxurious health retreat, catering to those looking to relax and rejuvenate. And while many wellness hotels do not accept children, COMO Shambhala welcomes families as long as they book one of the Retreat Villas, Private Villas, or an entire Residence. Each Residence and Villa come with a private infinity pool and are designed with the COMO trademark Asian-meets-European décor featuring Alang-Alang roofs and beautiful hand-carved furniture. As expected, the real wow factor of the hotel is the wellness element. The hotel employs a yoga teacher, an Ayurvedic doctor, and a resident dietician and offers nutritionally balanced cuisine that caters to all dietary requirements.

Como Shambhala Estate is part of Virtuoso Travel.

CSE Retreat Villa

8. Amandari

Aman hotels are known for their impeccable service, authentically local design, stunning locations, and the most ardent fans in the world. #AmanJunkie. I was very excited to add another Aman hotel to my “been there, done that” list of luxury hotels, and Amandari did not disappoint. The 30-year old “grande dame” of Bali luxury hotels was built to feel like a traditional Balinese village and offers individual villas with thatched roofs. Thanks to its location just outside of Ubud, the hotel is surrounded by coconut palms and lush rice paddies allowing guests to relax and enjoy Bali’s stunning scenery. Do not be surprised when you see locals on the hotel grounds as Amangiri’s location is sacred to local families. If you are lucky, you will experience one of the religious processions leading through Amandari.

Amandari is part of Virtuoso Travel.

7. Four Seasons Bali at Sayan

While I love Four Seasons hotels for their unparalleled service and fantastic locations, the Four Seasons brand is not generally known for ground-breaking design. So when heading to the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, I was expecting a standard hotel with beautiful rooms, great restaurants, and top of the line amenities. What I did not expect was the alien ship in the middle of the rainforest that greeted me upon arrival. It turned out I was looking at the reception, main restaurant, and spa building. Did I mention you have to cross a show-stopping bridge hanging over the jungle, making this one highly instagrammable arrival moment? The 18-acre resort is home to a world-class spa and wellness studio, two exceptional restaurants, a bar that serves artisanal cocktails and high tea, and 18 suites and 42 villas. As expected from a Four Seasons hotel, the suites are fabulous, but the villas steal the show and are worth every penny. The lavish villas are carved into the hillside, which helps keep them cool and come with their private pool.

Four Seasons Bali at Sayan is part of Virtuoso Travel and the Four Seasons Preferred Partner program.

6. Bulgari Resort Bali

When one of the foremost jewelry designers in the world decides to get into the hotel business, you know the hotels created will be exceptional. Bulgari Resort Bali is a decadent resort worthy of the Bulgari name. Located on Bali’s southern coast, the resort’s location on a hillside overlooking the Indian Ocean offers jaw-dropping vistas. The hotel was designed by Italian architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel Partners, who masterfully weave traditional Balinese style with sleep contemporary Italian elements. The sleek accommodations start at villas and end with five-bedroom mansions, each one with its own private pool. While the hotel has a beautiful main pool area as well as a private beach club on a pristine beach, this is the perfect place for those seeking a secluded and luxurious getaway.

Bulgari Resort Bali is part of Virtuoso Travel and Marriott STARS Program.

5. Six Senses Uluwatu

Six Senses Uluwatu was the last hotel I stayed in a while in Bali, and the one I was most excited about. The Six Senses brand has long been one of my favorite hotel brands, and when the hotel opened in the Summer of 2019, I made it my mission to experience it asap. My trip to Bali in the Fall of 2019 came at the perfect time. The minute I arrived at Six Senses Uluwatu after a long and stress-inducing drive from Ubud and looked at the unrivaled views of the Indian Ocean, I exhaled. And when I saw my Cliff Pool Villa, I knew I had chosen the perfect place for my last few nights in Bali. The villas all come with a private infinity pool, two outdoor showers, a daybed, and an incredibly comfortable bed. It is the perfect accommodation type for honeymooners and couples. And the views are just stunning. The hotel also offers suites, all with amazing views, and an insane Presidential Villa complete with a private gym, spa and a 111 square meter infinity pool. Six Senses also emphasizes sustainability, which at the Six Senses Uluwatu means spa treatments using locally sourced ingredients, a comprehensive wellness program, and an emphasis on local meat and produce in all of its restaurants. The hotel also decided to forego offering a beach to allow the let the turtles hatch in peace.

4. Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay is a popular choice for those looking for a fabulous beach stay while avoiding the notoriously hectic Bali traffic. As soon as you enter the hotel’s open-air lobby, you will be transported to a stunning Balinese-style village where the enveloping tranquility will make your heart sing. The resort’s 147 villas, laid out like a traditional Balinese village, are ultra-luxurious and boast one of Bali’s most spacious bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers. The dining outlets are fantastic and some of the best among all of the Four Seasons around the world. The hotel is exceptionally family-friendly and offers a fabulous kids club called “Jimba Club” that comes with an indoor treehouse and its own kiddie-sized infinity pool overlooking the beach and offers cooking classes, kite flying and Balinese dance lessons with local kids.

Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran is part of Virtuoso Travel and Four Seasons Preferred Partner program.

3. Ritz Carlton Reserve Mandapa

Ritz Carlton Mandapa, part of Ritz Carlton reserve, a collection of ultra-luxurious hotels around the world, is hands down the best hotel in Ubud. Named for the entrance to a traditional Hindu temple, the resort feels welcoming from the moment you enter through the two tall, traditional split gates. One of the newer additions to the hotels in Ubud, this small and intimate resort features only 50 accommodations – 35 penthouse-style suites and 25 private pool villas near the Ayung River.This oasis in the middle of Ubud centers around an emerald terraced rice field Ubud is famous for, which is maintained by a team of local farmers. The hotel features four exquisite dining options, an option to arrange a romantic dinner overlooking the river or rice terrace, a spa focused on spiritual well-being and one of the best kid’s clubs I have seen.

Ritz Carlton Reserve Mandapa is part of Virtuoso Travel and Marriot STARS program.

2. Amankila

It is always hard to write a review of an Aman hotel and translate into words how indescribably unique each Aman stay is. The word “Aman” means “peace,” which describes my state of mind every time I visit an Aman hotel. Amankila, a secluded resort on Bali’s untouched eastern shore, is one of the island’s best-kept secrets. One that #Amanjunkies would love to keep to themselves forever. The hotel’s hilltop location, combined with the backdrop of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest mountain, and an active volcano, makes for spectacular vistas. The hotel’s 33 villas evoke Aman’s ethos of understated luxury – well-appointed with subtle references to local traditions and natural surroundings. While there is no bad view or angle at Amankila, the hotel’s signature three-tiered pool steals the show and is where you will spend a lot of your time. You will also enjoy the private beach club that meets you at the end of the resort’s cascading architecture. The hotel’s beach club sits on Amankila’s private stretch of beach and offers sunloungers and a variety of water activities.

Amankila is part of Virtuoso Travel.

Amankila Pools

1. Capella Ubud

*Updated on July 10th, 2020 – Capella Ubud has been voted No. 1 Hotel In The World for Travel + Leisure’s 2020 World’s Best Awards! Congratulations!

Let’s start with the fact that Capella Ubud is not for everyone and despite that it is the best hotel in Bali. I stayed there with my almost-70-year old mom, who had a mini freak out when we first arrived at our “room.” In her defense, I wanted the experience to be a complete surprise (success!), and I did not let her in on the hotels’ unique features. She was freaked out by the surrounding nature and worried that the tent’s air conditioner would not be strong enough for her needs. Once she got acclimated to her surroundings, she got over the first freak out and now tells everyone about her exciting stay in the Balinese jungle. I, on the other hand, LOVED this Bill Bensley-designed jungle glamping retreat from the moment I stepped into the colorful open-air reception tent. My love only grew when I realized that not a single tree was cut down during the construction process. The extravagant and fantastical world of Bill Bensley’s Capella Ubud consists of 23 lavish tents, each one with a private saltwater pool, vast wooden terraces with day beds, espresso machines, tea stations, outdoor showers, and travel trunk/minibar. And to make you smile – playful brass monkeys can be found everywhere.

Capella Ubud is part of Virtuoso Travel.