Bali is an amazing destination. It has absolutely everything one might need for a luxury holiday. You just need to know where to go and where to stay.
The Lux Traveller has prepared a comprehensive guide for you that covers all areas of Bali and recommendations on where to stay and dine.
Seminyak – Busy Central Area
Seminyak is located 20 min away from the airport and it is the main shopping and restaurant destination on the island.
Seminyak beach goes on for miles, it is a perfect place for a long morning walk.
All along the beach there is a multitude of trendy bars, luxury hotels and fancy restaurants.
Main shopping street goes on for a couple of kilometres and has a lot of local designer boutiques. Just to mention a few check out St Tropez for men / boys swimwear (local version of Villbrequin), Kaz for sparkly girl wear, Uluwatu for classic black and white linen resort wear.
Restaurants & Bars
In Seminyak there are many excellent fine dining restaurants to choose from. Our favourites are KuDeTa (for atmosphere), Sarong (for excellent food and romantic garden setting), Metis (for tradition rice paddy setting and French cuisine with a twist).
Bars – Again you can’t beat KuDeTa for sunset drinks (beach setting with double lounges and chilled tunes), W Bar (for something trendy and now so crowded), Potato Head (for a younger party crowd).
Hotels – The most luxurious hotel we recommend in Seminyak is The Legian Bali. It is an all suite hotel in an excellent location right on the beach. Accommodation, service and facilities make it our Most Favourite Hotel in Seminyak.
For the party people – W Bali could also be an option. It is a little further away from the centre, but is new and offers a wide variety of accommodation – rooms, suites and villas. Most weekend there is a large dance party hosted by the hotel so it gets VERY loud. If you are not into the party scene, this hotel might not suit.
In 2014 Alila is going to open a brand new hotel on the beachfront and it will be worth a visit too. Alila is one of the best luxury hotel brands in Bali.
Uluwatu, South of Bali
Uluwatu is the most picturesque area of Bali. It is home to the famous Uluwatu temple and many ultra luxurious hotels. Most of them are hanging on the edge of the cliff with the most spectacular views and wet edge pools.
To mention just a few – Bulgari Hotel, Alila Villas Uluwatu and Karma Kandara.
All three resorts feature a spectacular selection of villas and are frequented by the world famous celebrities. Hugh Jackman favours 3 bedroom villa in the Alila Uluwatu while owner of Air Asia, Tony Fernandes, has purchased one of the cliff residences in Karma Kandara.
Another ‘must mention’ about this area is Bali’s only white sand, blue water beach – Karma Beach in Karma Kandara resort.
It is a beautifully set up, sexy beach club with plush deck chairs, large cabanas, soothing tunes and a wood fire pizza oven. You don’t have to be a hotel guests to visit the beach club, so book a cabana and spend a great day on Bali’s Most Beautiful Beach.
East Bali – Manggis
East Bali is a very remote area, around 2 hours away from the airport. It has black sand beaches and a number of famous diving spots and secret surfing beaches.
The most luxurious hotel in the area is Amankila, iconic Aman resort that has celebrated its 21st birthday this year.
It features 34 villas, a beach club, a gourmet restaurant.
Amankila organizes a great range of activities for its guests – private diving, snorkeling and surfing trips.
Alila Manggis is another lovely resort in the area (4 star).
The resorts in East Bali are very quiet and romantic; the kind of places you come to switch off from the rest of the world.
Ubud – Cultural Capital Of Bali
Ubud is located high up in the mountains in the middle of Bali. It is a very spiritual and beautiful place. We recommend that you spend at least a couple of days here as there is a lot to do and see.
Places of interest in Ubud – Monkey Forest, hidden temples, art museums, dance shows
Things to do in Ubud – there is a multitude of art galleries, beautiful walks through the green rice paddies, white water rafting, trips to the top of the volcano just to mention a few. You won’t be bored in this beautiful place.
There is a multitude of stunning 5 star hotels in Ubud – The Four Seasons Sayan, Alila Ubud, Royal Putu Maha, The Viceroy, Hanging Gardens.
Each one of this luxury hotels is unique and beautiful. They all have breathtaking views over the river or the valley. Many have spectacular wet edge pools like the the photos above and below (Alila & Hanging Gardens).
Must try:
– Yoga lessons in your private garden with the view of the valley to the sounds of the river running though the valley below.
– Dinner at the Mozaic restaurant – fine dining taken to the extreme by a French chef in Ubud
– Walk through the rice paddies with a private guide
Useful Information For Your Bali Trip
To make your trip extra comfortable and luxurious you might want to hire a private driver for the term of your stay or charter a beautiful boat for the day to enhance your trip. Below id some useful information and contact details for The Lux Traveller approved services.
Chauffer Services
If you like to move around and take day trips you’ll need a driver. Full time driver service is very affordable in Bali. The cost is between $40-60 per day. The driver would take you anywhere you’d like to go, wait for you and take you back to the resort any time you are ready.
Here are a couple of number of the excellent drivers we use:
Putu Eka +62 878 61370765
Wayan +62 812 3682632
Luxury Boat Charter
Bali beaches are not great for snorkelling or swimming, yet you could hire a beautiful luxury boat for the day and go to a number of secluded spots for snorkelling, swimming and diving.
Friendly Australian team will look after you. Call Marcus on +6281916502701.
Kids Club
There is an excellent independent kids club in Seminyak, Cubby House. It costs about $10 for 4 hours per child and kids love it. It has a great selection of activities for children of all ages. Little ones as young as 3yo can go for a play.
Water Park
Bali has an excellent water fun park, located 15 min away from Seminyak – WaterBom. It is a great family day out with 25 rides to be enjoyed by young and young at heart. The Lux Traveller suggests hiring a cabana for the day so adults could have a break in the shade while little ones enjoy going over and over on all the rides.
Please contact us if you have any questions about a luxury holiday in Bali. We will be very happy to assist you in planning the most memorable trip ever!
