Romantic Resort in Bali
 

HI, everyone. I will be traveling to Bali for a week in Nov and I'm looking for recommendations to stay. I'm looking for a resort that will make your jaw drop ... something spectacular...

I don't have preference on which area, but I have a friend who recommend Nusa Dua since she said the beach are so much nicer than others. My budget is approx. USD $250-$300/night.

Some activities I'd love to do: massages, yoga, dinner by the bale (I think that's what they call it - like daybed by the beach), relaxing at the beach, and explore local culture/shows in the daytime. Any suggestions is much much appreciated!!

I don't know if this will help...we are in our late 20s...would love to stay in somewhere trendy.

Nusa Dua is one of the places I'd advise against staying in. It is a tourist enclave...a group of hotels on an "improved" beach complete with shopping center, all behind a giant security gate. Not much jawdropping or Balinese about it at all.

For jawdropping views, look at the Four Seasons Sayan, Alila Ubud, Maya Ubud, Ulun Ubud...in decending order of price, all in the Ubud area.

Other gorgeous resorts....The Legian in Seminyak, Amandari and Amankils (though waaayyy above your budget, they are jawdropping), Ubud Hanging Gardens, COMO Shambhala Estate, the Viceroy...

You are really spoiled for choice, and there is something for every budget. I like the inland areas around Ubud far better than the beach areas...you might want to split your stay between somewhere like the Legian in Seminyak and a nice place inland.

Trendy..maybe the Legian is as close as you'll come to trendy in the south. The Bulgari Resort is new and trendy, and way above your budget...but if you can spluge. In Ubud, the Uma Ubud is a bit more modern than traditional Balinese.

Thank you so much for the responses. I checked out The Legian Seminyak and it looks awesome!!

It looks like most recommendations are in Ubud... Is Ubud a nice place to stay? Just checking the map, and Ubud is inland right?

I love the beach and originally thought about staying at beachfront resorts. Let me know what you all think?

I really love Ubud and the surrounding area. It's touristy right in town, but outside of town is some stunning scenery and easy access to culture and villages. Balinese people are very welcoming we've found.

For me, and many others, Bali is much, much more than the beach. The beaches aren't even close to being the best Asia has to offer, and while they are nice, they are not stunning. It's not a white sand kind of place, and there is always some litter about, and the water is not the cleanest, thanks largely to drainage from hotels much of the time. Seminyak is nice because the beach is fine (though not stunning) and there are some nice restaurants, bars and shops, and it lacks the full on sort of atmosphere of Kuta and Legian which I find rather tacky.

Many like Sanur beach, and it is long and recently filled with new sand, so it looks the part. We didn't love it there...it's kind of a strip of hotels and shops and restaurants, few of which are outstanding, and most of which are struggling to survive. It is popular with Europeans in the way Kuta/Legian is popular with Australians.

I might do 3 nights at the Legian and 4 nights in or around Ubud to get a taste of each.

Have to agree with other views here. While I find some Bali beaches 'nice' for different reasons, there's no jaw-dropping scenery there. Krabi in Thailand would be the place that comes to mind for that.

That said, I have a couple other recommendations for you: the Damai in Lovina, on the less trampled north side of Bali; and the Samaya in Seminyak, which is a bit less like a big high-rise hotel than the Legian.

I, too, recommend against Nusa Dua. It's really sterile. You might be at any international beach resort in the world.

Dividing your time between a beach location and an inland location is a popular choice. And you have lots of excellent recommendations from Kim and Michael.

cl4udie, it's fairly hard to find a resort in Bali that isn't romantic! I agree that Nusa Dua would be my last choice. I'm a great Legian fan, for the facilities and for location. It's really not a high rise (only 4 stories) but in order to get some height -- and therefore better ocean views and sunsets -- you do forego some of the intimacy that you get in a villa arrangement.

I also like the idea of spending some time in Ubud and would look at the Alila and Uma in your price range.

Haven't book my resort yet but just The Legian at Seminyak and they have a special rate at $320/night. I think so far that's my #1 choice...

cl4udie, I'm sure you'll be satisfied with the Legian. Just be aware that all hotels in Indonesia add 21% surcharge to the room rate and all other charges.

In the neighborhood there are many very good restaurants, spas and shops. Of special note are KuDeTa, LaLucciola and the Living Room. These are all within walking distance or you can ask the Legian's porters to run you over and call them for a pick up. They don't charge but I always tip them.

Another nearby restaurant that I went to for the first time last week is Blossom at Sentoso. A very pretty surrounding.

The Legian is lovely for breakfrast and nice for lunch at the pool. I think their main restaurant is overpriced for dinner, but they have great special events, like seafood barbeques, on the beach.

Have fun and let us know about your trip.

Thank you!!! I'm so excited....

Check out the two Alila resorts: at Ubud and Candi Dasa.

The Ubud one used to be the Chedi and the Candi Dasa one was the Serai. Both were excellent, and I have that nothing has changed.

Candi Dasa is a little out of the way, but the Alila is very romantic and has wonderful food. You used to also get complimentary membership of the nearby Aman Kila beach club - which is heaven on a stick.

I think they do quite a good package when you use them both. Google for them.

The Oberoi in Seminyak! I thought it was prettier and more intimate than the Legian and you are still within walking distance of those fabulous restaurants. The Oberoi is a "cottage" hotel and the guest rooms are just lovely.

Another vote for the Four Seasons-Sayan in Ubad. Takee a Deluxe Room, suite not necessary, four 4 nights with the river behind the room. It is simply the best. I am comparing the property to 8-9 other Four Season properties, Starwood resorts and Ritz Carltons. We have gone twiwe and will spend 3 nights in March on our return from several remote Indonesian islands.The dining room serves some of the best food but 1 meal there and then a few dinners in Ubad.

Depending on how it is booked (agent or online) I doubt if the specified budget of USD $250-$300/night would fit the Oberoi of any of the Four Seasons....