Live your trendiest island life at the best boutique hotels in Bali, Indonesia
Outdoor showers and magical vistas guaranteed.
Escaping to an island like Phuket, Hvar or Malta is the ultimate way to relax and unwind. The most popular spot in the Indonesian archipelago, Bali has long been adored for its unique culture and breathtaking scenery. If you’re planning an escape, be sure to stay at one of the best boutique hotels in Bali, Indonesia and you’ll soon discover why the region is so beloved.
The best boutique hotels in Bali, Indonesia
1. The Slow | Canggu
Hidden in Bali’s southern coastal region of Canggu lies The Slow, a tranquil residence that combines its local roots with a touch of luxury. The hotel was designed and curated by fashion designer George Gorrow and his wife Cisco, who’s modern art collection is displayed throughout.
The interiors seamlessly combine industrialism with the open plan wooden houses synonymous with Bali – the rooms are bright and airy, with brick walls and minimalist furniture, but wooden ceilings, soft furnishings and Boho art have all been added to make it feel like home. With only 12 rooms in total, each one is spacious, plus the four ground floor suites have private plunge pools. The Slow’s restaurant serves a range of excellent Indonesian food and elegantly curated cocktails – it’s one of Canggu’s most popular haunts, so get there early.
Find out more about The Slow
2. Balquisse Heritage Hotel | Jimbaran
If you’re looking for a chic and relaxing dsanctuary in Jimbaran, then be sure to book in at Balquisse Heritage Hotel. Each of the rooms here have boho vibes with inspiration for the interiors coming from Java and Morocco.
In-house restaurant Asam Garam serves a delectable menu with many dishes showcasing local Balinese cuisine. The friendly staff are on-hand to help arrange picnics, excursions, and anything else your heart may desire.
Find out more about Balquisse Heritage Hotel
3. MAMAKA by Ovolo | Kuta
Ovolo has a cluster of boutique hotels stretching through Australia and Hong Kong, with MAMAKA its most recent triumph. The hotel concept, designed by ARA Design and situated on Kuta Beach, combines an eclectic mix of aquatic colours in its rooms, with local furnishings, such as woven rugs, ambient lighting, and wooden armchairs.
It doesn’t fall short on entertaining guests either, with a rooftop infinity pool complete with cabanas, climbing wall, and an in-house surf school. The hotel’s beachfront bar and kitchen, Street 32, has quickly become popular with guests and visitors, serving classic Asian dishes with a twist such as Ox Tongue Nasi Goreng and Katsu Ramen. They also do an extensive all-day breakfast and have a café, One Pink Goat, for when you need a caffeine hit.
Discover more about MAMAKA by Ovolo
4. The Bale | Nusa Dua
The Bale Nusa Dua, which refers to itself as a retreat rather than a hotel, is an opulent, sprawling residence perfect for your next tropical hideaway. You won’t find any rooms or suites here, but rather a selection of 29 spacious ‘compounds’, each equipped with their own pavilion encompassing a private pool, gardens and 24-hour butler.
The interiors are sleek and modern, and with their traditional Balinese roofs, outdoor showers, and bathtubs filled with flowers you’ll feel like you’ve transported somewhere very special. There are two restaurants to choose from, Faces, serving in-season global cuisine, and Tapa Bistro, which offers a range of bite-sized local, Asian and international dishes.
Learn more about The Bale
5. Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape | Payangan
Nestled away in the heart of the Balinese jungle, overlooking the Buahan Valley, Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape is an oasis of calm. The adults-only resort invites guests to escape from their everyday life and to live in the beauty of nature during their stay.
Experience foraging in the surrounds, take a tour of a farmer’s land, or while away the day by the epic swimming pool. Each villa here offers spectacular views alongside stylish design that lets the forest do the talking.
Read our full review of Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape.
Find out more about Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape
6. Potato Head Studios | Seminyak
In Indonesian, Desa means village, and that is exactly what Potato Head Studios have achieved in Seminyak with this combination of a beach club and two hotels. Designed by OMA and David Gianotten, the complex’s main feature is a large floating ring, in the centre of which is outdoor space for local cultural events and leisure.
You can choose from 168 rooms located in the ring, or 57 suites, all of which are authentically Balinese, with wooden walls, ceilings and beds, a few soft furnishings and plenty of sunlight. This village focuses on bringing locals and guests together, meaning you’ll also find plenty of music, art and performances. With five restaurants to choose from, all with local ingredients, you can go from multi-sensory dining to beach-club cocktails within minutes.
Read our full review of Potato Head Studios. The hotel also features on our guide to the most eco-friendly hotels in Bali.
Find out more about Potato Head Studios
7. Maua Nusa Penida | Nusa Penida
Sitting on a hilltop in Gamat Bay in Nusa Penida, Maua is the place to stay if you’re searching for authentic coastal luxury. With panoramic views and surrounded by plant life, the hotel has a modern, sleek design with touches of Bali throughout.
There are 26 large villas at Maua, which all have dressing rooms, a garden, and a private pool, plus open plan living areas with doors opening to the elements, while larger two-bedroom villas also have jacuzzis.
If you’re wondering what to do, the list is long: relax by the infinity pool, enjoy a drink in the lounge, or unwind with a massage at the spa. Locally-inspired experiences are also on offer, such as hatha yoga classes, sunset cruises in a traditional boat, scuba diving and ATV rides across the island.
There’s a restaurant and bar onsite – at Aroha, you can sip a sundowner or have a light snack by the pool, while Kowhai offers alfresco farm-to-table meals with vegetables sourced from the hotel’s onsite garden.
Discover more about Maua Nusa Penida
8. COMO Shambhala Estate | Ubud
Shambhala Estate is the embodiment of what Bali is known for – a wellness retreat focusing on holistic treatments and activities. If you feel like doing yoga at sunrise, cycling through rice paddies or white water rafting in the Balinese surf, you won’t be disappointed by the choices on offer. Shambhala Estate is COMO’s flagship hotel in Bali, owned by Christina Ong, and like its counterparts (we reviewed London’s COMO the Halkin) it isn’t lacking in luxury.
30 suites make up the retreat, each with their own pools and treatment rooms. The property also houses a spa, sauna, steam room, and infinity pool. Being at one with nature is a theme throughout, with open-air living rooms, wooden rooms, and pools that drop away into the jungle. Culinary options focus on nutrition, meaning you’ll find local ingredients, an Ayurvedic diet option, and as many superfoods as you can eat.
Discover more about COMO Shambhala Estate
9. Stone House Bali | Ubud
Nestled on the fringes of Ubud, Stone House Bali sits quietly concealed in the jungle – the epitome of privacy with modern amenities at your fingertips. The hotel was designed by owners Wendy Kassel and Walker Zabriskie, who made the interiors truly rustic-chic, featuring not just wooden ceilings and floors, but reclaimed driftwood sinks, hand-woven carpets and deep wooden bathtubs.
A spacious pool sits right outside surrounded by jungle, which is the perfect place to get out of the heat, however StoneHouse was designed as an extension to a home, meaning it doesn’t feature amenities such as a gym or spa. In place of a restaurant, there is a traditional communal dining area where you’ll be served fresh fruits for breakfast and hearty local dishes throughout the day, with many of the ingredients grown on the property.
Learn more about Stone House Bali
10. Capella Hotel and Resort | Ubud
Cited as being the world’s most exotic hotel, Capella Ubud, which was created by renowned architect and designer Bill Bensley, certainly lives up to its name. The resort is actually a ‘tent retreat’ comprising individual wooden villas that may remind you of a (very glamorous) tent. Each one was painstakingly designed, from the hand-carved Balinese doors, to the intricate headboards and locally sourced materials.
The 23 tents feature private saltwater pools, plus indoor and outdoor bathrooms, all of which will bring you closer to nature. There are also four multi-sensory restaurants on site: Mads Lange is a tented dining room serving fresh seafood and hand-harvested vegetables, while Api Jiwa is a communal theatrical flame-grilled experience. The Mortar and Pestle Bar and Campfire both serve tasteful cocktails and snacks to enjoy al fresco, and if you want true farm-to-table, visit the Keliki Garden to see where your dinner was grown.
Discover more about Capella Hotel and Resort Ubud
11. Fivelements Retreat | Ubud
Fivelements brings together everything you could want from a wellness retreat under one roof, from outdoor showers to huge bathtubs overlooking a winding river, or endless spa treatments and a selection of nutritious, vegan food. The eco-wellness resort was designed by Arte Architects & Associates, led by Ketut Arthana, who wanted the hotel to bring guests closer to nature and utilise authentic Balinese materials.
All of the buildings are thatched or bamboo, and living spaces are open air. You can choose from a one-bedroom riverfront suite, right up to the lavish signature pool suite with meditation pavilion, all with either a plunge pool or infinity pool, plus an outdoor bathtub and seating area. The Sakti Dining Room is a multilevel restaurant which serves only the finest of organic ingredients, referred to as ‘raw vegan living foods’ – expect superfood salads, beetroot burgers and zero alcohol or sugar.
Find out more about Fivelements
12. Alila Villas | Uluwatu
Carefully built by Singaporean architecture firm WOHA, Alila Villas is one of Bali’s most stunning and unusual hotels, perched on a clifftop in Uluwatu. The hotel itself has 50 suites and 35 villas, with a cliffside infinity pool dropping away dramatically into the ocean – it is frequently labelled as one of the world’s best pools, and makes our list of Bali’s best hotel swimming pools. Aside from this breathtaking amenity, you’ll experience an expansive spa, 24-hour gym, yoga pavilion and a private beach.
Most of the minimalistic suites have sweeping ocean views, while villas have floor to ceiling windows for you to fully enjoy your private pool. The Sunset Cabana is the hotel’s remarkable eatery, a clifftop wooden space serving nourishing Indonesian cuisine, or alternatively head to Cire for all day dining with a mix of Western and Mediterranean dishes. Don’t want to leave the comfort of your private cabana? You can summon your butler via tablet for anything you could possibly need.
Discover more about Alila Villas
13. Soori Bali | Tabanan
A masterpiece of sustainability designed by architect Soo K. Chan, Soori is a sprawling boutique hotel firmly set in the Balinese countryside. Yet with its 48 exclusive villas, all with private plunge pools, panoramic views over the mountains and nearby stretch of volcanic black sand beach, you will feel as though you’ve woken up in an entirely new world.
Relaxation is the ultimate goal here, with plenty of water features, outdoor spaces and greenery, as well as their on-site spa. The hotel’s two restaurants are distinctly contrasting, where Ombak serves up Western plates, Cotta provides local fare using ingredients sourced from local markets. Both are beachside and overlook the ocean, and the squid-ink beef is a must try.
Learn more about Soori Bali
14. Saba Estate | Ketewel
Luxury, sophistication, minimalism and modern amenities are the name of the game at Saba Estate, combined with ocean views, and state-of-the-art facilities. The design here is sleek, with no expense spared – marble walls, open air communal spaces, and stylish furniture in a mix of light wood and soft white make it feel like your own private villa in the hills.
Suites here range from the Estate Garden Suite up to the Esplanade Estate Suite, with all offering large, open plan living and bedroom areas, dressing rooms, and marble bathroom, while some luxury suites also have pool access. The pride and joy of Saba Estate, if you’re travelling as a party, is the Ultra Luxury Six-Bedroom Pool Villa, an 800 sq-m home with a balcony, pool and barbecue, plus sweeping beach views which you can admire through the glass walls of the living room.
At Saba you can spend your days lounging on the nearby beach or having a calming treatment at the spa, or for more active types, there’s a gym with personal training and yoga classes. Saba feels more like a private home than a hotel, so they haven’t gone all out on dining, but you can always ask the butler to deliver snacks or drinks to your sun lounger. There’s also a small poolside eatery which serves traditional Indonesian dishes and light lunches, while breakfast and afternoon tea are included with your room.
Find out more about Saba Estate
15. Bisma Eight | Ubud
Bisma Eight is just a stone’s throw from Ubud yet you’d never know it in this tranquil property that overlooks a lush jungle valley. Concrete-chic is the phrase that comes to mind, but the sweeping concrete walls and ceilings pair perfectly with soft Balinese touches like patterned furnishings, warm lighting, and wooden accents. Rooms are cosy but don’t feel small thanks to big doors you can throw open onto your balcony, comfortable living areas and bright bathrooms with rain showers, and a wooden Japanese soaking tub. The twelve two-story villas also come with private pools, a leafy garden, open-air living room, and a kitchenette with wine fridge, where you or a private chef can prepare meals.
From the outside you wouldn’t expect all the facilities Bisma Eight has on offer, including two lovely cafes, a gym, library and infinity pool with stretching views. On top of these, there’s a spa for scrubs and treatments, and a rooftop that hosts an array of activities, such as Balinese dancing, cooking classes and sound healing.
There are four drinking and dining spots – the two cafes are perfect for curling up with a drink and a book either inside or by the pool. Copper is the rooftop restaurant serving International-Asian fusion made with local ingredients, while Embers is the signature restaurant, dishing up organic Mediterranean cuisine.
Read more about Bisma Eight
16. Nirjhara | Tabanan
In Sanskrit, nirjhara means waterfall, and that’s exactly the soundtrack to your stay here, with the hotel sitting opposite a waterfall and overlooking the riverside from its prime location just a short way from Kedungu Beach. The only way to describe Nirjhara is as an oasis; with a sparkling pool at its centre, wood-clad outdoor spaces, and local furnishings scattered around.
Any room you choose here is a treat, from the Canopy Suites to the Jungle and Pool Pavilions. The former is by no means small, constructed like a treehouse with views over nearby rice paddies, the room comes with a king sized bed, rain shower and free-standing, solar powered bathtub on the roof. The larger pavilions and villas add more bedrooms, a private pool and a gourmet bar.
Being immersed in Balinese life is on the cards, no matter what activities you choose at Nirjhara, whether learning to surf, cycling through rice fields, or trying an Indonesian cooking class. There’s also a cinema, library, and boutique, but The Retreat spa steals the show with its herbal remedies and massages, along with the Yoga Shala, a bamboo pavilion overlooking the waterfall with complimentary classes. Bringing yet more views, Ambu is a semi-open air restaurant serving all day meals, including local favourites but also plenty of home comforts, such as sandwiches and pasta.
Find out more about Nirjhara
17. Uma Kalai | Ubud
Looking for Bali’s cascading rice terraces and lush jungles without the crowds? Enter Uma Kalai. Located in Sayan, one of Ubud’s most tranquil yet up-and-coming areas, this adults-only hotel combines Balinese heritage and tradition with modern amenities – think indoor-outdoor living, endless views, and ultimate relaxation.
Whether you choose a room or suite, you’ll enjoy a four poster bed, bamboo furniture and local artwork, and all rooms have views over the rice terraces plus pool access. The three villas are even more special, featuring private wrap-around pools and decks, a glass-walled bathroom with free-standing tub, mini bar and custom décor.
As expected at all of the best Balinese properties, you’ll find the 5-star Santi Spa, complete with a dizzying array of traditional treatments and massages, plus an infinity pool with mountain views. There are any number of adventures that the staff can organise too, from water purification ceremonies and meeting a Balinese High Priestess, to hiking through rice paddies and visiting hot springs. Ammā Restaurant is a one-stop delight for anything culinary, such as the full sweet and savoury breakfast menu and heartier evening dishes like beef rendang and mee goreng.
Learn more about Uma Kalai
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