8 Reasons Why Bali is Our Most Popular Destination

Bali‘s allure shows no sign of abating. In 2025, 1.6 million Australians visited the Island of the Gods, with one in 10 booking through Luxury Escapes – and numbers are only set to rise.

With new flight routes from Canberra and Adelaide set for 2026, and 23 new luxury hotels under construction from heavy hitters like Anantara, Kempinski, Marriott and Kimpton, Bali’s never been in higher demand – and there’s never been a better time to go. 

Read on for eight reasons why Bali is one of the hottest Luxury Escapes destinations of all time.

1. Bali all-inclusive resorts are top tier 

All-inclusive resorts in Bali offer world-class luxury for accessible prices compared to other global holiday hotspots. From the moment you arrive, it’s flop-and-drop bliss: depending on your package, perhaps butler service will attend to your every whim, the drinks are free-flowing all day, or all meals are taken care of. It’s a slice of much-needed relaxation, for exceptional value.

Resorts like Grand Hyatt Bali, a Luxury Escapes bestseller, promise everything you need for all-inclusive luxury. With five pools, nine restaurants and bars, a kids’ club and spa, so there’s no reason to leave the resort, which is a destination in itself. On the shores of Nusa Dua Beach, Bali Tropic Resort & Spa has perfected the art of effortless escape, whose all-inclusive package means you don’t lift a finger unless it’s to raise a cocktail. 

2. Bali pool villas offer privacy & space 

Images: Mulia Villas, Cross Bali Breakers.

Want comfort and relaxation with complete privacy? Bali has no shortage of private pool villas – meaning you can swim anytime, just with the ones you love. Offering an individualised and exclusive holiday home base, Bali’s pool villas are often set in their own grounds, away from other accommodation. You can take days at your own pace with ultimate flexibility, dining in the comfort of your villa or eating out when you please. 

At the likes of Mulia Villas, these perks are coupled with resort facilities like a hydrotherapy swimming pool and 20 treatment rooms at the world-renowned spa. At Samabe Bali Suites & Villas in Nusa Dua, an infinity pool sits by a modern outdoor dining space, perfect for a romantic getaway. Or escape to Ubud’s lush green rice paddies and discover your private slice of island paradise at Kayumanis Ubud Private Villa & Spa.  

3. Adults-only resorts in Bali promise next-level romance 

Images: Bali Tropic Resort & Spa, Anantara Ubud.

Bali’s reputation as a romantic island shines brightest in its adults-only sanctuaries, where every experience is crafted for two. Among the most alluring is  One Eleven Resorts in Seminyak, a boutique adults-only haven with villas featuring a private pool and spa gazebo. Indulge in intimate experiences such as floating breakfasts in the pool, personalised in-villa spa treatments, and candlelit dinners under the stars. Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape offers adults-only serenity in the raw wilderness of Gianyar. Blissfully secluded, with activities like yoga and waterfall treks, it’s perfect for a romantic getaway. 

4. Family friendly resorts in Bali are welcoming

Thanks to great value resorts with activity-filled kids’ clubs, flexible room types and all-inclusive ease, Bali is known for being family friendly. Some may offer special interconnecting rooms or family suites to accommodate groups, next-level activities like kids’ cooking classes, dedicated wading pools for little ones and even slides and waterparks. Look out for all-inclusive packages which bundle meals and activities into one upfront cost, reducing day-to-day logistics for parents. 

Intercontinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran offers direct beachfront access, six pools and the supervised Planet Trekkers kids’ club, plus interconnecting rooms, suites and villas suited to families. In Kuta, big and little kids have everything they need for an incredible stay at Hard Rock Hotel Bali, where entertainment is endless. Ages 4-12 can play games and make new friends at Roxity Kids’ Club or splash around in the waterpark, while teens can hang out in the ultra-cool TABU venue, complete with a PS4, Xbox, nightclub, cinema and gaming lounge. AYANA Segara Bali gives families access to the wider AYANA estate’s multiple pools, kids’ activities and playground facilities, with larger accommodation categories available.

5. Bali jungle resorts invite you to connect with nature

Surrounded by rice fields and jungle, Ubud is a tropical destination that feels like a world away from daily life. It’s perfect for reconnecting with nature, away from the more densely populated areas of Bali. Journey to serene spots like the Tegenungan Waterfall, one of Bali’s most iconic natural destinations 20 minutes from downtown Ubud, or Tibumana Waterfall more off the beaten path. 

Resorts like Alila Ubud invite you to bask in serenity, surrounded by nothing but the sounds of the jungle. Hidden among picturesque rice paddies, it’s home to a world-famous infinity pool – one Bali’s most beautiful. Kappa Senses Ubud is a veritable Eden of emerald rice fields, soaring mountains and mist-shrouded palms, where you can engage with the land and local artisans with curated experiences.

6. Bali surfing is some of the best in the world

Images: Shutterstock / kudla, Shutterstock / Patrickwa.

Bali is one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world, offering year-round breaks for every level, from gentle beach waves to perfect reef barrels. Experienced local instructors and surf schools, especially around Kuta, Canggu and Seminyak, help first-timers find their footing. 

The South Coast hosts the island’s most-sought after crests. Uluwatu is renowned for its powerful waves, while Padang Padang Lefts tests advanced surfers with fast breaks. The spoils of the Bukit Peninsula are more under-the-radar, but just as thrilling. If you’re wanting to squeeze in one final session, the Airport Reefs near Kuta and Jimbaran offer dependable waves minutes from the airport. 

7. A Bali wellness retreat allows you to really unwind

Images: COMO Shambhala.

There are few places where wellness feels as woven into daily life as it does in Bali. A global capital for yoga, the island attracts everyone from aspiring instructors to dedicated practitioners and intrigued beginners year-round, to practice in immersive jungle shalas and serene beachfront studios.

Bali’s spiritual culture deeply shapes this wellbeing ethos. Daily offerings, temple ceremonies and a philosophy rooted in harmony between people, nature and the divine create an atmosphere where mindfulness comes naturally. That conscious approach extends to the island’s thriving plant-based dining scene, where vegan cafés and health-focused restaurants serve locally sourced dishes, cold-pressed juices and traditional herbal tonics.

All this means the wellness retreats and resort spas are out-of-this-world. The all-immersive COMO Shambhala (pictured) is one of the most iconic, while at The Mulia Spa, start your day with ocean-inspired rituals before indulging in one of the many therapies like Vietnamese cupping, lymphatic massages or detox immersions.  

8. The exchange rate is great for Aussies  

Bali offers great value for Australian travellers. Thanks to the favourable AUD to Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) exchange rate, your money currently goes significantly further in Bali than it does at home. Private pool villas, beachfront resorts, spa treatments, restaurant meals and scooter rentals go from being luxury extras to highly accessible.

With strong purchasing power, a quick flight and warm tropical weather year-round, it’s easy to see why so many Aussies continue to choose Bali.