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Bali’s Best Boutique Hotels
Written by Dana Cape
Imagine yourself on an intimate hillside villa escape in Ubud or at an eco-friendly jungle oasis – these are Bali’s best boutique hotels.
Bali is brimming with charming, boutique luxury stays that pack the same punch as the island’s grandest resorts. If you’re craving a more intimate touch to your getaway, these gems are your ticket to a truly unforgettable experience on the Island of the Gods.
Pura Wulandari, Ubud
Sure, Ubud has plenty of pool villas, but how many properties offer front-seat views across a jungle canyon from the side of a private hill? We don’t have the exact answer, but Pura Wulandari is one of the few. Villas feature traditional Balinese design, including thatched roofing that keeps things feeling and looking cool without compromising on luxury. Treatments at Lila Ulangun Spa draw on traditional Balinese healer remedies passed down through generations and guaranteed to relax you.
Desa Potato Head, Seminyak
While Potato Head Suites & Studios has long outgrown its boutique beginnings, this pioneering property refuses to settle and still sets the standard for sustainable practice within Bali’s hotel culture. The Desa runs a self-sustained recycling program that creates guest room amenities, furniture and more out of trash. International artists like Max Lamb, architect Andra Matin and DJ Harvey call this village home, popping in for regular sessions to collaborate on new designs and run underground raves.
Ulu Cliffhouse, Uluwatu
Does anything scream ‘coastal cool’ more than a cliffside clubhouse in surf-supreme Uluwatu? The centrepiece of this chic property is its beach club, perched atop a 60-metre-high limestone cliff overlooking Padang Padang Beach. A winding wooden stairwell offers direct access to the sands at low tide. Seven suites loosely circle the two-tiered swimming pool, restaurant and bar, with each room featuring a unique design, inspired by, and named for, the most popular Indonesian surf spots.
Blue Karma Village, Umalas
Home to just 16 joglos (open-air villas), this lush property exists in the space between Canggu and Seminyak, a short drive from Petitenget and other popular beaches. Japanese sensibility infuses the onsite tea house, Hiiragi restaurant and Heiwa day spa with sophistication. Sit down for matcha after your morning yoga session, taking in views of the resort’s three pools among utter seclusion and tranquillity.
Nirjhara, Tabanan
Not far from the newly opened Luna Beach Club – one of Tabanan’s greatest draw cards – this uber-eco-conscious property makes myriad use of the region’s natural resources. Recycled wood, natural stone and traditional sirap combine to create luxury pavilions, suites and villas that melt into the jungle and rice paddies. Hire a bicycle at the front desk to explore the area, splash away in the resort’s onsite waterfall, spend time in the tiered infinity pool, laze in a rooftop bath or stroll to Kendungu Beach.
Maha Hills Resort, Sambangan
If you long for misty air and a cool breeze, heading into Bali’s northern hills is an excellent idea. Not far from the black volcanic sands of Lovina Beach, this wellness resort offers a refreshing escape with a focus on holistic healing practices. After dining at two restaurants that feature farm-to-table cuisine sourced from local, organic gardens, attending Balinese healer-led meditation classes and practicing yoga in the hilltop shala, you’re bound to float out of Maha Hills Resort feeling like a whole new person.
Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, Ubud
Set on the former estate of Hendra Hadiprana, one of Indonesia’s most respected art collectors, this impeccably landscaped property earned recognition from Travel + Leisure as one of Indonesia’s Best Upcountry Hotels. Dedicated butlers attend to each of the 20 villas and suites, set amid lotus ponds, reflection pools and traditional Balinese sculptures. Luxurious amenities include chauffeur service, a tranquil lounge offering afternoon tea and hot air balloon flights above the rice paddies at sunrise or sunset.
Canggu Cabana Resort by iNi Vie Hospitality, Canggu
Since opening in late 2023, this addition to hospitality giant iNi Vie’s collection of excellent Balinese honeymoon resorts has proven itself a cut above the rest. Bali’s first-ever luxury cabana-inspired stay has both a unique design and an A+ location, just a five-minute walk from Canggu Beach. Soak up sea views from your private rooftop terrace atop one of only 10 three-storey cabanas, while an infinity pool gently snakes its way beneath you.
Samabe Bali Suites & Villas, Nusa Dua
Experience true refinement with a day in one of Samabe’s beach cabanas, built into jungle-clad cliffs overlooking the shimmering sands of a private beach. Or, while away time staring at the ocean from your villa’s private day bed or plunge pool, with your personal butler available to cater to your needs 24/7.
Opt for the Unlimited Privileges all-inclusive package to enjoy free-flowing drinks and a selection of standout resort activities – think Balinese costume dress-up, camel rides, in-villa pool foam parties and the chance to walk across the ocean floor wearing a futuristic Seawalker helmet.
Hotel Tugu Bali, Canggu
Design aficionados will find paradise at this beachfront, family-owned property, where world-class antiques from the owner’s personal Asian art collection adorn each pavilion and suite. After days surfing and strolling the sands, cool off in your sunken bathtub and lay down in a hand-carved four-poster bed bedecked with flowing white curtains. Replenish at any of six onsite restaurants, with choices including Chinese haute cuisine in a 300-year-old, original Kang Xi temple and an organic Javanese coffee shop.
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Featured image: Ulu Cliffhouse. Source: provided.
