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Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape
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Alila Ubud
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AYANA Segara
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Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso
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Kappa Senses Ubud
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InterContinental Bali
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Anantara Ubud Bali Resort
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Pura Bratan temple
Bali‘s allure shows no sign of abating. In 2025, 1.6 million Australians touched down on the Island of the Gods, with more than one in 10 booking through Luxury Escapes – and numbers are only set to rise.
From a booming hotel scene to new direct flight routes and an exchange rate that promises maximum bang for your buck, read on for why there’s truly never been a better time to visit.
1. The exchange rate is the best it’s been in years
Right now, Bali offers greater value than ever, with the exchange rate from AUD to Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) the strongest it’s been in recent history. Your money currently goes significantly further in Bali than it does at home, with private pool villas, beachfront resorts, spa treatments, restaurant meals and scooter rentals go from being luxury extras to highly accessible. It’s a license to treat yourself.
2. There are 23 new game-changing hotels in the works
Demand for Bali is surging, with luxury hoteliers like Anantara, Kempinski, Marriott and Kimpton all developing brand-new properties with more wow-factor than ever before. From the architecturally spectacular, dragon-inspired Anantara Dragon Seseh Bali Resort & Residences, which is already turning heads and winning awards for its design, to The Apurva Kempinski Ubud, in the emerald heart of the jungle with its own tropical aviary, these next-generation resorts are raising the bar and redefining the already impressive levels of Balinese luxury.
3. There are new flight routes being added for 2026
More travellers means more airline seats, more choice and more competitive pricing. From March 2026, Indonesia AirAsia is introducing a daily, direct, low-fare service to Denpasar from Melbourne, while Jetstar is set to implement a thrice-weekly direct service, the first ever, from the Sunshine Coast. From June, Virgin Australia is adding a direct flight three times a week from Canberra.
4. It’s our most popular destination of all time
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2025, 1 in 10 visitors to Bali booked through Luxury Escapes, with numbers only set to rise. Its combination of exceptional value, high quality resorts, tropical beauty and ability to cater to everyone from families to surfers and wellness aficionados makes it an all-round winner, time after time.
5. 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 pure flop-and-drop bliss: depending on your package, perhaps butler service will anticipate your every whim, the drinks are free-flowing all day, or all meals are taken care of from sunrise to sunset. 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 even 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, covering meals, free-flow drinks and activities, means you don’t lift a finger unless it’s to raise a cocktail.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Family friendly resorts in Bali are welcoming
Bali is one of the most family friendly destinations you could find, with great value resorts offering activity-filled kids’ clubs, flexible room types and all-inclusive ease. 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.
9. Bali jungle resorts invite you to connect with nature
Ubud has an undeniable magic with its mist-shrouded hills, emerald rice terraces and jungle canopies, with nothing but the sound of birdsong and trickling water in the air. 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.
10. 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 for pros. 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 legendary and 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.
11. 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. Revered as a global capital for yoga, the island attracts everyone from aspiring instructors to dedicated practitioners and intrigued beginners year-round, to practice in misty jungle shalas and salt-swept beachfront studios.
Bali’s centuries-old 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.
