The Best 5 Star Luxury Hotels in Bali

Bali is fun and friendly. It still is, even after being such a popular tourist destination for all those years, the cliched Balinese smiles haven’t faded one jot. And it’s still a fantastical tropical paradise, the perfect place for a honeymoon or romantic escape, or any kind of escape. But what it has now that it didn’t have 30 or 40 years ago, is a real wealth of five star hotels and resorts to pick from. Once, there were a limited number of really luxurious hotel rooms on the island, but today there are hundreds and hundreds to choose from, ranging from huge resorts covering hundreds of acres of jungle and coastline, to mid-sized resorts of gorgeously traditional Balinese design, to five star hotels in the treetops, to intimate beach escapes that are just a collection of private villas on a totally private stretch of beach. We had to stop somewhere and we’ve capped our recommendations for five star Bali hotels at twenty. So here’s our list of 20 of the best 5 star luxury hotels in Bali. Enjoy!

For a romantic stay

The Ayana Resort & Spa is a 294 room resort, but set in 222 acres of jungle on the cliffs of Jimbaran Bay, so there’s a real sense of privacy and seclusion, accompanied by all the benefits of the fantastic facilities of a larger resort. Size also means choice, with different decor choices as well as room sizes, from European style suites to traditional Balinese villas. For romantics there's private dining on the beach, pampering spa treatments and indulgent suites.
At the other end of the scale when it comes to size is Samsara, a collection of just 17 private villas in the lush, forested hills above Ubud. Each suite has its own private plunge pool and balcony, but there’s also a heated infinity pool, and a gym and spa. The decor is a stylish modernisation of the traditional Balinese style, and all the suites have four-poster beds and muslin drapes, as well as beautifully patterned damask fabrics. The restaurant has an incredible view, and they serve breakfast in your villa. As far as our list of the best five star hotels in Bali goes, Samsara is also at the more affordable end of the scale.

For a Luxury Beach Escape

On Bali’s quieter, east coast, Amankila is a Bali institution, one of the island’s oldest resorts, and very well loved for its incredible views of the Lombok Straight, and some of its fantastically elegant old buildings, which have both a traditional and colonial feel, based on the nearby Karangasem Palaces. Amankila is also known for its three tiered infinity pool… There are just 34 villas in the complex, surrounded by gardens and jungle, and the restaurant serves fusion dishes and impressive cocktails.
Jimbaran Puri is just off the sand of idyllic Jimbaran Bay, an elegant resort and one of our favourites if you’re looking for a relaxing escape. As well as offering direct access to one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches, this is the sort of place for sipping cocktails in your outdoor bath, dining by candlelight, morning yoga sessions and open air massages. There are 64 rooms and villas, with the Deluxe Pool Villas or Cottages perfect for families or groups, and they offer babysitting too. The resort has a choice of restaurants, but you're just a stroll from the restaurants of neighbouring resorts too. Not that you’ll see them from Jimbaran Puri.

For a Luxury Jungle Escape

It sounds a contradiction, but Capella Ubud is an opulent tented camp in the lush rainforests of Ubud. Its 23 one and two bedroom ‘tents’, are sort of like treehouses, or stilted cabins and are decadently decorated with treasures, both local ones and European ones. It has the look of the sort of accommodation you might make if your golden age steamship was wrecked on a gorgeous tropical island! Each tent has its own private terrace and plunge pool too, and there’s an excellent spa, bar and restaurant. It’s a really special place to stay.

Totally emerged in the jungle, to the extent that the Four Seasons Sayan’s restaurant is in amongst the treetops and the spa is in the middle of a wetland pool, this is the perfect hideaway hotel. Each of the 60 rooms and suites have plenty of glass, including large glass doors leading to private terraces, and some have plunge pools too. There’s a yoga studio in the treetops, and the restaurant has a range of Indonesian and international dishes. There’s also plenty here for kids, starting with a kid’s club, but there’s also Balinese art and dance classes and a range of new sports to try.
COMO Shambhala is another luxury hotel treasure hidden amongst the treetops, this time in the rainforest of the Ayung River. There are just 30 suites, arranged in nine individually styled villas, with a pool to a villa (all of which are gorgeous), and outdoor rainwater showers. As is the decor, which is the perfect blend of Indonesian tradition and modern luxury. The spa treatments are nothing short of wonderful, as is the food, and it’s all aimed at encouraging a holistic approach to your wellbeing, so you might even subconsciously pick up some good habits while you’re relaxing.

Amid the lush terraces of the Ayung River Gorge is the Ubud Hanging Gardens, its infinity pool overlooking a steep jungle drop, and its 38 suites, with their sides partly open, looking directly into the canopy. As well as the views these traditionally styled rooms have polished wood floors, four-poster beds draped in muslin and private plunge pools. The food is excellent, and there’s a cooking school, so you can take inspiration home with you. There’s also a yoga studio, and you’re able to take a stroll with a local botanist who’ll teach you about the rainforest. Great for families too. And the spa is gorgeous!
The Viceroy Bali is a collection of villas in the island’s tropical hills, with incredible views. The villas are traditional, yet supremely luxurious with it, and there’s an excellent spa and restaurant too, of course. The Viceroy offers many of Bali’s highlights in one place, with its own cooking school, outdoor yoga studio, birdwatching, and its own collection of art.

For a design hotel

If your interest in the aesthetic runs more to contemporary style the Alila Villas Uluwatu might be the one to book. Perched on the top of a rigged limestone cliff and surrounded by scrub rather than jungle, this villa complex has views in all directions, and everyone sailing around can see its 60s-futuristic-esque — but with sharp edges not rounded — design. The 61 rooms, suites and villas are arranged amongst elegant, square white stone and dark teak pavilions, and you definitely get the impression of purity of design that the architect was going for. Each villa has its own pool and daybeds, and there are personal butlers to look after the rest.

Katamama is quite aesthetically different from many the luxury hotels and resorts on this list. It’s brick and boxy, with 58 huge, contemporary rooms with clean lines, polished wood floors and exposed brick walls in much the same colour. There are also big windows and a roof terrace with an amazing view of the ocean, perfect for sundowners. The cocktail bar and cocktails are achingly cool; this is a great choice if you’re looking for luxury with lively nightlife.

Bali’s Best Fly and Flop 5 Star Hotels

At just 25minutes from the airport, The Bale makes Bali seem like a viable fly and flop option, but with all the added extras of it being a tropical destination with an ancient culture and a great access to the rest of the region. Being in Denpasar is one thing, but The Bale is gorgeous with it, with 29 rooms arranged in a series of beautiful pavilions dotted with gardens and pools, so each room and suite feels very private. The decor is contemporary, with lots of teak and white muslin, and the bathrooms are huge. There’s also a huge shared pool, a spa and gym, and a beach club. The food, fusion Asian European, is fantastic too.

Just up from Kuta Beach in Denpasar, The Legian is a stylish 79 room beach resort right on the sand. If you’re looking for privacy you’ll find it here in one of their private villas, but there are also great family suites and standard rooms, and there’s a kids club too of you want to fly and flop with your children. Interiors are a beautiful blend of traditional Indonesian style and modern minimalism, but with parquet floors and muslin drapes, and there’s a really good choice of bars and restaurants offering international options as well as local ones. Friendly and laid back.
The Oberoi is the grande dame of Bali’s beach resorts, with a great collection of traditional Balinese styled villas on easy to reach Seminyak Beach in Denpasar. The villas comes in all different sizes, some are great for families, some have their own private pools and walled gardens, but all are similarly styled with carved teak four-poster beds with white muslin drapes, thatched roofs, cane furnishings and big sliding doors/windows. The spa is glorious, with some fantastic local treatments, as well as the ones you know and love, and the restaurant is excellent, and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Plus you’re just five minutes from a string of lively bars.

For a family friendly 5 star hotel

Often it’s the larger resorts the have the best facilities for kids, and the Four Seasons Jimbaran is a great example of five star family friendly. There are 156 villas of various sizes, all spacious, with thatched roofs and Balinese touches to the decorations, plus a private pavilion and pool. They’re arranged on a jungle-covered hill overlooking Jimbaran Bay, rolling down to a beach that’s a mile long. There’s also a choice of five open air restaurants, a gym, cooking school, kids club, organised watersports, badminton, bocce and the hotel will organise local activities too, like the opportunity to ride an elephant.
The Alila Villas Soori is an eco-friendly resort set right against one of those dramatic black sandy beaches on the less discovered west side of Bali. There are 48 rooms, spread throughout villas with between one and ten bedrooms, all with private terraces and infinity pools. Some have private dining rooms too. There’s also a spa. This is a great place for families and groups, because of the range of villa's sizes, and they also offer babysitting and are able to arrange loads of fantastic local activities, including horse riding, traditional dance classes and trips to local markets.

For great value

Uma Ubud is only five minutes from central Ubud, but its setting of tropical gardens, and location on a hillside overlooking the Tjampuhan Valley, means that it feels miles from anywhere. There are just 29 rooms and suites, all with four-poster beds, deep baths and private verandahs. Some of the larger suites have their own plunge pools too. The decor is a very sophisticated take on Indonesia’s traditions, and there’s all sort of extras on offer: Balinese cooking classes, complimentary yoga sessions, and guided walks around the area run by the hotel.
The Mulia is classic beach resort, with 11 rooms, suites and villas, in an incredible spot on Nusa Dua Beach. This is the sort of place with all the mod. cons. and all the extra ones you didn’t know you needed, set in large rooms with clean lines and impressive views. There are numerous pools, restaurants, bars and cafes and a superb spa. It’s easily everything you’re looking for in a Bali beach resort.

Ensconced in the jungle in the foothills above Ubud is Alila Ubud, a stunning, treehouse style resort with 56 rooms and suites. In addition to the elegant traditional design, the air of peace, the five stars and incredible views, this hotel has an art gallery, a spa, and offers 24 hour in-room dining, as well as having a really special restaurant.
Bisma Eight is actually in Ubud, so a great choice if you want to do some cultural sightseeing. But it really has a feeling of seclusion too, and a jungle-y setting. There are just 38 rooms and suites, and while they’re definitely decorated in the local style, there’s also a hint of the industrial about them too, with raw concrete and rattan mixed. The restaurant is excellent, and they offer cooking classes too.

Still not sure which to book?

Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Bali,
or you might like to consider our Guru’s collection of 13 of the Best Resorts in Bali, or our recommendations for the Best Hotels for a Honeymoon in Bali.
Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

20 of the Best 5 Star Luxury Hotels in Bali

The Oberoi, Bali

Seminyak (Denpesar )

The Grand Dame of Bali, a well-run, traditional resort on popular Seminyak beach. Luxurious Balinese styled villas, some with private pools. Exceptional food served in a romantic setting, and an extensive spa. The perfect beach escape.

Honeymoons - Exclusive and romantic villas, with walled courtyard gardens and large private pools, an extensive spa and fantastic food.
Spa breaks - A glorious spa with Balinese and Thai massages, mineral mud wraps, Hot Stone therapies and Oberoi signature treatments.
Wildlife Area - Visit the Oberoi's turtle sanctuary, a must for any nature lover.
Tennis - Hone your skills with a game on the hotel's tennis courts

from AU$490 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

20 of the Best 5 Star Luxury Hotels in Bali

For a romantic stay

For a Luxury Beach Escape

For a Luxury Jungle Escape

For a design hotel

Bali’s Best Fly and Flop 5 Star Hotels

For a family friendly 5 star hotel

For great value

Still not sure which to book?

20 of the Best 5 Star Luxury Hotels in Bali

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