By Eva Johnstone
Planning a honeymoon or couple’s trip to Bali? If you’re asking yourself, “what is the best place to stay in Bali for couples or honeymooners?” or “what is the best resort in Bali for couples?” you’ve come to the right place. Using our local knowledge, we’ve compiled a list of the most romantic destinations on “The Island of the Gods” to fit every travel style. Whether you crave adventure or simply want to relax on a pristine beach, our guide will help you find the best place for you.
Sidemen is best for culture, privacy, nature, off-the-beaten-path and interesting accommodations.
Often referred to as “Bali’s best kept secret”, Sidemen is a place to experience Bali’s authentic culture and discover Bali as it used to be. Rivers rush through rice fields that span from the base of distant mountains to the sea. Mornings are slow and evenings are calm and filled with the sounds of prayer at the local temples.
Popular activities include trekking in the rice fields, exploring by scooter, river rafting and discovering secret waterfalls. Visitors can also hike Mount Batur or Mount Abang in the early morning and watch sunrise from the peak. Most people leave from Ubud or Seminyak when they hike Mount Batur, but Sidemen is much closer so you don’t have to wake up so early).
Virgin Beach, one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Bali, is located 45 minutes away from Sidemen. While many people seek the postcard perfect white sand beaches of their Bali dreams, Virgin Beach is one of the only places where you can truly experience this.
However, for those who want to leave Bali with a deeper cultural understanding, Sidemen is the best place to learn. At Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa, we offer workshops in partnership with local artisans and immersive cultural experiences, including a guided visit to the night market (price: 150 IDR per hour), a silversmithing workshop (price: 600 IDR) and a Balinese cooking class (price: 500 IDR).
These are our recommendations for the best romantic getaways in Sidemen, Bali:
Uluwatu is best for surfing, beaches, restaurants and beach clubs.
Located on the stunning Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is a cliffside area that feels like the edge of the world. Although Uluwatu is the best place to stay in Bali for couples who surf, it also attracts couples looking for relaxation, boutique restaurants and cafes, beautiful beaches and bohemian-style accommodations.
Couples can enjoy afternoons swimming at Bingin Beach in between hightide and low tide, relaxing on a rented daybed at Dreamland Beach or watching the surfers at Suluban Beach. Thomas Beach, Nyang Nyang Beach and Balangan Beach are also beautiful. Make sure to check for currents before entering the water as conditions can change rapidly.
At sunset, watch the famous Kecak fire and dance show at Uluwatu Temple or enjoy a cocktail at Ulu Cliffhouse, a chic clifftop beach club. Other popular beach clubs include El Kabron Bali, Oneeighty Dayclub and Sundays Beach Club. The beach clubs in Uluwatu offer more dramatic views and a more relaxed vibe than the ones near Seminyak Beach or Kuta Beach.
Couples can also take surfing, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates and Latin dancing classes while in Uluwatu.
We recommend these honeymoon accommodations if you’re looking for the best place to stay for couples in Bali (Uluwatu):
Munduk is best for privacy, adventure, off-the-beaten-path, nature and waterfalls.
Nestled in the misty mountains of Bali’s Northern Highlands, Munduk is an off-the-beaten-path destination for couples who love peace, cooler temperatures and waterfall exploration.
During rainy season, this part of Bali is extremely wet with high humidity so it is best to visit at the end of rainy season (May and June), when the landscape is vibrant green, or during dry season (June to October).
Adventure-minded travelers will enjoy the 2 and a half hour drive from the airport to Munduk, which takes you past strawberry fields and Ulu Dana Beratan Temple. This Hindu temple is situated in the middle of a lake and is featured on the cover of many Bali travel guides. You can also stop at the famous Handara Gate and take a photo with the dense jungle in the background.
Activities include trekking to hidden waterfalls, visiting an iconic Bali swing, watching sunrise from your balcony, eating farm fresh dishes from local restaurants and taking in the calming atmosphere.
Our favorite waterfalls are Banyumala Waterfall (a series of waterfalls that cascade over rocks covered in vines and moss) and Air Terjun Munduk, which is located near the main road and dramatically plunges through the foliage.
Munduk is not the best place to stay in Bali for couples who live life in the fast lane, but that’s the beauty of it.
We recommend staying at these honeymoon accommodations:
Seminyak is best for shopping, beach clubs, restaurants, socializing and nightlife.
Known for its chic pools, trendy cafes, endless shopping, curated art galleries and active nightlife, Seminyak is a great destination for couples seeking excitement and a few nights on the town.
During the day you can relax at one of the many beach clubs with palm trees, outdoor pools, good music and a wide variety of food and drink options. Potato Head Beach Club and Mano Beach House are excellent places to spend a lazy day by the outdoor pools. If you travel about 25 minutes to Echo Beach, you can spend that afternoon at La Brisa, an eco-friendly beach club that looks like something inspired by the Swiss Family Robinson.
Although Seminyak Beach is one of the busiest beaches in Bali, it is undeniably fun and the sunsets are breathtaking. As the sun begins to sink, take a seat on a beanbag, grab a Bintang or smoothie and watch the skies change colors. Batu Bolong Beach, Canggu Beach and Echo Beach are located a few kilometers down the coast from Seminyak Beach. You can even walk to Berawa Beach in about half an hour.
Seminyak is also a premiere destination for fine dining, Balinese fusion, international cuisine and café eats. Batik Restaurant Bar finds inspiration in the region’s famous fabric patterns and offers authentic Indonesian and South East Asian tastes filled with flavor. Kim Soo, Kilo Kitchen Bali and Chandi are also excellent dining options.
Seminyak is the best place to stay in Bali for couples who enjoy entertainment and a night out. Motel Mexicola is a vibrant restaurant with a social atmosphere that serves Mexican specialties and has very active nightly events. For a more relaxing experience, head to Zibiru Restaurant, a made-from-scratch Italian restaurant that offers live jazz every Saturday evening.
These are our recommendations for the best places to stay for couples in Seminyak. There is a range of accommodations, from expensive hotels across from Seminyak Beach to lovely boutique resorts near the cafes.
Kintamani is best for adventure, off-the-beaten-path, volcanoes , affordable and interesting accommodations.
Although most first-time visitors come to Kintamani only as a day trip to hike Mount Batur, this otherworldly, volcanic destination has so much more to offer. It is the best place to stay in Bali for couples who have previously visited this beautiful island and want to experience something new.
Located about 2 hours from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Kintamani is perched on the Western side of the Batur caldera. You will find incredible views of the volcano, stark black and reddish brown soil, lush valleys filled with farmlands and a glistening lake.
Honeymooners can enjoy a wide range of exciting activities such as sunrise hikes up Mount Batur and neighboring Mount Abang, taking a jeep tour of the lava fields around the volcano, riding ATVs, glamping and soaking in the areas renown hot springs.
There are several hot springs in Kintamani that are included in packaged tours. However, these are often gaudy and feel more like an amusement park that a relaxing, nature destination. We recommend visiting Batur Natural Hot Spring, a humble hot spring complex that has a variety of hot and cool outdoor pools overlooking the lake.
Keep in mind that most of the accommodations in Kintamani are less luxurious than the resorts of Southern Bali or more popular honeymoon destinations. The experience of visiting this region is worth it for the adventure, but one night is a long enough stay.
Nusa Dua is best for luxury, restaurants, beaches, seafood and romance.
For many years, Nusa Dua was the only luxury honeymoon destination in Bali and is still one of the best places for couples seeking 5-star resorts and stunning beaches.
Nusa Dua is the best place to stay in Bali for couples with the following criteria:
One of the reasons Nusa Dua is such a famous honeymoon destination is due to its large, sandy beaches with minimal wave action. We recommend visiting Geger Beach, which is covered in yellow sand and relatively undiscovered by visitors. However, Nusa Dua Beach is the best for sunbathing and one of the only white sand beaches in the area.
In addition to relaxing on the beaches, couples can enjoy a wide range of watersports and romantic activities. Some options include private, candlelit dinners on the beach, high tea at a coastal restaurant, jet skiing, cycling along the footpath, kayaking, visiting temples and fine dining.
For couples craving seafood grilled on the beach, Jimbaran Beach is only 20 minutes away from Nusa Dua. You can pick from a variety of fresh seafood that the chef will immediately cook on the grill. Menu items include clams, mahi mahi, snapper, shrimp and squid served with sambals (a kind of spicy salsa or slaw) and sautéed vegetables.
Nusa Dua is not the best place to stay in Bali for couples on a budget or people who feel confined at big resorts.
Many flagship resorts with expansive grounds and high-end facilities are located on or near Nusa Dua Beach, including Hilton Bali Resort, The Ritz-Carlton Bali, The St. Regis Bali Resort, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua and Grand Hyatt Bali. However, there are other options in Nusa Dua:
Ubud is best for culture, nature, shopping, wellness, waterfalls and restaurants.
Situated about an hour from the airport, Ubud is a place to enjoy nature with all of the amenities to keep you ultra comfortable. Ubud gained fame as the “Eat, Pray, Love” destination and has a thriving wellness scene. Wellness offerings include yoga classes, herbal saunas, numerous spas, vegan and vegetarian restaurants, meditation centers and other types of retreats.
Visiting a spa should be at the top of your Ubud bucket list. If you want to soak in a decadent flower bath, we recommend choosing the award-winning Kaveri Spa at the Udaya. However, if you are looking for a more affordable option, book an appointment well in advance at Karsa Spa (price: 240 IDR for a traditional Balinese massage and 150 IDR for a flower or herbal bath).
Ubud is also an excellent jumping off point for day trips, including visiting Raya Tegallalang (Tegallalang Road) for shopping, exploring the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, bathing at the sacred Tirta Empul water temple, cycling in the rice fields outside of Petulu and visiting the Bali swings.
Other popular activities include mountain biking, river rafting, café hopping, ATV tours, ziplining, private candlelit dinners, shopping in the downtown area, hiking the Campuhan Ridge Walk and visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest.
Couples can also relax at a shady jungle pool club, while listening to the sounds of nature and enjoying a variety of delicious dishes. Jungle Fish Bali, a private pool club overlooking a verdant jungle, offers hanging daybeds, sun loungers and gazebos.
There is a wide variety of accommodations available in Ubud, ranging from quaint guesthouses to the most exclusive resorts. These are our recommendations:
Nusa Penida is best for adventure, privacy, diving, nature and beaches.
Just a 45-minute boat ride from Sanur Beach, Nusa Penida is a relatively undeveloped island off the coast of Bali with endless possibilities for adventure. Without a doubt Nusa Penida is the best place to stay in Bali for couples who like to alternate between days jampacked with exploration and days relaxing by the beach or pool.
Those who visit Nusa Penida only as a day trip miss out on the incredible sunrises and getting to truly see the natural beauty of this wild island.
While it is possible to hire a driver to shuttle you around Nusa Penida, renting a motorbike to see the sites is an amazing experience. Climb treehouses overlooking the ocean, swim in a natural pool formed by a waterfall cascading into the sea, dive with manta rays and hike to secret beaches.
Other must-do activities include watching the sunrise at Thousand Islands Viewpoint, viewing the iconic rock formations at Kelingking Beach, having a lazy lunch at Secret Penida, experiencing the aquamarine waters of Diamond Beach and relaxing on the white sand beaches of Crystal Bay.
These are the best places to stay in Nusa Penida Bali for couples:
Amed is best for diving, seafood, affordable and romantic.
Located along a 14-kilometer stretch of Bali’s east coast, Amed is a place for slow living with a deep connection to the ocean. This slower pace of life lets you connect with your partner without distractions or a packed itinerary. Simply get a massage, walk on the beach, sit back with a coconut and relax in the shade.
Black sand beaches glistening in the sun and a coastline shadowed by magnificent Mount Agung give the area a surreal beauty that you cannot find anywhere else in Bali.
Jimbaran Beach is not the only place with incredible seafood. Amed is home to many traditional fishing villages where fishermen go to sea every morning and reel in mackerel, barracuda, mahi mahi, giant trevally and tuna. Head to a local warung (restaurant) in the afternoon or evening to get a delicious, affordable meal.
Popular activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, free-diving and swimming. Lipah Beach, Jemeluk Bay and around the Japanese shipwreck are excellent snorkeling spots, while Amed Beach is best for swimming. However, divers should head to Tulamben, where both beginner and advanced divers can experience the Liberty shipwreck.
At sunset, you can hire a fisherman to take you out to sea in his tiny jukong (a traditional Balinese fishing boat), allowing you to watch the sunset behind Mount Agung and turn the landscape into silhouettes.
Amed is not the best place to stay in Bali for couples who love nightlife as most of the restaurants close early and there are few late night spots.
While you won’t find many ultra-luxury resorts, there are plenty of stunning accommodations:
There’s a reason Bali is one of the premier honeymoon and couple’s destinations in the world and we invite you to experience “The Island of the Gods” for yourself. We hope you have enjoyed “The Best Place to Stay in Bali for Couples” and have learned something new.
Whether you choose to explore untouched Sidemen, soak up the sun in Uluwatu or hike through the misty mountains of Munduk, we know you will leave Bali with a sense of awe.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bali and we hope you will stay with us at Samanvaya. For more information about our accommodations, dining and wellness services, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sampai jumpa (until we meet)!
All prices are 000 and are in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
