Whether you are coming for the sun, the surf, the shopping, the amazing Five Star Luxury Resorts, restaurants and bars, relaxation or the Balinese Culture, Bali has something for every style, every taste and every age.
My family and I had an amazing time in Bali and we really wanted to share it all with you so we decided to put together a short guide of all the properties and attractions that we visited. We hope you enjoy our Holiday Guide to Bali and if you have any further reconditions, please list them in the comments box below. Thank you.
ACCOMMODATION
The stylish five-star Sintesa Jimbaran Bali is conveniently located just 10 km from the Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) which makes this hotel perfect for families and business travellers. The hotel consists of 206 rooms, suites and apartments and caters for all budgets. The hotel sits on top of the scenic Jimbaran Cliff which showcases breath taking 180 degree views over the bay.
The Kayumanis Jimbaran Private Estate & Spa is located in Jimbaran which is roughly a 20-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali and definitely ticks all the boxes when it comes to pure luxury, relaxation, utmost privacy, sheer indulgence and traditional Balinese culture.
The Kayumanis Jimbaran Private Estate & Spa is set idyllically amongst the sweet coconut trees and feels miles away from the hustle and bustle. The tranquil retreat will have you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed in no time and the amazing staff will make EVERY guest feel like a VIP.
The Breezes Bali Resort & Spa is conveniently located in the upbeat Seminyak area which is roughly a 30-minute drive North from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. It’s close proximity to the restaurants, boutiques and nightlife makes this four and a half stars Resort a great pick for your next holiday. The resort features 130 rooms and suites and offers all the comforts that you are looking for.
The five-star Sakala Resort Bali is located in the Tanjung Benoa Beach area which is roughly a 40 minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. The resort features 81 spacious rooms and offers all the comforts that you are looking for.
The resort features two fresh water swimming pools. The Lagoon Pool is an interactive pool area for kids and the Sakala Infinity Pool has breathtaking views of the Tanjung Benoa Beach.
The Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali is located in the beautiful village of Tanjung Benoa which is roughly a 25-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. The Five Star All Inclusive Hotel is primly located on the Nusa Dua beach and is set amongst beautiful landscaped gardens. The resort hosts 301 rooms and suites, three restaurants and two bars.
L Hotels & Resorts – Shanti Residence
The Shanti Residence is located in Nusa Dua which is roughly a 35-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. It is an authentic and alluring private residence with seven spacious villa bedrooms settled on the hills of Bali’s ample prestigious Nusa Dua resort area. The Residence overlooks the Indian Ocean and is within minutes to the beach.
ATTRACTIONS
Waterbom Bali is an aquatic playground and is located in the heart of Kuta. It spans over 3.8 hectares of landscaped tropical gardens designed to provide memorable experiences for all ages. From thrill seekers testing their courage on Asia’s steepest slide – The Climax, to families enjoying the extensive kid’s area or those wanting to relax and soak up the Balinese sunshine, a day out at Waterbom Bali will be entertaining for the whole family.
The Terrace River Pool Swing is located approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Ubud which is about an hour’s drive North of Kuta hour’s drive North of Kuta. The park has different thrill-seeking activities that you can choose from including the three swings (60 and 45 metres above the ground). If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, then you have come to the right place.
I first heard about the abandoned Boeing 737 plane by You Tuber “Exploring with Josh” and thought if I ever go back to Bali, I must track this abandoned plane down. And that we did.
There’s not a lot of information online about how or why this plane is here, but apparently according to locals, it was supposed to be converted into a tourist restaurant but the owner ran out of money and left it to rust away.
The abandoned plane is located near the southern coast of the Bukit Peninsula in Bali. It’s just off the Raya Nusa Dua Selatan Highway and only five minutes from the popular and scenic Pandawa beach. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the shipping containers that hide the area, or you will miss it.
You can stand on the containers for a great view and that perfect photo opportunity or you can walk up the path hidden behind a little shack to get a closer view. We were told that if you are willing to pay a few dollars, you can find a path that leads to the plane, but that was not true. Either way, it’s still a bit of a mystery why this plane is here.
The Tegalalang Rice Terrace is located in Ubud and is roughly a 90 minute drive on a good day, from Kuta. It is said to be one of the main tourist attractions in Bali and we wanted to see why.
Once you arrive at The Tegalalang Rice Terrace, you can enjoy the view from the top but it’s also possible to hike down and wonder through the rice terraces. We highly suggest that you do this and experience it for yourself. You will also be able to capture many beautiful photo opportunities from this point, so take advantage of it.
The best time to visit the Tegalalang Rice Terrace is in the morning or in the late afternoon. It gets very hectic around 10am so make sure you arrive before that if you can, plus the lighting will be so much better in the early morning and in the late afternoon.
Nungnung Waterfall is a beautiful secluded waterfall located in NungNung Village approximately 35km north of Ubud, Bali. The strenuous hike down to the falls is a whopping 500 steps and they aren’t your normal steps. Some are tiny, some are very deep and some are completely broken.
Once you finally get to the bottom, the view is just magical. It’s worth every strenuous step down, but coming back up, that’s a different story. Let’s just say, we were out of breath, resting every 10 to 20 steps and felt like vomiting. And to top it off, we had our 5-year-old daughter with us. She did amazing and I’m very proud of her. The heat mixed with the hike is an adventure and one that you will remember forever. It was a huge workout for us, but I’m glad we did it. It was fantastic.
What is Mrs Sippy you ask? Is it a club, a bar, a restaurant, or a swimming pool? Try a combination of all four. Mrs Sippy Bali hosts the islands largest salt water swimming pool and if you’re looking for a great time with friends and family, the head down. It’s said to be home to the most glamorous pool parties, wedding events and music festivals in the heart of Seminyak.
They have a great diving platform if you are game. There are 3 heights: 1 metre, 3 metres, and 5 metres for those over 150cm in height. If not, just sit back and watch others.
RESTAURANTS / BARS
Jamie Oliver Restaurant at The Hard Rock Hotel
We have always wanted to experience dining at one of Jamie Oliver’s many worldwide restaurants and we finally had the opportunity on our recent holiday to Bali. The location of the restaurant is in the beautiful grounds of the Hard Rock Hotel, Kuta, Bali.
Jamie’s Italian Restaurant was founded by Jamie Oliver and his Italian mentor, chef Gennaro Contaldo, in Oxford, 2008. Since then it has grown to more than 60 restaurants worldwide, with plans for even more in towns, cities and countries around the world. The restaurant is inspired by Italy and many of its traditions and values.
Samabe Cave Restaurant at Samabe Bali Suites & Villas
Are you looking for a unique romantic dining experience with your loved ones at a stunning high-end Balinese resort? Then if you are, a Samabe Cave Dinner at the Samabe Bali Suites and Villas in Nusa Dua, should be on top of your to-do list.
We really didn’t really know what to expect when we arrived, but let me tell you, it was the most beautiful setting that we have ever dined at. The dining experience includes a four-course meal including starters, main and dessert. A personal butler per table ensures your comfort and every need and all the staff were so friendly.
The Salsa Verde Restaurant is located in the gorgeous grounds of the five-star Grand Hyatt Bali, Nusa Dua, which is approximately 15 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.
The Italian restaurant is situated on the beachfront and serves up some delicious seafood, pizza, pastas and other Italian favourites.
Sunday Brunch at Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran
You know life is fabulous when you are sitting back at a gorgeous five star resort, which is located just 100 metres from the beach enjoying a delicious all you can buffet, while sipping on some incredible cocktails. Life is incredible indeed.
We were lucky enough to be invited to experience the Sunday Brunch at Anarasa at the Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran, Bali. The brunch is available every Sunday from 12 noon to 4.00 pm and they have a jazz band performance to entertain you while you are enjoying your delicious meals.
The extensive menu includes freshly shucked imported oysters, roasted duck, suckling pig and a wide array of delectable dessert selections.
Cucu Restaurant is a fantastic eatery located in Jimbaran (right next door to Kayumanis Jimbaran). Their dining experience is to offer small portions so you can try more on the menu, share with friends and family and get a taste for the place.
Cucu Restaurant sources their ingredients exclusively from Indonesia to maximise freshness, support local farmers and showcase the beautiful local products.
We sat out in the Garden Lounge which is perfect for families because they offer a small outdoor playground to keep the little ones entertained while you sit back and enjoy an arrange of tapas and desserts. They offer lounge sofas or dining tables so you can sit where you feel comfortable. There is a great kids menu for the little ones too.
Rock Bar at Ayana Resort & Spa
Looking for a unique dining experience at a beautiful location? Then Rock Bar Bali should be on high up on your list. Rock Bar Bali is located on the stunning grounds of Ayana Resort and Spa which is roughly a 25-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.
The Bar is widely respected as one of the world’s most popular sunset, cocktail and entertainment venues and showcases views above the Indian Ocean accessible via Ayana’s cliff side inclinator. With much hype about this place, we definitely decided that a visit was on the agenda.
Rock Bar Bali is open for sunset and dinner from 4.00pm to midnight Sunday to Thursday and to1.00am on Friday and Saturday and unless you’re a guest staying at Ayana, you might not be able to get in. We highly suggest that you arrive strictly at 4.00pm (when it opens) as guests of the hotel get first priority.
Sunday Brunch at the Sofitel Nusa Dua
Sunday Brunches are becoming a huge hit in Bali and after visiting a couple of them, we decided that we needed to visit the Riviera Brunch in Cucina Restaurant located at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.
If you are looking to sample some of the finest French, Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, then you have come to the right place. With fresh seafood stations, barbecue meat station, charcuteries, cheeses and decadent selections of French pastries and a dessert bar that will leave you in awe, the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort has completely outdone itself.
There are a couple of different packages available including non-alcoholic, beer and wine package and the premium package. It’s a great place to enjoy some beautiful gourmet cuisine with some fresh live jazz tunes, and once you have finished dining, be sure to check out the amazing lagoon swimming pools.
Motel Mexicola
Motel Mexicola is a colourful and quirky Mexican bar and restaurant in Seminuyak. We heard a lot about it but wasn’t sure if we could bring our daughter there. Staff told us to come for an early dinner and it would be fine. It was filled with families when we got there so we were at ease. The atmosphere is incredible and so lively. The food, oh the food, from tacos, tostadas, fajitas, aguachile, quesadillas and other antojitos (tapas). It was so delicious and if you know me, you know I’m a Mexican lover. There are tequilas, margaritas, beers, wines, spirits and anything else you can think of. We left around 8.30pm when the party started to happen, (kids definitely need to leave at this time). I would love to come back in the evening to experience Motel Mexicola at its finest as we feel this was where the party was at.
I would like to “Thank” the following sponsors for making this holiday special and memorable.
The Sintesa Hotel
L Hotels & Resorts – Shanti Residence
Kayumanis Jimbaran
The Breezes Bali
The Sakala Hotel
Grand Mirage Resort
Waterbom Park
Hard Rock Hotel Jamie Oliver Restaurant
Samsonite
Samabe Bali Suites and Villas
Salsa Verde Restaurant at Grand Hyatt
Cucu Restaurant
Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran
** Note: These are suggestions only and the team at Christine King has personally visited all the above-mentioned places **
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