On the island’s southwestern tip, lapped by the waves of the Indian Ocean, Seminyak has long been a by-word for luxurious Balinese vacations. Now stretching along the beachfront, allowing access to the sand in seconds, Alila Seminyak is attracting sunseekers from all over the world. Boasting a great range of accommodation, from cozy couples’ rooms to the lavish penthouse, no compromise is made on comfort and convenience. Likewise, the restaurant and bars provide laid-back dining in a range of settings. The excellent facilities cater to families as well as couples, with dedicated pools and a kids club. The spa and fitness facilities, meanwhile, allow for relaxation and invigoration, according to guests’ whims. 

Located on a clifftop plateau on the Bikut Peninsula on Bali’s southern coastline, the Alila Villas Ululwatu was designed by the award-winning Singapore architecture firm WOHA using environmentally sustainable principles, including water conservation and recycling and the use of local stone, wood, rattan and other raw materials. The luxury property, which opened in 2009, is the recipient of the prestigious Green Globe “Best Practice Building, Planning and Design” certification. Its 84 sea-view, private-pool villas feature contemporary Balinese accents along with such amenities as 24-hour butler service, wireless Internet and flat-screen satellite TVs. The resort has a 24-hour fitness center with yoga and pilates studio, while the Spa Alila features a variety of massage, skin and hair treatments. Dining includes the contemporary décor and western cuisine of CIRE and authentic Indonesian and Balinese dishes at Warung. Alila Villas Uluwatu is approximately 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The lovely AYANA Resort and Spa sits atop the cliffs of Jimbaran Bay, offering expansive views of the Indian Ocean. The hotel’s 290 rooms and 78 private villas are spread out over almost a mile of secluded coastline. Holding a coveted spot on Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s “Gold List,” Ayana is noted for its spectacular spa, which features two spa villas set on large, seaside rocks. Spacious rooms come with private balconies and are appointed with Indonesian decorative artefacts as well as modern comforts, including 42-inch flatscreen TVs and aromatic burners. Seven bars and restaurants comprise a wide variety of dining options at the resort, from trattoria-style Italian to seafood served on a terrace and local cocktails served on a cool, open-air lounge jutting out of the main rock face and perched 45 feet above crashing waves. Three pools, including one with an infinity edge, a private beach, an 18-hole putting course, a fully equipped gym and an array of on-site activities and classesmake Ayana one of the nicest resorts in Bali.

Situated on Bali’s southern coast in Canggu, COMO Echo Beach is a 2.2 acre property bordered by rice paddies and positioned near some of the island’s best surf. The property offers 119 rooms, including suites and penthouses. Rooms have WiFi, an LED TV, yoga mats, air conditioning and a rain shower. 

As a result of a partnership with surfing company Tropicsurf, the resort offers customized surf instruction for all levels and surfboard rentals are available onsite. The surf in this area provides a range of opportunities for both experienced and novice surfers. The resort also organizes golf excursions, and nearby Nirwana Bali Golf Course is located a 15-minute drive away in Tanah Lot.

Resort facilities include a fitness center, a lagoon pool, 2 pilates studios, 2 yoga studios and a lap pool. COMO Shambhala Retreat provides daily wellbeing classes, such as yoga and pilates, and the center specializes in holistic treatments, including massages and facials. The COMO Beach Club is open all day and serves Australian, Asian and European cuisine with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. A juice and salad bar is also available, and beverage and food service is offered in the lagoon pool area as well. The resort is located approximately 45 minutes away from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).

Located on a hilltop with dramatic views of Jimbaran Bay, the Four Seasons Resort Bali has winding stone walkways to the beach and 147 spacious, thatched-roof villas with private plunge pools. There are four restaurants to choose from: PJ’s specializes in seafood, Taman Wantilan serves Indonesian specialties in open air pavilions overlooking the Bay to Bali’s volcanoes, Warung Mie has Asian noodle dishes and exotic drinks, and the Pool Terrace Café has a light menu of salads and sandwiches. The facilities at the Four Seasons include a fitness center with free weights and cardiovascular machines, an aerobic studio, a pool and a tennis court. The comprehensive Healing Village Spa mixes traditional pamperings with science-backed treatments, as well as holistic practices using light, sound, nature, and crystals. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).

Perched atop a hill at Jimbaran Bay, located on the west coast of the island's southern tip, is Raffles Bali. The ocean-view resort consists of 32 luxurious pool villas hidden within 23 hectares of tropical oasis. Local touches include an imaginative Balinese cuisine, local rituals and healing treatments at the Raffles Wellbeing Spa, as well as Balinese architectural styles set against Jimbaran's stunning sunsets. Raffles' signature touches include the famous Writers Bar and the exceptional standard of luxury the Raffles name has become synonymous with.

Six Senses Uluwatu Bali extends the luxury, beauty and spirituality of the Six Senses brand to the bucolic southern coast of Bali. Perched on the dramatic cliffs of Bali’s southwest peninsula, Six Senses Bali offers spectacular views of the Indian Ocean as well as the serene Pura Luhur Uluwatu, perhaps Bali’s most picturesque seaside temple.

The resort is comprised of 28 sky villas, 62 one-­bedroom villas and seven two-bedroom villas, each incorporating touches of local character along with the contemporary comforts and modern design sense of a world-class resort. On-site dining includes a pool bar and a specialty restaurant, which also offers cooking classes as well as visits to the resort’s organic garden. Enjoy a complimentary morning yoga classes and locally-inspired specialty treatment at the spa, along with an extensive menu of signature therapies, from multi-day wellness programs to rejuvenation therapies and detox. Facilities include a shared pool and gym, a ballroom, a meeting room and a Balinese temple.

The Soori Bali is sleek and elegant, taking the definition of paradise to new heights. Situated a half hour drive from Canggu, a hotspot of trendy cafés and boutique stores in sunny Bali, the Soori Bali is nestled between rice paddies and a pristine beach. The property is the work of Soo K. Chan and Soori is also one of the few hotels on the island to be certified Gold with EarthCheck, a sustainable advisory group for the tourism industry. In terms of rooms, expansive villas are entry-level, and private pools are guaranteed. All accommodations have king size beds, comfortable outdoor lounging and dining areas, and indulgent bathrooms. Large accommodations offer more space, more rooms, and even helipads. There are two restaurants on the property, serving a mix of Asian and Western dishes, and the breakfasts are a real highlight. The resort’s beautiful spa is an excellent place to get lost in, and the communal pool, 24-hour gym, and library present some additional ways to while away tranquil days in paradise.

The Legian Bali is located on Seminyak beach, which offers some of the world’s best surfs, sunsets and nightlife. The hotel comprises 67 guest rooms and suites, plus a three-bedroom beach house, all designed in a modern chic style, while also incorporating traditional Balinese artwork and artifacts. Guests can immerse themselves in the Indonesian way of life while staying at The Legian Bali with its tropical scenery and tranquil surroundings. The amenities and facilities are plentiful and delightful, with several treatments available at the elegant spa, including body polish rituals for detoxing or rejuvenation, performed amidst beautiful natural garden surroundings. Guests can indulge in restaurants that serve some of the freshest, most succulent seafood around, caught daily from the nearby waters. From the hotel’s many well-appointed restaurants, stunning views of the ocean, as well as the famous Seminyak sunset, can be observed while guests sip away on one of the hotel’s custom-made cocktails.

Located on Seminyak beach, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali offers a range of rooms, villas and pool villas, each of which includes broadband internet, satellite TV with DVD player, IDD telephones and 24-hour room service. The Oberoi’s on-site facilities include open-air massage pavilions at the Oberoi Spa, a tennis court, a fully-equipped gym and a business center. Dining options include Kura Kura Restaurant, which serves gourmet traditional Indonesian cuisine, was voted Indonesia’s Best Restaurant in 2011 by Indonesia Tattler, and cited in the 2011-12 Miele Guide; Frangipani Café for al fresco breakfast or fresh seafood and light meals throughout the day; and Kayu Bar for aperitifs or post-prandials. The Oberoi is approximately 25 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).