Accommodation

The Bali experience is different for every tourist. Some want the Ubud-yoga-retreat-chlorophyll-cleanse experience while others are all about cocktails at Potato Head in between surf sessions at Ulus. Where you stay definitely determines the vibe of your trip.

Tourists wanting to be in the thick of it all, both on the street and the beach, should base themselves out of one of the many reasonably-priced Kuta hotels.

If you’re 5 star all the way then Nusa Dua is the place for you. This shiny enclave of luxury hotels is less about offering an authentic Balinese experience and more about gated communities, security guards and private beaches.

For artsy folk looking for a mountain getaway complete with traditional sights and quinoa in every café, we recommend Ubud. Accommodation varies from private villas to mountainside retreats to hotel resorts.

Keen surfers and beach-goers wanting a secluded stay with some of the island’s best views should look no further than the limestone peninsula of Uluwatu. There are some spectacular private villas in the area as well as some of the island’s most famous hotels including the Bulgari Resort and Alila Hotel.

For trendy boutique hotels and classic beach resorts, we recommend Seminyak.

For those looking to get back to basics over a few coconuts on a pristine beach, check out the beach bangalows on the Gili Islands.

A little further afield is the relaxed village of Canggu. With a booming cafe culture, a spattering of shops and a handful of high-end days spas, all set against a picturesque rural backdrop, Canggu is the best of both worlds. Villas ranging from rustic to ritzy are the main accommodation in the area.

Romantics will want to get amongst the high-end hotels of Jimbaran, a seaside village famous for its seafood restaurants on the beach.

And if none of this is your thing then check out some of the unique abodes available on Airbnb. From tree-houses to yurts to tipis, there really is something for everyone.