Where should I stay in Bali?

Bali is an incredible destination, it’s paradise. With stunning beaches, natural beauty, lush rice-terraces and so much more, this island will be a vacation full of adventures and memories. Definitely, one to tick off your bucket list.

Last year (2017) from January to July, Bali attracted 3.4 million international tourists, that’s a 23.5% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Some prefer the surfing, shopping and clubbing vibes in Kuta, whereas others visit for a more spiritual and cultural retreat in Ubud.

Exploring the best of Bali isn’t too hard since it’s compact, so planning day excursions are possible and definitely recommended. However, just be aware that traffic wise, anywhere from the south can be a nightmare 99% of the time, so choosing your accommodation in Bali is one of the key components to a memorable vacation. Whether it’ll be a relaxing or an adventurous thrilling getaway, there’s something for everyone.

Public transport in Bali is well…basically non-existent. The tourist areas are forever crowded, however, there’s plenty of taxis and Bali drivers that are happy to help. If you do your research and plan out your trips in advance, you’ll be able to get private transport sorted for $40-60 a day depending on where you’re visiting. That usually consists of up to 8 hours, petrol and parking included – keeping you at ease to enjoy your holiday. Without further ado, here are the best places for you to stay in Bali.

The Best Places to Stay in Bali

Best Place to Stay in Bali for Couples – Jimbaran

If you’re thinking of taking your partner to Bali for a romantic holiday or honeymoon, then Jimbaran is one of the best locations, alongside Nusa Dua. Both of which promote romantic getaways with packaged deals for those newly-weds. Some resorts in Nusa Dua are child-friendly whereas resorts in Jimbaran don’t really focus on catering for children.

The beaches are sometimes empty and ideal for topping up the sun, romantic beach walks and candlelit dinners in the evening at sunset. With plenty of fresh seafood, fireworks, musicians and traditional Balinese dances, Jimbaran is definitely recommended for a romantic holiday.

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Sightseeing and Outdoor Activities? Choose Ubud

Ubud is the perfect place for those that love to set off on adventures and go sightseeing. There’s plenty of sights nearby including Bali’s natural beauty. You’ll be close to Ubud Monkey Forest, rice terraces at Jatiluwih, Bali Zoo, Gunung Kawi where’s there amazing cliff sculptures and of course many options for rafting, hiking, jungle trekking and many more activities. That’s just a few reasons as to why Ubud is one of the best places to stay in Bali…

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Best Place for Nightlife – Kuta

Kuta is one of Bali’s best places when it comes to nightlife. There are various nightclubs including multi-stories along Jalan Legian consisting of international DJs playing a variety of music. You’ll also come across many sports bars too. The bars typically compete with each other so you’ll no doubt see cocktail specials, free BBQ and also some bars that allow girls to drink for free. If you’re more into R&B, Soul and a bit of Jazz, Seminyak is a great place, that’s a short taxi journey north.

View Hotels in Kuta View Hotels in Seminyak

Best Place to Stay in Bali for Families – Kuta & Nusa Dua

Whilst Kuta is known as the surfer’s dream and for its lively nightlife, there are several hotels situated in this area that are perfect for families. Hard Rock Hotel Bali is just one of them. Majority of the family-friendly hotels and resorts offer activities for the children and usually come with a children’s pool and waterslides. Nusa Dua is known for family-friendly hotels and not only offers the above but also spacious gardens and facing a beautiful beach with such calm waters.

View Hotels in Kuta View Hotels in Nusa Dua

Jimbaran Bay Resorts

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

One of Bali’s most luxurious resorts is the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. This stunning resort is situated right on the oceanfront. You’ll have stunning views and an incredible experience. This beauty is listed as #14 on a roundup of Asia’s Top 40 Resorts. It also received a five-star rating in Forbes Travel Guide 2017! The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is perfect for honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic getaway.

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InterContinental Bali Resort

The beautiful InterContinental Bali Resort is situated on the shores of Jimbaran Bay. The hotel caters for all, couples, families and business travellers. With plenty of amenities including sports, dining, Spa Uluwatu you’ll have everything for a relaxing and memorable holiday at this luxury Bali beach resort.

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Jamahal Private Resort & SPA

The Jamahal resort strictly caters to guests above 16 years of age, making it ideal for romantic holidays. Originally starting out as a private residence, it soon turned into a boutique resort of 12 luxurious villas. This luxury resort has it all – beautiful spa, food and beverage, a modern professional gym and a beach club which is only 400 metres away.

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Luxury Resorts Ubud

The Kayon Resort

The Kayon resort is yet another stunning five-star boutique resort situated on Ubud hills side which is surrounded with holy Petanu River and a lush tropical rainforest. The resort is only ten minutes drive from Ubud center and has a focus on providing the best experience for honeymooners, romance, healing and relaxation holidays. Due to this concept, children under 15 years are not permitted.

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Kamandalu Resort

This incredible resort, Kamandalu has been around since 1992 accepting guests within its traditional village concept incorporating luxury accommodation within the surrounding natural landscape that includes lush productive rice terraces. In 2011 the resort went under extensive renovation including two brand new villa categories.

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The Best Bali Resorts Kuta

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort

Sheraton Bali is the only 5-star luxury beachfront resort in Kuta, Bali’s most popular area. The stunning resort is literally a few steps from the beach. It’s also situated right next to the popular shopping districts making the resort the perfect choice for your stay in Kuta. One of the best amenities of the hotel is their infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean.

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Grand Barong Resort

Whilst this resort isn’t as fancy as the Sheraton, it sure does offer plenty of amenities that are onsite and nearby within walking distance. There are three pools including a pool bar at the Grand Barong Resort. Other amenities include ‘Royal Jack’ Sport Bar and their ‘Jepun Spa’ & Massage.

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Bali Dynasty Resort

This premier beachside resort caters for all, families, adults, romantics, business travellers etc. The resort is renowned for its warm Balinese hospitality. It has a total of six restaurants, five bars, three swimming pools including kids “Water Fun Zone” and a dedicated adults-only pool. That’s just a few things they offer, there’s plenty more!

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Top Bali Resorts Seminyak

Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort

The Anantara resort in Seminyak is situated on the shores of the Indian Ocean. There are 59 suites and 1 penthouse at this resort with Terrazzo Jacuzzi tubs for two and stunning sunset dining. Their main focus is on luxurious beachside living providing you with the best Bali experience.

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W Bali – Seminyak

W Bali is one of the best Indonesia hotels according to DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2018. They were also rated four-stars by Forbes. The resort consists of 229 rooms, suites and villas which are all designed with the W signature and touches. They offer amazing ocean and garden views with plenty of amenities on site, including their 24-hour fitness centre.

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The Oberoi, Bali

 

Located on the sophisticated, fashionable Seminyak beach, The Oberoi, Bali is spread across fifteen acres of breathtaking tropical gardens. Unique amongst luxury hotels in Bali, the hotel grounds are dotted with ancient Balinese temples. Traditional Balinese thatch, natural stone and ornate wood carvings lend an authentic ambience to the luxury lanai rooms and villas.

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Nusa Dua Resorts

INAYA Putri Bali

This luxury resort is situated just a minute away from the beach. The resort has an on-site restaurant open all day serving a selection of Indonesian and Western cuisine.

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The Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali

This stunning resort is a 2-minute walk from the beach. The beautiful Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali is situated right on the white sandy brach of Nusa Dua and is only 5 minutes drive from Bali Collection Shopping Gallery. The resort has a fitness centre, 2 full-size tennis courts and massage services at the spa centre. Regards to dining, you’ll have plenty of options. We’d recommend the delicious barbecued seafood dishes by the beach at the Ikan Restaurant & Bar.

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The St. Regis Bali Resort

This stunning resort is a 2-minutes walk from the beach. Situated directly on the beachfront of Nusa Dua, The St. Regis Bali Resort is a fantastic choice for those that are looking for a luxury getaway and would make use of a full spa and outdoor lagoon pool. The resort even offers a free two-way airport shuttle in a limousine. Free WiFi is also provided throughout the resort and of course in the rooms.

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Over to you…

So there you go, that’s a roundup of the best places to stay in Bali. Of course there’s many other beautiful places to stay in Bali, however, these are my top favourites and also the most rated from other guests. If you’ve been to Bali or are thinking about visiting, please share your favourite hotels in the comments below!

Finding the right ticket for your travel experience is not always easy, a mix of price, quality and speed is necessary to make the best out of your purchase. In this article you will discover some quick handy takeaways for when planning a vacation whether it’s solo, family or business, these tips will help you grab a bargain flight.

#1 – Don’t limit yourself to one airport

The first thing you need to take into account is your departure and your arrival airport. Do some research to find nearby airports that would be suitable for you to travel to. The more airports the better chance you’ll grab a bargain flight.

Some airlines fly from different airports and therefore could make your flights cheaper. You should also consider if possible, flying from one airport and then flying back at a different airport on your return flight – this is one of the best ways to find a cheap flight, but it can also be a pain, especially if you’re driving.

A recent example of this is booking a flight to Norway for this month. I searched for flights to Stavanger from my local airports, all of which returned with prices of over £600…pretty expensive! When I searched for other airports nearby, I grabbed a return flight for £80.

 #2 – Two one-way tickets could be cheaper…

Whilst it’s still possible to grab a bargain return flight like I did, sometimes purchasing one-way tickets from different airlines can make the overall trip cheaper. Using sites like KODEX Travel can help you discover cheap last-minute flights and also give you prices for flights a year in advance, making sure you grab a bargain.

You can search for specific airlines on most flight finders, for example like the below on KODEX.

#3 – Fly low class

Whilst it may not be the best experience and if you prefer to fly in style, you’ll definitely be saving some cash by using budget airlines or purchasing the lower class seats. This is a great idea if you’re looking to travel frequently visiting more countries at a low cost. Not all low-class airlines are that bad and if you are only flying for a few hours, then stick your headphones in and you’ll be landing before you know it!

#4 – Utilise low fare calendars for cheaper days

One of the biggest tips for finding cheap flights is by utilising low-fare calendars to identify dates that have cheap departures. Research suggests that flights during the week are usually much cheaper than at the weekends. Typically purchasing departure flights on Saturdays can be quite pricey, so departing on a Thursday and flying back on a Sunday would usually give you a cheap flight and a long weekend to explore your next city and create memories.

#5 – Choosing different flight times

When searching for cheap flights, the timings of your flights can be a big factor. Flights during the day will most likely be more expensive than those that are early-hours or late-night flights. If you are not too bothered with flight times, you should definitely consider looking at the times. For my upcoming Norway trip, I’ll be flying at 8:30 pm on a Friday and arriving around 10 pm. My flight back on Sunday isn’t too late either, meaning I’ll still be able to explore and make the most of my time.

If you are an early-riser like myself, you’ll find that these sort of flights aren’t too bad. Of course, when at the destination, you could always wake-up earlier to make the most of your time.

I’d love to know what you think of these tips and if you have any of your own, feel free to share them in the comments!

I think you would agree with me that travelling is so much fun, but it can also be quite a costly experience, right?

Especially when travelling to somewhere far away.

Plus the spending money…

Travelling the world is everyone’s dream.

Some prefer to do it all at once and give up their job, whereas others prefer to still keep their job and travel when possible.

In this article, I’ll be covering my tips on how you can travel the world whilst also having a full-time job.

Keep in mind, I’m only twenty at this point in time, so if I can travel whilst having a full-time job, you can too.

How To Travel Whilst You’ve Got A Full-Time Job

✈️ Tip #1: Travel during the cheapest times

As we all know, when it comes to being an adult, there are expenses we have to payout on a monthly basis.

To keep costs to a minimum, it’s always good to travel during the cheapest times. Using airlines like Skyscanner and searching for flights during the week on various months will help you identify which flights are the best and the cheapest.

I’ve found that when booking flights, flying out mid-week then coming back mid-week is sometimes a hell of a lot cheaper than flying out at the weekend.  To get an even cheaper flight, you could be looking at very early hour flights.

I’m heading off to Germany in a few weeks time, my flights are at 7:30 in the morning, arriving at the airport just shy of three hours will mean I’ll need to leave at least 2:30 in the morning. It’s crazy but due to that, I’ve managed to get a return flight for just under £50.

Thankfully, I won’t be driving at that time. I’ve opted for a BnB 10 minutes away from the airport. £25. Not bad.

✈️ Tip #2: Be open to travel anywhere

Whilst we’ve all got our dream list of places we want to go, our next location might not be the best option.

If you’re not too fussed where you want to go next, you could use Skyscanner’s search and just put the location as “Everywhere”, this will give you a list of places which you can then narrow down to fit your budget.

Pretty cheap right?

✈️ Tip #3: Travel light

This is pretty self-explanatory.

The lighter you travel the cheaper it will be. Kind of.

If you can pack all your clothing, gear and any other items you’ll need in a rucksack or luggage that can be taken on a plane as hand luggage, you’ll be saving yourself from paying for baggage costs.

Pretty obvious, but still not many people think of doing it.

✈️ Tip #4: Use AirBnB

Whilst we all love to stay at hotels, they can be quite expensive, especially if it’s in the city centre or somewhere that’s quite popular. Why not take a look at AirBnB for your accommodation.

For the Germany trip this month, I’ll be staying at an AirBnB for just £25.

I’ll have the house all to myself along with my mate. The location is very close to where we’ll be heading, 13-minute drive to the suspension bridge in Germany – Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay. It’s also very close to other hiking routes.

You can find a great bargain on there, go ahead and give it a search, you’ll even receive £30 off your first stay using my link.

✈️ Tip #5: Set-up a separate savings account

Just like you would for a house deposit, why not set-up savings account for your travels?

Transfer over a small amount each week or month, you’ll soon start to build up your travel money.

If you want to go a step further, why not think about additional side income opportunities, weekend work, or maybe offer a service on Fiverr to generate some extra income to add to your savings? It’s worth a shot!

Last thoughts…

By following the above tips, you’re bound to save money on travelling, which will help you travel to more countries around the world.

It is possible to travel when you’re in a full-time job.

You just need to prepare yourself and make sure you’ve got enough holiday allowance available.

P.S. in case you was wondering, the total cost of the Germany trip is £75. That’s without paying for the BnB the night before the flight.

Pretty damn cheap, eh?

If you enjoyed this article, it would be amazing if you shared it with others who may find it useful. Feel free to drop a comment below and share your tips. If you’d like to stay up-to-date with my travels and photography, don’t forget to drop a follow on my Instagram and Twitter.