With coasts of white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and mountainous highlands with picturesque rice patty fields, it’s no secret that Bali has become a sought after destination.
The country’s rich spiritual culture and vast landscapes draw people from all over the world to come marvel at it’s beauty and tranquility while sipping on coconuts beachside or finding themselves with an energy healer.—but with so many people flocking to Indonesia, it begs the question, is it still possible to travel to Bali consciously?
Luckily for us, Bali is a big island, and there’s still an opportunity to travel responsibly by getting out of the over-toured areas and into the local culture— which we dive into in our Bali Local Guide, written by one of the Isalnds local chefs.
Where you stay plays a big role in the responsibility of your trip, and when you’re in Indonesia it’s not a secret that the hotels are just as stunning as the landscape that surrounds them.
Don’t worry, traveling consciously doesn’t mean you have to compromise on that, you can still stay at some of the best hotels on Bali, because most of the best hotels on the island are already doing things sustainably with a focus on being eco-friendly and empowering the local communities— one of the many reasons we love Bali to begin with.
Here are my picks for the top five best hotels on Bali for conscious travelers:
The Slow Canggu
Brutalist architecture meets California-cool surfer vibes at The Slow Canggu, one of the most sought-after hotels on Bali. As the name suggests, The Slow has perfectly crafted every detail to help you slow down while you’re on your island holiday— perfect for conscious travelers looking to unwind in an ultra-stylish location that’s not in the over-visited Kuta and Legian areas. Being just 300m from Bali’s best surf spot, Batu Bolong, guests can wander to the sea to watch the surfers while basking in the sun, or join in on the action and catch a few waves.
While the boutique hotel dons the classic rattan chairs, palms, long flowing curtains, buttery leather, and wood furnishings that have come to be the epitome of the Bali Style, they add their edge with an impeccably curated collection of photography. Alongside the art throughout the hotel, Room 13 isn’t your usual hotel room, it’s a gallery space with rotating exhibitions. The in-house kitchen and bar serve experimental small plates alongside classics and have something for every dietary requirement.
Book The Slow
Eco Six
20 minutes outside of Bali’s spiritual center of Ubud, you’ll find Eco Six Bali, one of the absolute best hotels on Bali. It’s an open-air tropical bamboo resort that consists of six eco-luxury villas. The hotel combines modern and tractional Balinese architecture to create the perfect escape into nature without compromising on luxury. Each villa has its own uniquely designed pool for relaxing and unwinding. Bathtubs for soaking in while pondering out into the tropical abyss.
The open-planned villas are airy and breezy, boasting beautiful views of rice fields, lush Forrests, and glimpses of mount Agung. The hotel is made to be more like a retreat, so the restaurant brings the food directly to your villa, which is ideal because they’re so beautiful you won’t want to step away even just for a meal. After a couple of days are Eco Six lounging on hammocks surrounded by tropical blooms, you’ll feel rejuvenated and reconnected to the natural world.
Book Eco Six
Cahapung Sebali
A hotel on the island of Bali that should be on anyones radar who loves both Balinese and Scandinavian design and take on wellness is Chapung Sebali. This eco-luxury resort makes for an absolutely stunning home base for your adventures on the island. Upon arrival, you’ll feel instantly at ease walking into a spacious resort with wooden and bamboo accents that fuses the nordic and southeast Asian cultures seamlessly.
The hotel is focused on providing an experience that’s good for your overall well-being, and oh does it deliver. With a yoga deck for morning yoga classes overlooking dramatic tropical views, the wellness spa, and numerous restaurants to get equally nutritious and delicious cuisine it’s hard to want to leave this paradise— however, it’s located in the ideal spot for exploring the natural wonders of Ubud that are right outside of the hotel.
Book Cahapung Sebali
Maya Ubud Resort and Spa
If you’re after the tranquility of Balinese nature, you’ll find your solace at Maya Ubud Resort and spa. Imagine relaxing poolside with nothing surrounding you besides lush tropical landscapes filled with palms and the sounds of birds chirping.
The unique boutique hotel is located on 10 hectares so you’ll never have to worry about having a bad view from your room, each suite’s immersed beautifully in the natural landscape. In the mornings, you can enjoy your floating breakfast basket without having to leave the pool— and in the evening head to Rasa Bulan, the resort’s in-house modern Indonesian restaurant to try a new take on the local cuisine.
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa
If you want the royal Baliense treatment, there’s no place like Nusa Beach Hotel and Spa on the island. The boutique hotel is located on Bali’s southern peninsula, it’s just 15 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport, making it a perfect place for a quick retreat, that still allows you to dig into the culture of Bali.
Made to resemble a Balinese palace, the hotel has welcomed all sorts of guests over the years, from kings and queens to presidents, so as you can imagine the hotel knows how to roll out the bamboo carpet. The rooms are all decorated with authentic Balinese furnishing, plus each has stunning views of tropical gardens or vistas of the ocean— but with 3 outdoor pools and direct beach access, you’ll be out of the room more than you’re in it.
Wondering what to do while you’re on the gorgeous island of Bali? Discover our local guide to the Island of Kings written by a local chef who gives you insight into the best things to do, and of course where to eat while you’re in Bali!
One Response