The best luxury resorts in Bali for families

Bali has long been a favourite for sun-loving families worldwide. The island has beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests and friendly faces all around. There are experiences aplenty on the Island of the Gods. The spectacular resorts dotted along the coastline or nestled among the trees are another major drawcard. However, to be voted into our ‘best of the best’ awards the resorts must be particularly outstanding.

Each of these luxury resorts in Bali has distinguished itself on a number of criteria. The accommodation and services are fantastic for children of all ages, there is excellence in staff and hospitality and the ambience of the resort is perfect for a family holiday.

From beachfront opulence to tranquil retreats, we’ve discovered the very best that Bali has to offer.

1Meliá Bali
NUSA DUA

Meliá Bali is the best of the luxury Nusa Dua family resorts. The centrepiece of the Bali resort is the enormous lagoon-style swimming pool that weaves its way throughout the grounds.

It is the first hotel in Asia to receive the EarthCheck Master achievement for environmental management and sustainability.

There are plenty of fun activities up for grabs, from water sports on the beach and yoga to daily games, cultural activities and cooking classes, not to mention the great kids’ club catering for ages four to 12. When it’s time to relax, the resort spa even offers ‘mum and me’ massage, manicure and nail-art packages.

2Padma Resort Legian
KUTA

Padma Resort Legian is a five-star sanctuary that boasts a prime beachfront location in the heart of the island’s shopping and entertainment mecca, Legian.

The resort’s stylish, contemporary and Balinese-inspired accommodation is backed by world-class facilities, including a choice of dining, yoga classes, a host of scheduled activities, spa treatments and massages. At the spa, kids can get their hair braided, or try manicures, pedicures and a soothing milk bath.

Ages four to seven will enjoy the Wolly Kids Club’s fun supervised indoor and outdoor activities, as well as the games centre, which is decked out with a Playstation, air hockey, table soccer and mini billiards.

There’s plenty of space to relax among the 6.8 hectares of tropical gardens with water features, five swimming pools, lotus ponds and sensational public art, displaying the culture of Bali.

3The Apurva Kempinski Bali
NUSA DUA

The Apurva Kempinski Bali is the epitome of beachfront luxury. This family resort has views stretching over the Indian Ocean.

Cleverly designed to capture the art and heritage of Indonesia, the resort resembles a palatial open-air Indonesian theatre. A choice of rooms, suites and villas overlook either the dazzling sea or the tranquil tropical gardens. There’s an excellent Montessori-based kids club, VIP activities for children, teens and families, and a gorgeous spa.

Spend your day beside the 60-metre main pool, which leads to the manicured beach and is surrounded by small alcoves with sun lounges. A separate kids’ pool and slide, and beach club with watersports will keep you entertained holiday long.

A broad selection of dining experiences include bringing the wonders of the ocean to your table at Koral, Bali’s first aquarium dining experience.

=4The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali
NUSA DUA

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua has a sought-after beachfront location. The resort’s fantastic activites for kids make it one of the best family hotels in Nusa Dua. The Westin Family Kids’ Club has fun activities such as face painting, kite making, movie nights and stargazing.

Swim in freshwater and saltwater swimming pools with a 12-metre water slide and a designated children’s area for safe play and water activities galore. Other activities include watersports and tennis. The Westin Kids Spa offers pampering treatments for parents and kids alike, though babysitting is available when mum and dad feel like a break. When it comes to meal-times, there are six restaurants to choose from.

The lush, perfectly groomed resort grounds offer a serene Balinese sanctuary by the beach.

=4Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali
JIMBARAN

The five-star Mövenpick Resort & Spa is a dream for families. The pool has swim-up hammocks and a splash waterpark with slides and water squirters.

The pirate-themed Meera Kids’ Club has a jam-packed activities schedule, with arts & crafts, cooking classes and cultural activities.

Grown-ups can visit Arkipela Spa for a massage, or the Above Eleven rooftop bar for scenic views and themed cocktails, with babysitting on request if you feel like having a late night. You’ll also have easy access to cultural attractions, such as Uluwatu’s historic sea cliff temple and the traditional market of Kumbasari in Denpasar.

5Holiday Inn Resort Bali Benoa
TANJUNG BENOA

Two infinity pools, an atrium pool and a kids’ pool tricked out with water slides are just the beginning when it comes to the Holiday Inn Resort Bali Benoa.

High on the list of reasons to check in here is the ‘Kids Stay and Eat Free’ program for those under 12, offering complimentary accommodation for little ones sharing a room with an adult, and free food for those eating from the designated menu. Babysitting and nanny services are available, and there’s also a kids’ club to keep your young whippersnappers entertained.

=6AYANA Resort and Spa
JIMBARAN

The Ayana Resort and Spa is situated across 90 hectares of tropical gardens overlooking Jimbaran Bay. Come sunset, the views are spectacular. Take them in at the award-winning Rock Bar, where you can relax with a cocktail in hand. Families can sign up for a cooking class, do a little putting practice or simply chill out beside one of the 12 luxurious swimming pools, some of which include waterslides.

If you have a spare moment, perhaps while your children are at the kids’ club, be sure to try the spa with its Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pool, or a treatment at the jaw-dropping Spa on the Rocks.

=6Conrad Bali
NUSA DUA

Conrad Bali is simply out of this world. The resort sits on Tanjung Benoa – a peninsula that juts out from southern Bali famous for stunning stretches of sand. The resort, spread across seven hectares, has ocean-, garden- or resort-view rooms and suites with private infinity pools.

Kids up to 12 get complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner. Aquatic adventures are the star of the show with many water sports on offer, including introductory scuba, parasailing and sailing. The Conrad also has on-site babysitting, an activity-packed kids’ club and daily adventures, from ship racing to cookie baking, for children.

7InterContinental Bali Resort
JIMBARAN

If you need space, InterContinental Bali Resort is the place to go. This 417-room resort sprawls over 14 hectares of tropical gardens and a stunning white-sand beach.

The property has six pools, one of which is designed especially for families and is flanked by a restaurant and bar. You can find your inner Zen with yoga and bayu suci (Balinese tai chi) classes, or try your hand at music and flower arranging. Alternatively, simply enjoy the tranquillity of the resort. Don’t worry about the kids – they’ll be happy and enjoying the packed program at Planet Trekkers.

8Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel
KUTA

At Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, you are guaranteed a relaxing holiday and a culinary experience that you won’t forget in a hurry.

Start your day with a floating breakfast and then move on to one of the resort’s numerous gourmet journeys – perhaps high tea beside the ocean, or a Mediterranean feast under the stars. The complimentary Kids’ Club is a great place to leave little ones to make friends, while you can work up a sweat in an indoor squash game or rent a bicycle to explore the neighbourhood. Afterwards, the whole family can chill out at the spa, enjoying treatments that include two exclusive options just for kids.

9Grand Hyatt Bali
NUSA DUA

You can’t go wrong when you stay at a hotel with five swimming pools. Even better, two of them include waterslides!

Whether you wish to relax among lush gardens or the white sandy beach of Nusa Dua, Grand Hyatt Bali’s 636 rooms, suites and villas with private pools will leave you spoiled for choice. Spend your day exploring the neighbourhood’s upmarket shopping center, having a hit on the 18-hole golf course or making a splash in one of five swimming pools. Staff in the Kids’ Club will teach your little ones about Balinese culture, with activities such as learning traditional dance as well as playing gamelan musical instruments.