5 Surreal Swim Resorts in Bali to Soak Up the Sun

Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali Hotel Review

 

 

The Most Breathtaking Swim Resorts in Bali

AirBnB Villas with Private Pools, 5 Star Luxury Resorts, Infinity Pools with Epic Views & More

 

Practically every day I see a gorgeous Bali resort pop up on my Instagram feed.

Usually there’s a pretty girl in a bikini, possibly a sun hat and most definitely a stunning pool. I recently returned from Bali and luckily had the opportunity to hotel hop a bit and experience different resorts and neighborhoods so I thought I’d put together a dream list of epic Bali hotels with pools.

These Bali swim resorts represent the best of the best – everything from private pools to ocean view infinity pools to overlapping swimming pools in the jungle!

Yes, most of them are 5 star luxury resorts, it is Bali after all, but you might be surprised to find that Balinese villas can be affordable and come with their own private pools as well.

 

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Bali Swim Resorts
Bali Swim Resorts
Bali Swim Resorts

 

 

Bali Hotels with Amazing Pools

Here is a quick chart listing our favorite swim resorts and hotels in Bali. Keep reading below for why we think they’re unique and worth a stay!

 

Best Bali Swim Resorts – Summary Chart

Hotel Location Best For: Reviews
Alila Villas Uluwatu Couples Check rates: Hotels.comBooking.com
Sofitel Nusa Dua Nusa Dua All Check rates: Hotels.comBooking.com
AYANA Resort Jimbaran Bay Luxury Check rates: Hotels.comBooking.com
Villa Ariana Seminyak Families Check rates: AirBnBBooking.com
Munduk Moding Munduk North Bali Adventure Check rates: Hotels.comBooking.com

Read more: The Ultimate Indonesia Travel Guide – Highlights, Attractions & Logistics

P.S. If you’re just looking for a beach resort for the day, check out Sundays Beach Club in Bali. Great food, epic views and perfect for all travelers.

Another option is visiting Lembongan Island on a day trip, to have a beautiful beach entirely to yourself! Organized tours typically include water activities as well, like snorkeling, banana boat rides and round trip transportation. You can find more details here.

 

 


 

 

Bali, Indonesia – 7 Swimming Resorts to Soak Up the Sun

 

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Swim Resort Bali - Alila Villas Uluwatu

 

“I think this is the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed in,” I said to my friend Christina. I think we each repeated that phrase 10 different ways over the course of our incredible stay at Alila Villas.

All the rooms at Alila Villas Uluwatu are free-standing villas with private pools. At the hotel lobby, there’s a massive infinity pool overlooking the ocean and even a sunset cabana to enjoy the views. Alila is one of those resorts you go to to escape the world. Because of its open, modern concept that blends easily into the Balinese tropical environment, you feel like you’re the only guest in this stunning luxury resort.

Other highlights from our stay: in-villa breakfast, inviting our friends to hang out at the pool, going for night swims, making friends at the infinity pool.

Alila Villas Uluwatu is luxury at its finest and our recommended Bali hotel for weddings, couples and any romantic vacation experience.

You can read my in-depth hotel review of Alila here.

 

Alila Villas Uluwatu

5-star luxury resort in Uluwatu, Bali where guests have their own private pools

Check rates: Hotels.comBooking.comExpediaAgoda

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

 


 

 

Sofitel Nusa Dua

Swim Resort Bali - Sofitel Nusa Dua

pc: @simplyteee

 

This luxury resort is massive.

Combining French and Balinese influences, the Sofitel’s architectural design is stunning from the moment you drop your bags at check in.

Our rooms were spacious and spectacular, with a seated lounge area, small dining table and massive open concept bathroom complete with rain shower and free standing tub. There’s even a balcony and swing chair to enjoy the views!

Definitely make sure to try out their breakfast. It can be a bit of a wait at peak times (the hotel has over 600 guests in peak season) but in particular we sighed with relief to have a proper cappuccino and reset our bodies with beet juice.

You can enjoy everything from Western food to Indonesian food to Indian, Japanese and Italian. Finally, make sure to enjoy the many pools at the Sofitel Nusa Dua!

There are upgraded suites with direct pool access, a large central pool, beach access and also a swim up bar. We spent hours basking in the sun and enjoying happy hour.

Due to its luxurious villas, incredible swimming pools and discreet service, the Sofitel Nusa Dua is an excellent choice for really any traveler. Families with kids will love the many lounges, pools and hotel activities while couples on their honeymoon should take advantage of the spa and suite options.

Sofitel Nusa Dua

A resort perfect for everyone from honeymoon couples to families with kids.

Check rates: Hotels.comBooking.comAgoda, Expedia

Read reviews: TripAdvisor


 

 

AYANA Resort & Spa

Swim Resort Bali - AYANA Resort and Spa

pc: @gypsealust

 

Perched on magnificent cliffs overlooking Jimbaran Bay – the location famous for its romantic beachfront dinners – the AYANA Resort & Spa Bali is one of the crown jewels of Bali swimming resorts.

The 7 room and suite options are simply palatial and feature finishes such as canopied beds, antique wood furniture, and stunning Indian Ocean sunset views.

It only gets more impressive as AYANA’s amenities are highlighted by private pool villas, 12 swimming pools overall, 19 restaurants and bars, a world-class spa, and even a putting green!

One of the AYANA Resort & Spa Bali’s true delights is the world-famous Rock Bar Bali. Standing sentinel over Jimbaran waves crashing into distinctive rock formations, Rock Bar Bali is one of the most deliciously opulent bars anywhere on the planet.

The bar is only accessible via cliff side inclinator, contains 18 gorgeously-appointed semi-private villas, and features a DJ booth carved directly into the cliff.

AYANA Resort and Spa

Check rates: Hotels.comBooking.comAgoda

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

 


 

 

Villa Ariana

Swim Resort Bali - Villa Ariana Grande

pc: @taramilktea

 

Located in Canggu, a resort village on Bali’s south coast known for its strong surf and upscale shops and restaurants, this Bali villa with private pool perfectly blends seclusion and convenience.

Guests at Villa Ariana can choose from one of just five villas that have private pool access as well as terraced gardens. The villas are quaint yet stylish, featuring wood-finished furniture, canopied beds, and flat-screen televisions.

Though idyllic and hypnotizing in its seclusion, the Villa Ariana has an extremely convenient location among swim resorts in Bali as well.  The Villa is less than 10 miles from the Ngurah Rai International Airport and both the Bemo Gunung Agung and Ubung bus terminals.

Additionally, guests at the Villa Ariana are nearby the phenomenal surf of Canggu and Echo beaches, the boutiques and fine dining of Seminyak, and the absolutely electric nightlife of Kuta!

 


 

 

Resort Munduk Moding Plantation

Swim Resort Bali - Manduk Bali

pc: @saltinourhair

 

Set in the picturesque mountains of northern Bali, the Munduk Moding Resort & Spa combines nature and luxury to redefine the Bali swim resort experience.

Munduk Moding villas are interspersed throughout an organic coffee plantation, so guests have an unrivaled viewpoint of authentic Indonesian vegetation, ecology, and commerce. With coffee trees, terraced rice fields and lush jungle surrounding the property, it’s easy to see why this hotel was named Indonesia’s best eco-luxury resort.

Even better, Munduk Moding spared no expense in creating one of the best swim resorts in Bali. With tropical hardwood parquet floors, Sualwesi cream marble bathrooms, private terraces, and outdoor showers overlooking the Java Sea, the villas at the Munduk Moding overflow with luxuriance.

For the cherry on top, the Munduk Moding has a private pool villa featuring one of the 10 best infinity pools in the world!

Resort Munduk Moding Plantation

Living up to its name, this is the travel umbrella to take for windy destinations.

Check rates: Hotels.comBooking.comExpedia, Agoda

Read reviews: TripAdvisor


 

Swim Resorts Bali

pc: @wynprmn

 

Visiting Indonesia – Travel Checklist

Flights | From New York City, there are no direct flights to Indonesia but you can grab reasonably priced flights if you book early. Check often for routes and fares here. I've transferred in Doha and China and prefer Doha's modern airport via Qatar Airways.

If flying to Jakarta, fares will be slightly cheaper and from Indonesia's capital you can explore Bandung, Yogyakarta and Sumatra on short domestic flights. If your focus is Bali, note that flights from the USA will be slightly more expensive and typically will involve a 2nd stopover in Jakarta anyway.

Transportation | You can rent a motorized scooter to get around or book a tour to handle transportation if you're not comfortable. Taxis and Ubers will work in some areas, but not all. Bali especially has terrible gridlock traffic.

Accommodation | I highly recommend ‘hotel hopping' Bali – the island is quite large and different neighborhoods have their own characteristics. Bali is also a fantastic place to splurge on a luxury resort – the options are endless, the views are unbeatable and the food is divine. We loved both Alila Villas Uluwatu and the Sofitel Nusa Dua.

Airbnb is a great way to stay in luxurious Balinese resorts for discounted rates – especially if traveling with a group.

Packing | Bring light fabrics and traditional summer wear for Bali along with mosquito spray. If you intend to visit Indonesia's other cities and famous temples, bring modest clothing. Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country and can view short shorts and mini skirts as impolite. You can read my complete Bali packing list here.

Insurance // Lastly, be sure to visit Indonesia with travel insurance. Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, or your phone gets stolen, travel insurance will help when you need it most. I ended up getting seriously ill and visiting the hospital while in Solo, Indonesia and being taken care of was a lifesaver. Get a quote for your trip here.

 

 You Might Also Enjoy: 

 

Indonesia Vacation Planning Articles

Quick Guide: The Ultimate Indonesia Travel Guide

When is the Best Time to Visit Indonesia

At a Glance: 50 Incredible Things You Can Only Do in Indonesia

An Off the Beaten Path Itinerary: 2 Weeks in Indonesia

 

Indonesian Cities, Sights & Tours We Especially Enjoyed

Yogyakarta : 10 Highlights from Java’s Cultural Center

Bandung Don’t Leave Without Seeing These 7 Sights

A Raja Ampat Travel Guide: Scuba Diving, Hiking & How to Get There

Sun, Surf & Sea: Visiting Lombok & The Gili Islands

 

Bali, Indonesia Articles

Bali Packing List: What to Wear in the World’s Largest Muslim Country

Where to Stay: Decoding Bali’s Neighborhoods

Luxury Resorts in Bali with Epic Swimming Pools

Hotel Review: Alila Villas Uluwatu

 

 

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8 Comments

  1. Becca
    January 29, 2018 / 10:18 pm

    Hi! You mention in your Indonesia posts the Phoenix Hotel in Yogyakarta, which looks gorgeous. However, we’d like to do the Borobudur sunrise ticket. Is it still possible to do staying this far from the temple? I’m assuming we would book a private tour to take us there early, so just want to make sure that is something that is doable. Thank you so much for your inspiration and tips! <3 Becca

    • Sher
      Author
      January 29, 2018 / 10:35 pm

      Yes! Just book a private tour to take you there early :) This is the tour we booked, and they picked us up from our hotel. You’ll love it – have fun!!

  2. Becca
    January 30, 2018 / 6:30 pm

    Thank you!!

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