When Elegant Resorts invited me to join a small group of Designer Travel colleagues for a 7-night luxury trip to Bali, I couldn’t have been more excited!
Bali has been on my bucket list for years. I’ve planned countless trips there for clients with glowing feedback, so this was the perfect chance to see it for myself - and it lived up to the hype!
There are no direct flights to Bali from the UK, but this allows for stopovers in places like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. We flew Emirates via Dubai — a long journey, but worth every minute.
Over the course of our trip, we stayed at five stunning resorts, each with its own charm, and experienced some unforgettable moments in between...
The Ritz Carlton Nusa Dua
Our first two nights were spent at The Ritz Carlton, Nusa Dua, a stunning property offering both clifftop and beachside settings, just 30 minutes south of the airport.
Nusa Dua is a peaceful area known for luxury hotels, calm beaches and fewer crowds - perfect for relaxing or for young families.
Bali is home to over 20,000 Hindu temples, with offerings made daily to maintain peace and prosperity. Many hotels have their own temples, and staying at one allows guests to experience these traditions firsthand.
At The Ritz Carlton, we learned how to make canang sari, traditional offerings crafted from coconut palm leaves and flowers representing the four Hindu Gods. We were shown how to arrange the flowers correctly before presenting them at the hotel’s temple - a lovely and meaningful ritual.
Hotel Overview
313 rooms, from Junior Suites to 3-bedroom villas
Lagoon-style pool and separate adults-only pool
Six restaurants and bars
Beautiful spa with Balinese treatments
Fantastic kids’ club for ages 4–12, plus babysitting available
Ideal for weddings, with a beachfront chapel or cliff-top gardens
Bulgari Resort
We were incredibly lucky to stay in a stunning one-bedroom pool villa for our two nights at the Bulgari Resort. With its private pool, 24-hour butler service, and every luxury you could imagine, it was the ultimate indulgence. I even filmed a little tour of the villa to show just how special it is – take a look below!
The resort, perched on the Bukit Peninsula, offers jaw-dropping ocean views across 21 acres of tropical gardens. Perfect for honeymooners or special occasions, and oh my goodness, the sunsets were unforgettable!
We spent a day immersing ourselves in Balinese culture, starting with the Banjar Walk through a local village alive with festival celebrations.
The temple was beautifully decorated, the locals were incredibly welcoming (offering us food and drinks), and the highlight was meeting the children at a local school who excitedly came out to greet us.
We participated in a moving Melukat Ceremony, a Hindu cleansing ritual at the hotel’s temple, led by a local priest. On our final morning, a private yoga session (thankfully beginner-friendly!) was the perfect way to start the day.
Hotel Overview
59 Villas and 5 Mansions, each with a private pool and 24-hour butler service
Breakfast anytime, either in your villa or at the restaurant
Four restaurants and bars, including a beach club accessed by funicular
Open-air treatment rooms in the spa
Private yoga instructors
Complimentary experiences like a purifying Hindu ceremony and a village walk
Como Uma Canggu
Our next stop was Como Uma Canggu, located at Echo Beach on Bali’s southwest coast. This beachfront property offers panoramic views of the soft volcanic sand and rolling waves - a haven for surfers and beach lovers alike. The location is fantastic, with the beach just steps from the hotel and a lively town full of restaurants, bars, and shops a short walk away.
The sunsets here are magical. Whether at the Beach Club or sitting on the sand, watching the day end was pure magic. The town buzzes with energy after dark, offering affordable massages, great bars and a variety of restaurants.
During our stay, we took full advantage of the resort’s facilities, including the giant lagoon pool, perfect for a refreshing swim after a day of exploring. The Beach Club restaurant became our favourite spot, offering delicious dishes and a front-row view of surfers riding the waves.
Como Uma Canggu’s relaxed yet stylish vibe makes it an ideal destination for families, couples, and anyone looking to enjoy Bali’s vibrant coastal culture.
Hotel Overview
Rooms and Suites: 119 options, including 12 three-bedroom penthouses with rooftop pools and butler service.
Pools: A giant lagoon pool (some rooms with swim-out access) and a smaller beachfront pool.
Beach Club: Open-air dining with stunning sunsets and a front-row seat to the surfers.
Spa: Seven treatment rooms offering a range of holistic therapies.
Kids Club: "Play by COMO" caters to children aged 4 to 12; under-4s require supervision.
Surfing: A collaboration with Tropicsurf provides lessons for beginners and guided tours for experienced surfers.
Como Shambhala Estate
Ubud was our next stop, around an hour and 20 minutes from the airport, and the destination I had been most looking forward to. Known as Bali’s cultural and wellness hub, Ubud is surrounded by lush rainforests, terraced rice paddies, and dotted with Hindu temples and shrines. It’s a haven for traditional crafts, dance and holistic wellbeing - a true escape from the ordinary.
I was fortunate to spend a night at the luxury wellness retreat, Como Shambhala Estate, set across 23 acres of pristine grounds just a 15-minute drive from Ubud’s vibrant centre. Perched on a ridge overlooking the Ayung River and enveloped by jungle and rice terraces, the estate is dedicated to rejuvenating mind, body and spirit through tailored wellness programmes, exercise and cuisine.
Visiting the stunning Kedara Water Gardens, nestled within the estate grounds, was a highlight. A sudden storm moved our picnic indoors, but the weather cleared for us to explore this special spot.
We descended 2,200 steps into the jungle to pools fed by a sacred spring, encircled by rocks and waterfalls. Swimming in the crystal-clear pools and watching whitewater rafters below, was awesome. The climb back up the steps was challenging but absolutely worth it!
Ubud has so much to offer; I’d recommend at least four nights. We explored local markets, admired beautiful crafts and visited spiritual temples. A walk through the Monkey Forest was a real highlight - this 27-acre sanctuary is home to over 1,200 long-tailed macaques. Strolling through the shaded pathways was fascinating, although you do need to follow guidelines like not feeding or touching the monkeys.
Of course, no visit to Ubud is complete without trying the famous Bali Swing. Swinging out over the rice paddies felt exhilarating, though I opted to skip the flowing gown rental that so many visitors wear for Instagram-worthy photos. The swing alone was more than enough for me!
Hotel Overview
Accommodation: 30 suites housed in 5 shared residences with full-sized pools, plus 5 retreat pool villas and 4 two- or three-bedroom private villas.
Wellness Facilities: Spa, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam rooms, yoga pavilions, Pilates studio, gym, climbing wall and private treatment areas.
Wellness Programs: "Wellness Paths" holistic healing programmes designed to harmonise mind, body and soul.
Outdoor Activities: Mountain biking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing and outdoor cross-training.
Dining Options: Two restaurants plus private dining options in your residence, the Tea House, or by the Ayung River.
Family Notes: Not specifically a family resort but babysitting services are available
Four Seasons in Jimbaran Bay
My final night in Bali was spent at the Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran Bay, an all-villa resort spread across 38 acres of lush tropical gardens that cascade gently down to a serene 3-mile beach. Its location, just 20 minutes from the airport, makes it an excellent choice for beginning or ending your Bali adventure.
From the resort, you can watch planes take off and land across the bay - fascinating, yet peacefully quiet. Each villa is a private sanctuary with stunning views and luxurious touches that make it hard to leave.
Inspired by traditional Balinese villages, the resort blends luxury with the island's heritage. From relaxing by your private pool to indulging at the Healing Village Spa or dining with sunset views, everything about the Four Seasons is special.
Hotel Overview
Accommodation: 147 stunning villas, each with a private pool.
Pools: Three pools, including a dedicated children's pool.
Dining: Four diverse restaurants offering local and international cuisine.
Spa: The Healing Village Spa with 10 treatment rooms for ultimate relaxation.
Kids Club: Umah Rare Club for children aged 4 to 12, with options for under 4s to attend with a parent or babysitter.
Fitness: Fitness centre with yoga and meditation classes.
Conclusion
Bali is a destination that truly offers something for everyone, especially if you’re looking for more than just a "beach and flop" holiday. I always recommend a two-centre experience, combining a few nights in Ubud to soak up the island's culture, followed by some time at one of the beautiful beach resorts.
Bali’s spiritual atmosphere is unique - most hotels have temples, offering ceremonies and blessings from local priests. The gentle, welcoming people and delicious, affordable food make it even more special.
The best time to visit is between April and October, with July and August being the busiest months.
If Bali isn’t on your travel list yet, it should be! It’s unforgettable, and I can’t wait to return. Contact me to create your own special experience.
