Ballin’ in Bali

Many say the best stories are found between the pages of
a passport and with Air New Zealand’s recent announcement
of the airlines’ first direct flights to Bali since pre-pandemic days,
Kiwi beach bums will be fizzing with excitement.

Also known as the Land of the Gods, Bali appeals to travellers all over the world with its diverse destinations of beautiful beaches, looming volcanoes, intricately carved temples, lush terraced rice fields, dramatic dances and eventful nightlife.

While many of us may have forgotten where our passports are, or even the basics of packing, all that out-of-practice travel awkwardness will give way to a genuine sense of delight as Kiwi travellers look to kickstart 2023 on a high note with a Bali trip. With two-thirds (64%) of Kiwi travellers keen to say yes to any holiday opportunity if their budget allows*, Booking.com shares top places in beloved Bali not to be missed.

Villa Kayu Lama

Unwind in Ubud

Rich in culture, art and home for the spiritual seekers from all over the world exploring all kinds of health and wellness workshops, Ubud is a must-visit location on your travels to Bali.

Whether you’re a digital nomad hopping from cafe to cafe or on your annual family getaway, Ubud is a great starting point for excursions to temples, rice terraces, delicious coffee shops and traditional dance shows. Rich in biodiversity, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is among Ubud’s biggest attractions and home to over 500 grey long-tailed macaques who live in the 12 hectare tropical jungle surrounding an old 14th century Hindu temple, located in the heart of Ubud.

Where to stay: Surrounded by rice fields, Villa Kayu Lama offers a peaceful retreat in Ubud. Guests can take a leisurely swim in the private pools or enjoy relaxing in-villa massages. Free shuttles to Ubud centre are available thrice daily. Monkey Forest, Ubud Art Market and Ubud Palace are all within a 15-minute drive from Villa Kayu Lama, while Ngurah Rai International Airport is 45 minutes’ drive away. Families particularly like this location as the villa provides car rentals, sightseeing arrangements and even babysitting services for little ones.

Carefree in Canggu

Stretching between Kerobokan and Echo Beach, the Gu is full of colourful beachfront bars, surf breaks and healthy-eating cafes. It’s where rice field vistas meet volcanic black sand beaches and you don’t have to compromise on dining and nightlife. The ultimate location for free-spirited travellers, Canggu is famed for its poolside bars where you can dance the night away with friends, old and new. Hotspots such as Finns Beach Club promise a great time and get you hyped to paint the town red.

Where to stay: If you’re looking for some rest and recovery after a big night out, Hotel Tugu Bali offers guests some solace from the bustling streets. Nestled within private gardens, the hotel features an outdoor pool overlooking panoramic sunset views and five themed in-house restaurants. The hotel is home to a sizable antique collection that includes Balinese and Javanese artefacts and further embraces its traditional roots by hosting live Balinese dance and musical performances by local musicians held weekly in the evenings.

Uniquely Uluwatu

Known for some of the island’s most picturesque beaches, Uluwatu is located in south Bali and flaunts unmatchable cliff top views. Travellers can find a unique combination of laid-back surfing vibes and some of the best luxury hotels and resorts in Bali. Famous for its colourful culture especially in its myriad of traditional dances, Uluwatu is home to the famed Kecak Dance, also known as Bali’s fire dance. This dance is a huge part of Balinese culture and is one of the biggest draws for tourists wanting to learn more about the island’s myths and histories.

Where to stay: If you’re after a chill escape that goes beyond your typical hotel stay, the guesthouses at Village Bali will take your breath away with their rustic chic ambiance. This accommodation strikes the perfect balance between a private getaway and communal living.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the accommodation is a walking distance from Impossible Beach, a surfer’s paradise nestled beneath white stone cliffs with a charming panorama of the Indian Ocean.

Sunny Seminyak

Ideal for travellers with a taste of the finer things, ’The Yak’ is the perfect place for travellers to shop all day, party all night and recover in their own private villa while savouring Balinese cuisine. Dubbed as a food-lover’s haven, rich flavours from all around the globe, prepared by highly skilled chefs – some of whom are notable figures in the international culinary scene – can be found here.

Where to stay: An enchanting stay awaits you at Blue Karma Dijiwa Seminyak. The resort gives you a glimpse into what life is like in a Balinese village where colourful ceremonies take place alongside hip and happening venues and nature abounds at every turn. The resort’s light wood furnishings and marble flooring give each spacious villa an elegant yet tropical feel. Balinese skincare workshops are all the rage in Seminyak so resort guests can even learn how to concoct healing jamu tonics with all-natural ingredients, purifying body scrubs that will leave skin feeling refreshed and renewed, and cook delicious Indonesian dishes using fresh local ingredients.

Nestled in Nusa Lembongan

If you’re looking for a slightly off the grid experience far from the bustling crowds, take a 40-minute boat ride to the Nusa islands and walk on the shores of Nusa Lembongan, an island that reflects what Bali was like several decades ago. When the mainland gets a bit too much, the Nusa islands are where people escape to for a quieter time to enjoy the tropical island life. Book a day tour to stretch your sea legs in the islands’ top-of-world dive spots to find all kinds of marine wildlife such as sea turtles, dolphins, mola mola, and manta rays.

Where to stay: A three-minute walk from Mushroom Bay, Naturale Villas is an eco-conscious accommodation with architecture made by recycled and locally sourced materials. It boasts a restaurant and an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical greenery. Let native birdsong be your wake-up call each morning as you rise and shine in this island getaway. Naturale Villas is reachable by a 30-minute boat ride from Sanur Harbour or Tanjung Benoa Harbour in Bali.

Joyful Jimbaran

If kaimoana is your first love, you’ll want to add a visit to Jimbaran to your bucket list. The local fishermen living in the vicinity head out to sea before the break of dawn and then back to the nearby markets to sell their freshly caught fish, clams, squids, and crabs each day.

This bay is famous for its many fish-restaurants that set up their tables directly on the beach where they serve the freshest seafood in the evening.

Where to stay: Nestled into the lush hillside overlooking a picturesque cliff at Balangan, La Cabane is an intimate eco-chic boutique hotel where honeymooners and friends delight on a peaceful southern tip of Bali with all modern comforts. Whether it’s floating breakfasts in the pool or personal yoga sessions, La Cabane pampers guests and leaves a lasting impression. Local warungs within walking distance of the hotel offer simple western and authentic Indonesian meals, with all the coconut water and Bali coffee for travellers to drink.

*Travel Predictions 2022 research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,055 respondents across 31 countries and territories were polled (501 from New Zealand).

Respondents completed an online survey in August 2021.

In the mix

Pearl of the Bay