Compare Bali hotels

Slightly further along the coast, Canggu is a brilliant compromise for first-timers to Bali. Home to a large expat community of creative types from all over the globe, it’s interesting, arty and scattered with some of Bali’s best independent hotels.

If you’re after an alternative to chain resorts and international coffee franchises, you’ve come to the right place. The sands are sparkly, the waves are way out and the sunsets will leave you speechless.

The Bukit Peninsula is Bali’s bohemian hotspot, packed with dreamy bays and dreadlocked wave-riders. Here, on the island’s southernmost knobbly bit, you’ll find sandy coves framed by jagged cliffs and free spirits a-plenty. And where there are hippies, there are budget digs…

Bingin, Padang Padang and Balangan Bay are home to some of Bali’s best cheap hotels. The gnarly waves tend to rule out swimming, but it’s a dreamy place for sundowner beers on the beach.

Geographically close to the Bukit Peninsula, but worlds apart in terms of vibe, Nusa Dua is home to many of Bali’s five-star hotels. If you’ve got money to play with, this is your perfect playground.

A designer patchwork of spa salons, golf courses, upmarket shops and pricey restaurants, it’s ideal for travellers with pockets that run luxuriously deep. Just be prepared to spend, spend, spend.

Jimbaran is laid-back Bali at its best. A string of small, secluded bays on the isthmus that separates the bulk of Bali from the Bukit Peninsula, it really is the perfect in-between.

The offshore reef keeps the waves gentle, making for kid-friendly waters and some of Bali’s best family hotels. The local fish market is mouth watering, the cliff-top clubs are cracking and the crowd is delightfully eclectic.

Ubud is the heart of Balinese culture, with petal offerings scattered across doorsteps and Gamelan music carrying across the breeze. Tucked away between the rice paddies, it’s a creative enclave that attracts artists from across the globe.

Here, you’ll find a cocktail of cheap Bali hotels, retreat-style resorts and luxury villas with infinity pools overlooking the rice terraces. The vibe is distinctly new age, so nibble vegan bites, knock back fruit smoothies and roll out your yoga mat.