Not all islands are created equal—some are just so special, they tower above the rest. Bali is one of these, seductive to anyone with an affection for Mother Nature’s beauty or fascinating culture, genuinely warm and friendly people, and food bursting with flavor and personality. There’s no question the Indonesian island is saturated with intricate Hindu temples, palm trees and lush jungles, idyllic beaches, and some of the world’s best surfing, which makes it an impeccable choice for a honeymoon. The allure is backed up by authentic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences enhanced further by the surreal settings.
Since it’s relatively small, basing yourselves at one of many beaches makes for stunning starts and ends to your days, with options to explore the rice terraces, volcanoes, and monkey forests of the interior. Here, the top nine picks for Bali beach resorts that have the magic to make your island honeymoon truly exceptional.
Conscientious couples—and design lovers—will swoon for this new hotel beside the iconic party central Potato Head Beach Club. With the slogan, “Good Times, Do Good,” the 168-studio property at the heart of a carbon-neutral creative village in Seminyak is all about making sustainability fun and chic. There’s a postcard-perfect beachfront pool, balconies dotted with hammocks, a gorgeous spa, a handful of hot bars and restaurants (including seafood-focused Ijen, the region’s first zero-waste eatery), and enough in-room amenities—think cool wooden baths, fully stocked artisanal bars, aromatherapy and pretty coffee table books—to make venturing out tough. But chances are, you’ll find all the artistic and musical goings-on difficult to miss. Beyond yoga flows and surf lessons, newlyweds can try their hands at woodcarving, take a sustainability or gardening workshop, tour a green village, or find inspiration in the Sweet Potato Lab, where oyster shells, used cooking oil, and other waste are transformed into design objects. Book an Escapism package for even more perks, and check out Potato Head Suites for more sprawling accommodations.
If your ideal honeymoon mornings consist of stepping out of a heavenly bed into your very own ocean-view plunge pool and having breakfast floated out to you, then this Four Seasons resort is where your dreams will come true. The resort is incredibly romantic, and not only because every accommodation has its own pool. The property weaves Balinese culture beautifully into every experience, from cooking lessons with charismatic chef Kris to blessings in the temple upon arrival. On calm and picturesque Jimbaran Bay, famous for its seafood grills, the Indian Ocean is ideal for swimming, surfing, and SUP. Of course, there are also a couple larger pools complete with cabanas for days full of TLC.
Speaking of, the new Healing Village Spa offers singular treatments and rituals meant to not only treat the physical body but the spirit, thanks to talented local healers. The resort’s dining options are prolific and delectable—especially the Indonesian fare—but it’s also in an appealing location for its proximity to some of Bali’s top restaurants for a few newlywed nights out. For a real adventure, book the Ocean-to-Table fishing adventure, where you’ll cook what you catch, and a sustainable cocktail class at the upcycled bar Telu.
If it’s Bali’s incomparable surf scene that has drawn one or both of you to the island, this clifftop resort with epic panoramas of the mesmerizing waves rolling in is the best choice. There is a board room stocked with dozens of surfboards to borrow, plus private stairs down to sea level, making for an easier paddle out to the famous breaks à la Kelly Slater. But one needn’t be a surfer to enjoy the stunning villas at the beloved resort, which include both traditional Balinese designs as well as tropical modern showstoppers. There’s daily yoga at the open air Morning Light shala, and one of Bali’s most breathtaking infinity pools that’s perfect for cocktails at sunset there. There’s also Mana, a restaurant and shop that magnetically pulls you back again and again. The views and vibes are incomparable, setting the stage for a magical honeymoon.
For truly epic honeymoon digs, splurge on a Como Penthouse at this oceanfront Canggu resort—it’s about as Instagrammable as it gets, with a large rooftop pool and dramatic roof cutaway. It even comes with a personal assistant. Of course, if you opt for that, you probably won’t want to leave the massive penthouse (and their extensive range of experiences on offer including temple ceremonies and biking tours among them. But, there are plenty of other spacious rooms and suites that offer beach lovers optimal views of what’s happening in the scene-y beach town. If saltwater isn’t your thing, there’s a pool with tons of loungers and hanging beds. There’s also fantastic food to cozy up and savor at the beach club, with live music and DJs setting the mood for memorable sunsets. Tropicsurf is on hand to give surf lessons or coaching, and countless ways to recover from those efforts in the COMO Shambhala Retreat spa and healing center.
If you want to relax and indulge with a side of wellness, this clifftop Uluwatu eco resort is for you. Though it’s not technically at the beach, it is above a few, so the vistas are pretty incredible. Go for a cliff pool villa, which has plenty of privacy and its very own pool for floating breakfasts and sunbathing. If you want more space, there’s a cliff’s-edge pool, where servers are happy to bring you healthy snacks and beverages. The wellness center has a huge menu of treatments to book with your love or solo, if you could use extra pampering. Whatever adventures you get into—such as checking out the famous sunset fire dance at Uluwatu Temple, sailing, or taking a joy ride in a cute Kübelwagen—you’ll want to make time for just soaking it all in, and maybe cuddling up for a movie night under the stars with the ocean in the background.
You’ll want to unpack for good in the jaw-droppingly beautiful pool villas that have their own gardens, huge daybeds—from which you can slip directly into the pool—and grand, amenity-stocked bathrooms. Perched on the cliffs of Uluwatu in southwest Bali, this resort is the picture of honeymoon perfection. You can savor mouthwatering Indonesian cuisine or opt for locally sourced gourmet comfort food. Guests can take stand up paddleboard yoga in the infinity pool, or try the Journey Beyond Two, a soothing three-and-a-half hour class on mastering the art of Japanese oshibori and massage. It’s a great skill to take home as newlyweds, before getting a 60-minute massage from the best and dining by candlelight in a private cabana.
It’s a toss-up as to what’s dreamier: the private black sand beach or series of cascading pools at Amankila. On Bali’s east coast, this luxury resort is the definition of serenity, with wide views out to the turquoise Lombok Strait best captured from Balinese beach houses on stilts set in the lush hillside. The sacred volcano Mount Agung is even behind the resort. For active newlyweds, there’s plenty of trekking to do on this side of Bali, along with countless breathtaking temples to visit, further from the beaten tourist path. On-staff healers can treat any stress, weariness, or tension from wedding planning, and a couples massage should be a given. Also perfect for honeymooners: cruising on the water and escaping for sunset picnics in the hills. For true adventure, board the traditional phinisi sailing vessel Amandira and combine your Bali-moon with a few nights on Moyo Island at Amanwana in an opulent ocean tent.
For a luxurious resort experience, there’s Nusa Dua on the southeast side of Bali. Along a one-kilometer stretch of pristine beach is the expansive Mulia complex comprising of several concepts. Mulia Resort is the main resort, The Mulia is entirely suites with butler service, and Mulia Villas has larger villas with deluxe amenities. Whichever you choose, there’s a vast collection of dining experiences to satiate any cravings, and one of the most epic pools you’ll see anywhere. The spa is a true destination: massive and incredibly comprehensive, with hours-long experiences that will put you in the best mindset to enjoy the vacation.
Opened in 2021, this resort puts a contemporary spin on a traditional Balinese village, reimagining it as a 149-room destination in charming seaside Sanur with a meditative dukuh area with ancient banyan trees. Along with a spa highlighting authentic Balinese healing treatments, there are three swimming pools and four restaurants, including the beachfront Fisherman’s Club. For couples who love being social, there are many wide open spaces for making friends, watching the flawless sunrises, and simply enjoying the tropical beauty of Bali.