Best Bali Locations to Stay
- Desmond Breau
- Sep 13
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 5
A Grown-Up Travel Guide to the Best Locations to Stay in Bali for the Mature Traveller.
There are definitely Bali locations where you don’t want to stay, and Bali locations to stay.
As a seasoned traveller, you’ll likely be drawn to the places where culture runs deepest, so we’ve ranked the areas below to highlight which offer the richest experiences.
Let us guide you through our list, counting down from the least rewarding to the best Bali locations to stay as a mature traveller.
And we’ll end our list with the very best location to stay in Bali.
Number 05
Nusa Dua
Cultural implode ranking: ★☆☆☆☆
Culture is present, but in a polished, packaged form
Nusa Dua is Bali’s polished beachfront enclave, purpose-built for tourism and often compared to an island within an island. Wide boulevards, manicured gardens, luxury corporate resorts, and an air of quiet exclusivity define this gated community on the southern peninsula. It’s the place where global conferences are held, honeymooners drift from infinity pools to white-sand beaches, and golf carts hum past five-star hotels.
While it offers peace, security, and excellent infrastructure, it can feel more like “international resort land” than Bali. You’ll find cultural touches here — traditional Balinese architecture in the hotels, evening dances staged for guests, and occasional craft markets — but the experience is carefully curated rather than raw and lived-in. For travellers who want comfort, predictability, and a polished seaside escape, Nusa Dua is one of the best Bali locations to stay
Recommended Accommodation:
Grand Hyatt
Grand Hyatt in Nusa Dua is a family-friendly beachfront resort offering spacious grounds, lush gardens, and 636 contemporary rooms, suites, and villas. Guests enjoy 5 restaurants, 2 bars, pools, a spa, and kids’ areas. Activities range from Balinese cooking classes to Sound Healing and purification rituals. Perfect for couples, families, or business travellers, it delivers luxury without breaking the bank.
Rates range from about €166 / $194 to €735 / $862 nightly.
Number 04
Sanur
Cultural implode ranking: ★★☆☆☆
Culture here feels authentic but softened — present in daily life, not overwhelming.
Sanur is Bali’s original beach resort town, with roots stretching back to the 1930s when early expats and artists set up residence along its calm coastline. The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried: fishing boats bob offshore, locals stroll the beachfront promenade, and you’ll find as many Balinese families enjoying ceremonies on the beach as foreign retirees riding bicycles between cafés.
Sanur appeals to those who want “old Bali” charm mixed with modern comforts. It lacks the nightlife of Kuta or Seminyak, but makes up for it with temples tucked into backstreets, daily offerings along sidewalks, and a gentle integration of Balinese culture into everyday life. You can sit in a café sipping your cappuccino while a traditional gamelan rehearsal drifts over from the nearby banjar (village hall). If you’re looking for a laid-back seaside town to relax, Sanur is one of best locations to stay in Bali.
Recommended Accommodation:
Puri Santrian
Puri Santrian is a large yet charming beachfront resort in Sanur, blending corporate-style amenities with an intimate, family-friendly vibe. Set on expansive, beautifully landscaped grounds with multiple pools and endless beach frontage, it’s a true tropical escape. Guests can enjoy sunrise yoga, cooking classes, cycling, or simply relaxing by the sea. Dining ranges from casual beachside meals to fine Western and Japanese cuisine, with accommodations from cozy bungalows to deluxe suites.
Rates start around €165 / USD $194.
NOW, LET’S GET SERIOUS. Here are the corners of Bali where culture comes alive and practically sweeps you off your feet . . . |
Number 03
Sidemen (Karangasem Regency)
Cultural implode ranking: ★★★★☆
A strong presence of culture woven into daily life, less filtered for visitors.
Sidemen Valley is a vision of Bali as it might have looked a century ago: emerald rice terraces step gracefully down to rivers, smoke curls from village kitchens, and Mount Agung looms dramatically in the background. Life here moves to the rhythms of farming and ceremony. Sidemen is known for its traditional weaving (songket and ikat), small family-run warungs, and community temples where visitors are often welcome to observe ceremonies.
Tourism has arrived — yoga retreats, boutique villas, and trekking tours are part of the scene — but the pace is rural and rooted in custom. It’s still one of the best Bali locations to stay for travellers looking for deep cultural immersion. It offers one of the richest experiences on the the island.
Recommended Accommodation:
Samanvaya
Samanvaya is a serene adults-only sanctuary in Sidemen Valley, offering wellness, seclusion, and breathtaking views of rice terraces and volcanoes. Guests enjoy organic dining, spa treatments, yoga, and wellness facilities including sauna, steam room, hot tubs, and cold plunge. Its 15 villa-bungalows, crafted from natural wood, bamboo, and thatch, each feature private terraces with stunning vistas. Perfect for those seeking renewal in a remote, peaceful setting.
Rates start at €177 / USD $208.
Number 02
Ubud
Cultural implode ranking: ★★★★☆
Very high — culture is everywhere, though sometimes mixed with modern reinterpretation.
Often described as Bali’s cultural heart, Ubud pulses with art, dance, spirituality, and creativity. It’s home to countless temples, galleries, artisan workshops, and performances — from high temple ceremonies with sacred gamelan music to nightly dance shows staged for visitors. At the same time, Ubud has become a global hub, drawing expats, digital nomads, yogis, and wellness seekers. That makes it a fascinating blend: you might spend your morning at a traditional temple blessing, your afternoon in a modern co-working café, and your evening at a high-quality performance of the Kecak dance.
While commercialization has diluted some of its raw authenticity, Ubud is still one of the best Bali locations to stay. It remains a place where Balinese culture lives strongly, it’s just layered with global influences.
Recommended Accommodation:
Alam Jiwa
Alam Jiwa is a boutique hotel in Ubud offering authentic Balinese charm with modern comforts. Founded by Ibu Wayan and Pak Ketut, it reflects their passion for traditional art, architecture, and hospitality. Set amid lush gardens by a stream near the Monkey Forest, the property features 11 uniquely styled bungalows adorned with local craftsmanship. Each offers modern amenities, ensuite baths with open-air showers, and serene countryside vibes. Although in the heart of busy Ubud, Alam Jiwa feels like you’re miles away.
Rates start at €89 / USD $104.
Now, for something truly age-appropriate, our stand-out choice for Mature Travellers . . . |
Number 01
Central Bali (Tegallalang & Payangan)
Cultural implode ranking: ★★★★★
The strongest cultural immersion on this list, especially outside the touristy terrace viewpoints.
Just north of Ubud, the central highlands unfold into some of Bali’s most iconic landscapes. Tegallalang is famous for its sweeping rice terraces, often photographed at sunrise, and while touristy, it still reflects the Subak irrigation system — a UNESCO-recognized cultural tradition of communal water management that dates back centuries. Meanwhile, Payangan offers a quieter, less-developed alternative: misty hills, jungle valleys, and villages where temple ceremonies still anchor community life.
This is the region where Balinese culture thrives – and it’s probably the place you were dreaming of when you decided to come to Bali.
From the flower-petal offerings placed everywhere, to the processions of joyfully-garbed locals shutting down roads, to the elaborate temple ceremonies, to the enchanting traditional dances, to the otherworldly gamelan music wafting in the air, almost everything in this area has spiritual meaning and leaves you with a lasting impression of reverence, peace and tranquillity. Without a a doubt, this is the best location to stay in Bali for mature travellers seeking an authentic Bali experience.
Recommended Accommodation:
Gilded Palms Co-Living Residence
The only Bali accommodation designed exclusively for mature travellers.
This luxurious shared villa offers 4 elegant private suites for long-term stays of one month to a year. Created intentionally for mature guests, the villa is set in a tranquil traditional village just 25 minutes north of Ubud, surrounded by serene rice terraces, waterfalls, and temples. With no children and no parties, it’s a peaceful retreat offering privacy and community with like-minded adults. Guests enjoy spacious private suites with king beds, balconies, and rain showers; and shared spaces include a pool with stunning ricefield views, gym, bar and barista service, and delicious home-cooked meals. Facilities and services at Gilded Palms rival 5-star hotels, but at a fraction of the cost. And, with only 8 guests, the personal attention is unmatched.
Monthly stays are priced at €780 / USD $914, with discounts for stays longer than a month.
(Lease agreements are offered for long-term stays, qualifying guests for an Indonesian Retirement Visa.)
Overall Cultural Implode Ranking (from least to most immersive locations)
Nusa Dua – Polished and packaged culture.
Sanur – Relaxed with daily Balinese life visible.
Sidemen – Rural rhythms and traditions strongly intact.
Ubud – Cultural heart with both authenticity and commercial overlay.
Central Bali (Tegallalang & Payangan) – Most immersive and least diluted.
Overall Accommodation Ranking (from least to most authentic settings for cultural immersion)
Grand Hyatt (Nusa Dua)
Puri Santrian (Sanur)
Samanvaya (Sidemen)
Alam Jiwa (Ubud)
Gilded Palms (Payangan, Ubud Hills)
OUR CONCLUSION(in case it isn’t already clear enough) . . . The “real Bali” is found in TEGALLALANG and PAYANGAN in the island’s Central Highlands just north of Ubud. This is a place where luxurious villas are hidden in tranquil traditional villages, sitting amidst soothing waterfalls, secret spiritual springs, enchanting temples, and ancient rice terraces dripping down hillsides. And it’s a place where smiling locals will welcome you with open arms, happy to share their culture with you. And the stand-out accommodation in this area is GILDED PALMS CO-LIVING RESIDENCE.Gilded Palms is the ONLY accommodation in Bali which is intentionally created for Mature Travellers – the only accommodations offering the opportunity to truly connect with like-minded adults. It offers luxurious facilities and services rivalling 5-star hotels – at a fraction of the cost. The cost of a one-month stay (the minimum stay) is less than one week at many mid-range hotels, and less than a single day at some of Bali’s top hotels. And, of course, Gilded Palms is located in the heart of one of the best Bali locations to stay - just 25 minutes north of central Ubud.
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How To Book
All Hotels
Book through Booking.com, Expedia.com, or directly on their websites. Be sure to check for seasonal discounts (especially in March and November).
Gilded Palms Bali
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : What is the best location to stay in Bali for culture?
A : The best location to stay in Bali for culture is Central Bali — especially Tegallalang and Payangan. This area offers authentic village life, temple ceremonies, and breathtaking rice terraces, making it ideal for mature travellers seeking an immersive experience.
Q : Where should mature travellers stay in Bali?
A : Mature travellers often prefer Ubud and Central Bali (Tegallalang and Payangan, just north of Ubud). These areas offer peace, cultural depth, and refined accommodation options. Gilded Palms Villa in Payangan is designed exclusively for mature travellers, with long-stay private suites in a tranquil village setting.
Q : Is Ubud a good place to stay in Bali?
A : Yes, Ubud is one of the best places to stay in Bali. Known as the island’s cultural heart, it combines temples, art, wellness retreats, and beautiful landscapes. It’s especially suited for those looking for a balance of tradition and modern comforts.
Q : Where should mature travellers stay in Bali?
A : Mature travellers often prefer Ubud and Central Bali (Tegallalang and Payangan, just north of Ubud). These areas offer peace, cultural depth, and refined accommodation options. Gilded Palms Villa in Payangan is designed exclusively for mature travellers, with long-stay private suites in a tranquil village setting.
Q : Where should mature travellers stay in Bali?
A : Mature travellers often prefer Ubud and Central Bali (Tegallalang and Payangan, just north of Ubud). These areas offer peace, cultural depth, and refined accommodation options. Gilded Palms Villa in Payangan is designed exclusively for mature travellers, with long-stay private suites in a tranquil village setting.
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