Best Places to Stay in Bali for the Mature Travellers.
- Desmond Breau
- Sep 13, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 2, 2025
A Grown-Up Guide to Great Places to Stay in Bali for 40+ adults.
Choosing where to stay in Bali can be tricky, especially for mature travellers looking for peace, comfort, and culture. With so many options, it’s hard to know which are truly the best places to stay in Bali.
This guide highlights 4 great places to stay in Bali that stand out for 40+ adults.
From nice places to stay in Bali with charm and character, to good places to stay in Bali that balance value and amenities - we’ll count down to the very best.
Number 4
Nice Place to Stay in Bali - Sanur’s Seaside Calm
If you’re searching for nice places to stay in Bali, Sanur should be on your list. With its laid-back promenade, gentle waves, and sunrise views, this seaside town is a favourite among mature travellers who enjoy comfort and calm. It’s “resort-style Bali” at its most relaxed, with cafés, spas, and evening strolls by the ocean - a gentle introduction to the island without the intensity of deeper cultural hubs.
Puri Santrian (Sanur)
The PURI SANTRIAN is one of the nice places to stay in Bali if you’re drawn to the island’s coastline. This sprawling beachfront resort is modern and polished, yet it maintains a welcoming family-run feel that sets it apart from the big corporate chains. Its expansive grounds stretch along Sanur’s beach with lush gardens, shaded seating spots, and multiple pools - leaving no doubt that you’re in tropical paradise.
Guests can do more than relax here. The resort organises coastal bike rides, Balinese cooking classes, indulgent spa treatments, and the ever-popular sunrise yoga session - often described as a life-changing experience. Dining is another highlight: the Beach Club Restaurant serves a wide range of international fare, whilst the resort’s Mezzanine Restaurant elevates evenings with fine Western and Japanese cuisine.
Accommodation choices are plentiful, with everything from cozy bungalows to Superior Rooms, Premier Deluxe Suites, and elegant Deluxe Suites. Each option caters to a different travel style, whether you prefer traditional charm or modern luxury.
Rates start at around €165 / USD $194 and peak near €203 / USD $238 per night, placing PURI SANTRIAN among the more dependable seaside stays for mature travellers seeking a balance of comfort and calm.
Number 3
Good Place to Stay in Bali - Ubud’s Cultural Heart
Among the many good places to stay in Bali, Ubud has long been its cultural soul. Central to the island's artistic and intellectual heritage, Ubud is where Bali's arts are at their brightest and its traditions at their most visible. Here, you can take a yoga class in the morning, visit temples in the afternoon, and enjoy fine dining and performances in the evening. The trade-off is Ubud’s traffic and crowds, but for mature travellers, the cultural depth and creature comforts make it one of Bali’s most rewarding destinations.
Alam Jiwa (Ubud)
Tucked away near the Ubud’s Monkey Forest, ALAM JIWA is one of those good places to stay in Bali if you want to feel part of an authentic Balinese home whilst enjoying modern amenities. This boutique property grew out of the vision of Ibu Wayan and her husband, Pak Ketut, who combined her hospitality with his artistic talents to create a retreat showcasing traditional architecture and local craftsmanship.
The hotel offers 11 individually styled bungalows, each decorated with hand-picked artistic details. Despite the traditional Balinese design, the accommodations don’t compromise on comfort: air conditioning, Wi-Fi, ensuite bathrooms, bathtubs, and outdoor showers are standard. The setting - tropical gardens along a quiet stream - makes it feel like countryside, even though you’re steps away from bustling Ubud.
For mature travellers, ALAM JIWA captures the cultural heart of Ubud whilst offering a sanctuary from its busy streets. It’s proof that some of the best places to stay in Bali aren’t the biggest or most luxurious, but the ones that offer sincerity and charm.
Nightly rates range from €89 / USD $104 up to €234 / USD $274, making it a thoughtful option for travellers who want authenticity without overspending.
Number 2
Great Place to Stay in Bali - Sidemen Valley’s Hidden Beauty
There are plenty of great places to stay in Bali, but Sidemen Valley feels like a secret garden, far from the tourist script. Draped in emerald rice terraces and overlooked by the great Mount Agung, Sidemen offers a slower, more authentic rhythm of life. Here, you can experience a deep sense of connection to Bali’s landscapes and traditions. The trade-off is its remoteness: ideal if you want authenticity above all, but less practical if you also want easy access to modern comforts.
Samanvaya (Sidemen Valley)
Perched high above the emerald terraces of Sidemen, SAMANVAYA is one of the great places to stay in Bali if your idea of paradise is peace, wellness, and dramatic landscapes. This adults-only retreat feels like a world apart, offering a slower pace and uninterrupted views of Mount Agung. Staying here is less about sightseeing and more about reconnecting with yourself and with Bali’s natural rhythms.
Guests enjoy access to a full suite of wellness facilities: hot tubs, a cold plunge pool, natural spa services, a yoga studio, sauna, and steam room. Dining is equally restorative, with organic dishes served in the resort’s award-winning restaurant. Every corner of SAMANVAYA is designed to rejuvenate body and soul.
The property has just 15 villa-bungalows, each crafted with natural wood, bamboo, and stone, and each opening onto a terrace that frames sweeping mountain and rice terrace views. For mature travellers, this is one of the nice places to stay in Bali if solitude and authenticity matter most — though it does mean being far from city conveniences.
Rates begin at €177 / USD $208 and can rise to €547 / USD $641 per night, reflecting its premium status as Sidemen’s standout sanctuary.
Number 1
Best Place to Stay in Bali – Payangan & Tegallalang in the tranquil Ubud Hills
When it comes to the best places to stay in Bali, Payangan and Tegallalang are our top choice. They offer the same authenticity and beauty as Sidemen, but with one advantage: location. Just north of Ubud, you can enjoy traditional village life surrounded by exquisite temples and rice terraces, whilst staying close to the island’s cultural and spiritual centre. For the mature traveller, it offers the perfect balance of immersion, sophistication, and accessibility.
Gilded Palms Co-Living Residence (Payangan)
The only Bali accommodation intentionally created for mature adults.
Designed exclusively for 40+ travellers (or mature thirty-somethings) looking for long-term stays of 1 month to 1 year, GILDED PALMS is unlike any other accommodation on the island - and a clear contender among the best places to stay in Bali. Set in a tranquil Payangan village, just 25 minutes north of Ubud, this luxurious villa offers four spacious private suites and a lifestyle carefully curated for long-stay adults.
The property is surrounded by waterfalls, rice terraces, ancient temples, and traditional villages, with daily Balinese life unfolding just outside your door. Inside, you’ll find hotel-style comforts — a swimming pool overlooking stunning rice fields, a small gym, laundry and concierge service, in-house massage, and even a complimentary shuttle to Ubud. Add to this an on-site chef, barista, bartender, and driver, and GILDED PALMS provides everything you’d expect from a boutique resort whilst maintaining the intimacy of a shared home.
What makes it one of the great places to stay in Bali is its focus on community. Mature travellers will find privacy when needed, and connection when desired, in an atmosphere free of children, parties, and distractions.
And it’s an absolute bargain to stay at GILDED PALMS - luxury living without the luxury price tag:
Rates start at €780 / USD $914 for 1month (the minimum stay), and drop as low as €520 / USD $609 for 12-month stays.
A monthly stay at GILDED PALMS is comparable to a week at most mid-range accommodations, or a single night at some of Bali’s luxury hotels.
(Uniquely, a lease at Gilded Palms also meets Indonesia’s Retirement Visa requirements.)
If your idea of travel is less about passing through and more about belonging, this residence is easily our pick for the number one choice on this list.
Why GILDED PALMS Is Our Number OneBali offers endless options — from nice places to stay in Bali like Sanur’s beachfront resorts, to good places to stay in Bali such as Ubud’s boutique hideaways, and great places to stay in Bali like Sidemen’s wellness retreats. Each has its own charm and trade-offs. But for mature travellers seeking the perfect balance of cultural immersion, modern comfort, and long-stay value, the clear winner is GILDED PALMS in Payangan. It combines the authenticity of village life with the accessibility of Ubud, whilst offering a rare focus on community and peace. If you’re looking for more than a holiday — if you’re searching for a home in Bali — then GILDED PALMS isn’t just one of the best places to stay in Bali. It is the best place to stay in Bali. |
How To Book Accommodation
ALL HOTELS on our list can be booked through Booking.com, Expedia, or directly on their websites.
Be sure to check for seasonal discounts (especially in March and November).
Gilded Palms Co-Living Residence:
Accommodation | Cost for 1 Month |
|---|---|
Puri Santrian | IDR 93,000,000 |
Alam Jiwa | IDR 54,720,000 |
Samanvaya | IDR 85,500,000 |
Gilded Palms Co-Living Residence | IDR 15,000,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : What are the best places to stay in Bali for mature travellers?
A : The best places to stay in Bali for mature travellers are Sanur’s seaside resorts, Ubud’s boutique hotels, Sidemen’s wellness retreats, and Gilded Palms in Payangan — our top pick for long-stay adults seeking culture, comfort, and community.
Q : Is Ubud a good place to stay in Bali for 40+ travellers?
A : Yes. Ubud is a good place to stay in Bali for mature travellers. It offers yoga, temples, arts, and fine dining. The trade-off is traffic and crowds, but the cultural depth makes it rewarding.
Q : What makes Sidemen Valley a great place to stay in Bali?
A : Sidemen Valley is a great place to stay in Bali for tranquility, rice terrace views, and authentic village life. It’s peaceful and scenic, but more remote than areas like Ubud or Sanur.
Q : Why is Gilded Palms the best place to stay in Bali?
A : Gilded Palms in Payangan is the best place to stay in Bali for mature travellers. It combines authentic village life with Ubud’s accessibility and offers long-stay luxury at exceptional value.
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