The 6 best luxury experiences in Bali

First on our list of top-tier Bali luxury experiences is the tranquil vibes of Jumana Bali Ungasan Resort. Escaping the stresses of reality and finding your zen are common reasons why so many travellers come to Bali – and this is one hotel that’ll help you find it. 

The entire resort is designed to bring health and happiness, from the open and airy feng shui of your private suite to the resort’s wellness restaurant, Tamarind. Make sure you grab a table here for a detoxifying herbal drink and a bite to eat after indulging in a Balinese massage enjoyed on the beachfront verandah. 

And once you’ve lapped up the luxury of the spa and the restaurants, make time to venture out of the resort to the nearby Hindu Uluwatu temple, just 25 minutes away – its magnificent cliff-top setting is the perfect destination to finish off your trip’s rejuvenating spiritual journey. 

Just wandering around the grounds of Bvlgari Resort Bali makes you feel expensive and important – it’s five-star glamour at its best, especially if you stay in the extra-special Five-Bedroom Bvlgari Villa. 

This 38.642ft2 residence is the perfect space for large families or groups of friends heading to paradise to celebrate a special occasion. You’ll have a unique two-tier private pool, six bathrooms, an elevator (yes, you heard right), and be tended to by your own personal butler for the duration of your stay. You can’t get more deluxe than that! 

And for dinner, make sure you book a table at Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin, the resort’s extraordinary fine dining restaurant specialising in gourmet Italian-inspired dishes mastered up by Michelin-star chef, Luca Fantin. 

Next on our list of top-tier Bali holiday experiences is a stay at Soori Bali. This remarkable resort charms its guests with the combined offering of five-star luxury and unique immersion amongst Bali’s wonderful culture and people.

After checking into your premium suite overlooking iconic neighbouring rice farms, head down to the concierge desk to book yourself in for an excursion or two. Our personal favourite experience is a half-day trip to the Balinese food market found in Kerambitan.

You’ll have one of the restaurant’s expert chefs in tow guiding you through the stalls, offering their advice on the best spices to take back home. And with your bags full of goodies and souvenirs, you’ll then head back to the resort for a private dinner created from the market’s fresh local produce you picked up together.

Now that’s what we call an unforgettable cooking lesson!

If you’re looking for beach-oriented Bali holiday experiences, W Bali - Seminyak is the resort for you. But W Bali - Seminyak feels like way more than your standard five-star beach hotel – in fact, it ticks pretty much every box for a perfect stay in Bali paradise. 

We recommend staying in the Wow Suite, which, as you guessed it, absolutely wows with its one-of-a-kind interior design boasting buckets of colour, lavish handcrafted furniture, and spectacular ocean views you can wake up to every morning.

You’ll have plenty of fun here too, especially when lounging around the 1,790m2 pool – a DJ will be cranking up the chilled Ibiza-style tunes while a server comes around every so often to check whether your glass can be topped up. “Yes please” is always the correct answer. 

Looking for slightly livelier Bali holiday experiences amongst the poolside lounging? Head to Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan for a once-in-a-lifetime white water rafting experience – and when we say that, we mean quite literally some of you may do it just once due to the thrill factor being turned up to ten!

But once you get past the nerves, the excitement it gives you is totally worth it. The afternoon excursion starts with a calming trek through lush rainforest and a stop-off at a holy spring. You’ll then jump into a raft and sail down the currents of Ayung River, Bali’s longest river considered sacred by Balinese locals.

Once you’re back on land, head back to the resort’s Ayung Terrace restaurant for an alfresco dinner and a tall glass of something strong. It’ll be well-deserved. 

Last on our list of Bali luxury experiences is something for all the keen golfers out there. With Amanusa resort sitting right next door to Bali National Golf Course, this is the island’s hotspot for luxury-style golfing. 

The golf course itself is pretty special too. Its fairways are landscaped with creeks, canyons, and tropical forestry, all of which is immaculately manicured and kept in pristine condition.

Best of all, Amanusa guests get priority slots and full access to all of its facilities, including the full 18-hole golf course, the driving range, and the chipping greens. Plus, once the round’s finished up, you can cross the road back to the resort to celebrate your win with a round at the Beach Club.

Should you rent a car in Bali?
We here at Winged Boots have found car rental in Bali to be unnecessary – and difficult if you’re not the most confident driver. Bali traffic can be pretty wild, and unclear signs make it hard to navigate. Plus, car rental is a lot more expensive than public transport. Taxis and coach journeys are your best bet for cheap, safe, and convenient travel around the island.  

Can you drink Bali water?
No, Bali tap water is not recommended for drinking, nor brushing your teeth or cooking purposes. It’s best to stick to sealed bottled water instead – unless you want to suffer from what a lot of travellers refer to as the dreaded ‘Bali belly’.