Where to Stay in Uluwatu: Tried-And-Tested Boutique Hotels in Bali’s Bukit Peninsula
The western coast of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula is lined with dreamy beaches that surfers from around the world flock to in search of the perfect wave. Looking for the best accommodation in Uluwatu? Read on for my tried-and-tested recommendations.
Make sure that you choose strategically based on location, room/property design and service quality – we usually opt to stay in Bingin around the cliff as, despite the vastly increased development, still remains relatively quiet and offers easy access to the main road. There are also a lot of excellent coffee shops, restaurants and spas in the area which you can visit without having to venture into the hectic traffic in Uluwatu.
Many of the top hotels in Uluwatu will book up almost a year in advance and accept direct bookings only – they have enough repeat customers that they simply don’t need to put their entire portfolio of rooms on aggregate booking sites like Booking.com, Agoda or HotelsCombined.
Here is one of my biggest booking tips for Uluwatu: book in advance or risk losing out on your preferred choice of accommodation!
Read more: The Best Things to Do in Uluwatu in Bali (That You’ll Love Even if You Don’t Surf)
We’ve personally stayed at several hotels in Uluwatu, mostly in Bingin, and while these hotels do not have direct beach access they did have delightful sundrenched pools and were fairly close to the stairs down to Bingin Beach.
Some hotels also have private shuttles to beaches like Padang Padang – read on for my tried-and-tested recommendations.
Jepun Sari
Best for independent travelers and couples: The Jepun Sari Uluwatu is a stunning boutique property located about a 5-10 minute drive from the main “downtown” area of Uluwatu or a 5 minute drive from Cashew Tree. As it only has a small number of rooms it is incredibly quiet and peaceful, and its rooms are spacious and comfortable.
The décor is very modern with a splash of tropical touches, and we enjoyed our stay in the poolside cabin. Highly recommended for couples or independent travelers looking for a boutique hotel in Uluwatu – click here to check availability and rates at Jepun Sari Uluwatu. Note that the Jepun Sari does not have a restaurant so you’ll need to head out for all meals, it does have a small pool bar that serves drinks but it may not always be staffed.
Gypsea Bali
Best for independent travelers and couples: We also enjoyed our time at Gypsea Bali. This boutique Uluwatu hotel will seriously wow you – incredible service, gorgeous rooms and an amazing pool. It is a cruisy 10 minute walk from Bingin Beach or Gooseberry restaurant.
The on-site restaurant has a limited menu that includes delicious Western and Balinese food, so it’s a great option if you don’t feel like venturing out for meals. They have a variety of room options – from standard bungalows to bungalows with private plunge pools as well as two-bedroom villas equipped with a kitchen and pool at the back of the property. Click here to check availability and rates at Gypsea Bali!
Mu Bungalows
Best for independent travelers, couples and families: For a cliffside hotel in Uluwatu you can’t go wrong with Mu Bungalows, one of the original hotels in the area. Mu offers a number of bungalow options as well as multi-bedroom villas available to suit couples, families and larger groups traveling together. Between our family and friends we have stayed at almost every room type at Mu – the rooms are comfortable with A/C but not always completely sealed so there is a chance of mosquitos and other insects getting in.
There is an on-site restaurant, Abracadabra, which offers a stunning sunset dinner (save some space for dessert) that can’t be missed – bookings essential. There is also daily yoga available as well as a small spa.
Click here to check rates and availability at Mu Bungalows, but if you can’t find what you’re after it’s best to e-mail them directly as they are one of those hotels that don’t need to put their full portfolio of rooms on booking websites.
Casa Pantai
Best for friends traveling together, families and inter-generational travel: Visiting Uluwatu with friends and family? Aside from Mu Bungalows above which offers villas you might also want to consider this incredible 4-bedroom private villa in Bingin: Casa Pantai. It is located just steps away from the stairs down to Bingin Beach and The Cashew Tree restaurant, and provides a full staff and daily cooked-to-order breakfast during your stay. The location really can’t be beat.
Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and there is also a small kitchen set up if you need access to a microwave, coffee machine, water dispenser and fridge, and daily room servicing and cleaning.
We especially loved the open-air pavilion where we spent many a lazy afternoons, and the long aquamarine pool for cooling off. For younger children, there is a large shallow play section in the pool. Click here to check rates and availability at Casa Pantai in Bingin.
Booking tip: You may experience street noise and/or hear street dogs/roosters in the evenings in Uluwatu – unfortunately this is beyond the control of most hotels. If you are sensitive to noise ask for earplugs or ask for a room at the back of the property and away from the road.
Family Nest Experience Villas
Best for families with young children: This is a new lovely family property in Bingin, about 5 minutes by car to Bingin cliff or 10 minutes to the main road. All of the staff at Family Nest in Uluwatu are extremely friendly and the grounds are lush and stunning. With a portfolio of villas ranging from a studio layout to 5-bedrooms (many come with private pools), Family Nest Experience Villas is perfect for families travelling to Bali.
We liked how spacious and light-filled the 1-bedroom villa at Family Nest Experience Villas was, and spent lots of time at the main pool adjacent to the Ants Pants restaurant. For families with young children under 7 to 8 years old this is a no-brainer – access to the Treehouse playground (private, for resort guests only), Pangolin outdoor playground (free) and Pangolin indoor playground (paid, but discounted for resort guests) makes it extremely convenient to keep kids busy and entertained.
For grown ups, Family Nest operates the neighbouring ATMOS wellness space, offering massages, sauna, as well as hot and cold baths – guests receive a discount on day passes and massages. Family Nest also offers free daily shuttles to/from Padang Padang beach. Click here to check rates and availability at Family Nest Villas in Uluwatu.
Interested in checking out other options for accommodation in Uluwatu? Here are some other highly-rated hotels in the area – we also personally considered staying at these Uluwatu boutique hotels:
The Elementum: Fulfill all your pool dreams here. This boutique hotel in Uluwatu is architecturally stunning, and the rooms are modern yet cozy. Reviewers love the breakfast and coffee, and say that the on-site restaurant is fantastic. The Elementum offers a small number of rooms – some of which have ocean views. Click here to check rates and availability at The Elementum.
Origin Uluwatu: If this is what camping looks like, sign me up. This luxury glamping hotel in Uluwatu has gorgeous, unique tents with air-conditioning units. It is located inland – an 8-10 minute drive from Padang Padang and Bingin beaches. There are also family rooms for those traveling with children. Click here to check rates and availability at Origin Uluwatu.
Some additional tips for choosing accommodation in Uluwatu, Bali:
- If you do choose to book on the coast in Uluwatu, just be aware that you may need to walk down 100+ steps to get to beachfront properties – make sure you check before booking!
- Book early, especially when visiting Bali in the peak season. You’ll be surprised how quickly the options whittle down. You may need to contact hotels directly via e-mail or Whatsapp as many do not list all of their rooms on booking engines.
- Arriving late at night? Let your hotel know so that they can have everything ready for you before you arrive.
- Traveling with a large group? Consider booking a villa instead – there are a number of fantastic options in Uluwatu! We enjoyed our stay at Casa Pantai in Bingin (4 bedrooms), Mu Bungalows (multiple options) and Family Nest Villas (1-bedroom villas ranging all the way up to 5 bedrooms).
- Communicate any additional questions or requests with your hotel via Whatsapp ahead of your stay. You can request a high chair or baby crib, airport and intercity transfers or convey dietary restrictions for a smooth trip.
🎥▶️ Let me show you around Uluwatu ▶️🎥
First time to Uluwatu or Bali? Here’s what you need to know before you go.
✈️ The main airport in Bali is Ngurah Rai International Airport. Many airlines fly direct to Bali, and a 30-day tourist visa-on-arrival is available for passport holders from more than 80 countries. The Bali visa fee is US$35 or 500,000 IDR, and can be paid by Visa or MasterCard (not AMEX as far as I know). There is no reduced fee for children and babies. As of November 2022, you can also apply for an electronic visa (B1 tourist visa) ahead of your trip here which also enables anyone over the age of 6 to use the e-Gates.
You may be eligible for the visa exemption arrangement if you hold an ASEAN member country passport including those from Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Save yourself some time by completing the electronic customs declaration ahead of your Bali trip here.
As of February 14th 2024 you may also be required to pay a 150,000 IDR (approximately US$10) “tourism levy” to be used towards the conservation of Bali’s nature and support sustainable tourism – this fee is in addition to the visa-on-arrival fee. You should arrange to pay this fee online before your trip, though certain exemptions apply (diplomatic visa, Golden visa and student visa etc.) and must be applied for 1 month in advance. Read more here.
💱 The currency is the Indonesian rupiah and the exchange rate is approximately US$1/1 Euro: 17,000 IDR or AUD$1: 12,000 IDR. There are ATMs in the airport where you can withdraw a small sum to get you started, and then you can visit a local ATM or money exchange place once you are in Uluwatu.
Legitimate currency exchange shops in Bali advertise the rates clearly and do not charge a commission – we had a great experience with Mr. & Mrs. Butler money exchange in Bali; however, as you would anywhere else, make sure you count your cash before leaving to avoid any later disputes. The majority of hotels, tourist restaurants and supermarkets accept credit card payments, though you will still need cash to pay drivers and for any tips.
🎟️ You pretty much never have to pay full price for admissions tickets in Bali as most tour operators, car charters, spas and major attractions are listed on Klook. Just click here and search for places you want to go, and book online for discounted entry or head on over here to read more about how to use Klook to book travel experiences.
📱 Buy a local Indonesian SIM card. The easiest way to do that is via Klook – you can pick it up from the airport on arrival. You will need to provide certain information including your passport copy. Buy your local Bali SIM card here. Everyone in Bali including hotels, taxi drivers, spas and equipment rental companies use Whatsapp to communicate, so make sure you have stable internet access throughout your Bali trip.
🏖️ The best time to visit Bali is typically considered to be during the summer months between July to early September, which means this is the peak travel season in Bali and the island receives the highest volume of tourists during these months – many hotels are fully booked and the atmosphere is buzzing.
This is the dry season and Bali receives lower rainfall during the summer months. The rainy season in Bali usually runs during the winter months from December to February and it can be very humid and sticky during this time.
The surf conditions in Uluwatu are also the most consistent in July and August so surfers from around the world head to the island’s peeling waves on the west coast during these months. Want to avoid the crowds in Uluwatu? Consider visiting in the shoulder months in May, June and September.
That being said, there is no “bad” time to visit Bali. One important thing to note for first time visitors to Bali is that Nyepi, New Year’s day in the Balinese calendar, falls in March (the date changes each year) and during this day the island observes complete silence. Shops and businesses close for the day, and everybody (including tourists) is expected to stay indoors as part of the ritual. The airport is no exception – there are no arrivals and departures on the day of Nyepi and some hotels may not arrange check-ins and outs during this day.
Another major holiday to take note of is Galungan and Kuningan, a Hindu celebration which takes place every 210 days. The two major events are 10 days apart, and many Balinese Hindus will spend the festival visiting family temples – many government offices will be closed on Galungan and Kuningan, and some major religious landmarks (like Pura Lempuyang) may close for ceremonies or have different opening and closing times. It is a beautiful time to be in Bali, when all the streets are lined with towering bamboo penjors.
👚 What to wear in Bali: The majority of the population on the island are Hindu, and as a top tourism destination the dress code in Bali is typically fairly relaxed. Vacation beachwear is the norm, so go ahead and pack your dresses, shorts and crop tops.
There is, however, an important exception – if you plan on visiting any temple you will need to cover your legs with a sarong (available to rent at most temples) and make sure that your shoulders are also covered. You will also notice that most women in Bali dress conservatively and wear traditional attire on certain days during the week and to visit temples – it is worth bearing this in mind when you get ready to head out and about around town outside of your resort or hotel.
🗓️ How many days to spend in Uluwatu: For a first time visitor to Uluwatu I would recommend spending no fewer than 4-5 days to explore the region and its many exquisite cliffside beaches.
🚁 Flying a drone in Uluwatu: You can fly a small drone in Bali for recreational, non-commercial purposes without a license as long as you follow a few important guidelines. You should not fly a drone around or over any temple, and many hotels and beach clubs will have their own policies for drone usage on their property, so it’s best to check ahead before you launch your UAV.
You may also enjoy these reads:
- Planning a trip to Bali can be overwhelming. Here is my easy 2 week Bali itinerary for first time visitors and my Uluwatu travel guide
- Canggu is another popular beach destination in Bali. Read this for my Canggu travel guide
- Headed to Ubud? Here are the best things to do in Ubud, Bali’s cultural capital
- If you plan on spending time in the northern mountain region of Bali here is my guide to the best things to do in Munduk and Bedugul
- For a quieter beach getaway in one of Bali’s original tourism towns, head to Sanur on the east coast
- Southeast Asia is one of the most exciting regions, but there are many common misconceptions about this part of the world. Read this before you travel to Southeast Asia!
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