A Bali Triple Hop

Vibrant, cultural and stunning scenery with so many experiences to pack in you might ask where to stay in Bali? After loving what we saw on a brief day visit from a cruise port of call, choosing where to stay for a 2 week break proved tricky but we set our sights on Ubud, Sanur and Seminyak.

Following a 17 hour flight, around 90 minutes north of the airport Ubud gave us a feel for the cultural side of Bali. Famed for its arts and crafts, markets, rice paddies and even a Royal Palace we also watched the cheeky antics of the Balinese Long Tailed Monkey at the Monkey Forest. Plenty of choice for restaurants and bars and lots of shopping opportunities amongst the busy streets. We stayed at Ubud Village Hotel, a peaceful little haven and centrally positioned in the heart of Ubud.

On to Sanur and we enjoyed the journey through local villages until we reached the coastal resort of Sanur in the southeast. A former fishing village, Sanur is Bali’s oldest beach resort. We found it to be laid back and relaxing with long stretches of golden sand. Take advantage of travel options over to the Gili Islands or even Lombok from here or just enjoy the sunshine as we did. Our hotel right on the beautiful beach and within pristine landscaped gardens was the Puri Santrian.

For our final week we travelled west to Seminyak. A busy, upscale beach resort with top class restaurants, high end boutiques and luxurious hotels. We enjoyed the most amazing sunsets from the vast sandy beach while the local children flew kites. The Elysian, a boutique property with less than 30 private villas, was a perfect hidden secret away from the bustling streets with a fabulous restaurant. Our spacious villa had its own private pool within a walled garden - a perfect couples getaway. The service amongst the best we’ve experienced in the world and an excellent spa.

With so many resorts to visit, there will be somewhere for all - young or old, single or couples, family or groups of friends. We visited in May when the skies were clear and sea warm – hot days with virtually no rainfall but there’s never a bad time to visit. A blend of cultures mainly Christian, Muslim and Buddhist see a strong faith and is evident from the daily offerings to shrines all around with so many ornate temples dotting every route. Food is simple, fresh and delicious with something to suit all tastes and pockets. Be prepared for a warm welcome.