Trip Report: Guide to Bali Hotels & Nearby Attractions

Most people have heard of Bali, even if they’re not familiar with the landscape or area. The first time I visited Bali, its large size surprised me. I feel that it’s often talked about like it’s a city rather than the sizable island that it is. Bali is an Indonesian province that contains the eastern part of the Sunda Shelf and the western part of the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Bali is called the Land of the Gods because of its large volcanoes and the lush fields that promote peace. Many surfers crave this area because of the great surfing options available, but you’ll find many other things to do.

One thing that points and miles enthusiasts love about traveling to Bali is it’s a haven of hotels that are inexpensive on points. I visited Bali for a month and stayed at the majority of the Marriott and Hyatt hotels with low redemption rates.

Here’s a quick summary of the hotels I visited (with links to full reviews) and some thoughts on the top sights and things to do in Bali.

The Hotels I Stayed At In Bali

There are countless hotels in Bali, but my boyfriend and I stayed at nine different ones on our trip, including one non-chain hotel. Below, you’ll find a little bit of information about each hotel where I stayed.

• Fairfield by Marriott Bali South Kuta – We chose to stay at this hotel because it was walking distance from the airport and we didn’t want to deal with Bali traffic on the day we arrived. Because we don’t travel with too many bags, it was an easy 10-minute walk from the airport to the hotel. The hotel opened in December 2022 and still seemed brand new.
• Fairfield Bali Legian – Do you want a relaxing tropical getaway? The Fairfield Bali Legian is a fantastic deal on points. It features spacious suites and rooms with private balconies or terraces, and some of the rooms open straight up to the pool.
• Four Points by Sheraton Bali Ungasan – Another great deal for travelers with Marriott Bonvoy points, this hotel overlooks Jimbaran Bay and offers a different vibe than the other hotels we stayed at in Bali. The hotel is in a former fishing village, and the hotel features a beautiful infinity pool.
• Alila Ubud – The Alila Ubud Hotel is a secluded and tranquil hillside retreat sitting high atop the Ayung River valley in the foothills of Bali and was easily my favorite stay in Bali. This resort is about 15 minutes from Ubud and blends traditional architecture with contemporary design. The pool is beautiful, and if you can afford the splurge on cash or points (or if you have a Suite Night Award), the Valley Villa is an incredibly unique room.
• Alila Manggis – Some say Alila Manggis is the best-kept secret because it’s a stylish and secluded seaside resort and it’s the only remaining Category 1 Hyatt property in Bali. The suites and rooms face the ocean, so you’ll always have a clear view of the Nusa Penida. If you stay here, be prepared with your own transportation or be willing to book tours if you want to leave the property. It’s not the easiest area to travel on foot.
• Fairfield by Marriott Bali Kuta Sunset Road – There are many Fairfield by Marriott options, and the one on Sunset Road invites everyone to enjoy a blend of simplicity and tropical settings in a good location. The hotel is close to Double Six Beach, local shops and attractions, and is about 15 minutes from the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
• Hyatt Regency Bali – The Hyatt Regency Bali offers a beautiful beachfront location and lush gardens. It’s located in a great area to explore, and the property itself is also worth seeing.

Top Sights to See in Bali

Bali is an excellent destination for couples, families and almost anyone else. The white beaches are pristine, and you can engage in various watersports, including jet skiing, parasailing and banana boats. Below are a few of my favorite sites in Bali.

Ceking Rice Terrace (Close to Alila Ubud)

The Ceking Rice Terraces, aka Tegalalang rice terraces, are one of the top sights in Bali with a ton of Bali’s best restaurants nearby. These rice terraces feature the Subak irrigation system, so the rice paddies go in descending layers. You can walk along the paths to the bottom and experience the terraces from both viewpoints.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Close to Alila Ubud)

If you love animals, you’ll surely enjoy the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary located in Ubud. You can see the macaques in their natural habitat and enjoy watching their (often mischievous) behavior. The sanctuary holds more than 1,200 monkeys, and you can walk beside them and check out the temples in the area.

People often spend a few hours here because of the mesmerizing aspect of the animals. Guides are available if you don’t feel comfortable walking around alone.

Uluwatu Temple (Close to Four Points by Sheraton Bali Ungasan)

Uluwatu Temple is an awe-inspiring Hindu temple found in the southwestern part of Bali. It was built in the 11th century, and the edifice stands on a cliff that goes about 230 feet (70 meters) above the Indian Ocean. Climbing to the top gives you a panoramic and gorgeous view of the whole coastline.

Although Uluwatu Temple is a spiritual place for the Balinese, it is possible for anyone to visit. However, you must follow strict rules and dress codes to explore the grounds and view the ocean. For example, you’ll need to don a sash and sarong and have reverence for the temple itself. While we didn’t go, I heard great things about the Fire Dance.

Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is considered a romantic island. It means “Land in the Sea,” which fits perfectly because of its unique setting. In fact, the silhouette is a popular and iconic feature of the entire area. The temple is about 19 miles (30 kilometers) from Denpasar, which can take a while to reach in Bali’s notorious traffic.

The temple is about 330 yards (300 meters) from the shore. It’s said that the temple is from the 16th century and was built by Dang Hyang Nirartha. Because of the story and the beautiful surroundings, Tanah Lot is one of the most photographed temples in Bali.

Pura Tirta Empul (Close to Alila Ubud)

Pura Tirta Empul is a busy water temple and is sacred to the Bali and Hindu community. It features many holy springs, and the story goes that they were created by Indra and have been blessed to purify anyone who bathes in them.

The temple was reportedly founded in 926 A.D. and is currently active. While it’s a sacred place, tourists are welcome to enjoy the beauty and participate in the rituals. It gained more popularity in 2017 when the Obama household chose to visit it.

Medewi (The Stop With No Chain Hotel)

I mentioned that there was one hotel that we stayed in that wasn’t a chain hotel. It was the West Break Bali Medewi, which we decided to visit because Medewi is a famous but less-crowded surf destination in Bali.

We stayed in a beautiful room that included breakfast for about $35 per night, which just goes to show that using points doesn’t always make the most sense. This was one of our favorite parts of our stay in Bali because we wanted to be somewhere really laid back where we could take a few surf lessons.

Bottom Line

Are you interested in visiting Bali? Bali is a great destination to visit with points and miles. There are incredible deals with low-category hotels, and it’s also possible to go absolutely all-out. If you don’t have enough points to cover your entire stay, there are plenty of affordable non-chain options, too.