Bali is one of the travel destinations that you simply have to experience at least once in your life. Apart from the one or two (or ten) boozy nights you’re bound to have at one of the many beach resorts hosting the world’s hottest artists, there’s nothing quite like the long stretches of white sandy beaches lined with lounges that make watching the sunset almost magical, or the gorgeous glass-encased infinity pools which seem to be at every second resort overlooking the ocean, and no place in Bali does it better than the upscale, stylish beach area of Seminyak.
Whilst its more popular cousin Kuta is where the partygoers can be found in the early hours of the morning, Seminyak plays host to a slightly different crowd – think all day lounging at the famous Potato Head Beach Club sipping on cocktails by the infinity pool, or escaping the masses at one of the many trendy cafes popping up all over the streets (acai bowls topped with dragonfruit, papaya and mangoes, anyone?).
Seminyak is where you want to be when relaxation is number one on your priority list and your body is craving nourishment with an occasional side of suckling pig. We’ve curated the best of the best of what Seminyak has to offer, so relax and read on, and start planning your trip immediately!
The Best Hotels in Seminyak
Some of the best hotels in Bali reside in Seminyak, taking up primate real estate along the most beautiful beaches on the island. Below are the top three most popular ones.
W Bali Seminyak
Globally renowned W Hotel and Resorts have situated their Bali accommodation smack bang on the beach in Seminyak – it is literally a 1-minute walk away. W Bali – Seminyak boasts a massive outdoor pool surrounded by tropical trees, lounge areas that overlook the beach (perfect for sunsets), and a full-service spa facility.
The spacious hotel rooms offer a generous balcony with either garden or sea views, flat-screen TVs, whilst their villa section offers a private entrance and its own private pool. Want to stay trim? There is a decked out fitness centre, and you can also request for a yoga session. World-class restaurants and funky bars are located onsite, meaning you don’t really even have to leave the hotel if you don’t want to.
Why Guests Love It: “Everything was just perfect, the pool was awesome, the bars are awesome, the colour combination Is super, service is super, the staff is very friendly, and if you are in W, don’t miss the spa for sure”, “Direct access to the beach, very modern and hip vibe”, “The bed and pillow from the villa we stayed was extremely comfortable, the hotel restaurant and spa were awesome as well, however, the biggest asset of the hotel would be its great service from all hotel staff”.
Book It Here: W Hotel Seminyak
IZE Seminyak
One of the most centrally located hotels in Seminyak, IZE Seminyak is just a 9-minute walk from the beach, and a 10-minute walk from the shops and restaurants of Seminyak Square, perfect if you want the best of both worlds.
One of its best features (which you’ll probably be utilising daily) would be the stunning outdoor infinity pool alongside the chic modern bar. The spacious rooms are all equipped with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, minibar, and a large balcony. Some rooms also include a spa tub or direct swimming pool access.
Why Guests Love It: “Meja Restaurant’s local cuisine at the hotel was insanely delicious, we ordered food up to the infinity pool frequently, the cocktails were awesome”, “Location, value for money, and comfort”, “Very modern hotel which was clean and had a great breakfast”, “Breakfast is an adventure. So many choices, so delicious. Excellent room with smart facilities and all this in a prime location”.
Book It Here: IZE Seminyak
U Paasha Seminyak Bali
The rooftop pool at this hotel has got to be one of the most stunning things ever. Lined with tropical palm trees and comfortable lounge chairs that you’ll instantly fall asleep on, this is the best choice for rest and relaxation.
If you want to explore the town a little, catch a taxi out to neighbouring Legian in 10-minutes, or else Seminyak’s shopping and restaurant area is just a few minutes walk away. Feel like you’re on cloud nine with all suites offering a private balcony, flat-screen TV, plush cushions, and an open plan bathroom with rain shower facilities.
Why Guests Love It: “The pool was lovely and peaceful, with attentive staff to bring drinks or take your food order. The beds were SO comfy and the rooms were expansive and classy”, “Very flexible check-out time which was fantastic for us because we have an evening flight”, “The location is fantastic but you don’t hear any noise at night”.
Book It Here: U Paasha Seminyak Bali
The Best Villas in Seminyak
After a more private experience? Bali villas are globally famed for their exquisite villa designs at exceptionally affordable prices. Whilst most villas in Seminyak offer the tropical experience you’ve dream of, the below choices step it up a notch.
The Bli Bli Villas & Spa
As one of the most centrally located villas in all of Seminyak, you can’t really go wrong with the Bli Bli Villas & Spa. The villa is basically the word ‘summer’ in flesh, with warm wooden tones offset by floor-length windows and cool tiling floors. Surrounded by gardens, each air-conditioned villa is equipped with a kitchenette (for decorative purposes, because you’ll probably be eating out everyday), dining area, and semi-outdoor bathroom with a spacious bathtub (so risqué!).
The villa also features a day spa and a pool spa. If you want to be more in the scene, the property is only 10-minutes from Ku De Ta Beach, and a 3-minute walk from shops and restaurants.
Why Guests Love It: “Everything was so perfect! Welcoming massage of 15-minutes was amazing”, “So peaceful and quiet yet only a few minutes walk to Seminyak Square”, “Breakfast was on time daily, rooms cleaned daily, mosquito sprayed every night, and the staff at Bli Bli couldn’t do enough for you, nothing was too much trouble”.
Book It Here: The Bli Bli Villas and Spa
Javana Royal Villas
Javana Royal Villas is one of the most romantic accommodation choices in Seminyak. You can request for a candle-lit dinner within your villa so you can enjoy the company of you and partner alone and also book an in-villa massage to relax.
To top it off, the villas boast a free private butler, free Wi-Fi throughout, and free daily shuttle service to Seminyak Square and Petitenget Beach. Does your heart want to relax, but your head want to party? The famous Potato Head Beach Club is only a 6-minute walk away.
Why Guests Love It: “Stunning private villa with pool. Clean, modern and spacious”, “Great private rooms with huge pool. Breakfast was included and taken to the room, and massages were also done by our private pool”, “The renovated rooms were outstanding. This was our third stay at Javana and we will definitely be returning for a fourth”.
Book It Here: Javana Royal Villas
Kembali Villas
As one of the most family-friendly villas in Seminyak, Kembali offers either two-bedroom or three-bedroom villas complete with a central private pool surrounded by tropical gardens for the family to enjoy.
Next to the private pools are generous sofas in the lounging area, the perfect place to order some room-service and relax the entire day. To explore the area, you can take advantage of the scheduled shuttle service to the surrounding Seminyak areas. However, Seminyak Square is merely 7-minutes away on foot, whilst the iconic Tanah Lot Temple is a 30-minute drive away.
Why Guests Love It: “Great quiet location but still within walking distance from everything. Amazing villas with perfect facilities”, “The staff were very helpful, and even helped me wrap my handcrafts in bubble wrap for traveling”, “We had fresh fruit every morning and someone coming to make us breakfast at the villa”.
Book It Here: Kembali Villas
The Best Restaurants in Seminyak
With so much to eat in Seminyak, having to pick between room-service by top class chefs, or walking along the beach for sunset dinners, or strolling the streets for authentic street food, or trying any of the thousands of recommended restaurants online, it can be tough to decide where to dine when you only have a limited time in Bali! However, below are some tried and true restaurants that have been loved by many and scarred by few, so give them a crack if you are looking for some decent downtime and delicious food.
La Lucciola
It’s one of the most talked about foodie destinations in Seminyak, but all for good reason. The fusion of Italian cuisine with local ingredients and subtle touches of traditional Balinese flavours plays havoc with your tastebuds, as many past diners can attest. Some of the more popular menu items include their macadamia French toast, tiramisu, their range of granitas, risotto of king prawn, and salad of braised Balinese duck.
They luckily open for brunch, lunch and dinner, so you can leisurely take your pick as to when you want to visit – some suggestions would be after exploring Petitenget Temple, or even after enjoying the sun at Pititenget Beach for a few hours. Coupled with striking uninterrupted views of the ocean and bright sunset, and you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
- Address: Pantai Petitenget, Jalan Kayu Aya, Kerobokan, Kuta Utara, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
- Access: It is located next to Petitenget Temple, which has a parking lot that you walk through to get to the restaurant. Simply cross the wooden bridge over a creek, which is subtly lit after sunset. Otherwise, you can also enter from the beach right off the sands of Petitenget.
- Hours: 9:00AM – 11:00PM
Barbacoa
Foodies, make this this one’s on your list. Located on Jalan Petitenget, which has quietly but surely become one of the hottest restaurant strips in Seminyak, Barbacoa’s dominant position as the best Latin American barbecue joint in town is evident through the consistent flocks of food savyy crowds and distinct smoke and smell from hoards of meat preparation to meet demands of the masses.
They use only fresh, local produce to cater for their customers, who happen to also include vegetarians (they offer a wide selection of vegetarian dishes on their menu).
If you’re after the full circle experience of an impressive food spread in an even more expressive restaurant décor, this is where it’s at. High ceilings lend themselves to mosaic paintings along the roof, rustic furnishings complete with decorated tiles and Mediterranean-influenced serving styles, and wooden décor throughout complement the smoke symbol of the restaurant.
- Address: Jalan Petitenget No.14, Kuta Utara, Kerobokan Kelod, Bali 80361, Indonesia
- Access: The best way to get here would be to hop on a cheap taxi.
- Hours: Lunch – 12:00pm – 3:00pm, Tapas – 3:00pm – 6:00pm, Dinner – 6:00pm – 11:00pm
- Website: Barbacoa Bali
Made’s Warung
Warung is the typical name of a food stall of a small restaurant, but this place is anything but. Serving up some of the best traditional Balinese cuisine in a sit-down restaurant setting since 1969, you’d be forgiven if you believe it was cooked fresh right off the streets by the Balinese families who have operated successful food stalls for generations and have honed the precise method of cooking the perfect Balinese meal.
This place is an absolute favourite with locals, and has started to gain traction with travellers, so either get there early, or be prepared to wait – but if you do, remember that the best possible gado gado (a salad of raw and cooked vegetables in a spicy peanut sauce with fried tofu and hard-boiled eggs), babi guling (suckling pig), nasi goreng (Indonesian stir-fried noodles) and mee goreng (Indonesian fried rice) you’ve ever eaten could be waiting for you at the end of the line.
- Address: Jl. Raya Seminyak, Seminyak, Kuta, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
- Hours: 9:30am – 12:00am
- Website: Made’s Warung
The Best Bars & Clubs in Seminyak
You’ve heard the wild stories about Bali and its parties, and whilst most of them stem from the crowd who are drawn to Kuta like bees to honey, Seminyak has its fair share of bars and clubs to let your hair down for the night.
Potato Head Beach Club
There is hardly anyone who has visited or is planning to visit Bali and hasn’t heard of Potato Head Beach Club (PHBC). It’s pretty much the premier destination for anyone who is heading to Bali for top level parties, basking under the sun beside a poolside and a continuous flow of cocktails, lounging next to the beach with great ocean views, or internationally acclaimed DJs – which is pretty much everybody heading to the popular island.
Fans of unique architecture will appreciate the exterior of this club, as it features a fusion of teak shutters built to represent a modern take on the Coliseum – it makes everyone do a double take. Inside, the club features two restaurants that follow a philosophy of using local produce to support local farmers and organic producers.
You can lounge by the stunning infinity pool on the deck chairs and order refreshing cocktails, beers and local and western food right to your area. Have a dip in the pool, and when you’re done, and then dry off under the sun for the perfect afternoon.
Multiple major music events have been held at Potato Beach Club, with artists such as Ellie Goulding, Flight Facilities, and Azealia Banks playing on the stage right where the pools are. This is the most happening club in Bali, so if you’re lucky and your trip coincides with a concert or festival there, you absolutely need to get tickets.
- Address: Jalan Petitenget No. 51B, Seminyak, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
- Hours: 10:00am – 2:00am
Ku De Ta
Ku De Ta was the original, the classic sunset destination for good food, better drinks, and the best parties in all of Bali. Hosting a slew of events all throughout the year, you’d be hard-pressed to find anytime where there isn’t a funky event happening at the restaurant, bar, and beach lounge destination.
One of their biggest events of the year is the annual White Party (usually happens around August) that gets party-goers to arrive dressed up in theme, or merely just dressed up, to enjoy a wild boozy night with guests from all over the world. A massive global DJ would likely headline these events, accompanied by multiple other artists to bring the party into the early hours of the morning.
Aside from the parties, Ku De Ta is fantastic way to relax during the day, as they open from 8:00am in the morning to serve some of the freshest breakfast dishes across Seminyak, and yes, they even have a separate Breakfast Cocktails menu. Throughout the day and into the night, you can pop by to have a delicious meal whilst people-watching and enjoying the ocean waves in front of you underneath swaying palm trees.
- Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No.9, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
- Hours: 8:00am – 2:00am
Double-Six Sunset Rooftop Bar
If you’re after a relaxed, chilled rooftop bar, away from the crazy crowds and loud pumping music, then Double-Six Sunset Rooftop Bar is the perfect getaway.
Offering incomparable views of Bali’s stunning beaches on some of the comfiest lounge chairs that are organised in ‘floating pods’ or private areas (these must be booked, but you can do this through their website or Facebook), cocktail flavours span two menu pages, the entire alcohol menu spans four pages, and they offer a supreme selection of choices for dinner (including fettuccine, burgers, nasi goreng, and steak) as well as finger foods for you to carry on into the night (including crispy potato skin, chicken wings, garlic prawns, and popcorn chicken).
An entire evening could be spent with your shoes off just staring into the sunset with a cocktail on hand and no agenda – simply you and your friends enjoying what could be the most beautiful island in the world.
- Address: Jl. Pantai Double Six No. 66, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia (it sits on top of the Double-Six Luxury Hotel)
- Hours: 4:00pm – 12:00pm
If any of the above suggestions even pique your interest slightly, we suggest you hurry on up and make a booking, stat! Bali is a destination that’s quite busy all throughout the year, so things like accommodation or restaurant reservations may need a few months of planning in advance. Seminyak is the perfect area within Bali to relax and unwind, and also get into the party-scene whenever you want. Hope you enjoy it! 😉
PS: If you want to know when to go to Bali, make sure you read this blog post: What’s the best time to visit Bali.