Travel tips
Bali honeymoon: 6 hotels for newlyweds
A villa with its own pool above a jungle valley, sunset from the cliffs at Uluwatu and an island with no cars. These are the six hotels we would book for a Bali honeymoon.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
In short
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan in the Ayung valley outside Ubud is our first choice for a Bali honeymoon. Split the trip in two: three or four nights in the jungle around Ubud and the rest on the south coast. The dry season runs from April to October, and May to September is the safest bet.
Our first choice: See rooms at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Early in the morning, mist still lies in the river valleys around Ubud. A few hours later you can stand on the cliffs at Uluwatu and watch the surfers far below. Bali is small enough to fit both into one trip, which is exactly why it works so well for newlyweds who want more than a sun lounger.
How to split your nights
Distances look short on the map, but traffic in the south means a drive can easily take a couple of hours. Choose two bases, and perhaps a third on the Gili Islands:
Ubud and the river valleys: Rice terraces, temples and spas. Three to four nights is enough.
Uluwatu on the Bukit Peninsula: Cliffs, surf beaches and sunsets over the Indian Ocean.
Seminyak: Beach, restaurants and beach clubs within walking distance.
The Gili Islands: Small car-free islands with turtles just off the beach.
Our top picks
Best in the jungle: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Best pool villa: Viceroy Bali
Best on the cliffs: Bvlgari Resort Bali
Best on the beach: The Legian Seminyak
Ubud: jungle and rice terraces
Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali, with the Tegallalang rice terraces, the Tirta Empul water temple and sunrise on Mount Batur. Stay in one of the river valleys outside the centre and you get the quiet too. There is more in our Ubud guide.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan: arrive over a lotus pond
You walk in across a footbridge to a lotus pond on the roof of the main building, with the Ayung valley below. The villas are spread along the river and the rice terraces, and Ubud is only a few minutes away by car. This is where the honeymoon starts, with spa treatments and morning yoga before the heat arrives.
Best for: couples who want luxury and calm with Ubud close by.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Petanu valley
The pool hangs over the jungle at sunset.
Viceroy Bali: a private pool above the Petanu valley
Viceroy sits on the edge of a deep jungle valley just outside Ubud, and every villa has its own pool looking out over the trees. In the evening the sounds come from the river and the insects below. There is a shuttle into the centre, and guests are full of praise for the staff.
Best for: couples who want a private pool without being far from town.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Viceroy Bali
Ayung River
Each villa has its own garden and pool.
The Samaya Ubud: down by the Ayung River
The Samaya sits further down the valley than most hotels, right beside the Ayung River. The villas have private pools and gardens, and it stays green and quiet around you all day. It is easy to stay at the villa from breakfast until dinner.
Best for: newlyweds who want as much privacy as possible.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at The Samaya Ubud
Uluwatu and Seminyak: the south coast
The Bukit Peninsula at the southern tip of Bali has limestone cliffs, surf breaks and Uluwatu temple on the edge of the drop. Seminyak on the west coast is livelier, with restaurants and beach clubs along the sand. More ideas in our guide to things to do in Bali.
Uluwatu
The villas sit on the cliffs high above the Indian Ocean.
Bvlgari Resort Bali: a villa on the cliff
Bvlgari sits on the cliffs at Uluwatu, and the villas have private pools and views straight out over the Indian Ocean. Nyang Nyang beach lies below, and Uluwatu temple is a short trip away when you want to watch the sunset from somewhere else. It is the most exclusive choice in this guide.
Best for: couples who want to end the trip with sea views and full service.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Bvlgari Resort Bali
Seminyak
The sun loungers stand right on the sand in front of the hotel.
The Legian Seminyak: right on the beach
The Legian is on the beach in Seminyak, with suites facing the sea and three pools. You can walk to the restaurants and beach clubs and be back on a lounger before the sun goes down. Many guests single out the staff.
Best for: couples who want some life around them for the last few days.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at The Legian Seminyak
Gili Meno: the island without cars
The Gili Islands are a boat ride east of Bali, and none of them has cars. Gili Meno is the quietest of the three, with turtles just off the beach. Two or three nights here make a lovely finale. There is more in our guide to Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands.
Gili Meno
A pool and sun loungers with a view of the sea.
BASK Gili Meno: a pool villa by the beach
BASK sits by the beach on Gili Meno, not far from the underwater sculptures where many people snorkel. The villas are modern and have private pools, and the beach is one of the best on the islands. You get around by bike or on foot.
Best for: couples who want to snorkel and leave cars behind altogether.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at BASK Gili Meno
When should you go to Bali?
The dry season runs from April to October, and May to September is the safest window, with sunshine almost every day. July and August are peak season, so book early if you are travelling then. November to March is the wet season, with heavy showers and humid air but fewer visitors. Marrying in early summer? See honeymoon destinations in June.
Good to know before you go
Tourist levy: Bali charges foreign visitors a separate levy, which you can pay online before you travel.
Temples: Bring a sarong or hire one at the entrance when you visit temples.
Mention you are newlyweds: Many hotels do something extra for honeymooners, but only if they know.
Frequently asked questions about a Bali honeymoon
Is Bali good for a honeymoon?
Yes, especially for couples who want culture, nature and beach on the same trip. You can stay in the jungle near Ubud, watch the sunset from the cliffs at Uluwatu and finish on an island with no cars. Hotels offer good value compared with the Maldives, and many villas have their own pools.
Where should you stay in Bali for a honeymoon?
Split your stay in two. Spend three or four nights in the river valleys around Ubud for jungle and temples. Then move to the south coast, to Uluwatu for cliffs and calm or Seminyak for beach and restaurants. If you have time, two nights on Gili Meno make a lovely finale.
When is the best time for a Bali honeymoon?
The dry season from April to October is best, and May to September is the safest window. July and August are peak season, with the most visitors and the highest prices, so book early. November to March is the wet season, with heavy showers but also lower prices and quieter beaches.
How long should a Bali honeymoon be?
Ten to fourteen nights is a good starting point. Allow three to four nights around Ubud, four to five on the south coast and perhaps two or three on the Gili Islands. It is a long journey from Europe, so with fewer than ten nights too much time goes on travel and getting over the time difference.
Is Bali or the Maldives better for a honeymoon?
It depends on what you want to do. The Maldives suit couples who want to stay put with the sea right outside the villa. Bali is better if you want to explore, with temples, rice terraces, food and beaches on one island. Many choose Bali for the experiences and because the hotels cost less.