This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
Bali, known as the island of gods, is a stunning Indonesian Island made up of serene rice paddies, beautiful temples, volcanoes, great surfing beaches, and laid-back vibes. It makes for the perfect family vacation, but only if you know where to stay.
The truth is Bali has become overrun by tourism in recent years, particularly in Canggu and Ubud, where you’re more likely to find Brit, Australian, and American digital nomads than locals, which can spoil the authenticity of the place.
To make sure you and your family get the best experience on your trip, we’ve prepared this guide on where to stay in Bali with kids, so you can be surrounded by picturesque landscapes and not Western tourists.
At a glance: where to stay in Bali with kids
Picking the right accommodation and neighborhood can be a hard decision when you have never been to a destination before.
The area you choose largely depends on the style of vacation you are looking for, so to summarise, consider the following areas for specific interests:
- Where to stay for beaches: Seminyak
- Where to stay for trendy, bohemian vibes: Ubud
- Where to stay for a short break: Kuta
- Where to stay on a budget: Legian
- Where to stay for families with young children: Nusa Dua
- Where to stay for water sports: Tanjung Benoa
- Where to stay for sunsets: Jimbaran
- Where to stay to get off the beaten path: Sanur
- Where to stay for high-end luxury: Uluwatu
Where to stay for a short break: Kuta
Kuta often gets a bad rep because it’s busy and the nightlife can be a bit crazy at times, but there are so many things for families to do it might be worth considering it for your first trip.
If you are on a short vacation, the good thing about Kuta is it’s close to the airport, and there are a great range of shopping options, both shopping malls and market shopping, to keep the whole family happy.
In Kuta, you will find shopping malls like Beachwalk Mall, Lippo Mall, Discovery Mall, and Mal Bali Galeria. They have well known brands plus cinemas, arcade centers, and even ice skating at Mal Bali Galeria.
Kuta has a great range of accommodation options too, from budget-friendly hotels to luxury resorts, all close to the action of this bustling area of Bali.
When it comes to planning activities with your kids, a great way to spend a day in Kuta is at Waterbom Water Park. It’s consistently voted as the best water park in Asia, and is incredibly clean with a huge variety of water slides and kids pool for all ages.
We love to hire a gazebo for the day so we have a central point to come back to and enjoy lunch together.
Hard Rock Hotel Bali
One of the top hotels in Kuta is the Hard Rock Hotel, which you might not believe to be family-friendly, but there are so many facilities for the kids at Hard Rock Hotel.
Think family rooms, water slides, playgrounds, foam parties, and even a recording studio where they can karaoke in. It also has a kids and teens’ club.
Located in the center of Kuta, the Hard Rock is a good choice to keep all the kids entertained.
Bali Dynasty Resort
Our kids loved staying at the Bali Dynasty Resort as there is always so many things to do.
They have a huge range of kids activities, water slides and a fun kids club. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Bali with toddler, the family rooms are perfect for younger kids and the new lagoon pool rooms are a great choice.
Holiday Inn Resort Baruna
The huge grounds at Holiday Inn Baruna make you feel like you are not staying in Kuta.
The gardens are stunning and the sunset views from the pool and restaurant Envy are spectacular.
The rooms at the Holiday Inn Baruna are very comfortable and plenty of space for the kids in the kid suite rooms as the bedrooms are interconnected.
Where to stay on a budget: Legian
Located next to Kuta, Legian is the upmarket cousin to Kuta. There are still plenty of markets to get your shopping fix, but the family resorts are nicer and the streets not as busy as Kuta.
The beach bars along Legian Beach are perfect to watch the sunset each night to enjoy cheap drinks and good times in Bali!
After exploring the markets, going for a surf on Legian Beach is a fun activity to do with kids. We love surfing with Santai Surf School as they are fully accredited and great with the kids.
After you have had fun in the sun the kids can have a chill out at the Coffee Club Legian kids club while parents enjoy their food in peace and quiet.
Waka Waka Playground located at FuramaXclusive Ocean Beach is fun for the kids and Mum can enjoy the spa downstairs while the kids have a play.
Padma Legian Resort
Choosing where to stay in Bali with kids that parents will love too?
One of our favourite family resorts is Padma Legian, a fantastic resort for the whole family. So many pools, a great kids club, beautiful grounds, delicious food, and an adults only infinity pool!
Bali Mandira Beach Resort
Located nearby to the Padma Legian, the Mandira offers better value for money and has a beautiful pool area directly on Legian Beach. The kids club is not rated as highly by families but worth checking out.
Where to stay for beaches: Seminyak
Food and upmarket shopping are two of the main draw cards of Seminyak Bali. The quality of restaurants and cafes are exceptional, but don’t expect ultra cheap Bali prices.
When visiting Bali, kids can have fun in Seminyak, but at times it can be tricky to navigate the streets with a stroller.
Seminyak is famous for it’s beach clubs and most are kid-friendly during the day. Ku De Ta is a family favourite and visiting on Family Sundays is a lot of fun.
Watching the sunset from a bean bag at places like La Plancha is something everyone should do at least once on a trip to Bali.
Shooters Bali is worth visiting for a game of mini golf with the kids. Great value plus lots of food and drinks to ensure plenty of laughs and fun for the whole family.
If you have any unicorn lovers then a visit to the Unicorn Cafe is a must. It’s located on Batu Belig at the northern edge of Seminyak, and you can also shop at Coco and Ginger plus have a manicure at Think Pink Nails. Afterwards indulge in high tea at Biku, the most gorgeous cafe in Bali.
Courtyard by Marriott Resort
Located only a short buggy ride away from the beach, The Courtyard Seminyak is a fun place to stay in Bali.
The central pool is great to meet other families on a trip to Bali and the breakfast is delicious. A huge variety of rooms including larger apartments with all the modern essentials.
Montigo Resort
A great location on Jl Petitenget, Montigo Resort has modern rooms and 2-bedroom apartments to sleep the whole family.
The kids will love pool hopping between the 3 pools and the huge kids club is always fun. The spa is not to be missed and has great value massages.
Trans Resort
The Trans Resort comes highly rated from families and the small water slide plus sand lagoon make it perfect for families with younger kids.
Located on Sunset Road the location isn’t perfect but it’s an easy walk with the kids to Eat Street.
Where to stay for families with young children: Nusa Dua
If you are after a relaxing holiday with kids in a luxury resort, Nusa Dua is one of the best places for luxury by the Indian Ocean.
Nusa Dua is a gated community full of 5 star resorts. You won’t find a huge amount of culture in Nusa Dua, but will be well looked after by the amazing family resort staff.
There are a few activities to do in Nusa Dua and they will love shopping at Bali Collection.
It has a huge range of shops and restaurants with a couple of small playgrounds. Set over a large area, this is the spot to stock up on supplies.
Pirates Bay is a restaurant located on the beach and the kids can dress up as pirates and go on a treasure hunt. The food gets mixed reviews but is fun for a couple of hours.
The beach path in Nusa Dua is easy to walk along and very pram friendly.
Club Med Bali
We love this all-inclusive resort in Nusa Dua, and the beach front location is unbeatable.
The tropical gardens are a joy to walk around, and they’re huge! The kids clubs are fun and young children will love it there, making friends with other kids while mum and dad relax.
The kids get to try all sorts of activities including the trapeze. The food, drinks, and entertainment make this a great choice for a place to stay.
Westin Resort Nusa Dua
Located on the beach, The Westin Resort is a good option for families with kids as it has great pools and a family-friendly vibe. It’s a place where you can connect with other families visiting Bali and make some new friends.
Consider the family suites here, which are very spacious and have a location on the ground floor, which is a great plus if you have a push chair.
Novotel Nusa Dua
If you are after a better value option, the Novotel is a great choice.
Located a short buggy ride from the beach, the pools and gardens are spectacular. They have large apartments that are great value and suit larger families. Don’t miss the spa, the kids spa is very good!
Where to stay for trendy, bohemian vibes: Ubud
Ubud is considered the cultural heart of Bali and is known for its hippy, bohemian vibes and artistic community. It’s surrounded by beautiful rice paddies and stunning views, and offers many adventures for tourists wanting to escape the beaches and have a more cultural experience.
The drive from the airport can take over an hour, but once you arrive you will be ready to explore the “real” Bali.
A great outdoor activity in Ubud is to walk the Campuhan Ridge. It’s easy to with the kids and the views are gorgeous.
Don’t miss the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a Hindu temple complex and monkey sanctuary known for its cheeky macaque monkeys.
Ubud also has many art galleries and museums, such as Museum Puri Lukisan and Neka Art Museum. It’s also the place where you can take cooking classes, hike to the Tegenungan Waterfalls, walk along the rice terraces, and have a go on one of the famous Bali swings over the rice paddies – it’s an Instagrammable thing to do and would be a hit with teens.
Titu Batu Club is a great place to cool off in the pool and they even have a skate park and dance lessons for the kids to participate in.
Padma Ubud Retreat
Located a 30-minute drive from central Ubud, Padma Ubud is a stunning resort with the biggest infinity pool looking over the jungle below. Kids are well looked after at the resort with a kid’s club and a cute animal garden.
Where to stay to get off the beaten path: Sanur
Want to get away from the crowds? Sanur is a lovely spot for a change of pace and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist destinations that we have spoken about above.
It’s easy to get around and the beach path is perfect for bikes and prams. There are a large amount of restaurants and cafes with something for every budget.
The shopping is more limited in Sanur, but Hardy’s Supermarket in central Sanur has a good range of food, souvenirs, and clothes.
It’s also easy to get over to Lombok or catch a ferry to the Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands.
Artotel Beach Club is located on the beach in northern Sanur and includes a pool and huge playground for the kids. The food is yummy and hiring a day bed is a great way to spend the day.
Spending a few hours at Big Garden Corner is a must if you are visiting Sanur. You will need a taxi to visit this place but it is easy to get to.
The garden is full of awesome sculptures and the kids will love the splash park. Food is well priced plus you can pay to dress up in traditional Balinese outfits and have photos taken.
Fun Wheels Bali is a new addition to Sanur and our kids loved the pedal go carts. Adults can join in on the fun too as they have family size carts to go exploring the local village.Family friendly accommodation in Sanur
Prama Sanur
Located on Sanur beachfront, Prama Sanur is a larger resort with a great kid’s area by the pool. Plenty of entertainment for hours and lots of other kids to meet.
Hyatt Regency Bali
A luxury resort, the Hyatt Regency as the most beautiful gardens and pools directly on Sanur Beach. Kids are well looked after and adults must not miss the beautiful spa.
Prime Plaza Suites Sanur
The location of Prime Plaza Suites is not great, but the huge, excellent value apartments make this a great choice for budget-friendly family travel.
The kids love the water slide and the kids play area is huge. Kids are a big focus at this resort.
Where to stay for water sports: Tanjung Benoa
Just down the beach from Nusa Dua is Tanjung Benoa. The beach has lots of water sports and there is a good range of local shops and restaurants close by to the resorts.
It’s also a great place to watch the sunrise over the beach, perfect way to start the day.
There are many different water sports operators along the beach where you can try out jet skiing, banana boats, and para sailing.
For a cultural experience nearby, visit Caow Eng Bio Chinese Buddhist Temple. It’s a beautiful temple that is very colourful and interesting for the kids to see.
Bali Wakepark and Aqualand is a great spot to take the adventurous kids. They can try out wake boarding or attempt the inflatable obstacles on the water.
Holiday Inn Resort Benoa
A family friendly resort, Holiday Inn Benoa has huge family suites that the family will love. The kid’s club is great for younger kids and our kids loved the pools. The spa is worth a visit, and I love that the kids eat free.
Grand Mirage Benoa
Spread over two wings on the Benoa Beach, The Grand Mirage is a kid’s paradise.
The family wing has a huge amount of activities for the kids including a splash park, water slide, climbing wall, indoor kids play ground and much more.
It is easy to walk to the main wing of the resort and there are a huge amount of eating options including all-inclusive rates.
Where to stay for sunsets: Jimbaran
Jimbaran is famous for its beautiful sunsets while enjoying a seafood dinner in one of the seafood restaurants on the sand of Jimbaran Bay.
Jimbaran has a laid back vibe with a good range of food options. You won’t find as many shops in Jimbaran, but it’s only a short drive to Kuta.
The beach at Jimbaran Bay is great for the kids as the waves are nice and calm. Towards the airport, Hidden Beach is a fun place to watch the planes come and go.
Sundara Beach Club is a nice spot to enjoy the day swimming in the pool and eating yummy food.
Samasta Lifestyle Village next to Movenpick Resort has a range of different restaurants, supermarket and often has live music to enjoy.
Movenpick Resort & Spa
The kids may not want to leave this family friendly resort!
Fantastic kids club, huge pool area with splash park and modern rooms. A short walk to the beach and Sunday Brunch has so much food and a dedicated kids area.
Intercontinental Jimbaran
Located on Jimbaran Beach, this luxury resort has traditional Balinese charm with modern amenities. Food is amazing and the family rooms very spacious.
Where to stay for high-end luxury: Bukit Peninsula (Uluwatu)
The southern most area of Bali is known as the Bukit Peninsula or Uluwatu. It is home to luxury 5 star resorts in Bali on a cliff top that enjoy the most spectacular Bali sunsets.
Not as close to the airport as the other tourist places in Bali, it’s a perfect place to chill out.
Sundays Beach Club is located at Ungasan Clifftop Resort and is a lot of fun with the whole family.
An inclinator takes you down to the gorgeous beach where you will find sun loungers, day beds, stand up paddle boards plus yummy food and drinks.
A visit to the Uluwatu Temple to watch the Kecak Dance at sunset should be high on every families to do list in Bali. Just be wary of those pesky monkeys that like to take sunglasses and hats!
Ulu Cliffhouse is a family friendly cliff top beach club with a pool, lots of days beds and great food. A great spot to spend the day then watch the sun go down.
Ayana Resort
A luxury cliff top resort that includes the famous Rock Bar, the family is well looked after with stunning pools and a great kids club.
Where not to stay in Bali with kids: Canggu
Ok, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room – Canggu is a bustling area, and it has a lot of beach clubs, cafes, and restaurants, but it’s so overrun now the magic has gone.
Canggu is spread over a large area and will require you to hire a scooter to get around. Scooters are very popular, and you’ll likely have to rent one regardless of where you stay in Bali, but please ensure you are licensed and covered by travel insurance before you get on a bike!
Taxis and Grab cars are easy to get plus some villas come with a private driver.
If you do visit this area, take the kids to Splash Water Park, Bounce Trampoline, Strike Bowling or Cubbyhouse Kids Club – though I feel like these are things you can do anywhere in the world.
Parklife Bali is another play area for kids in Canggu. It has indoor slides, ball pits, a jumping pillow, toddler area, and food and drinks at the cafe plus daily activities.
An institution in Canggu is Milk and Madu Cafe. While you enjoy your food, the kids can play on the onsite playground.
Final Thoughts
What makes Bali a must visit destination is the Balinese people, who are so warm and welcoming, they invite you on to their island with open arms.
The mixture of culture, delicious food, and family-friendly resorts makes Bali a great choice for your family holiday.
If you’re planning to visit Bali with kids, we hope this guide pointed you in the right direction when it coms to choosing an area that resonates with your family, and gave you some accommodation choices to consider.
Read more: kid-friendly restaurants in Bali
Tours of Bali
Our partner, the Get Your Guide tour company offers many Bali tours and attractions. They have lowest prices, guaranteed — no booking fees or hidden charges.
You can pre-book tickets and skip the line at top attractions and cancel up to 24 hours before.
More Indonesia Travel Tips
- Reasons to visit Raja Ampat (one of Asia’s most beautiful places)
- Visit the ancient Borobudur Temple
- Sunrise over Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia
- My First Trip Abroad in Indonesia
- Jungle Trekking in Bukittinggi, Sumatra
Pin To Save On Pinterest
There are so many other places to visit in Bali including the islands near Bali. If you have any tips on the best place to stay in Bali for families, share in the comments.
