Where to stay in Indonesia

What we love most about Soori Bali is its complete sense of place. The pool, spa and rooms are beautiful but it’s the experiences created to immerse you in what makes Bali so magical, that we find most intriguing.

Occasionally we find a resort that quite simply ticks all the boxes and Samaya Seminyak does just that – the location is spot on, right on the beach and close to restaurants and bars and the pool villas are stylish and spacious.

One of our favourite Ubud retreats is COMO Uma Ubud, a rustically stylish escape. The hillside location makes for exceptional valley views and the signature spa is regarded as one of the best around.

With a stunning setting, surrounded by paddy fields and overlooking the jungle and Wos River, the impressive Capella Ubud is a luxury tented retreat located in the authentic village of Keliki, about 20 minutes from the centre of Ubud.

Ametis is a charming romantic hideaway, tucked away behind the cool cafés and sophisticated boutiques of up-and-coming Canggu, a five-minute walk from the beach. This intimate sanctuary is boutique retreat at its best, with a sleek contemporary flair subtly complemented with touches of Balinese artefacts and artwork reflecting the edgy neighbourhood. Dark woods combined with beautiful batik fabrics create a relaxed environment with a real sense of place.

Belmond Jimbaran Puri embraces all that we love about Bali. The style is relaxed, service friendly; the design a nod to local traditions. Shady thatched roofs keep you cool, whilst swathes of highly polished teak create a warm authentic vibe.

The 19 thatched villas of the Kayumanis Jimbaran Private Estate are set amidst a beautiful coconut grove, in completely private walled gardens providing the ultimate in luxury and privacy.

This all-suite and super-stylish boutique resort is uber chic, funky and ideally located close to the centre of leafy Ubud. The unique design combines contemporary raw-concrete architecture with a rustic and local finish to create an urban retreat with a Balinese edge.

Uber-modern’, ‘poised’ and ‘edgy’ all define Alila Uluwatu; a resort perched somewhat precariously on a plateau, beneath which limestone cliffs plunge to the surf. This place screams, shouts and stamps wow factor!

The Pavilions is a real Turquoise favourite. Location-wise, it is pretty much perfect - within walking distance of local restaurants, cafes and the beach, with beautiful tropical gardens and a charming traditional Balinese design.

Amankila scores a perfect ten when it comes to location. Silver sand, turquoise water and the dense emerald green jungle rising in the distance, you are only an hour from the airport, yet transported effortlessly into the rural heart of Bali.

Boasting one of the most breathtakingly beautiful settings in the outskirts of Ubud, Mandapa Reserve is situated on the edge of the Ayung Valley.

A stay at Plataran Menjangan is like no other in Bali. Tucked away in the protected sanctuary of West Bali National Park, Plataran is a truly luxurious hideaway, but is also a place to find a natural wilderness and inject a completely unique experience to your Bali holiday.

Sanak is a luxurious retreat nestled right on top of farmed rice paddies, just 10 minutes from Munduk in the mountainous north of Bali, just 10 minutes from Munduk. This is a true eco retreat, built in harmony with its surrounds, supporting the local community, giving work to the people in the local village.

The Oberoi Bali is a classic, one of the original luxury resorts in Bali and the first in Seminyak. When it opened in 1978, the Oberoi stood in isolation in the middle of verdant rice fields fronting a gorgeous long stretch of beach.

An elegant resort clinging to the forested hillsides of Ubud’s fringes, Viceroy Bali is akin to living like Balinese royalty. Set on the sunrise side, every morning here is special as the golden dawn breaks over the lush Valley of the Kings.

Located in the region of Tanah Lot, home to Bali's most iconic temple, Nirjhara, Sanskrit for waterfall, is an intimate retreat in the southwest of Bali. Overlooking verdant rice fields and surrounded by a river and cascades, Nirjhara is a perfect hideaway to base yourselves for a few days as part of a tailor-made holiday.

Situated in the east of Bali, away from the busy coastal towns and the buzz of Ubud, Sideman is a wonderful alternative for those seeking nature, serenity and to experience authentic Balinese culture.

Nestled amongst unspoiled jungle and verdant rice paddies, this secluded retreat is a wonderful balance of authentic Balinese style and luxury comforts. 76 wooden villas, two dreamy pools, several dining options and a blissful spa overlook a patchwork of verdant Balinese landscapes. While it’s located just ten minutes from Ubud town centre, Kappa Senses feels a world away from the stresses of daily life.

The St Regis occupies one of the best spots on Nusa Dua’s spectacular beach, with wide golden sands stretching along the resorts front. Beautiful, thatched pavilions are neatly placed around the grounds, amongst the immaculately manicured gardens and serene palm-lined water features.

Situated in the upscale neighbourhood of Nusa Dua, The Laguna fronts one of southern Bali’s most stunning golden-sand beaches. Recently redesigned with a fresh nautical theme, and touches of Balinese style, we love it as an idyllic island-style resort hotel, perfect for those seeking a luxurious yet relaxed atmosphere.

Quiet, castaway beaches are quite hard to come by in the south of Bali, with many of the gorgeous resorts spread along wide stretches of golden beaches. Raffles is a rare find, tucked away in a private cove, just south of Jimbaran Bay, it is surrounded by nature, yet close to the action for those who seek it.

Conveniently situated just 20 minutes from the airport, Four Seasons is ideally positioned at the end of the sandy shores of Jimbaran Bay, a charming beachside town renowned for its local fish restaurants and laid-back atmosphere. Cascading down the hillside, the resort comprises 147 stunning villas enveloped by beautifully landscaped gardens and impressive swimming pools. The seamless blend of volcanic stone architecture, thatched roofs, and traditional Balinese carvings captures the essence of a traditional Balinese village.

If the idea of a truly remote haven, surrounded by lush jungle and facing a long stretch of black lava-sand beach, sounds appealing, then this is the place for you. Unique in design, this gem of a retreat is playful in its architecture and utterly unconventional in style.

We work with a number of different yachts from luxury yachts with a minimum of three nights to comfortable but simple, traditional Phinisi boats which offer two and three night itineraries. This is purely an example of an itinerary based on Cajoma III, a traditional private teak boat with two air conditioned cabins with toilets attached, a main lobby, guide room and separate crew area. Guests can relax on the leisure deck at the front or the sundeck on top.

Nestled on the western fringes of Flores Island, Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa is the ideal base from which to explore the incredible Komodo National Park. Base yourself at this charming resort and explore the incredible beaches and glorious reefs around Komodo’s islands, not forgetting the chance to view the inimitable Komodo Dragons for which this national park is famous for.

Sudamala is a charming rustic hideaway on Seraya Kecil Island, one of the northern most islands of the Komodo National Park. It’s just a 20-minute speedboat from Labuan Bajo before arriving in paradise – the beach here is pristine and picture perfect with crystal waters and vibrant underwater life for exceptional snorkelling straight off the shore. This is not polished luxury by any stretch of the imagination but is a blissful retreat for those who value escapism over gold taps.

Tucked into the Menoreh Hills facing the Kedu Plains with clear views to Borobudur Temple, Amanjiwo is a serene retreat from which to explore this region of Central Java. Built in a style similar to that of the Borobudur Temple itself, the resort is really something – with its main structure being a circular limestone monolith centred by a soaring bell-shaped rotunda. Marble steps lead down from The Bar to The Restaurant with its silver-leaf ceiling, drop fans, teak wood floors all in traditional Javanese style and pretty impressive.

Mount Bromo is one of Java’s most iconic landscapes and this charming mountain lodge is located within striking distance of the national park – an ideal place to stay the night before heading to the rim for breathtaking views at sunrise. The resort has 50 contemporary rooms with ensuite bathrooms and warm running water, which is quite a rarity in this remote region. The rooms are simple but comfortable and for more space you can upgrade to a Junior Suite with a separate living space. The luxury here is the location.

Located several hundred metres above the plains of Central Java, with a spectacular setting encircled by eight magnificent volcanoes and set within fifty-five acres of gardens, plantation and tropical jungle this retreat is truly special and a wonderful place to unwind at the start of your holiday to Indonesia. Basing yourself at Mesa Stila you are half way between the cities of Yogyakarta and Semarang (approx. 1.5 – 2 hours’ drive, both are accessible with a direct flight from Singapore) and are only one hour’s drive from the magnificent Borobudur temple, an easy day tour from here.

Within striking distance of Borobudur Temple, with fantastic views across to the temples and surrounding hills and forests, Plataran Borobudur is a gorgeous place to base yourself to explore this region. One and a half hours drive from Jogjakarta airport perched on the edge of of the hills of Tanjungan Village,

Qunci Villas offers fantastic value for money and a warm welcome, accommodation is exceptionally comfortable and charming, the décor is cool with clean lines, expanses of polished wood, tactile textiles and splashes of local art.

This beautiful resort is tucked away on a private beach at Medana Bay amongst acres of tropical gardens and the setting is, quite simply, beautiful. Pavilions and villas are strewn throughout the gardens; traditional in style with thatched roofs, highly polished teak and Indonesian objet d’art create an unmistakable, authentic ambience.

A quirky boutique hotel on one of Lombok’s best beaches. Hotel Tugu Lombok is set on the undeveloped northwest coast of the island and is surrounded by empty green fields, plantations, small traditional villages and virgin landscapes. This resort is rather unusual and not for everyone but that’s what we love about it. It is quirky and individual, showcasing hundreds of original, beautiful artworks and antiques painstakingly collected and assembled as a loving testament to the long forgotten, original culture of the isle of Lombok. This detail is also reflected in the design of every part of the resort, from the bungalows and villas to the lobby, restaurant and the striking spa. It is all achieved without compromising on modern creature comforts and luxuries, fantastic cuisine and excellent service.

Barely visible on a map, Bawah Reserve is a true Robinson Crusoe Hideaway, an almost Maldivian style scattering of islands located somewhere in the middle of the South China Sea between Mainland Malaysia and the island...

Our little blue planet is heavily populated and it is rare to find a spot which offers real escapism in the truest sense of the word. On the remote island of Sumba, an hour’s flight east from Bali, we have found just such as a place – welcome to Nihi Sumba.

A resort with an eco-conscious heart, Cap Karoso is the newest luxury retreat to open on the off-the-radar island of Sumba. Located an hour’s flight east of Bali and serviced by daily flights, the Island of Sumba is one of the rare places where local culture is preserved. The local Marapu religion follows a belief of a balance of nature, man and influence of ancestors.

Understated luxury balanced in a perfect state of remoteness’ is how Sanubari describes itself and we couldn’t put it more perfectly than this. Located in the south of the untouched and remote island of Sumba (an hour's flight from Bali) surrounded by a 100-hectare nature reserve and fronting over two kilometres of white sand beach.