From spectacular luxury resorts to affordable beach hotels, here’s my guide to the best Marriott hotels in Bali for every kind of traveler.
This is an honest, unsponsored guide. Like other Take Risks Be Happy articles, it may contain affiliate links that do not affect our editorial judgement. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Bali has perhaps the most extraordinary collection of Marriott hotels in the world. You can spend over $1,000 a night at a luxury jungle retreat, relax at a beachfront Ritz-Carlton, or book a perfectly comfortable hotel for under $80 USD.
Check out our guide on maximizing your Marriott points and Cashback Using Rakuten
I’ve stayed at many of them, including the St. Regis Bali, Ritz-Carlton Bali, Mandapa, W Bali, Westin Ubud, Laguna Autograph Collection, Courtyard Seminyak, and Aloft Seminyak. I’ve also explored other properties in person, visited the areas other properties are located, and researched several I haven’t visited yet.
This honest guide shares everything I know about Marriotts in Bali, from real experience and from visiting the areas these hotels are in. Where I lack personal expertise, I link to quality reviews I’ve found. The main thing I’ve learned visiting Bali Marriotts is that each hotel has its own personality, and, as a result, the most expensive hotel isn’t necessarily the best hotel for you.
Best Marriott Hotels in Bali: Quick Comparison
| Hotel | Best For |
|---|---|
| St. Regis Bali | Best overall luxury resort. Service, luxury, quiet. |
| Ritz-Carlton Bali, Nusa Dua | Best luxury value for couples or families. Epic scale, luxury. |
| Mandapa, Ritz-Carlton Reserve | Most unique uxury experience. Yoga/nature lovers. |
| W Bali Seminyak | Luxury, nightlife, and younger travelers. Best Marriott in the city, hands down. |
| The Laguna, Nusa Dua | Accessible beachfront luxury and lagoon pools. Comparable to Ritz Nusa Dua. |
| Westin Nusa Dua (V) | Affordable beachfront resort next to Laguna. |
| Westin Ubud | Best luxury value south of Ubud |
| Sthala Ubud | Affordable riverside retreat south of Ubud |
| Courtyard Seminyak | Affordable family resort near the action |
| Aloft Seminyak | Fantastic for budget travelers and digital nomads. |
V means I have visited the hotel but not stayed there. All other hotels above I have actually spent at least one night in.
Understanding Marriott’s Five Luxury Tiers in Bali
Not all Marriott hotels are created equal. Bali has everything from practical, inexpensive hotels to some of the most extraordinary ultra-luxury resorts in the world.
Marriott has its own official brand categories, but I think the distinctions are too broad. Here’s how I’d categorize the properties based on the overall accommodation, facilities, and, importantly, level of personal service. However, it’s important to remember this ranking is a generalization. For example, the Westin Ubud has two pool villas which are nicer than the average room at the Ritz-Carlton. That doesn’t make the Westin better than the Ritz overall, but it does mean that your room matters.
| My Luxury Tier | Bali Marriott Hotels |
|---|---|
| Ultra-Luxury | St. Regis Bali, The Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bvlgari*, Ritz-Carlton Bali (selected villas only) |
| Luxury | Ritz-Carlton Bali, W Bali, Cicada Ubud*, Hiliwatu Ubud*, The Laguna Autograph Collection |
| Premium | Westin Ubud, Westin Nusa Dua (V), Renaissance Uluwatu*, Amarterra Villas*, Le Méridien Jimbaran* |
| Upscale Value | Sthala Ubud, Courtyard Seminyak, Sheraton Bali Kuta*, Renaissance Nusa Dua* |
| Affordable Comfort | Aloft Seminyak, Four Points*, Fairfield*, Element Ubud* |
* Designates hotels I have not personally stayed at or visited. Their placement is based on research. Bold means they are my personal favorites in the tier. No asterisk or V means I’ve stayed at the hotel.
What Do These Tiers Actually Mean?
Ultra-Luxury: Extraordinary accommodation, facilities, and dedicated personal butler service. The St. Regis, Mandapa, and Bvlgari offer this level of service across their accommodations. Selected Ritz-Carlton Bali villas also qualify, with their enormous private pools and dedicated butlers.
Luxury: Genuine five-star resorts with beautiful grounds, extensive amenities, excellent dining, and highly attentive service. You can expect an exceptional vacation, but generally without a dedicated personal butler in standard accommodation.
Premium: Beautiful, sophisticated resorts with impressive pools, comfortable rooms, quality dining, and good service. They can be extremely luxurious, particularly if you book a private pool villa, but don’t necessarily deliver the extraordinary personalized service of an Ultra-Luxury property.
Upscale Value: Attractive, comfortable hotels with excellent amenities for the price. These hotels can offer surprisingly luxurious experiences without the enormous grounds, extensive facilities, or personal service of more expensive resorts.
Affordable Comfort: Practical, comfortable hotels with good facilities and reliable service. They’re ideal if you plan to spend more time exploring Bali than relaxing inside your resort.
These are my personal categories, not Marriott’s official classifications, and they aren’t fixed price brackets. Individual accommodations can also make a huge difference.
For example, a standard suite at the Ritz-Carlton Bali offers a beautiful Luxury experience. But book one of its selected cliffside or oceanfront villas with 24-hour butler service, and you’re entering Ultra-Luxury territory.
Similarly, I received an extraordinary private pool villa at the W Bali, but the property doesn’t offer the same dedicated butler service as Mandapa or the St. Regis.
Most importantly, a higher tier doesn’t automatically mean a better vacation. I had a fantastic experience at the Aloft Seminyak for just $71 per night. For travelers who want to explore Bali rather than spend all day inside a resort, that could easily be a better choice than an expensive luxury hotel.
My Favorite Overall: St. Regis Bali Resort
If money weren’t a major concern, the St. Regis would be my recommendation for most travelers. It’s an extraordinary beachfront resort in Nusa Dua, with beautifully maintained grounds, a stunning swimming lagoon, exceptional dining, a fantastic spa, and personal butler service for every room.
The beach is perhaps its greatest advantage. It’s peaceful, beautifully maintained, and feels almost private. The swimming lagoon is wonderful, and the breakfast is among the best I’ve experienced anywhere. The St. Regis does absolutely nothing wrong, and basically everything right. Free (fantastic) breakfast for Platinum and above is much appreciated.
The St. Regis is particularly good for couples, honeymooners, and people who simply want to relax in extraordinary luxury. Big budget people looking to escape to a zen-like private world who don’t need a beach should choose the Mandapa. Those with entry-level luxury budgets will be very happy at the Ritz-Carlton, and pretty happy at the Laguna. Want a convenient city location, good for parties while staying at a luxury hotel? Choose the W.
Main Competitors: The Mandapa (for luxury zen) The Bvlgari (for breathtaking luxury views and service) and the W (for a fun, young hotel that is still luxury).
My verdict: Probably the best all-around luxury Marriott resort in Bali. Expensive, but genuinely special. Basically perfect. It’s only flaws are being quiet, if you want to party, and less Balinese than the Mandapa, if you want local culture.
Read my full St. Regis Bali review.
Best for Families and Luxury Value: Ritz-Carlton Bali, Nusa Dua
I absolutely love the Ritz-Carlton Bali. While it’s not cheap, it’s often one of the best value luxury resorts in the entire world, given what you get.
Built into an enormous cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, it’s one of the grandest resorts I’ve experienced. The rooms are huge, the grounds are spectacular, the beach is beautiful, and the breakfast buffet is almost comically enormous. (Sadly, Elite members only get a buffet discount, not free, unlike most other Bali Marriotts).
There’s also Bejana, an excellent Indonesian restaurant with incredible views over the resort and ocean.
The Ritz is particularly appealing to families, but it’s honestly fantastic for almost anyone who wants to spend a few days enjoying a beautiful resort.
My rough comparison is that you get 70-80% of the St. Regis experience for perhaps half the price. That’s not a scientific measurement, but it captures why I think the Ritz represents such an exceptional deal when prices line up. In high season Ritz-Carlton prices can balloon, and if they approach St. Regis prices, you should probably choose to St. Regis instead (or downsize to a more affordable experience).
True luxury, but not ultra luxury, like the Bvlgari, St. Regis, or Mandapa (unless you have a Villa, which does offer Butler service).
My verdict: The best value among Bali’s truly grand luxury resorts. If you’re deciding between the Ritz and St. Regis, the Ritz is probably the smarter financial choice. It’s probably worth the upgrade over the Laguna, if its $100 or less.
Read my Ritz-Carlton Bali review or my St. Regis vs. Ritz-Carlton comparison.
Most Unique Ultra Luxury Experience: Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The Mandapa does one thing absolutely perfect, albeit at a very high price. As a result, Mandapa might be the most extraordinary resort I’ve ever visited, but it’s also designed for a particular kind of traveler.
Located in a beautiful river valley in Ubud, Mandapa feels like an impossibly luxurious Balinese village surrounded by rice fields, jungle, and flowing water.
This is a place for yoga, sound healing, wellness, Indonesian cooking classes, healthy food, and complete relaxation. Every accommodation is a suite or villa, with butler service and exceptional attention to detail. I particularly enjoyed dining beside the river, which is really the heart of the property. The resort is hilly, so you’re driven everywhere in electric golf carts. It sort of feels like Indiana Jones.
Breakfast is included, and while its buffet is smaller than those at the St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, and W, the emphasis on fresh, healthy, and local food is part of its charm. However, Mandapa is extremely expensive, and it isn’t particularly convenient for exploring Bali’s nightlife or beaches. It’s fantastic, but unbalanced. It does one type of experience perfectly. The question is whether you want that experience.
My verdict: If you love nature, tranquility, wellness, and privacy, Mandapa might be your favorite hotel in the world. But I suspect most travelers would prefer the St. Regis for a conventional weeklong luxury vacation. Enjoy it if you can afford it, or stay a night or two with points. If you have any financial reservations at all, but want a natural Ubud retreat, I would instead stay in the Westin Ubud Pool Villa for two nights, the Ritz-Carlton Nusa Dua for one, and you’ve got a three day vacation for the price of one Mandapa night. I haven’t visited these resorts, but my guess is that Hiliwatu Ubud and Cicada Ubud (as well as the upcoming JW Marriott Ubud) are probably 70% of the experience for less than half the cost.
Its main downsides are its remote location, lack of beach, and extremely high cost. But if you want a zen forest retreat, no resort I’ve visited comes close.
Read my detailed Mandapa review.
Best for Luxury and Nightlife: W Bali Seminyak
The W Bali has everything. Beach access, luxury, city access, a great buffet, and a collection of pool villas. If you were on a group trip, and half the group wants to party, and half wants to relax by the pool, this is the best compromise option that offers true luxury and true excitement. As a result, you can definitely make the case that, overall, the W is actually the most balanced and ultimately the best Marriott in all of Bali.
I expected a fashionable party hotel, but what I found was a genuinely luxurious resort with impeccable service, fantastic pools, an enormous breakfast buffet, and an excellent gym and spa. What makes the W special is that it’s effectively two resorts in one.
The central hotel has rooms overlooking the beach, while a separate collection of 75 private pool villas offers a surprisingly secluded experience. We booked a standard room using Marriott points and, as Titanium Elite members, received an unexpected upgrade to a private pool villa. The front desk said this is rare, and it probably only happened as we stayed one night on a weekday in low season.
The result is pretty amazing: you can spend your day relaxing in a private villa, then head out to some of Bali’s best restaurants, clubs, and beach bars. If you’re in the main tower, you’ll get energy, and you can see people party by the pool at night, You’re also nearby to Bali’s hottest beach clubs. Choose the Ritz, Laguna, or St. Regis if you want quiet luxury.
My verdict: For younger travelers, couples who enjoy nightlife, or anyone who wants five-star luxury without being isolated from the action, the W might be the best hotel in Bali.
Read my full W Bali Seminyak review.
Best Accessible Luxury Beachside Beach Resort: The Laguna, Nusa Dua
The Laguna occupies an interesting position between Bali’s most expensive luxury resorts and its more conventional beachfront hotels.
It has a lovely beach, beautiful grounds, a substantial Balinese temple area, and an enormous network of lagoon-style swimming pools, many of them interconnected. You can actually swim around large portions of the resort. It’s genuinely fun, especially for families with children or teenagers.
The breakfast is also very good, and Marriott Platinum Elite members and above can select complimentary breakfast as their welcome benefit.
But it’s situated next to the Westin and another resort, meaning the beach doesn’t have the epic sense of privacy the Ritz or St. Regis have. The lagoons are cool, but I still prefer the Ritz-Carlton for its grander setting, better breakfast, and greater sense of privacy. The inside of my room at the Laguna was as nice as my room at the Ritz, but the resort itself is slightly lower. So, I’ll be honest, I like the Ritz-Carlton more. But if the Laguna is $100–$125 cheaper per night, I’d seriously consider saving the money.
My verdict: A very nice luxury resort, particularly for families and guests who love swimming pools. It makes even more sense when significantly cheaper than the Ritz.
Read my Laguna vs. Ritz-Carlton Bali comparison.
Best Affordable Beachfront Marriott: Westin Nusa Dua
If you want direct access to a Nusa Dua beach without paying Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis prices, consider the Westin.
I’ve explored the property while staying nearby, although I haven’t stayed overnight. It’s near a conference center, and it appears many travelers are indeed on business.
My impression was that it’s a little less luxurious than the Laguna, with more of a conventional large-resort atmosphere. But you still get excellent beach access, swimming pools, family facilities, and a lovely location. I appreciate that they have a gym on the beach, which his a nice touch.
Platinum Elite members and above can also select complimentary breakfast as their welcome benefit.
My verdict: Worth considering if you primarily want a nice beachfront resort at a reasonable price, particularly if it’s substantially cheaper than the Laguna.
Best Luxury Value in Ubud: Westin Resort & Spa Ubud
The Westin Ubud might be one of the most underrated luxury hotels in Bali.
It’s situated above a lush jungle valley, with a fantastic infinity pool, beautiful grounds, comfortable rooms, and an attractive selection of private pool villas. The vibe is resort in the forest, and your entire view is a Balinese forest. It’s smaller, in a good way, than the Marriott promotional photos suggest. I like it more than the Sthala, which is a rival Marriott.
Using a Nightly Upgrade Award, we received an upgrade to an exceptional pool villa, which made the experience even more memorable. However, there appear to only be two in the whole resort, so most people will be in the tower. Still, the main area of the resort is awesome, with a great pool
I also received a voucher for unlimited drinks during a designated happy-hour period, around 5–6 PM, as a Titanium Elite member. These benefits aren’t guaranteed, but our experience was excellent. That is exceptional value if you drink alcohol, although I just got mocktails, juice and tea.
Mandapa is more extraordinary, but it’s also dramatically more expensive. And honestly, the Westin’s main infinity pool is just as enjoyable.
My verdict: If you want a beautiful jungle resort without spending Mandapa money, the Westin Ubud is an easy recommendation. Decent shuttle to Ubud, which you’ll need, as it’s not super close.
Best Affordable Riverside Escape: Sthala Ubud
Sthala offers a slightly different take on the Ubud experience. Located along the Wos River, it has a lovely natural setting and a stronger connection to the river than the Westin, which I appreciate. The breakfast buffet is decent, the surrounding scenery is beautiful, and it’s generally a less expensive, although hardly free, option. I prefer the Westin’s pool and overall level of luxury, but Sthala has its own appeal. The river-valley atmosphere can feel more distinctly Balinese, and in the sense they both have that river connection, the Sthala has echoes of the Mandapa’s vibe.
My verdict: A good choice if you value natural scenery, a relaxing environment, and reasonable pricing over the most impressive resort facilities. Decent shuttle to Ubud, which you’ll need, as it’s not super close.
Best Affordable Family Resort in Seminyak: Courtyard Bali Seminyak Resort
The Courtyard is worth considering for families who want to explore Seminyak without spending W Bali prices. It has a large three-tiered pool, a kids’ club, family-friendly room options, and a convenient location near restaurants and shopping. The inner pool is actually nice, and the hotel punches above its weight.
Unlike the W, it isn’t directly on the beach, but the beach is nearby, and the hotel offers a shuttle. There is a great internal pool, and I had a ground level room with access to the pool which felt luxurious. It actually feels way nicer than a Courtyard has any reason to feel.
My verdict: A promising choice for families who want a comfortable resort with good pools and easy access to Seminyak’s attractions.
See Courtyard Bali Seminyak on Marriott.
Best for Budget Travelers and Digital Nomads: Aloft Bali Seminyak
You don’t need to spend $500 a night to have a great Bali vacation.
We stayed at Aloft Seminyak during our trip and found it comfortable, modern, and excellent value. For $71 USD we got a rooftop pool, pleasant rooms, and an atmosphere that’s much more casual than Bali’s expensive beachfront resorts. And, it’s perhaps a 3-5 minute walk to the beach. The breakfast was incredibly good for the price, and very healthy. This is a sleeper hit. It’s not luxury, but it has everything you need. If I were 20, wanted to party, wanted a real hotel, but had a budget, I would choose this every time. Honestly, if you want to explore the city, it would be dumb to stay at a luxury resort 40 minutes away in bad traffic. Staying here for two or three days while you explore the city and party, then spending a night or two at a luxury resort to decompress makes a LOT of sense.
It’s in the Batu Belig area, between Seminyak and Canggu, so it’s convenient for exploring both areas, although you’ll often need transportation. It’s very close to the W, if you walk along the beach.
My verdict: Great for digital nomads, younger travelers, and anyone who would rather spend their money experiencing Bali than staying inside a luxury resort.
Check out our guide on maximizing your Marriott points and Cashback Using Rakuten
Which Marriott Hotels in Bali Offer Free Breakfast for Platinum Elite Members?
One of the biggest advantages of Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status or higher is complimentary breakfast at many properties.
But the rules are complicated. Some brands allow Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members to choose breakfast as a welcome benefit. Some hotels include breakfast for all guests. And others, including Ritz-Carlton, don’t guarantee it.
Here’s how the major Bali Marriott properties compare.
| Hotel | Breakfast for Platinum+ |
|---|---|
| Nusa Dua and Uluwatu | |
| St. Regis Bali | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Ritz-Carlton Bali | ❌ Not an elite benefit (slight discount given to Elite Members) |
| The Laguna | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Westin Nusa Dua | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Amarterra Villas Nusa Dua | ✅ Advertised as included |
| Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Renaissance Bali Uluwatu | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua | ⚠️ Depends on lounge/benefits |
| Bvlgari Resort Bali | ❌ Not a Bonvoy property |
| Ubud and Northern Bali | |
| Mandapa, Ritz-Carlton Reserve | ✅ Advertised as included |
| Westin Ubud | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Sthala Ubud | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Cicada Resort Ubud | ✅ Advertised as included |
| Hiliwatu Ubud | ✅ Advertised as included |
| Element Bali Ubud | ✅ Advertised as included |
| Seminyak, Kuta, Jimbaran and Canggu | |
| W Bali Seminyak | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Aloft Bali Seminyak | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Aloft Bali Kuta at Beachwalk | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Courtyard Bali Seminyak | ⚠️ Not guaranteed |
| Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Four Points by Sheraton Bali properties | ✅ Elite breakfast choice |
| Fairfield Bali properties | ❌ Not a standard elite benefit |
| Magia de Uma, Design Hotels | ❌ Not a standard elite benefit |
| The Bohemian Bali, Design Hotels | ❌ Not a standard elite benefit |
What the checkmarks mean: An “elite breakfast choice” means Platinum Elite members and above can generally select daily restaurant breakfast for themselves and one guest instead of bonus points or another welcome amenity.
“Advertised as included” means the hotel’s own Marriott listing currently describes breakfast as complimentary for guests. This is not necessarily a benefit tied to elite status.
A special note about Mandapa: Breakfast was included during my stay, and Marriott currently lists complimentary breakfast among the hotel’s amenities. However, Ritz-Carlton Reserve doesn’t provide a guaranteed Platinum breakfast welcome benefit. Always check the rate conditions.
At Courtyard properties, complimentary breakfast depends on lounge arrangements and the hotel’s benefits. Fairfield and Design Hotels generally don’t provide it as a standard Platinum welcome choice.
These policies and hotel offerings can change. Check the rate details and confirm any uncertain benefit directly with the hotel before booking.
Read Marriott’s official Elite Member Benefits Guarantee.
Other Marriott Hotels I’ve Researched but Haven’t Stayed At
Bali has an enormous Marriott portfolio, and there are several interesting hotels I haven’t personally experienced yet.
Bvlgari Resort Bali — Ultra-Luxury in Uluwatu
Bvlgari is an ultra-premium competitor to the St. Regis and Mandapa, perched on spectacular cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. It has a relatively small beach area below the cliffs, accessed by a funicular.
Reviews are generally excellent, particularly regarding the views, privacy, dining, and service. However, some reviewers question whether the villas and beach experience justify the extraordinary price. Comparisons suggest it may be more exclusive than the St. Regis, but less balanced as an overall beach resort. This Reddit review basically calls it spectacular, but overpriced even at the discounted rate of $1,100 they paid. Highlights were the breakfast, but the long walk down to the beach was criticized, as was the Italian restaurants food. Free unlimited laundry service is rare and was highly praised.
Interestingly, my butler at the St. Regis told me that some Bvlgari guests are even brought over to enjoy the St. Regis’s much larger, beautifully maintained beach. One important consideration: although Bvlgari is affiliated with Marriott, it doesn’t participate in Marriott Bonvoy. You can’t redeem points or receive elite benefits here.
It appears if you want a dramatic clifftop view and ultimate privacy, you go Bvlgari. If you want a balanced, but just as luxurious resort, you go St. Regis.
Hiliwatu and Cicada Resort Bali Ubud — Boutique Jungle Luxury
These two resorts north of Ubud look like intriguing alternatives somewhere between the Westin Ubud and Mandapa in terms of their luxury positioning. Indeed, they sort of look like compromises if you want to scratch that Mandapa itch without paying $1,400 USD a night.
Both offer attractive jungle settings, private pool villas, and a more intimate atmosphere than the larger resorts. Online reviews are particularly enthusiastic about the beautiful natural surroundings and attentive staff. Some Hiliwatu guests have reported minor service inconsistencies, while Cicada receives strong praise for its villas, heated private pools, and tranquil atmosphere, although dining reviews are somewhat mixed.
The main consideration is location. Both are well north of central Ubud, which could be wonderful if you want to escape deeper into the jungle, but less convenient for exploring the city. Allow extra time for transportation, particularly when arriving from or returning to the airport. I think these, or the Westin, are going to be how most travelers experience Ubud, instead of the Mandapa, and that is actually totally fine.
Explore Hiliwatu or Cicada Resort Ubud.
Amarterra Villas Resort Bali Nusa Dua — Private Pool Villas
Amarterra is an all-villa luxury resort in Nusa Dua, with private swimming pools and a peaceful atmosphere.
Unlike the St. Regis or Ritz-Carlton, you don’t need to book an expensive upgrade to guarantee yourself a private pool villa. However, the property isn’t directly on the beach, although guests can access its serviced beach area nearby.
Online reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the beautiful villas, exceptional staff, and relaxing environment. Some guests report noise or privacy considerations, so if complete seclusion matters to you, it would be worth requesting a particularly quiet villa.
For couples who care more about having their own swimming pool than direct beachfront access, it looks like an excellent alternative.
Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran — Convenient for the Airport
Le Méridien Jimbaran is an interesting option for the first or final night of a Bali trip, particularly if you want to stay relatively close to the airport.
The hotel is approximately 8 km from Bali’s international airport, and Jimbaran Beach is a short walk away. It’s also close to Jimbaran’s famous beachfront seafood restaurants.
Its most distinctive feature is a large lagoon-style swimming pool, with some rooms offering direct pool access.
Online reviews frequently praise the friendly staff, spacious rooms, breakfast, and value for money. However, some guests report aging facilities, damp rooms, and occasional service or dining inconsistencies.
It probably wouldn’t be my first choice for a weeklong luxury vacation, but it looks like a practical and comfortable option for a short stay.
Other Marriott Properties Around Bali
There are also several interesting properties in Canggu and Umalas, including Magia de Uma and The Bohemian Bali, both members of Design Hotels. I’ve stayed in that approximate area once, and visited once, and think it’s a great place for a chill, luxury-tier Bali trip with access to great cafes and things to do.
The Renaissance Bali Uluwatu is another major resort I’d like to visit, while Bali’s Four Points, Fairfield, and other midrange Marriott hotels may offer excellent value for travelers who plan to spend most of their time exploring rather than relaxing at a resort. I’m a big fan of Sheraton’s, and the Sheraton Bali is likely a good choice for families.
I’ll continue updating this guide as I visit more of these hotels.
How to Earn Bonus Cashback on Marriott Hotels in Bali
One reason I enjoy staying at Marriott properties is that Marriott Bonvoy points, free-night certificates, and elite benefits can make expensive hotels considerably more affordable.
I’ve used points and certificates for some extraordinary stays, including upgrades to private pool villas at the St. Regis and W Bali.
My general advice is to compare the cash price against the points required before booking. An expensive hotel isn’t automatically a good points redemption.
If you’re paying cash, I generally prefer booking directly with Marriott to receive eligible points and elite benefits.
For American travelers, Rakuten is also worth knowing about.
Rakuten is a free cash-back platform that I personally use and recommend. It sometimes offers cash back on eligible Marriott bookings, in addition to the Marriott points you can earn.
However, not all Marriott hotels or countries qualify, and international bookings, including those in Indonesia, may be excluded. Always check the current Marriott offer terms on Rakuten before booking.
New eligible U.S. members may also qualify for a referral bonus after making eligible purchases. I’ve previously seen a $50 bonus after $50 in qualifying spending, although promotions and requirements can change.
You can sign up for Rakuten using my referral link, ALEX3954.
Or, read my full Rakuten review for more information about how the service works and how I use it.
I may receive a referral bonus if you sign up and complete a qualifying purchase. Check Rakuten’s current terms, eligibility requirements, and country exclusions. This is not financial advice.
What items should I get before my Bali trip? What travel essentials do you recommend?
First, protect your skin with a nice sunscreen: This is non-negotiable if you’re going to the beach. You want something that feels nice, isn’t sticky or pasty, and actually works. I’ve tried a ton and prefer to use Elta MD or La Roche Posay
Second, capture the memories that matter with a high quality camera. You can use your iPhone, but the Insta360 Luna Ultra (full review here) is our recommendation for a great travel camera. The Luna Pro, or DJI Osmo Pocket series of cameras is a great alternative.
Third, choose luggage that is light but well made. I recommend, and personally use, the Samsonite Proxis for a checked luggage, paired with the Cotopaxi Allpa 28L backpack as a carry on.
My Final Recommendation: Which Marriott Would I Book?
If I had a tight budget with one splurge night, I’d spend most of my trip at the Aloft/Element/Fairfield and add a final night at the Ritz-Carlton Nusa Dua, just to experience Bejana on the day of check in, and their Breakfast Buffet on the day of check out.
But if I had one week in Bali with an unlimited budget, I’d probably combine four nights at the St. Regis with three at the Mandapa (if I wanted zen) or three at the W (if I wanted to party/explore the city). The W is a tier below the Bvlgari and St. Regis, but it truly is competitive if you want to be in the city.
If I had a large, but not unlimited budget, I’d choose Four nights at the Ritz-Carlton Nusa Dua, and three nights at the W Bali.
If I had a decent budget, I’d combine the Westin/Laguna Nusa Dua with the Westin Ubud.
If I had a tighter budget, I would choose the Aloft, Courtyard, or Four Points without regret, and enjoy all of Bali without breaking the bank. I’ve never had a bad experience at Marriott in Bali. Even the inexpensive hotels have treated me well, been clean, safe, and nice. The Aloft buffet was actually incredibly impressive, especially for the price.
The most important thing I’ve learned from staying at all these hotels is that you don’t need to stay at the most expensive resort to have an extraordinary Bali vacation.
Choose the resort that fits the trip you actually want, and spend the rest of your time exploring this extraordinary island.
This is an independent, unsponsored travel guide based on my personal experiences and research. Some links may be affiliate or referral links, meaning I may receive a commission or bonus on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Hotel facilities, elite benefits, points requirements, and promotions can change.
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