Where to stay in Seminyak isn’t an easy decision to make with an abundance of luxury lodgings and chic boutique hotels peppering Bali’s most stylish suburb. Our very selective guide includes everything from lavish ocean-side resorts with palm-fringed infinity pools to more affordable design-driven boutique hotels.
As far as we’re concerned if you’re in Bali and not renting a serene villa set amidst the rice paddies in a sleepy Balinese village or by the beach in the surfers paradise that is Canggu, or you’re not retreating to arty Ubud or escaping to an off the beaten track part of the island, then the only place to stay is Seminyak.
Upscale Seminyak is home to some of Bali’s best restaurants, cafes and bars, making it the perfect base for foodies, as well as Bali’s best shopping, galleries and spas. Seminyak also boasts one of the most attractive beaches on this stretch of coast and the best bars for sundowners. See our Weekend in Seminyak itinerary for the lowdown on what to do in two days.
Seminyak is also a base for excursions to Ubud, Tanah Lot temple or Canggu to watch the waves, chill out in a cafe or sip negronis and nibble on local charcuterie. See this local guide to eating and drinking in Canggu by Geoff Lindsay for tips.
So as for where to stay in Seminyak, if money is no object then don’t even think about checking in anywhere but a luxury beach resort, such as the Alila, Amala, Legian, The W, and Anantara Seminyak. Book a sea view room so you can enjoy sundowners on your own balcony.
If you want the privacy of a villa but the services, facilities and amenities of a hotel, then consider one of the new breed of villa hotels, such One Eleven and Luna2 Private Hotel, or the established Elysian Boutique Villa Hotel.
If you’re a fan of design hotels then check into cool Katamama or Luna2 Studiotel. On a budget and don’t mind a short walk to the beach? Then Tijili Hotel should do the trick.
Here are our picks of where to stay in Seminyak…
Where to Stay in Seminyak
SEMINYAK BOUTIQUE HOTELS
Katamama – Our Pick of Seminyak Hotels
When it comes to where to stay in Seminyak, Katamama is unbeatable. Frank Camorra’s fantastic Spanish inspired Australian cuisine from his legendary Melbourne eatery Movida is enough to attract Australians to Katamama, which opened here in mid-2016. For everyone else, the big draw is the restaurant and hotel’s “handcrafted hospitality”, which set it apart from all other accommodation in Seminyak.
Calling itself a “boutique hotel made by artisans”, Katamama has become a showcase for Indonesian craftsmanship. The owners declared they were on a mission to reawaken interest in the country’s age-old crafts and they’ve succeeded. Every aspect of Katamama’s architecture and interiors has been handpicked or handmade by artisans working in centuries-old traditions.
For instance, their ‘Brick by Brick’ project supported local crafts communities through the establishment of fully equipped workshops in their partner villages to assist Balinese artisans to evolve their crafts into lucrative businesses. Katamama was built with some 1.5 million traditional hand-pressed bricks of the kind that have been used to construct Hindu temples on the island.
Some 100 metres of traditional hand-woven textiles were made over four years to produce table runners, bed throws, cushion covers, and bath robes for the handsome rooms, while over 25,000 strands of orchid vine were used in the woven baskets and room amenities made by Kalimantan’s Dayak tribespeople.
That responsible and sustainable approach continues through everything from the personal service – the hotel has ‘cultural concierges’ who offer insider tips and can arrange local experiences – to a gallery and retail space, Canaan, stocking handmade wares from partner villages, along with textiles from Threads of Life, and beautiful things by artisans from all over Bali, such as natural dye scarves from Tarum village.
Even in Akademi, the hotel’s lobby bar, cocktails are created from native ingredients in ceramic cocktail beakers that are locally made, while the Indonesian coffee comes from Jakarta’s One Fifteenth and Movida, where breakfast is served, sources produce from Bali wherever possible.
All of Katamama’s super spacious 58 suites feature a mix of contemporary and mid-century furniture and boast garden views, except for the sprawling 268 square metre rooftop suites (which have barbecues and record turn-tables) and the enormous 320 square metre Katamama suite, which offer panoramic ocean vistas. All rooms come with extras such as cocktail-making kits and sarongs and sun hats.
While the swimming pool is petite, there’s a massive pool at Bali’s best beach club, Potato Head, adjoining the hotel and sharing the same owners, which means guests get access to all facilities and events.
Katamama, Jalan Petitenget 51, Seminyak
Book Katamama online with our booking partner Booking.com.
Luna2 Studiotel
Seminyak is full of surprises and Luna2 Studiotel, with a sense of style that appears to be inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 sci-fi film 2001 A Space Odyssey, is one of them. This is where to stay in Seminyak if you wish you could have joined the Robinson family on their intergalactic trip in Lost in Space. Located in a white modernist building, a short stroll from Seminyak beach, Luna2 was named after the Soviet Union’s first spacecraft to reach the moon. The groovy restaurant, decorated with Philippe Starck dining furniture, and featuring a fun nostalgia-driven menu, is named Orbit and the cool rooftop bar is called Space. The hotel’s owner, designer Melanie Hall, has stuck with primary colours for the sun-beds and modular sofas that pop against the glossy white surfaces, while metallic materials, from silver mirror-balls to space-suit cushion covers add texture. A bold mural overlooking the swimming pool features the Pink Panther, while the pool bottom has been tiled to look like a Piet Mondrian painting. The 14 studio rooms and suites are fitted out with two flat screen televisions, iPads, preloaded iPods, Nespresso machine, fully stocked ‘maxi-bars’ in retro Smeg fridges, and vintage Brionvega TVs. The Sunset Studio has a balcony with ocean views while the others have garden and pool views. If that wasn’t enough there’s a 16-seat Lunaplex cinema with low-slung lounges offering daily screenings, house-made ice creams, popcorn and cocktails. Oh, and you should find some Chuppa Chups in your room.
Luna2 Studiotel, Jalan Sarinande 20, Seminyak.
Book Luna2 Studiotel online with our booking partner Booking.com.
Tijili Seminyak Hotel
When it comes to where to stay in Seminyak, quirky Tijili, with its arty décor and whimsical objects scattered about (pineapple and cockatoo sculptures, rabbit and Labrador lampshades), is the pick of the bunch for design lovers and Instagram addicts. A mid-range boutique hotel a couple of blocks from the beach, it’s a terrific choice if you book a balcony room overlooking the alluring swimming pool and ‘living wall’, dripping with vines. The exterior accommodation looking onto the streets has narrow windows that make the rooms dark, even when sunlight is streaming in. While the central pool is a stunner, there were never enough daybeds or beanbags to go round when we stayed and it’s in shade for much of the day. The Kakatua Tropical Lounge with its cockatoo mural and colourful furniture and fixtures is a comfy space to while away some time with a book shifting between the café-style tables, banquettes and daybeds. The breeze blocks at the end of corridors and airy open spaces eliminate the need for air-conditioning making this a more eco-friendly option that many Seminyak stays. Best of all, the hotel is just a few minutes stroll to Seminyak beach with its array of bars, including popular sunset spot, La Plancha. Jalan Kayu Aya is 20-minute walk away or a 5-minute cab ride up the road; 15 minutes on a busy Friday night.
Tijili Hotel, Jalan Drupadi 9, Seminyak
Book Tijili online with our booking partner Booking.com.
SEMINYAK VILLA HOTELS
One Eleven Bali
For Japanophiles, where to stay in Seminyak is a no-brainer. This striking resort is inspired by the Japanese ryokan and epitomises understated luxury. Consisting of just nine sleek, spacious, low-rise villas secreted behind high walls with private lap pools it’s the ultimate in Zen style. The minimalist interiors feature plenty of stone and polished wood, a spacious open-plan living area with comfy sofas, proper kitchen and a six-seat dining table, and floor to ceiling glass windows that open completely to the elements. In the palm shaded garden there’s a glass spa pavilion overlooking the 14-metre long swimming pool and you can book private treatments or yoga sessions any time of day. It’s not surprising that the house restaurant is a reservations-only sushi and sake bar called Shiro, which offers impressive omakase menus, with striking interiors designed by the one of Japan’s most acclaimed interior designers, Shigemasa Noi. The hotel’s culinary team can serve all meals in your villa and even organise a barbecue in your garden. There’s a three-bedroom penthouse apartment with private pool, which is perfect for families or a group of friends. While you might feel at times as if you’re in Osaka, Seminyak’s best shopping and cafés on Jalan Kayu Aya are just a five-minute walk away.
One Eleven Bali, Jalan Pangkung Sari 3, Seminyak
Book One Eleven online with our booking partner Booking.com.
Luna2 Private Hotel
Here’s where to stay in Seminyak if you like the idea of Luna2 Studiotel but are travelling with a group and want privacy or you simply prefer to be by the sand. This exclusive-use five-bedroom Luna2 Private Hotel may be a decade old, but it’s very much in vogue right now. This sexy beachfront babe oozes Sixties charm, with geometric wallpapers and carpets, shag-pile cushions and furry blankets, bold colours, pop art on the walls, and more Philippe Starck furniture. While the property feels like a private home, it comes with the amenities and services of a luxury hotel. There’s a team of 20 staff on hand, including a general manager-cum-concierge and a private chef to cater to your every whim, from poolside cocktails and canapés (the snacks are complimentary each day) to a decadent dinner party. There’s a 20-meter swimming pool (Marilyn Monroe mosaic on the bottom of this one) with sea views and a spacious lawn and terrace that’s ideal for entertaining. Guests have access to all the amenities of Luna2 Studiotel, a short stroll away, plus daily Canggu Club membership during their stay. Other perks include VIP fast-track through immigration, airport transfers, a driver on hand 24-hours a day, and a babysitter on stand-by.
Luna2 Private Hotel, Jalan Sarinande 22, Seminyak
Book Luna2 Private Hotel online with our booking partner Booking.com.
The Elysian Boutique Villa Hotel
The resort formerly known as The Elysian has extended its name so there are no doubts it is an all-villa hotel, which are much in demand by travellers who can’t cope without beachside bars and restaurants, big swimming pools and luxury spas on site. No views, but the 27 comfortable villas are perfect if privacy if your priority when it comes to where to stay in Seminyak. Secreted behind high walls, these lovely low-rise lodgings have glass concertina windows which can be pushed right back to open these lovely spaces to the elements. The bathrooms are also partially opened to the skies, which won’t suit those with an aversion to bugs. There’s a fabulous dining space and kitchen with pantry which is fantastic for entertaining, but if you’re bringing the kids instead, the sitting room transforms into an extra sleeping area. Inside, expect all mod cons, from iPads to Bose sound systems. Outside, there’s a timber deck and private pool in a petite but incredibly lush garden. As for the public spaces, there’s an alluring albeit compact lap pool with the option of sun-beds or curtained cabanas, and a superb spa with an array of inviting treatments on offer. The beach is just five minutes away, but if you’ve chosen the Elysian then we’re guessing the waves probably won’t tempt you. When it comes to dining, if you’re not eating in your villa, you’re best taking a taxi into Seminyak for a meal at Mamasan.
Jalan Sari Dewi 18, Seminyak
Book The Elysian online with our booking partner Booking.com.
The Amala
This is where to stay in Seminyak if shopping, eating and drinking are high on your holiday agenda. Having said that, while the Amala is in the heart of the action off Sunset Road, Seminyak’s heaving main drag, this intimate hideaway offers an ideal escape for adults needing time out. (There’s a no-children policy.) Boasting a bamboo-filled tropical garden fragrant with the scent of frangipani, still ponds crossed by timber decks, and stone walls clad in vines, the Amala is probably the most Balinese of the lodgings we’ve selected here. While there are three rooms off the main courtyard and pool area, they are snug at 25sqm, so opt for one of the five 180sqm villas with a petite private pool and separate lounge and kitchenette. Note, however, that while the bedroom has glass concertina doors, the living areas offer only roll-down blinds – bliss for some, but if you struggle with the sultry Bali weather this might not be the accommodation for you. The well-travelled owner of the Amala has created the kind of place she likes to stay at when she travels, so the beauty of the Amala is in the details, like the 24-hour butler service, complimentary health drinks in the mini-bar, and house-made cookies to your room every day, and a beautiful selection of home-made natural soaps scented with wild herbs, spices and citrus fruits. If you do manage to get out into the hubbub and get in some shopping, eating and drinking, make sure you reward yourself with a Balinese Exotic Fruit Ritual that includes a foot bath, traditional Balinese massage, a pineapple-coconut scrub, an avocado body mask, and a soak in a citrus and flower petal bath. Be warned: you probably won’t want to go anywhere again.
The Amala, Jalan Kunti 108, Seminyak
Book The Amala online with our booking partner Booking.com.
SEMINYAK BEACH RESORTS
Alila Seminyak
If your decision as to where to stay in Seminyak is based on vicinity to the beach and/or number of swimming pools, then the Alila Seminyak is for you. While we usually prefer smaller hotels, the stylish 240-room Alila Seminyak has everything you could want in a beach resort – infinity pools (not one, but three!), a sea-view restaurant, beachside bar, and a superb spa. The sleek, low-rise property (just four storeys high) gently curves around the pools and green space – and there’s plenty that’s green about the property, including naturally ventilated corridors cooled by sea breezes, vertical gardens, groomed terraces, and green rooftops. The elegant, pared-back rooms feature plenty of dark wood and furnishings in neutral tones, are super spacious – even the entry-level Studios are 46sqm. These are located closest to busy Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak’s main shopping street, which is great if you’re planning to be out or by the pool most of the time. A better choice are the Deluxe Ocean Suites (60sqm), which have a sitting area and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that give onto a balcony or terrace with day bed and sweeping water views. If money is no object, the 811 sqm three-bedroom Penthouse boasts spectacular panoramic sea and beach vistas from a private wooden deck and its own infinity pool. Thoughtful extras include complimentary morning yoga classes and bicycles, and tours and activities, from cooking classes and ‘food trails’ to bike rides and retail time with a personal shopper. A special experience is an excursion to explore the west coast beaches in a restored vintage kombi van that includes stops for snacks and cocktails en route. Throughout the day, a shuttle bus trundles back and forth between the hotel and Seminyak Square, which is where you’ll find Tiger Palm restaurant, although the Alila’s Beach Bar is the spot for sundowners.
Alila Seminyak, 9 Petitenget, Jalan Taman Ganesha, Kerobokan
Book Alila Seminyak online with our booking partner Booking.com.
The W Bali
This is where to stay in Seminyak if you’re in Bali to party. The glam W Bali is another big beachfront resort with 229 rooms, suites and villas fitted out in signature W style with that nightclub vibe, abundant bling, and ample use of crimson, purple, silver, and gold. While the hotel is quintessentially W in style and looks like it could be in Istanbul or Dubai, local craftsmen were employed, the materials are mostly Indonesian, and there are hints of Bali in the design, such as the henna-stencilled lobby ceiling which tips a hat to the island’s Hindu culture. And let’s not forget the Indian Ocean is in the backyard. This is a particularly picturesque stretch of Seminyak’s beach and the comfy sofas on the deck at the waterfront WOOBAR are the spot for sundowners, even if you’re not staying at the hotel. The multi-level pool – or WET, as the W prefers to call it – is inspired by Bali’s famous tiered rice terraces. Divided by a snake-like sun-lounger area and surrounded by palm-shaded tropical gardens peppered with round sunbeds, the space is made for pool parties. Occasional DJs, many internationally-renowned, spin vinyl until the wee hours, so don’t check in here unless you’re up for some late nights. The entry level rooms offer a choice of ‘Wonderful Garden View Escapes’ (if you book one of these opt for a ground level room with the palm-shaded lawn on your doorstep) or ‘Spectacular Ocean Facing Escapes’ (which do indeed have spectacular sea vistas and comfy seats on the balconies). While there are so many fantastic eateries on the doorstep, the W’s restaurants are notable for their commitment to local produce, sourcing most ingredients from organic farms in central Bali.
The W Bali, Jalan Petitenget, Kerobokan
Book The W Bali online with our booking partner Booking.com
Have you been to Bali? Feel free to share your tips as to where to stay in Seminyak in the comments below.
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