Best Bali holidays 2023: Luxury and affordable stays on the Indonesian island

One of the standout islands in Indonesia’s vast archipelago when it comes to tourism, Bali has become synonymous with beautifully varied landscapes, unique heritage and paradise-like beaches.

The southern province, sandwiched in between Java (home to the capital, Jakarta) and Lombok, only began to attract larger numbers of tourists in the middle of the 20th century, but the industry has grown substantially even over the last decade.

Data from Statista shows that the number of foreign tourist arrivals rose from just under two million in 2008 to over six million in 2019, before the pandemic drastically reduced accessibility until last year.

But the so-called “Island of Gods” is already bouncing back, and with such a dizzying variety of towns, diverse geography and rich cultural history, it’s easy to see why.

Whether sunning yourself on idyllic beaches, exploring lush rice terraces and rainforest resorts or discovering the island’s religious and cultural heritage, here’s our pick of places to stay on this holiday favourite.

COMO Uma Ubud, Ubud

Rice terraces, temples and rainforest adorn the serene area of Ubud in the uplands of Bali. Known as one of the island’s cultural centres, the town itself is famous for its range of traditional markets, galleries and a vibrant arts scene. The inland surroundings are characterised by rainforest and raised rice terraces, through which visitors can hike and cycle surrounded by greenery.

The scenic views of locations like the Tegalallang rice terraces or Tegenungan waterfall are complemented several manmade attractions. Among them are the Saraswati Temple and Ubud Palace, surrounded by tall trees and giant lotus ponds.

COMO Uma Ubud is found right in the middle of one such area of rainforest, surrounded on all sides by trees, plants and wildlife. Overlooking Tjampuhan Valley, the large pool serves as a focal point for the hotel – though several room options offer private pools – with a large, Balinese-style pavilion hut housing the main reception area. With spacious, open-plan rooms featuring sleek contemporary decor, COMO Uma offers a mix of modern luxury and secluded Balinese nature.