In my experience, the honeymoon is one of the best parts of getting married. Sure, the ceremony is nice, but two or three weeks of absolute bliss on a beach? Sign me up! As anyone who is married will tell you, after planning a wedding (even if it’s very low-key), the idea of getting away with your new beau and forgetting about guest lists, food allergies and your first dance is a welcome one.
Usually, the honeymoon is an opportunity to venture somewhere further afield, and perhaps an excuse to spend a bit more money, so there can be a level of pressure to pick the right destination. My husband and I chose Bali as our second stop for a beach break after 10 days in Japan, and it really was the trip of a lifetime. What made it so great for us is that instead of picking one resort and staying put, we broke up our trip in Bali into three parts, so although we would have loved to spend a month backpacking around the various islands, we still felt like we got a real taste despite only being there just over a week.
For such a small island, Bali truly has so much going for it. Be it the scenery of Ubud—which boasts peaceful rice fields, jungles and waterfalls—the party towns on the west coast or the sensational beaches in Uluwatu, there's something for every type of traveller, whether it's your honeymoon, a girls' trip or a solo expedition.
Adding to this, for what you pay, the food is generally just a notch above what you’ll be used to finding in most places in the world. The proximity to Australia is evident—establishments here have a clear understanding of what international travellers want, with a focus on largely healthy and holistically nutritious menus, filled with scrumptious salads, acai bowls and fresh fruit and vegetables. Independent cafes you stumble upon are likely to be stocked with good barista coffee and excellent baked goods, the fruit you’re offered for breakfast in your hotel tastes that little bit sweeter and you can easily find authentic international cuisine, as well, of course, as local.
Sometimes when we book a trip we compromise with the hotel, telling ourselves we won’t be spending much time in the room anyway. Other times, we head to a destination simply for the hotel itself. Thankfully, with Bali’s affordability in comparison to the U.S. and most of Europe, there’s a plethora of affordable hotels that don’t feel like a compromise at all. There are also some magnificent luxury options. In case you’re unacquainted with the wellness scene, note that Bali’s love of yoga, spa practices and self-care is as prevalent in the culture as its beaches. Many hotels offer yoga retreats and have fully equipped spas and various "zen" activities, which are perfect for couples looking for some real R&R.
If your association with Bali is more gap year than silent retreat, you’re not the only one. Sure, there are still a lot of Europeans and Australians in their twenties who head to Bali for the party lifestyle, but it’s easily missed if it’s not your bag. We wanted to dip our toes into the fun but definitely didn’t fancy a dorm room in a hostel packed with 24-hour party people. Thankfully, there are a few luxury hotels in the ever-popular Canggu and Seminyak area that host parties and events, so you can experience the vibe of somewhere like Ibiza without sharing a room with 16 others.
Luckily, we have a few friends working in music and fashion who are well-versed in travelling in Bali, so when we mentioned that we were heading there for our honeymoon, we were inundated with top-tier recommendations. But don’t worry—I don’t gatekeep. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking beaches, wellness escapes or luxury resorts with a party atmosphere, this is how to experience a little bit of everything Bali has to offer.
If you’re heading to Bali, Uluwatu is probably a destination at the top of your list. I can confirm that the beaches originally made famous by the film Eat, Pray, Love are as good in real life as they are on screen. Think crystal-blue waters and small coves surrounded by rocky terrains that attract monkeys and other wildlife. Pedang Pedang is possibly the most popular—and for good reason—but if you want to avoid the crowds try Thomas or Bingin Beach.
One thing to be aware of is that most beaches in this area require a bit of a trek from the road down to the sandy shores, so expect little to no disabled access and a steep climb upstairs when you leave. This is unless you're heading to or staying at a beach club with a cable car to take you up and down (which I highly recommend). Sunsets in Bali are just about the most beautiful you’ll watch anywhere in the world, and Uluwatu is definitely a hotspot, so be sure to stay on the beach late enough to catch one, or head out before dinner.
Where to Stay: Asa Maia, Six Senses Uluwatu or Ria Boutique Hotel
Where to Eat/Drink: The Loft, Baked and Nourish for coffee and breakfast; Tebu for sushi, M. Mason for dinner, Lucky Fish for seafood—you get to pick your fish and watch them cook it!; Ulu Cliffhouse (our favourite spot for sunset drinks). If you want something more low-key at sunset, head to surfer haven Single Fin.
Where to Shop: Tet, Indigo Luna, The Find
What to Do: One of our favourite days was at Sundays Beach Club—great food, a beautiful setting 10/10 daybeds. Spend a day hanging out here and enjoy the snorkelling, and if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, book a surf lesson with a local.
What to Pack:
Where Pecatu’s southern coastline is more rocky and filled with coves, Seminyak and Canggu—which is just further north—offers more classic shorelines, with long beaches and big waves ideal for surfing. It also has excellent nightlife for those seeking a party atmosphere. As it was just the two of us—and probably because we’re in our thirties—we definitely didn’t need a strip of clubs akin to Magluf, but we were open to a vibey beach club or hotel.
Desa Potato Head is the perfect place for this. Billing itself as a "resort, beach club and creative playground", it’s an immersive, experiential luxury village fit for those who appreciate design, music and style. Its architecture and interiors feel quite different to most in Indonesia; think brutalist concrete buildings with recycled and eco-friendly terrazzo flooring. No thought or service is forgotten. The rooms are fully equipped with useful extras, guests are gifted logo-adorned water bottles and a tote bag, and there are regular parties at its beach club or on-site nightclub Klymax Discoteque, which was designed and opened by DJ Harvey.
Potato Head Studios and Potato Head Suites are part of the Desa Potato Head complex, which has multiple restaurants, including our favourite, Dome, which feels like the cool hangout for digital nomads and creatives visiting or living in the area. Dome, like the rest of the village, is thoughtfully designed to entice—with its neon lights, sunken bar, bold colour palette and mid-century furniture, it feels somewhat space-age and is definitely a conversation starter for anyone stuck for things to say at the dinner table.
Of course, the food is also very good (I recommend the corn fritters and octopus in particular), and the drinks menu offers a good selection of natural wines and unique cocktails. Outside of Desa Potato Head, there’s an abundance of boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars which give this town its reputation for being bustly and luxe. Be prepared to leave space in your suitcase, because you’re going to want to shop.
Where to Stay: Desa Potato Head, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sungai Jungle Villa
Where to Eat/Drink: Sisterfields for coffee, Mano Beach House, Motel Mexicola for a more laid-back option (there’s also one in Canggu), Dome.
Where to Shop: Boat Shed, Lemongrass, Paulina Katarina, Drifter Surf Shop
What to Do: Aside from surfing, shopping and partying, if you have time, take a drive up to Canggu and spend a day there. If you want to see some Hindu temples, Petitenget Temple is a short drive from Seminyak and conveniently en route to Canguu.
What to Pack:
You don’t need to know Bali well to be aware of the stereotype about those who travel here for wellness retreats. Those (somewhat cliché) Instagram-perfect trips filled with yoga sessions, mindfulness workshops, spas, silent retreats and infinity pools mostly happen in Ubud. It absolutely isn't just for couples—those on their honeymoon or otherwise—and should be experienced by everyone travelling to Bali, whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a novice.
What Ubud lacks in spectacular beaches it makes up for in stunning vistas of rice fields, jungles and waterfalls. Despite the resorts and hotels having made it easy to indulge in spa treatments and other wellness practices, it's an area for those seeking adventure, too. There are walking tours and trails (some more intense than others), and you'll likely be rewarded with gorgeous views and waterfalls you can swim in. Where other parts of the island give you an excuse to dress up, go out and party, I recommend considering your stay in Ubud as a reason to switch off and reset completely. Read, explore and connect with yourself and nature—this is the true spirit of Bali, after all.
Where to Stay: Soulshine Bali, COMO Uma Ubud, The Kayon Resort Ubud
Where to Eat/Drink: The Sayan House, Alchemy, BGS Coffee, Donna
Where to Shop: Biasa, MAHA, K&I Boutique
What to Do: Mount Batur for a sunrise trek and hot springs, Ubud art market.
What to Pack:
