Most photogenic hotels
Most photogenic hotels in Bali
Bali has some of the most photographed hotel pools in the world: two-tiered infinity pools above jungle gorges, clifftop pools above the Indian Ocean, and sunset pools on Seminyak Beach. Every photo on this page shows the actual hotel it appears with, credited to its photographer. Where no real photo exists, we say so rather than show a stand-in.
Hanging Gardens of Bali
Home to the iconic two-tiered cascading infinity pool above the Ayung valley, named World's Best Swimming Pool by Conde Nast Traveler. All 44 private villas have their own heated private infinity pool, and a funicular connects reception to the villas on the steep hillside. Views run across the gorge to the Dalem Segara temple. No freely licensed photo of this hotel exists on Wikimedia Commons, so we show no photo here rather than use a stand-in.
Best for: the single most photographed pool in Bali, above a jungle gorge.
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The pool at Alila Villas Uluwatu. Photo: a.canvas.of.light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Alila Villas Uluwatu
A clifftop resort on the Pecatu cliffs with a 50 metre cliff edge infinity pool and a floating sunset cabana, among the most photographed spots in Bali. The 65 private pool villas, from one to three bedrooms, were designed by Singapore architects WOHA as an eco resort, with open air pavilions and Indian Ocean views from bed to bathtub. Larger cliff edge villas run up to about $3,650 or more.
Best for: clifftop pool photography at sunset, with the ocean behind the water.
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The main pool at Bulgari Resort Bali. Photo: Simon_sees, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bulgari Resort Bali
59 villas and mansions across 8.4 hectares, set about 160 metres above the Indian Ocean on the Uluwatu cliffs, a few minutes along the coast from Pura Luhur Uluwatu. Every villa has its own infinity pool, a walled garden, and Antonio Citterio interiors in travertine, teak, and black volcanic stone. A guests only beach is reached by inclinator.
Best for: black volcanic stone, travertine, and teak against the ocean, 160 metres up.
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The resort in the jungle above the Ayung valley. Photo: SvG, via Wikimedia Commons.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Arrival is across a suspension bridge over the Ayung River gorge to a rooftop lotus pond. The elliptical infinity pool appears to float above the jungle canopy, and the Sacred River Spa sits down by the water. The 60 suites and villas terrace down the valley, many with private plunge pools. Opened February 1998, it is about 6 km (10 to 15 minutes) west of central Ubud.
Best for: a jungle valley pool that appears to float above the canopy.
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The infinity pool at The Legian at sunset. Photo: Ishan Mallaik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Legian Seminyak, Bali
Direct beachfront access onto Seminyak Beach, with a three-tiered outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. A full-service spa, health club, and steam room round out the facilities, and the rooms run to suites and pool villas including The Beach House. Seminyak Square shopping mall is within 400 metres.
Best for: sunset pool photography on Seminyak Beach, three tiers to the ocean.
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The pool at W Bali Seminyak. Photo: Simon_sees, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
W Bali - Seminyak
A 100-metre-long, rice-field-inspired WET pool is the centrepiece, with the beachfront Woobar alongside. The 229 to 233 rooms and villas include villas with private pools, plus a full-service spa and 24-hour health club. Operated under W Hotels (Marriott Bonvoy), at the north end of Seminyak.
Best for: a 100-metre rice-field-inspired pool and bold design photography.
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The infinity pool at Alila Ubud. Photo: Sean McGrath, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Alila Ubud
The original Alila property, opened in 1996 and designed by architect Kerry Hill. Its infinity pool over the Ayung valley was named among the world's most beautiful hotel pools by Travel and Leisure. The 56 rooms and 18 villas are laid out like a traditional Balinese village, and Spa Alila has open-air Bale Bengong treatment pavilions at the valley edge.
Best for: a valley infinity pool at a fraction of the luxury resort price.
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The lagoon pool deck at Conrad Bali. Photo: Matt @ PEK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Conrad Bali
Beachfront on the Tanjung Benoa peninsula, about 2.8 km from Nusa Dua Beach. It has Bali's largest lagoon pool, a sprawling interconnected lagoon pool system with swim-up lagoon access rooms, plus four outdoor pools, a children's pool, a 350-metre beachfront, and beachfront dining at Eight Degrees South.
Best for: Bali's largest lagoon pool, with swim-up rooms and a 350-metre beach.
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For the honeymoon angle, see the best honeymoon hotels in Bali. For private pools, the best private pool villas. For timing your trip around the best light and weather, the best month to visit Bali guide.
Prices are approximate nightly rates found on booking sites and guides, and vary by season, room type, and availability. Many Bali rates add about 21 percent tax and service. The Bali tourist levy (IDR 150,000, about $10 per person, once per trip) applies to all visitors. Always confirm the current rate before you book.