Private pool villa guide
Best private pool villas in Bali
A private pool is the defining Bali luxury, and the island does it better than anywhere else. These four stays put a pool in every villa: jungle infinity pools above the Ayung valley, clifftop pools above the Indian Ocean, and walled-garden plunge pools with butler service.
How to choose
Check the pool type before you book. A plunge pool is for cooling off, an infinity pool is for the view, and a heated pool matters more than you think in the jungle, where nights are cool. Check the view too: some villas face gardens, not the ocean or valley, and the view category is usually a separate room type. Ubud suits jungle and valley views, Uluwatu suits ocean and sunset views.
Hanging Gardens of Bali
All 44 private villas have their own heated private infinity pool, and a funicular connects reception to the villas on the steep hillside. The resort is home to the iconic two-tiered cascading infinity pool above the Ayung valley, named World's Best Swimming Pool by Conde Nast Traveler. Views run across the gorge to the Dalem Segara temple.
Best for: couples and honeymooners who want a private heated infinity pool in every villa.
Read reviews on Google →Alila Villas Uluwatu
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. The resort also has a 50 metre cliff edge infinity pool and a floating sunset cabana, among the most photographed spots in Bali. Larger cliff edge villas run up to about $3,650 or more. Cliffside dining at The Warung serves authentic Indonesian cuisine, and Spa Alila covers treatments.
Best for: honeymooners, luxury couples, and design lovers seeking a stylish eco friendly luxury stay.
Read reviews on Google →Bulgari Resort Bali
59 villas and mansions across 8.4 hectares, set about 160 metres above the Indian Ocean on the Uluwatu cliffs. 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. Rates include 24 hour breakfast, butler service, laundry and pressing, and an Italian aperitivo at sunset. The eight Ocean Cliff Villas sit closest to the cliff edge. Standard villas can face inland gardens rather than the ocean, so book an ocean-facing category by name.
Best for: travellers who want a private infinity pool, a walled garden, and butler service on the cliffs.
Read reviews on Google →
The resort in the jungle above the Ayung valley. Photo: SvG, via Wikimedia Commons.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
The 60 suites and villas terrace down the valley, many with private plunge pools. 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. Opened February 1998, it is about 6 km (10 to 15 minutes) west of central Ubud.
Best for: couples and honeymooners who want a plunge pool villa above the jungle valley.
Read reviews on Google →More villa planning
For the honeymoon angle, see the best honeymoon hotels in Bali. For what villas cost by area, the Bali hotel prices page has the numbers, and the area quiz matches your trip style to a base.
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.