WHERE TO STAY

Where to stay in Seminyak? Well...how long is a piece of string because I could list THOUSANDS of recommendations! Instead I'll throw in maybe a Top 5 of villas, resorts and also a few resorts that offer villas too!

When in the Seminyak/Legain area...my only tip would be to choose based on location.

Like eating? Choose a villa straight off "Eat Street", keen to just chillout on the beach? Maybe stay around the Double Six area! Choice is yours. Options are endless! These are only a few of so, so many you could choose from!

VILLAS

1. Laksmana Hideaway 1 & 2:

Hey I'm only giving these private villas a big shout out because we've stayed here before and it's been wonderful! 2 bedroom villas set on top of your private pool. Want to feel like a mermaid waking up on a man made island? Then these villas are for you! If you do decide to stay, give Liza the housekeeper a big shout out from us! She is an absolute asset to this private complex

2. Chandra Villas:

Middle of the range budget, absolute luxury. Close to the beach and Ku De Ta.

3. Villa Soleh:

The villa we would like to stay in next year! Newly opened! Amazing modern furnishings with a Balinese island twist. Private pool. Steps from Eat Street but tucked away nicely so it is still quiet! Check out their other private villas from this collection! It'll be hard to pick which one you want to choose!

4. Bhavana Villas:

Full villa attendants usually included in the price of your villa! Renowned for their awesome hospitality

5. The Jas Villas:

Budget accomoodation if you're looking for a private pool villa but still want the location. Set right in the heart of Seminyak!

6. The Layar:

Amazing conceptual villa! You won't find it hard to relax here! With a luxury price to match its amazing surroundings you won't want to even venture out! (To get your moneys worth!)

7. Andari Villas:

Located superbly in the Double Six are which borders Seminyak and Legian. 2 minute walk to the beach. Surrounded by markets and restaurants yet hidden away from the busy streets.

RESORTS

Most of the resorts in the Seminyak line the beach fronts! The big kid friendly (and adult friendly mind you) resorts border the Legian area. Still only about a 5 minute taxi ride to get you to all the amazing restaurants!

1. The Padma Resort Legian:

This resort is one of those destinations where there is no need to walk out of the complex once you check in! A pool that you could get lost in, multiple restaurants, swim up bar and waterslides and kids club! If you can pry yourself y from the wonderful facilities then you'll be spoilt for choice with the array of bean bag beach bars right out your front door to choose from.

2. The Mandira Bali Resort and Spa:

Located next door to The Padma on the beach in Legian! Fantastic facilities, beach lagoon pool for the little ones. Loads of restaurants within the complex and while the kiddies are being entertained in the kids club, the grown ups can escape to The Azul Beach Club for a cocktail which is attached to the resort!

3. The Seminyak Beach Resort and Spa:

Well the name kind of gives it away! Located at the bottom of eat street and next door to Ku De Ta, this resort is in the luxury price range! With a pool that expands the entire front of the hotel and a day spa to help you relax into your holiday...then (if I had the money) I'd pay the thousands they demand to stay here! Location is everything and The Seminyak has it all!

4. Bali Niksoma Boutique Beach Resort:

Again, beach front. Legian area. Middle price range. Offers hotel rooms, suites and also some private pool villas! Easy choice if you want to watch spectacular sunsets without having to move from your poolside sun lounge!

5. Amadea Resort and Villas:

Want a good basic resort, located in the heart of Seminyak, eat street right out the front but don't want to break the budget because really...you're only going to be sleeping there as there's far too much to see and do! Then this budget resort is for you! You can choose from one of their hotel rooms from $80pn or for a small penny more (compared to other complexes) splash out and grab one of their villas. Who cares what facilities they have (many by the way) because Seminyak is at your doorstep!

VILLAS LOCATED WITHIN RESORTS;

As mentioned previously in my "what accommodation should I choose section"...if you can't decide on whether you want to stay at a resort or villa then maybe do what we did for our first trip to Bali and that is to stay in your own private villa in a resort! Get the best of both worlds by choosing this option!

1. Astagina Resort and Spa:

This resort boasts that it is luxury accommodation. It's not The W. But what it is, is great traditional style architecture with warm Balinese service! We stayed here on our first holiday to Bali and left with zero complaints and with wanting to come back! The beauty of staying here is that you can mingle in the main pool and grab one of their poolside cabanas, sit at the small swim up bar and when you're sick of the crowds you can head back to the privacy of your own villa pool! Rates are reasonable...and if you're lucky like we were we grabbed their Royal Villa for a week for about $2000 on special (normally $10,000)! It was pure decadence! Located in the Double Six area, only a short cab ride to Eat St! (Try Swich right out the front if you stay! A great sandwich bar).

2. The Dipan Resort, Villas and Spa:

Get your iPhone ready for some insta pics around the quaint main pool of this resort to caption "From where you'd rather be". It is beautiful. A lagoon style pool, tropical foliage surrounding and a cabana that is suspended over the pool. You'll feel like you're lost in paradise here! The private pool villas also follow suit, with rocky waterfalls that spill into your pool and sun loungers to work on your tan in privacy! Very reasonably priced and located in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Seminyak.

3. AQ-VA Hotel and Villas:

I can remember passing this resort along our adventures in Legian. And one of the best things I liked about it was that it was smack bang in the middle of market stalls and restaurants. You're right, it's not "Eat St"...but you will find some hidden gems in this area to grab some tucker at around half the price of the popular "Eat St" hubs! The design is modern, white and simplistic. A great resort to base yourself for your Bali escapades!

4. The W:

Well, I can't exclude some luxury options for those that maybe would like to splash out...or earn more than my measly nursing wage...let me introduce you to The W!

From the moment you take a turn off the busy Seminyak streets into this complex and being escorted through the arches of bamboo over the stone driveway and reach the proud and grand entrance you are going to be met with a view of layers of pools, palm trees and cabanas. You'll know instantly you're in for a great holiday! The W is world renowned for their immaculate facilities and flawless service and The W Bali does not disappoint! You can score a private pool villa here starting from $600pn for a 1 bedroom (I suppose you'll need 2 if you're bringing the kids)...or maybe you just want to show off...go ahead and book their "WOW" villa starting from $1900pn. For the rest of us...never fear...we can relax at The W poolside for the day at the famed Woobar, more of that in the "where to go" section.

5. Mutiara Bali Boutique Resort Villas and Spa:

My gosh! I need to finish off with something in a reasonable price range to bring me back down to earth! Mutiara Resort will offer you a boutique style experience...but with A-grade Balinese hospitality! You can choose from 1,2,3,and 4 bedroom private villas that start from around $170pn! And...you are going to be perfectly positioned across the road from Sisterfields Café. You've sold me Mutiara! If you're more into hanging out on your daybed and attempting 100 times to take the perfect selfie at one of the pool clubs to make your friends jealous, well you're in luck because the money you're wasting on using your internet to post your selfies, can be saved in taxi fares because you can walk to Mrs Sippy and Potato Head from here!

There you have it! Some of my top picks. Just use these as your starting point to search...you are going to get lost in a world of beautiful pool villas and magical resorts...so when you finally decide...drop me a line! Let me know what you chose and we can get excited together for your stay in "Salty Surga" xx

SALTY SURGA