Hanging at the Gayatri Bungalows in Ubud Bali
Where to Stay in Bali with Kids
You know the drill, it’s time to book your hotel stays in Bali but as a family the process can be daunting.
You want to save money but you don’t all want to be sharing a bed. You want to have a pool for the kids but you don’t want to pay $80-$100+ per night for the privilege.
Many blogs and travel guidebooks, including my beloved Lonely Planet, recommend places like the Hard Rock Hotel or the Westin Resort as “great family friendly hotels in Bali”. Hell yeah, they are great for the family, who wouldn’t want a resort with water slides, man-made beaches, and babysitting? But, unless you have just won the lottery you may be like ourselves: looking for Westin comfort at hard rock bottom prices.
Finding budget-friendly, and family-friendly accommodations doesn’t always go hand-in-hand.
Below are the exact locations and accommodations we booked during our 30 day stay in Bali. Keep in mind, prices will fluctuate by 2-3x during the high season!
Budget Accommodations for Families in Bali
We found each of the places below to be wonderful, family and budget friendly options that will provide maximum comfort at median/minimal cost.
Jimbaran
Poolside at The Hotel Puri Bambu in Bali
Where we stayed: The Hotel Puri Bambu (Bookings) Hotel Puri Bambu (Agoda) **** Spectacular budget friendly hotel accommodation in Jimbaran that will make it hard to leave your hotel.
WiFi – very good
Jimbaran is not a “must see” location by any means on a Bali itinerary. It is made very nice by the well priced and well located Hotel Puri Bambu which really sells it in my mind as an airport stopping point. The breakfast is one of the best we have had and they have a convenient and free shuttle into Kuta.
Kuta Beach
Where we stayed: Satriya Cottages (bookings) Satriya Cottages (Agoda) – Nice, well priced, central location – pull some cushions from the poolside lounge chairs at night and save money on the extra bed for your kids.
WiFi – Very Good
Sanur
Where we stayed: Prima Cottages (Bookings) Prima Cottages (Agoda) – Great budget family friendly hotel in the heart of Sanur with lots of decent eats nearby.
WiFi – spotty
Balian Beach
Where we stayed: Pondok Pitaya (Bookings) on Pondok Pitaya (Agoda) Balian Beach. * One of the best places we have ever stayed!
WiFi – Spotty and not accessible from the houses at the far end.
Balian has a combination of surf and exotic accommodations that will blow your mind. Pondok Pitaya is the glue the brings it all together!We came to stay for a few days and spent a week. The surf can be hit and miss but if you want surf, yoga, sun, swimming and a mansion for a week for less than it costs to fill up your car back home, Balian is for you!
Pemuteran
Where we stayed: Amertha Bali Villas (Bookings) Amertha Bali Villas (Agoda) When it comes to finding the perfect place in Bali for kids, snorkeling, beach and relaxation, it is hard to beat the Amertha Bali Villas.
WiFi – Very Good
The Amertha Bali Villas were heaven on earth. Although we were housed near the entrance in a group arrangement, we ended up pretty much having our own pool, with a pool slide, a shared outdoor kitchen a wonderful sitting area and lots of frogs for the kids. You walk one way and you get the beach, you walk 3 minutes the other way and you are on the main drag. This is a real advantage when you are toting around little ones. Breakfast was heavenly, we ate right on the beach and although our accommodations set us back at almost $100 per night, we stayed within budget, as the huge breakfast and plenitude of free daytime activities meant we had very little extra out of pocket expenses.
Ubud
Where we stayed: Gayatri Bungalows (Agoda) – The Gayatri Bungalows are simple, clean and conveniently located hotel right in the center of Ubud. It’s a family run business with a traditional feel. If you can’t find an apartment to rent in Bali this is a great alternative and gets big points in my book for its prime Bali real estate and great pricing.
WiFi – It’s spotty and can be slow at times but is free.
Don’t miss our family friendly Bali destination guide.
Jump into the Gap
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived" - Henry David Thoreau
