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Jimbaran often gets overlooked as a place to stay in Bali, with many people choosing Nusa Dua, Sanur, or Uluwatu instead. But after recently spending some time here, we found it to be a fantastic base in South Bali.
The area has plenty of great hotels and tourist amenities, without losing its laid-back, local charm. It's also conveniently located right near the airport, making it ideal for exploring the Bukit Peninsula at the start or end of your Bali trip.
Jimbaran is more spread out than a lot of travellers expect – from beachfront stays to cliffside luxury resorts, and more rural parts, all within the same area. After staying in several different spots, here's our breakdown of the best areas and which hotels we recommend.

In a rush? Jimbaran Beach is our favourite area to stay, with the Platinum Hotel just steps from the sand and ticking every box. Jimbaran Hillside is home to several luxury clifftop resorts, but everything is more spread out.
Summary
Jimbaran Beach (orange) – Our favourite area to stay, with direct beach access and many seafood restaurants and ocean-facing bars within walking distance. Peaceful in the day but lively at night. Just 10 minutes from Bali airport so very convenient.
Recommended Hotel: Platinum Hotel Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran Hillside (green) – A scenic, hilly area just south of the bay, known for its large cliffside resorts and dramatic ocean views. It's fairly spread out, so you'll need a driver to get around.
Recommended Hotels: AYANA Resort
Balangan & Pecatu (blue) – Quieter areas with less-crowded beaches and great surf access, sitting between Jimbaran and Uluwatu. Slightly further from the airport than central Jimbaran.
Recommended Hotels: La Joya Biu Biu & La Joya Balangan
Area & Accommodation Guide
Jimbaran Beach - our favourite area

Jimbaran Beach offers both convenience and value for money, so it's definitely our favourite area. It's just a 10-15 minute drive from the airport, making it the perfect spot to start or end a Bali trip (especially if you have a late/early flight).
The long, curved white-sand beach runs for 4km from the Kedonganan fish market down to the Four Seasons Hotel, backed by many beachfront restaurants and cafes. During the day, it has a peaceful vibe, with a few sun loungers on the sand and colourful fishing boats bobbing in the bay.
The bay is sheltered, but the waves can still get quite strong. There's a calmer stretch in the middle that's popular for swimming. We once hired paddle boards from Priority SUP to explore the bay, but it was fairly windy, so check the forecast.

Around sunset, the quiet beach transforms into a lively evening hotspot. Hundreds of tables are put out on the sand, the many seafood restaurants come alive with twinkling lights, and coachloads of tourists begin to arrive. Many venues have evening entertainment, including traditional dance, live music, and fireworks.
Despite having several great hotels and plenty of amenities, Jimbaran Beach still has an authentic, local feel. We'd see fishermen heading out on the water in the morning, locals at the fish market, and kids playing on the sand. It doesn't feel like a tourist bubble like other areas of South Bali.
Where to Stay on Jimbaran Beach
Top Pick: Platinum Hotel – A modern, Indonesian-owned 5-star resort right beside Jimbaran Beach, with two pools, a gym, spa, restaurant, and popular rooftop bar. Only a 10-15 minute taxi from the airport.
Our Review: Platinum Hotel



- Spacious ocean-view rooms
- Rooftop bar with sunset views, cocktails, and live music
- Two pools and spa facilities
- Not many on-site activities
Platinum Hotel is our favourite place to stay in Jimbaran. It's just steps from the beach, only without the high price tag of the big-brand resorts further around the bay.
Luxury Pick: Four Seasons Resort Bali – At the most southerly end of Jimbaran Bay is the Four Seasons, one of Bali’s most luxurious resorts with private thatched-roof villas, a huge infinity pool, and an onsite beach club leading to their own private beach.
Private Villa: Mango Tree Villas – If you’d prefer your own villa, Mango Tree Villas has a range of 1 and 2-bedroom villas with traditional Balinese architecture and private pools. They are tucked away in a private street just a 10-minute walk from the beach.
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Jimbaran Hillside - for luxury resorts

Just south of Jimbaran Bay is a hillside area with dramatic cliffs and sweeping views across the ocean. This is where you'll find some of Bali's most impressive luxury resorts and private villas.
A large part of this area sits within the Karang Mas estate, which is home to the AYANA resort complex. AYANA is a world of its own, with multiple hotels, one of our favourite museums in Bali, and several bars and restaurants (we love sunsets at Rock Bar – outside guests are also welcome).



The main downside is that the area is fairly spread out and isn’t particularly walkable outside of the huge self-contained resorts. You'll need to use the hotel shuttles or taxis every time you want to go anywhere.
It's also one of the more expensive areas of Jimbaran to stay. There are a few smaller guesthouses tucked between the big resorts, but if budget matters, we’d recommend areas like Jimbaran Beach or Sanur , where your money goes a little further.
Where to Stay in Jimbaran Hillside
Luxury Pick: AYANA Resort - Sitting on the clifftop, the resort has multiple pools, a huge spa, and a range of room and villa options to suit different budgets within the luxury bracket.
Premium Pick: Raffles Bali - Best for intimate luxury and a more exclusive feel. With only 32 villas, it offers a quieter, more personalised experience, elegantly designed to feel like Bali.
Balangan & Pecatu - alternative areas to stay

Just south of Jimbaran, Balangan is a quieter area of the peninsula that many tourists don’t know about.
There are two beautiful white sand beaches here, Balangan and Dreamland, which are noticeably less crowded than those in busy Uluwatu to the south. It’s a popular surf area, while the west-facing beaches are perfect for watching the sunset.
The area isn't heavily developed (yet). There are lots of local warungs and a few beachside bars dotted around, as well as a handful of resorts that tend to have everything you need on-site.
If you want easy access to Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula while staying in a quiet, secluded area close-ish to the airport, we think Balangan is a good middle ground. Having a scooter helps when staying here, though most resorts can arrange taxis or private drivers if you'd prefer not to drive yourself.



Pecatu Indah Resort Complex
Just inland from Balangan is the Pecatu Indah Resort Complex, a privately owned resort area with a handful of hotels and the New Kuta Golf Club.
The complex is a great place for affordable luxury and family-friendly stays, with several large budget-friendly resorts, including Le Grande, the Swiss-Belresort Pecatu, and The Sterling Villas.
Where to Stay in Balangan & Pecatu
Top Picks: La Joya Biu Biu & La Joya Balangan – Two peaceful ocean-facing resorts with cosy rooms and private lodges. The Biu Biu Resort has direct access to private Biu Bieu Beach, while the Balangan Resort is slightly more affordable and sits a couple of minutes from Balangan Beach.
Luxury Pick: Jumeirah Bali – Set on the clifftop above Dreamland Beach, this is one of the most striking resorts on the peninsula with elegant modern villas, private pools, and a stunning ocean-facing restaurant that's worth visiting even if you're not staying here.
Affordable Luxury: Le Grande – Affordable luxury hotel right next to the New Kuta Golf Course, with spacious suites and plenty of family-friendly facilities. A little dated but has a lot to offer.
Our Review: Le Grande



- Several large swimming pools
- Plenty of on-site facilities and activities
- Great value for money
- Decor is a little dated
- Remote location with not much around
Le Grand is an old school, affordable 5-star resort located within the peaceful Pecatu Indah Resort Complex.
The huge hotel has a range of contemporary Balinese‑style rooms and spacious suites spread across multiple buildings.
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