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On the island's east coast, Sanur is one of Bali’s original tourist towns - and it's still going strong today. It's a more relaxed alternative to the island’s busier beach destinations, and tends to attract more families and mature travellers than the young party crowds of Seminyak and Canggu.
Stretching over 5km from Sanur Harbour to Mertasari Beach, it’s not always immediately clear where to stay in Sanur to make the most of your trip. We love Sanur and visit regularly, so we’ve created this guide to help you find the perfect area and the best hotels.
In a rush? The best place to stay in Sanur is at one of the luxury resorts along the beachfront, such as Tandjung Sari (our favourite), The Meru, or Maya Sanur.
Summary
Most of Sanur’s original hotels were built in the northern section of the beach back in the 50s. But it’s gradually expanded down the coast, meaning there are now countless options to pick from along the beach and the main street.
This interactive map highlights the best areas (descriptions below):
Sindhu & North Sanur Beach (pink) – Our favourite area of Sanur to stay. Busy area with a lively beachfront promenade filled with restaurants, shops, and the huge ICON mall. Has several boutique luxury hotels.
Recommended Hotels: Tandjung Sari, The Meru, Bali Beach Hotel
Central Sanur Beach (yellow) – The central stretch of Sanur Beach is where the area’s most luxurious resorts are found, each with its own private beachfront area right out front. There’s not quite as much going on here outside the big chain hotels, but each has plenty of on-site facilities.
Recommended Hotels: Maya Sanur, Andaz by Hyatt, Hyatt Regency
South Sanur (blue) – The southern part of Sanur is quieter with a more laid-back atmosphere. You can find some great hidden-gem accommodation down here, including a couple of boutique beachfront hotels.
Recommended Hotels: Puri Santrian, Artotel, Sagara Suites & Villas
Sanur Main Street (green) – Jl Danau Tamblingan is the main road running through central Sanur. It’s perfect if you don't have your own transport, as many of the top restaurants, cafes, spas, and the new ICON shopping mall are walkable. It's the most budget-friendly area, with plenty of guest houses and affordable hotels along this road and on nearby side streets.
Recommended Hotels: The 101 Oasis, Anindya Homestay
Should you stay close to Sanur Harbour? Unless you're catching a ferry over to the Nusa Islands early the next day, we wouldn't suggest staying by the harbour. There's not as much going on here, and the traffic gets very congested.
Area & Accommodation Guide
Sindhu & North Sanur Beach - our favourite area!
Being a beach resort town, the best place to stay in Sanur is its beautiful beachfront. Sanur's 5km coastline has several sandy beaches that are all seamlessly connected via a long promenade. But our favourite area to stay is that surrounding Sindhu Beach in the north.
This is the liveliest stretch of coastline, filled with numerous beachfront restaurants, cafes, shops, and hotels. The area around the huge new ICON BALI mall is the busiest, especially in the evening when people come to enjoy dinner and the unusual fountain show here around sunset.
The furthest north you'd want to stay along the coastline here is at The Meru and Bali Beach Hotel, the two government-owned hotels located within the new Sanur Special Economic Zone.
Sindhu & North Sanur Beach
Top Pick: Tandjung Sari - Having stayed at numerous hotels in Sanur, this definitely had to be our favourite. It's a historic boutique hotel set among a stunning beachfront garden. Traditional bungalows with elegant Balinese decor, big bathtubs, and private gardens.
Our Review: Tandjung Sari
- Traditional bungalows with Balinese style
- Fantastic on-site restaurant
- Beautiful private beachfront
- Not many on-site events and activities
Tandjung Sari's mix of old-world charm and modern beachside luxury is what makes it one of the best hotels in Sanur.
Founded in the 1960s by an Indonesian couple, it's one of Bali's first-ever boutique hotels. Yet it doesn't feel dated at all, and you can see the work that's gone into it.
Ultra-Luxe: The Meru - Sleek and modern beachfront resort with numerous luxury suites featuring traditional Balinese dark teak and wood designs. Peaceful pool overlooking the beach, on-site spa, and high-end restaurant.
Family-Friendly: Bali Beach Hotel - One of the first ever 5-star tourist hotels in Bali. Huge 10-story building, giving every room an ocean view. Massive swimming pool overlooking a stunning stretch of sandy beach. Lots of guest amenities and fun activities for all ages and interests.
Our Review: Bali Beach Hotel
- HUGE swimming pool
- Impressive lobby & entrance
- Great schedule of guest activities
- Rooms lack character
Owned by the government, Bali Beach Hotel is one of the island's oldest and biggest tourist hotels.
Its huge 10-story main building is unusually tall for Bali, as it was built before height restrictions began to be enforced across the island.
Where To Eat in Sindhu & North Sanur
Soul on the Beach - Cute beachfront cafe with tables on the sand, a fantastic all-day food menu of Mediterranean flavours, and towels and showers for guests – in case you feel like a dip in the ocean after lunch.
The Restaurant at Tandjung Sari - High-end beachfront restaurant with dreamy candlelit tables right on the sand. Serves amazing Indonesian dishes, including some great sharing platters.
L’Osteria - Popular Italian restaurant just outside the ICON mall. Traditional Italian vibe with fantastic pizza, pasta, risotto, and wine. We're obsessed with the tiramisu here! Complimentary limoncello at the end of the meal.
Best Restaurants in Sanur
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Central Sanur Beach - large, luxury resorts
Right in the heart of Sanur's coastline is the aptly named Sanur Beach, a quieter stretch of coastline that's dominated by several large, luxury beachfront resorts.
Home to several well-known hotel chains, each of these high-end resorts offers private beachfront areas, ocean-facing infinity pools, extensive amenities, and an all-around luxury experience. They’re ideal for honeymooners, couples, and anyone looking to treat themselves.
There's not as much going on along the promenade here other than hotel pools and restaurants. But when you’re ready to explore, you can walk or cycle north to livelier Sindhu Beach.
These hotels are some of the more expensive places to stay in Sanur, but once you’ve paid for the accommodation, everything else in the area is pretty reasonable.
Hotels in Central Sanur Beach
Top Pick: Maya Sanur Resort & Spa – A modern 5-star beachfront hotel with Balinese touches. It has two pools, an award-winning spa, and complimentary yoga. The Heavenly Suite offers ocean views from your own private pool balcony - perfect for a romantic getaway or honeymoon.
Our Review: Maya Sanur
- One of the most luxurious rooms we've stayed in Bali
- Prime beachfront location
- Ocean-facing infinity pool
The highlight of our stay at Maya Sanur was the room. Our suite was among the nicest we’ve experienced in Bali. The design was chic and modern, with warm wooden furnishings and decorative touches that gave it a distinctly Balinese feel.
Standout features included private access to a lagoon pool outside, two day beds, a huge bathroom with a large tub, a sofa to lounge on, and modern amenities like a Nespresso machine.
Luxury Pick: Andaz by Hyatt - This is Hyatt’s most elite accommodation. A five-star resort that blends traditional Balinese design and luxury aesthetics. Complete with trees and greenery throughout to offer a peaceful experience. The onsite Shankha Spa has a pool, sauna, steam room, fitness centre, and plunge pools.
Great for Families: Hyatt Regency – Next door to Andaz, this is Hyatt's flagship five-star resort and one of the biggest in Sanur with ~400 rooms and suites. It’s more affordable than Andaz and particularly appeals to families with its huge tropical garden, dedicated family pool, and extensive kids’ club activities. Again, guests can access Hyatt’s Shankha Spa.
Where To Eat in Sanur Beach
Fishermans Club – If you’re a seafood lover, Fisherman’s Club (part of the Andaz by Hyatt) serves produce freshly caught that day. Great location right on Sanur Beach. You’ll likely need a reservation.
Taquisa – A lovely little Mexican restaurant on the main road outside the Maya Sanur. The tacos were so good, we ordered a second round. They also serve burritos, burrito bowls, and salads. Service was quick despite being very busy.
South Sanur - for a quieter stay
Another area to consider is South Sanur, which wraps its way around the area's southern coastline. This is a quieter and more low-key area than the busy central stretches. It's popular with older tourists, families, and long-term visitors thanks to its peaceful beaches and more residential feel.
Accommodation is slightly more spread out and includes everything from affordable guesthouses to high-end villas and boutique hotels.
Down this end, you’ll be within walking distance of Sanur’s two most southerly beaches, Semawang Beach and Mertasari Beach. These are great for swimming, splashing in the waves, and paddle sports.
The promenade here isn't as highly concentrated with shops and restaurants as other areas, but there are still plenty of great places to eat and drink a little further inland (a few listed below).
In the south, you're also closest to two of our favourite foodie experiences in Sanur, local wine tasting at the Cellar Door by Hatten and cheese tasting at the Cheese Boutique by Rosalie.
Hotels in South Sanur
Top Pick: Puri Santrian – This stunning beachfront resort in south Sanur more than lives up to its four-star rating with two pools, spa packages, and a great buffet breakfast. Choose the premium deluxe rooms, which are elegantly decorated and with a more modern ensuite.
Boutique Pick: Artotel, Sanur - Chic and modern art-focused hotel with stylish urban décor, just a couple of minutes walk from the beach. Large rooftop terrace with infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Great location on the corner of Sanur’s main street but only a 5 minute walk to the beach.
Great For Families: Sagara Suites & Villas – A complex of comfortable 1, 2, and 3-bedroom villas, each with its own private pool and access to the resort’s larger pool and swim-up bar. Offers the privacy of a villa but with the amenities of a hotel such as room service, tours, transfers, a spa, and a restaurant.
Where To Eat in South Sanur
Jepun – An affordable restaurant serving excellent local and Western dishes. Has a charming courtyard area that’s lovely to sit in at night.
Massimo Italian - Sanur's longest-established and most popular Italian restaurant (the owner is Italian!). We love the homemade gelato stall right out front. Always busy, so it's best to pre-book a table.
Puerta 26 – A high-end steakhouse offering perfectly cooked, aged steaks. Pretty expensive, even by Bali standards, but steak-lovers will appreciate it.
Hanoi by MeVui - Fantastic home-cooked Vietnamese food in a stunning garden setting.
Bamboo Beach Bar & Lounge – Part of the Prama Sanur Hotel. A casual place to dine with good food and beach views. Sometimes hosts live music or a Kecak dance on the beach, check their Instagram for details.
Sanur Main Street - most budget-friendly
If Sanur's many luxurious beachfront hotels are a little out of your budget, the main street of Jl Danau Tamblingan is another solid option.
The busy street is lined with many of Sanur’s top restaurants, cafes, shops, and spas. It's also where you'll find the many live music bars packed with people most evenings.
If you like having plenty of amenities within easy walking distance, it's a great area to be in. The street is also just a 5-10 minute walk to the beach, depending on which part you're staying in.
Hotels along Tamblingan Street tend to be far more affordable than the beachfront areas, with a good selection of budget and mid-range accommodations. If you’d prefer to rent a villa, there are plenty of options along the side streets here too.
Hotels on Sanur's Main Street
Top Pick: 101 Bali Oasis – An affordable 4-star hotel with clean modern rooms, an outdoor lagoon pool, a luxury spa, and a large on-site restaurant, right in the heart of the main road, Jl. Danau Tamblingan.
Our Review: 101 Bali Oasis
- Ideal location on the main street
- Great room - exceeded expectations given the price
- We didn't like the enclosed balcony
Part of a chain of hotels across Indonesia (including one in Seminyak), The 101 Bali Oasis is a modern, stylish, and fantastic value for money hotel on the main street in Sanur.
Given the reasonable price we paid for a room, it far exceeded our expectations and we’d definitely return.
Budget Pick: Anindya Homestay - Budget-friendly guesthouse with spacious, well-equipped rooms and a small pool.
Our Review: Anindya Homestay
- Clean, well-equipped room with kitchenette
- Super affordable
- Pool was small and shaded
We were pleasantly surprised by Anindya Homestay, a great value-for-money guesthouse in Central Sanur. With just 8 rooms, it offers a quiet and peaceful environment.
It’s not directly on the main road with all the restaurants, but around a 5 minute walk down a side street. From the homestay, it’s a 15 minute walk to the beachfront.
We've stayed here twice now, both times in a spacious ground-floor room that had all the essentials we could need.
Where To Eat
Medi’N – Although branded as a Mediterranean restaurant, they serve dishes from across the world. One of the best cheese toasties we’ve ever tried.
Kaluma – A casual and affordable Western restaurant, perfect for any time of day.
Shotgun Social - A large modern restaurant with a spacious beer garden and extensive food menu featuring delicious stone-baked pizzas, burgers, tacos, salads, and more. Great food deals throughout the week.
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