Bali Guide: Part 1 — Getting There, Admin, and Hotels

Hi all!

I just spent 10 days in Bali with my sister and absolutely loved it. I did a lot of research on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat, so I’m consolidating everything here — including a few things I wish I’d known beforehand!

This is Part 1 of the guide, covering how we flew there, what to do before you go, and our hotel stays.

Part 2 will cover our itinerary in Bali, restaurants, and spas.

If you have planned or are considering a trip to Bali you should definitely read this guide! Even if you are not considering a trip, after this guide you will definitely want to spend time there!

Getting to Bali from London

As I mentioned in my introductory post, I’m based in London. There’s no direct flight from London to Bali, which surprised me given how well connected London usually is!

We narrowed our options to two routes:

• London → Singapore → Bali We considered this to use a companion voucher for London–Singapore and then take a short regional flight to Bali (the Singapore–Bali leg is only about two hours and several airlines operate it!).
• London → Dubai → Bali We chose this because it was cheaper and faster. Emirates runs seven daily flights between London and Dubai, and two daily flights between Dubai and Bali, which made missed-connection risks lower and definitely appealing!

We ultimately flew Emirates to maximize our time in Bali rather than stopping in Singapore. Connections were smooth, and we weren’t affected by the Laki Laki volcano eruptions (flights to Singapore were canceled that same day).

Admin: What to Sort Before You Go

For EU or UK nationals, you’ll need:

• A passport with at least 6 months’ validity
• Visa on Arrival — about £25 per person
• Customs Declaration — free
• Health Declaration — free
• Bali Tourist Tax — roughly £8 per person

My experience:

• Visa: I tried applying online but couldn’t get to the payment page, which was stressful and overall I found the website quite laggy and difficult to navigate. On arrival, the Visa on Arrival process was very quick and easy with plenty of dedicated desks. You can pay by card or cash so do not worry if you do not have indonesian rupiahs with you!
• Declarations and tax: I recommend completing the customs declaration in advance, plus the health declaration and Bali tax. They didn’t check our Bali tax, but still worth doing. Watch out for scam websites — always use the official link!

Hotels

1) Padma, Ubud

We started with the first hotel in Ubud, in the center of the island, called Padma.

Why we chose it:

• Proximity to attractions. Most sights are around Ubud (such as the rice terraces and various temples) and we wanted a peaceful base for the first few days.
• Free airport pick-up, which was helpful since Ubud is about two hours from the airport.
• Free shuttle to Ubud town. There are four shuttles a day each way.
• Stunning setting. Fully immersed in jungle with beautiful views. The pool is large, heated, and open late, with attentive poolside service.
• Activities. Lots of complimentary options throughout the day. We did aerial yoga twice in a Bamboo Nest — highly recommend.
• Food. Excellent breakfast with fresh juices and a wide range of options (Indian, Indonesian — the nasi goreng is great — an egg station, and Italian), plus on-site restaurants if you want a quiet evening in.

Good to know:

• It’s very family-friendly. Expect more children, especially around the pool. It didn’t bother us, but worth noting if you’re seeking total quiet.

2) The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa

We originally considered the Gili Islands, but the transfer is long (cab to Sanur plus a 90-minute fast boat) and the weather felt uncertain. Friends suggested Seminyak instead for a beach base and a taste of Bali’s party scene. Ditching the Gili Islands for Seminyak – best decision ever!

Why we chose it:

• Last-minute deal. Bali has many hotels, so it’s often easy to find great last-minute prices for five-star stays. Agoda is also good to check, but if you’re booking in advance, direct with the hotel can be cheaper.
• Beachfront. Infinity pool overlooking the beach with direct access — perfect for relaxed days.
• Central location. Everything we did in Seminyak was within a 15-minute walk.
• Free photo shoot.

Cons:

• At full price, it may not be worth it. Breakfast had limited options, and the restaurant is small. The rooms feel a bit dated.

3) Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort

This was a celebratory treat from my sister for my solicitor qualification. I had high expectations given the Anantara brand. While the location is breathtaking, parts of the experience were disappointing.

Highlights:

• Unbeatable views. The property sits on a cliff with full ocean vistas.
• Beautiful rooms and amazing pool!
• Great value for money!

Cons:

• Access. The approach is a long, narrow, unlit road. The main street with restaurants is a 10-minute walk, but at night you’ll likely need a cab.
• Service inconsistency. For example, the pool bar is on one side and staff rarely came to the opposite side, so we had to walk over to order. Also, open snack cans from previous guests sat outside our room for two days.
• Breakfast. Good food quality, but hot dishes are à la carte while cold items are buffet. This led to slow service and less variety in a single sitting. I waited 25 minutes for shakshuka and a matcha latte never arrived. Overall, it was our weakest breakfast in Bali.

Overall on Uluwatu:

• I still recommend visiting. The vibe is calm, the beaches are the best we saw in Bali, and the restaurants are excellent. It feels cozy and less developed than other areas, with plenty of accommodation options at different price points.