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Bali has long held a magnetic pull for travellers seeking surf, spirituality, and that slow-living rhythm. But behind the Instagram clichés and packed beach clubs lies a very different island—one rich in ritual, community, and quiet corners that most visitors never find.
Jodi rediscovers the island with fresh eyes and shares her shortlist of places to stay.
This is a new boutique hotel with 12 feng-shui inspired rooms, is perched quietly on Bali’s rugged Seseh Beach — a sleepy coastal village just north of the buzzier Canggu scene — Dune Seseh feels like the kind of place you find once, fall in love with, and then seriously consider never telling a soul about.
Part boutique hotel, part discreet sanctuary, Dune is where barefoot luxury meets a kind of refined simplicity that feels purposefully undone. The architecture is all bleached concrete, weathered timber, and earthy textures that nod subtly to its oceanfront setting. The sort of aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place in Ibiza or Tulum, but here feels singularly Balinese in spirit.
There are just six suites — each one feels like its own little beach house. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open straight onto either the sand or a stretch of wild garden, blurring the lines between inside and out.
At the heart of Dune is its pool: a serene, saltwater expanse flanked by loungers shaded with linen canopies and fringed with native palms. Days here slip easily between ocean swims, languid dips in the pool, and long lunches under the sun. Speaking of food: the in-house kitchen is quietly excellent. Expect wholesome, produce-led plates that feel distinctly Mediterranean but use local ingredients — a just-caught fish draped in olive oil and herbs, vibrant salads, silky burrata. Breakfast is best taken barefoot on your private terrace, coconut latte in hand, listening to the waves roll in.
What sets Dune apart is its atmosphere — impossibly relaxed yet thoughtfully curated. It never feels showy, yet every corner is photographable. The service is warm, intuitive, and personal, more akin to staying at a friend’s impeccably designed beach house than a traditional hotel.
In a landscape crowded with headline-grabbing resorts and hyper-designed beach clubs, Dune Seseh is a refreshing reminder that true luxury is often the simplest thing of all: privacy, space, raw beauty, and time that feels entirely your own. A hidden gem.
The verdict? Whisper it only to those who’ll appreciate it: Dune Seseh is the Bali you thought no longer existed.
Tucked into the limestone cliffs of Bali’s southern Bukit Peninsula, The Young Villas in Uluwatu is quietly redefining the private villa experience. Where many luxury stays in the area still lean towards over-the-top opulence or tropical maximalism, this boutique cluster of design-led villasmfavours subtlety, balance, and sharp-edged cool — more Scandi-soul-meets-Balinese-spirit than beach club bling. And it works beautifully.
Designed with an architectural sensibility that’s equal parts slow-living and spatial clarity, the property feels like a natural
extension of its surroundings. The minimal palette of soft stone, pale woods and microcement surfaces is warmed by low-slung furniture, handwoven textures, and just enough greenery to remind you you’re in Bali — not Mykonos.
Each villa is totally private, cocooned behind whitewashed walls and accessed through palm-lined walkways that whisper “you’ve arrived.” Inside, the layout is fluid and airy: open-plan kitchens, oversized sunken lounges, terrazzo soaking tubs, and sliding glass doors that disappear into the walls, turning the indoors into an extension of the terrace. Most have their own pools, complete with floating daybeds and panoramic jungle or ocean views depending on your location.
The Young Villas is the kind of place where everything feels intentional but never forced. There are no formal check-ins or corporate greetings here — just a laid-back, hands-on team who feel more like local friends than hotel staff. They’ll stock your fridge, organise a floating breakfast or in-villa massage, or point you to under-the-radar surf breaks and cliffside warungs that haven’t yet made it to Instagram.
The real draw, though, is the location. Uluwatu has long been Bali’s untamed corner — beloved by surfers, creatives and those who crave a slower rhythm. From the villa, you’re minutes from some of the island’s most cinematic beaches: Padang Padang, Bingin, and Thomas Beach, all with wild cliffs, cerulean water, and a refreshingly low-key vibe. Nearby, you’ll find single-origin coffee spots, natural wine bars, and a new generation of restaurants rethinking “island dining” entirely (Parachute, The Cashew Tree, and Ours, to name a few)
While you could spend your entire stay horizontal — poolside, book in hand, soundtrack courtesy of the cicadas — The Young Villas is also well-positioned for off-grid adventure: temple hikes at sunset, hidden coves, and surf spots that still feel like local secrets. And when you return, it’s to a home that doesn’t demand anything of you, other than to truly slow down.
The verdict? The Young Villas is for the modern traveller who wants the luxury of space and beauty — but also peace, anonymity, and design that doesn’t scream. Less about the party, more about presence. A perfect base for discovering a more grown-up, quietly stylish Bali.
Situated on the banks of the Ayung River, Fivelements Retreat Bali is an award-winning wellness retreat deeply rooted in the ancient traditions of Bali. With river side suites, private pools, and a spa that is at the heart. Offering personalised private and group wellness retreats from 3- 14 nights. This is the choice for these wanting to embrace a Balinese healing sanctuary.
The rooms are generous and inspired by the beauty of Bali using bamboo and traditional thatched roofing that sweeps above wooden flooring. Being eco-conscious, Fivelements preserves natural resources, saving water and energy, whilst eliminating single use plastics.
Food at the Sakti Dining room restaurant is plant based, designed to give optimal nutrition and high energy. Ingredients are sourced locally at the height of the growing season to achieve the vibrant colours and pure flavours within each dish. The chefs tasting menus are not one to miss!
Make sure you come prepared for all the facilities here. As a wellness sanctuary, you can take advantage of yoga, a healing pool and even a beauty laboratory where traditional homemade treatments are created.
Pricing : One bed suite from £100 per night.
Nestled within an unspoilt river valley in North of Ubud, this five-star tranquil luxury resort is at the epicentre of Bali’s culture and arts location.
Surrounded by the stunning views above the canopy of the Payangan forests, Padma Resort Ubud houses 147 rooms and suites. Each are furnished with bespoke home accessories and local artworks, where spacious bathrooms feature walk-in rain water showers and spa-inspired bathtubs.
There are 3 restaurants on site including the Puhu restaurant on the top floor, allowing guests to indulge in the uninterrupted 180-degree views across the sweeping topical valley. Boasting an impressive collection of international dishes from Indonesia, Asia and the West, ensuring everyone can enjoy the menu throughout the day.
The team at Padma Resort Ubud welcome junior guests with a dynamic range of activities on offer as well as a kids club up to 12 years and babysitting services.
Pricing : Room from £140 per night.
