THIS IS ULUWATU

Uluwatu is Bali’s dramatic postcard — clifftops, wild coastline and a raw, elevated energy that feels completely different to anywhere else on the island. Most of the hotels here sit high above the Indian Ocean on limestone cliffs, and the views are nothing short of extraordinary. Once a simple surfer’s paradise, it is now a happening and trendy area to explore.

Best suited to...

Luxury seekers, older kids and teens, surfers, sunset chasers and couples after Bali’s most dramatic stays.

WHY FAMILIES LOVE ULUWATU

DRAMATIC CLIFFTOP VIEWS

Hotels perched above the Indian Ocean on limestone cliffs — genuinely some of the most extraordinary hotel settings anywhere in Southeast Asia.

WORLD-CLASS SURF BREAKS

Padang Padang and Bingin sit right below the clifftops — a dream for teens and adults with surf experience, great beaches and many places to explore.

PRIVATE BEACH ACCESS BY LIFT

Most major hotels solve the clifftop-to-beach problem with a private lift or funicular down to their own beach club, so the drama comes without the trek.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Uluwatu isn’t the easiest destination with very young children — the clifftop terrain is less pram-friendly, though private lifts at the hotels make it far more manageable than it sounds. It’s also one of the closest south Bali areas to the airport, at 30-45 minutes depending on traffic — worth factoring in for arrival day with tired kids.

Overall:

Uluwatu is the choice for families chasing the most dramatic, memorable stay in Bali — best suited to older kids, teens and anyone happy to trade a little extra distance for views and experiences genuinely unlike anywhere else.