Choosing the perfect accommodation can make all the difference, and when it comes to deciding between a villa vs a hotel in Bali, weighing the pros and cons is essential. With such a large selection of accommodation options, it can be difficult to choose where to spend your time. Bali is known for its incredible villas, and more and more are appearing every day as the housing market is booming.

Staying at a hotel is a very different experience from renting a private villa, so we’ve collected all the pros and cons to give you an overview and make your stay in Bali absolutely perfect.

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Why you can trust this article

Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for Bali and Indonesia travel information.

I’ve lived on this beautiful island for several years now and visited plenty of times before that, both as a tourist and backpacker. I know how to save money and when to splurge on things, so I’ll introduce you to the best luxury getaways for a special occasion but also the cheapest airport pickups and fun group tours you can join if you want to make friends.

I love trying new hotels and villas, and with so many friends and family members coming to visit, I’m always booking stays in Bali. If you’re not sure whether a private villa or hotel is right for you, I can introduce you to the best arguments for either one.

Should you stay in a hotel or villa in Bali?

If you don’t have time to read, here is the quick answer. If you have a bigger budget, I would recommend staying in a private villa, but this mostly applies to very touristy areas of Bali. If you’re travelling on a budget, I would choose an affordable hotel over a cheap villa, especially in more remote areas where the quality of accommodation may not be great.

Another thing to consider is how much time you will be spending at your accommodation. If you have a packed itinerary, there is no real reason to book an expensive villa since you won’t have much time to enjoy it. Pick a hotel instead, and reserve a villa for a trip where you want to relax and spend time at home.

All in all, both hotels and villas in Bali can be a great experience, and ideally, I would book a mix of both so you can enjoy the benefits of either.

What are the pros and cons of a villa vs a hotel in Bali

Pros of renting a villa in Bali vs a hotel

Here are some reasons why you should rent a villa in Bali instead of a hotel.

1. Privacy

You’ll get to enjoy maximum privacy at a villa and do whatever you want all day without anyone bothering you. At a hotel, you’re sharing the pool and facilities with others which just isn’t the same.

2. Great for families and groups

As a group or family, you’ll want to spend time with each other. Villas make this easy and convenient, and you can hang out together in the living room or by the pool or celebrate a special occasion together. At a hotel, you’ll have to be in public spaces or the bedrooms, which isn’t ideal.

3. Feels more exclusive

Having your own private swimming pool and a whole luxury house to yourself is an incredible experience. In Bali, villas are more affordable than in most other places in the world, so you can have a luxury vacation without having to pay hundreds per night.

4. Being able to cook at home

The majority of villas in Bali have at least a small kitchen, while hotels usually don’t. Being able to cook at home is great if you want to save some money or even just have a big dinner together with everyone for fun. Having access to a big fridge is also great for keeping drinks cool, and you can make breakfast at home without a problem.

5. Plenty of space

Being able to spread out and leave your things lying around is a great luxury. At a hotel, you’ll have to keep everything in your room, while a villa just offers a ton more space.

6. Feels like home

Staying at a private villa will give you a completely different experience when on vacation and will make it feel like you’re home.

Cons of renting a villa in Bali vs a hotel

Here are some reasons why renting a villa might not be for you.

1. May not have an in-house restaurant

You will have a kitchen at your private villa but most likely not a restaurant or bar on site (although that depends on the villa of course). You’ll have to cook at home, order in, or go out to get food which can be inconvenient.

2. Housekeeping may be less frequent

Although this depends on the villa, housekeeping is generally less frequent for private properties as opposed to hotels. If you prefer fresh towels and having your bed made every morning, a hotel may be the better choice.

3. Not as much staff present to help with issues

At a villa, the staff won’t be around as much, which means you’ll have privacy, but also fewer opportunities to help if you run into issues or need assistance.

4. No activities offered, and cannot make use of shared facilities

Villas may have a private pool, but facilities will be limited, as opposed to large hotels where you can enjoy a variety of facilities. Villas also don’t have any planned activities or events, which means you’ll be responsible for planning your stay yourself.

5. Quality may not be monitored

Villas in Bali mostly have private owners, so the quality will vary greatly. Due to the high humidity, even newly-built houses deteriorate quickly, and mould or rust is extremely common. With no one to monitor the condition of villas, you may have unpleasant surprises with properties.

Pros of staying at a hotel in Bali vs a villa

There is no shortage of hotels in Bali, so here are some of the best arguments why you should book one for your next stay on the Island of the Gods.

1. Usually has a restaurant or bar

Even small hotels in Bali usually have a restaurant, and larger resorts will even have several, as well as a fully equipped bar. If you don’t feel like finding a place for dinner or a quick lunch, this can be very convenient.

2. Daily housekeeping

You can have your room cleaned every day at a hotel with fresh bedding and towels. Plus, housekeeping can help you with things like an iron or with laundry in general, so everything will be taken care of.

3. Hotel staff available around the clock

If you have an issue, the staff at your hotel will be able to help you out 24/7. This could include things like a broken AC, a stolen handbag, organising a taxi last minute, recommendations for dinner, or slow wifi.

4. Resorts may offer activities and nicer facilities

Staying at a hotel means you can enjoy all facilities offered onsite, which could include a rooftop pool, oceanfront restaurant, gym, beach club, spa, games room, or kid’s club. There may also be activities such as in-house organised tours, yoga sessions, or sports classes.

5. Can choose a reputable chain

If you’re concerned about quality, you can stay at a well-known chain hotel which will give at least a little bit of a guarantee that your stay will be enjoyable.

Cons of staying at a hotel in Bali vs a villa

If you’re not too sure about staying at a hotel in Bali, here are some arguments to keep in mind.

1. Less privacy

At a hotel, privacy is always somewhat limited, and you won’t get to enjoy the seclusion that a private villa offers. If you’re looking for an undisturbed getaway with your loved ones, a hotel may not be the best choice.

2. No kitchen

Cooking at home can help you save money while also being a fun activity for everyone to do together. However, most hotels do not have a private kitchen, or even a shared one, so you’ll be ordering in or eating out a lot during your time in Bali.

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3. Less ideal for groups

Choosing between a villa vs a hotel in Bali should be easy if you’re travelling as a group since the benefits of a private place far outweigh those of a hotel. Having to gather in someone’s room or hang out in public areas is just not as fun, so a hotel might not be the best choice.

4. Limited space

Hotel rooms have limited space, and you won’t get the chance to spread out. You can’t leave your belongings lying around public areas and won’t be able to have a private place to hang out during the day except for your room.

Best areas in Bali for renting a private villa

Uluwatu has by far the best selection of private villas in Bali, and generally, the southern areas of the island, like Seminyak and Canggu, also have a good variety that is constantly growing.

You’ll also find great villas in the northern parts of the island, although they tend to be more remote and not close to many tourist attractions.

Nusa Penida, in contrast, does not have many private villas (but some fantastic hotels), and Lembongan is similar. The Gili Islands have fantastic private villas, although the selection is not extremely big.

You’ll also love the many beautiful villas in the small beach town of Sanur.

What’s the difference between a resort and a hotel in Bali

Resorts are generally large hotels with more facilities and beachfront locations. In Bali, you’ll mostly find them in Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua, although the surrounding islands also have some smaller ones.

Choose a resort if you have the budget and want to spend most of your time enjoying the location and relaxing by the pool or ocean. If you have a packed itinerary and want to move around a lot, a more basic hotel may be the better choice.

What is the best way to find private villas or hotels in Bali

Airbnb is definitely one of the best places to find private villas in Bali, while we prefer Booking.com or Agoda for hotels around the island. For long-term rentals, you should check out housing groups on Facebook, where you can find offers for a month or more.

Facebook and also Whatsapp groups can be very useful for finding private rentals from people who are leaving Bali for a while and renting out their own homes outside of platforms like Airbnb. You can often find some great deals through this, but you won’t have the security of a reputable booking platform or reviews from other travellers.

Tips on renting a villa in Bali

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your villa in Bali.

1. Look for an indoor living room which will have AC, and you won’t have to struggle with bugs and insects in the house
2. Prioritise newly constructed homes which won’t have mold issues
3. Check if parking is available if you’re renting a car during your time in Bali
4. Check if water gallons are provided in the villa since the tap water in Bali is not drinkable
5. Find out how often you’ll have cleaning and new towels
6. Ask the host if there is loud construction nearby, which is very common in residential areas in Bali
7. Note if breakfast is included or if there is a restaurant on site
8. Check if they offer a weekly discount which can save you a lot of money
9. Compare prices on different booking platforms
10. Check reviews and photos on Google Maps to get a better idea of the condition of the villa
11. Have a look if and how many sun loungers are provided at the pool
12. Note if you need to pay cash on arrival, which is sometimes the case.

Villa vs hotel in Bali FAQ

Before you go…

You’ve got the pros and cons of staying at a villa vs a hotel in Bali, now it’s time to plan the rest of your trip. If you’re not too excited about choosing accommodation, have a look at these group tours, which take care of everything for you. As a solo traveller, meeting friends in Bali can be easy, and we’ll tell you exactly how.

You’ll also enjoy our guides on how much a driver is per day, the worst time to visit Bali, and how much a beer is.

Finally, these best Italian, romantic or vegan restaurants in Canggu are a must-try or head to these breakfast spots, beach clubs, nightclubs and sports bars.

Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.