The magical island of Bali is world famous for its rich culture, pristine beaches, and dramatic beauty. Our favorite beach-side resort to experience all of this is located on Jimbaran Bay. Jimbaran Bay is unique because of its integration of local activities and high-end resorts. A stay here would be wonderfully paired with Bali’s other popular draw – the jungle. We suggest budgeting time for a visit to both Jimbaran Bay and Sayan while you are in Bali, in order to experience all of the best of Bali’s culture, beauty, and resorts.
For staying at the beach though, The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is by far one of the nicest places we have stayed. This peaceful resort allows guests to relax, take in Bali’s culture, and make the most of their trip to Bali. So follow along to learn more about our recommendations for your time in Jimbaran Bay!
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Where to Stay: The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Located along the water in Jimbaran Bay, The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is one of Bali’s most respected international hotels. The hotel was built to follow the design of a traditional Balinese village. This resort is unique because every room on property is a villa, complete with its own plunge pool. From its outdoor lobby to the luxurious restaurants, spa, and pools, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is the definition of an idyllic resort.
When you first arrive, guests are greeted in the open-air lobby and then brought to their villa. By far the most unique part of this resort is the amazing service provided by staff, most of whom have long tenures at the resort. From housekeeping to poolside assistance, we truly have never experienced such kind or helpful staff anywhere else.
Villas at The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Villas range from Garden Villas to multi-bedroom ocean-front compounds. Each villa includes a plunge pool and outdoor lounge seating to enjoy the views of Bali. All villas include spacious bathrooms and outdoor showers as well. We were lucky enough to stay in a Family Premiere Villa, which offered an extra bedroom for the third guest, and an extra large lounge area by the pool. Throughout our stay, the Four Seasons restocked bottled water for our use. They also brought a few special snacks such as coconuts and fresh fruit!
Amenities at The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Guests are whisked throughout the resort on golf carts, to make access as simple as possible. While the actual resort is relatively compact, it feels spacious and private thanks to a labyrinth of hillside cart paths. Guests can enjoy multiple restaurants on-property, a beautiful infinity pool, the Sundara Beach Club (complete with its own pool), a full Balinese Temple, a kid’s club, a spa and fitness center, and access to kayak and surf rentals through the resort. Because every villa has its own pool, the resort’s main areas never felt overly crowded, which was unique!
We also loved how focused the resort was on integrating Balinese culture into the experience at the resort. From an on-site cooking school to a temple and traditional Balinese cultural experiences, the Four Seasons has done an amazing job of incorporating the culture and traditions of Bali into this luxury resort. We especially enjoyed experiencing the traditional Balinese dance routine, which is performed a couple of evenings per week.
From fantastic accommodations to exquisite service and wonderful amenities, we truly cannot recommend The Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay enough!
Where to Eat at The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay:
Because the water in Bali can be unsafe for visitors, we recommend staying on-property in order to ensure you are eating and drinking safely! Luckily, the resort has several wonderful restaurants that offer the best of Balinese cooking, as well as international favorites too.
Taman Wantilan:
Located in the heart of the resort with an amazing view of the ocean, Taman Wantilan was by far our favorite restaurant at the resort. This open-air restaurant offers a mix of Asian and Western cuisines in a buffet style. Dishes are ordered at the buffet, and then cooked to order in open kitchens before being brought to your table. Serving breakfast and dinner, Taman Wantilan is both kid-friendly and a great place for the culinary connoisseur. Taman Wantilan offered fantastic Balinese specialties, a full raw bar and udon bar every night, plus a mix of rotating roasted meats, pastas, and even a Teppanyaki station. Also, don’t miss the temperature controlled pastry buffet! Past the coy pond, this unique dessert station offers fresh daily desserts, crepes, and several ice cream flavors!
At breakfast, the restaurant is transformed to offer Western and Asian breakfast staples. We enjoyed everything from fresh made-to-order omelets and pancakes to Asian favorites as well. The pastry buffet is full of fresh croissants, breads, and other sweets. Plus, there is an entire Acai bowl buffet, with different kinds of sorbets and granolas to make your perfect bowl. Breakfast also comes with an amazing view overlooking Jimbaran Bay!
We highly recommend Taman Wantilan because of its amazing views and fantastic food.
Sundara:
Located at the Sundara Beach Club, the Sundara restaurant offers a variety of dishes inspired by Jimbaran Bay’s barbecue cuisine. Sundara offers poolside lunch service and full dinner service in its beachfront (and poolside) restaurant. From Sundara, you can enjoy a fantastic sunset along with fresh cocktails and a wonderful menu. In addition, guests can choose to pick their courses or go for a price-fixed menu.
Alu:
Alu is the poolside restaurant at the resort, and offers a mix of burgers, healthy options, and sweet treats throughout the middle of the day.
Jala:
Jala is the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay’s traditional Balinese restaurant. Serving local favorites, Jala is a must for those hoping to taste the classic Balinese dishes and culture.
Telu:
Set among a Lilypad pond, Telu is the resort’s main cocktail bar. With modern cocktails that are influenced by Balinese traditions, make sure you visit to see the tranquil setting and enjoy a drink made from Bali’s traditional alcohol, Arak.
Things to Do:
While there are a ton of cultural and sightseeing options around the Four Seasons, it is also completely feasible to spend your entire vacation at just the resort. Make sure to check out the Four Seasons recommended experiences, but also refer to our favorite things to do:
Visit the Sundara Beach Club or Go Surfing or Kayaking at the Coconut Grove Club:
The Four Seasons has not one but two beach clubs along Jimbaran Beach! Sundara Beach Club offers Bali’s longest beach-front pool, a full restaurant and bar, and other amenities. In addition, guests can visit the Coconut Grove Club for beach chairs on the sand and kayak or surf rentals. Jimbaran Bay is a beautiful public beach, and these private beach clubs bring the luxury of the resort to the beachside!
Sit by the Main Pool:
In addition to the pool at Sundara, the Four Seasons has two main pools in the center of the resort. The main infinity pool boasts a fantastic view of the ocean and luxurious lounge chairs. The best part is that the pool was never that crowded. Every chair has a first-row view to the water and pool, and we were able to get a seat at all times throughout the day!
The main pool is also where the Alu poolside dining is. This is a fantastic option for lunch while lounging by the pool!
Visit the Spa at the Resort:
The Four Seasons would not be complete without an amazing spa! This spa boasts serene relaxation spaces, wonderful services, and a full fitness center. We chose to have massages, and enjoyed the relaxing time we had at the spa.
Cultural Activities:
One of our favorite parts of the Four Seasons was how well they integrated Bali’s culture into the resort experience. We especially enjoyed the daily presentations of artisans actively creating (and selling) their local crafts each morning at Taman Wantilan. Four Seasons also offers cultural dance performances, cooking classes, and a full Balinese Temple. The culture and traditions of Bali are honored throughout the resort. Many of these activities are complimentary with your stay, or available through the resort’s curated experiences. Make sure to take advantage of these experiences!
For those who want to take a deeper dive into Bali’s culture, the Four Seasons offers a variety of tours. These experiences range from visiting the cultural heritage center of Ubud to participating in traditional blessings. We participated in a couple of the experiences while staying at the other Four Seasons Resort in Ubud, and loved getting to learn more about Bali’s culture from a local guide!
Visit Samasta Lifestyle Village for Balinese Souvenirs
Located a short taxi ride from the resort, Samasta Lifestyle Village is a modern shopping center with lots of souvenirs. There are several stores selling a variety of things. Make sure to browse the clothing stores selling swimsuits and beachwear. We also loved the wonderful Balinese souvenir store which was selling well-priced shirts, gifts, and other souvenirs. We were able to find some of our best souvenirs here, and enjoyed walking through all of the shops in the center.
Beach or Jungle:
The Four Seasons offers two resorts in Bali, one in the jungle in Sayan and one on the beach at Jimbaran Bay. Ideally, you can experience both of Bali’s popular regions, by splitting your time between the two. We spent a week in Bali, and split our time with three nights in Sayan and four nights at Jimbaran Bay.
There is not a clear winner, so if you have to pick one, consider what type of vacation you want to have. Jimbaran Bay is an idyllic resort, filled with multiple restaurants, pools, and close to other nearby resorts. Plus, the Jimbaran Bay beach is a fantastic public beach that you can walk along and enjoy. However, if you are more interested in the seclusion and relaxation of a quieter resort, or want to experience Bali’s authentic culture up close, Sayan is better. Even though it is centrally located to the popular town of Ubud, Sayan offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of more traditional resorts.
Luckily, Four Seasons provides an opportunity to experience both by splitting your time between the two resorts! Check out our post about Sayan, Ubud, and consider visiting both resorts on your next trip!
With a fantastic beach, great pools, private villas and a strong focus on sharing Bali’s culture with guests, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay offers visitors a fantastic and relaxing Balinese vacation! We hope these recommendations help you plan your next trip to Bali. If you have questions or want help planning your next Creative Journey, please feel free to contact us.
