Nusa Dua is an upscale and exclusive holiday resort hotspot in Bali.
Most of the resorts here have their own private beaches, outstanding service and standards set on the high end so you can flavour what luxury taste like in Bali.
Before waiting any longer, let’s have a look and see where to stay in Nusa Dua!
Why Stay In Nusa Dua?
The resort area of Nusa Dua has been built in the 1970s entirely for tourists with mostly five stars hotels and resorts.
Hence, it's not an area where Balinese people actually live or hang out. On the contrary!
It's known as being very safe (such as the rest of Bali), plus the majority of hotels located in the area have gates and security guards. A rare sight in Bali!
Needless to say that Nusa Dua has a very different atmosphere than anywhere else on the island, it’s a truly spotless tropical paradise.
What Traveller Type Is Nusa Dua Best For?
Clearly, neither the adventurous nor the backpacker individuals, I recommend Canggu for them instead.
Nusa Dua hosts upscale tourism and is perfect for couples and families who are craving to experience resort life and want be close to a quiet and secluded beach.
Nusa Dua attracts people looking for a luxury stay, a pure relaxing time, blending sunbathing, swimming and fabulous spa treatments.
Families will particularly enjoy their stay as many resorts cater to their needs providing kids clubs and daily activities for the whole family.
Honeymooners visiting Bali who are looking for tranquil spots and high standard of services will surely get their share of paradise!
Without a doubt, don't waste your time researching about the area if you want to stay on budget in Bali. Maybe a day trip to Nusa Dua will do instead?
There are some (not many!) public beaches that you can access without actually staying in Nusa Dua.
While we hear less about Nusa Dua than Seminyak, the first has certainly a rich selection of assets.
Nusa Dua Orientation
If you pick one of the fabulous hotels in Nusa Dua Bali on the beach, you will be close to the airport (around 20 minutes). And so, you won't need to wait much after landing to begin enjoying your holiday!
Located on the southern peninsula, Nusa Dua is the high-end neighbour of the laid back Uluwatu. An excursion to one of its clifftop restaurants or breathtaking beaches will definitely make your day.
Another great thing you could do, if visiting Sanur and areas further north towards the east coast.
You'll find plenty of villages and attractions worth a look, such as temples, museums and local restaurants.
The proximity to Benoa's port can be a real advantage if you would like to pay a visit to the Nusa Islands and the Gili Islands. Beautiful and wild destinations where to dive and snorkel!
Finally, Nusa Dua's beaches are one of its most popular attractions!
Bali is undoubtedly a surfer's island, not so much for swimmers… In Nusa Dua, the beaches actually have white sand, turquoise blue water and the sea is very calm, perfect for families!
If your hotel doesn't have a private beach, you can head to these public ones:
- Samuh beach
- Nusa Dua beach
- Geger beach
- Pandawa beach
- Sawangan beach
- Gunung Payung beach
Things To Do In Nusa Dua
#1 Walking on the Nusa Dua promenade, a 7km path going all along the beach
#2 Water sports such as jet-skiing, banana boating, parasailing, diving off the coast, kiteboarding, flyboarding
#3 Snorkelling at Nusa Dua beach
#4 Pasifika Museum: Featuring a collection of artworks from the Asia Pacific including premier art, western and Asian art
#5 Bali Collection: Displaying plenty of shops selling traditional Balinese souvenirs, as well as cafes and eateries
#6 Spa session: If you fancy a luxury stay, you can't miss a proper pampering time! Your hotel will likely provide many treatments, but there are also other centres all around the peninsula
#7 Golfing: Refresh your moves at the Nusa Dua Golf and Country Club
#8 Most resorts feature kids club and fun games: allow yourself some me-time while they're having a blast!
#9 Try a Camel safari on Sawangan beach
#10 Book a boat tour to neighbouring Serangan island (nicknamed the “turtle island”) where there is a turtle conservation centre, including a hatchery
#11 Day tour on Gili or Nusa islands
#12 Underwater sea walking: they provide you with a submersible helmet, so you can walk in the sea like a real water creature. This way, you can have a unique view of marine life!
#13 The Devdan Show at Nusa Dua Theatre Komplex, inspired by Indonesian culture
#14 Glass bottom boat trips to observe marine life
#15 Water Blow: a natural sight in which water erupts from the sea into a blowhole. Pretty epic!
#16 Pura geger & Puja mandala, the most well-known religious sites of the area
Which beach is better, Nusa Dua or Seminyak?
For luxury stays, Seminyak and Nusa Dua are often in competition.
If you’re still hesitating, stick around to see what both areas have to offer!
Nusa Dua is a very touristic destination, slightly isolated from other parts of the island. While staying there, you'll enjoy luxury resort life, and beautiful beaches.
Pros
- Luxury holiday with all necessary (and more) amenities
- Perfect for those who want to enjoy mainly the hotel facilities
- Calm water beaches that are safe to swim for kids
- Family and kids-friendly destination
- Plenty of good restaurants and spas
- Many water sports activities
- Safe area: no robberies or purse snatching here
- Very relaxed and tranquil atmosphere
Cons
- A little isolated from other spots of interest, such as Canggu and Ubud
- For those who like lively environments, Nusa Dua can be dull
- It's not a place where to get to know the local culture of Bali
- No great conditions for surfing
- Nusa Dua is a bubble where very little from the external world will come through
Concerning the beaches, Nusa Dua's unique features are white sand, crystal clear water, which is calm enough to swim without worrying about the current.
This makes them perfect for kids because it's safe. The surfable waves are the only ones missing!
Seminyak is also super touristic but in a very different way. It's more like a cool busy spot, almost similar to a small city vibe, where you can literally do, buy or eat almost anything.
Pros
- A lively atmosphere that is hard to beat (some love it, others hate it!)
- Very central location easily accessible from Canggu (15 minutes), Ubud (1h), and more
- A lot of different things to do
- Walking distance to plenty of fine restaurants, shops, cafes, clubs
- Great for a younger crowd as it has a vivid nightlife
- Suitable for any type of budget
- Quality cuisine from anywhere around the world
Cons
- A lot of traffic
- Can be quite busy, loud, hectic in the center
- Beaches are not suitable for swimming but are perfect for surfing
Seminyak's beaches are not the most beautiful in Bali, but all beachfront areas have lots of beach clubs to hang out.
Like on the vast majority of beaches on the island, there are big waves and the current is strong, which make them an ideal spot for surfing, but not so much for swimming.
Where Is Nusa Dua And How To Get To Nusa Dua?
So, if you're looking at a map of Bali, Nusa Dua is located on the same southern Peninsula than Uluwatu, but on the east side. It goes all along the coast, and a bit inland.
The northern part of Nusa Dua is called Tanjung Benoa, while the southern part goes up to Pandawa beach.
If you choose to stay in Nusa Dua, but you still want to explore the island, think about checking the distances and travelling time necessary to go from one point to another.
During peak times, in the morning around 8-9 am, and from 4 pm, you can add 30 minutes to 1 hour more to your itinerary.
For your information, the road with the most traffic is Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai, which leads to the airport.
Distances from Nusa Dua
To the airport: 20 minutes
To Kuta: less than 30 minutes
To Ubud: more than 1 hour
To Seminyak: 30 minutes
To Uluwatu: 30-40 minutes
To Canggu: 45 minutes
To the port of Benoa: 30 minutes
The location is more isolated compared to other destinations, but maybe it is exactly what you want, right?
Nusa Dua is a great location if you're planning to visit other islands, such as the Gili Islands, or the Nusa islands because of the proximity to Benoa port.
If you're wondering how to get from the airport to your hotel in Nusa Dua, don't worry at all! You can book your airport transfer ahead to save money.
Generally, hotels can organise a pick up for you, so you don’t need to wait at the airport, or spend your first half hour in Bali bargaining for a reasonable taxi fare if you forgot to organize tranfers.
The cost from Nusa Dua to the airport is generally around 150,000 IDR (US$10).
Is Nusa Dua Expensive?
That’s a question that often pops up because Nusa Dua is known as a high-end resort spot, which is very true.
Of course, you don’t have to stay in one of the resorts to enjoy Nusa Dua.
But the whole area has been conceived as an exclusive resort destination, meaning that most of the best beaches are private, available for hotel guests only.
I think that there is only one hostel called Sunrise Backpacker. You can find a few guesthouses for an affordable price (less than US$30 per night), such as UmahOde Bali or Frangipani Homestay.
When it comes to food, there are still plenty of local restaurants (“warung” in Indonesian) serving affordable food.
So, it is possible to stay on a lower budget, but you will probably miss the best of what Nusa Dua has to offer.
Now that you know the basics, let’s have a look at my selection of the best Nusa Dua hotels!
Note: rates tend to fluctuate often according to the seasons. I recommend you to double-check prices on booking.com. If you’re lucky, you will land some great discounts too!
The Best Hotels In Nusa Dua
This gigantic Nusa Dua beach resort offers immaculate suites as well as villas (one with a private pool) displaying a modern design but with a traditional twist.
You'll enjoy an AC room with a bathroom, a terrace with a view, and a delicious buffet breakfast served every morning.
For a fancy hang out, pick between the two enormous pools, the lush garden, the beachfront area, their several bars and restaurants.
If you’d enjoy some action, the staff can organise yoga sessions, bicycles tours, water sports and free Balinese cooking classes as well as dancing or language courses!
Location: Jalan Pratama 168
Price from: US$210 per night
Sleeps: One-bedroom villa, up to 2 people
What makes it unique? Book here to have direct access to the beach. You’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful tropical white sand and calm water suitable for swimming, quite rare in Bali!
If you still don’t know where to stay in Nusa Dua have a look at this dreamy beachfront resort!
It has private access to the beach, where you can appreciate a fabulous dinner contemplating a paradisiac turquoise blue water.
The rooms have AC, a balcony, a private bathroom and a coffee & tea maker.
The tropical garden is a blend of palm trees and lagoon pools!
You can enjoy the food from 5 different restaurants, from Japanese sushi to Spanish tapas, as well as a tennis court, a gym, a spa, and a kids club.
Location: Kawasan Wisata ITDC Lot. 1
Price from: US$169 per night
Sleeps: Family suite, up to 5 people
What makes it unique? There is the option to benefit from “the level service”, which provides you with plenty of tailored activities for the whole family! Think movie nights, roasting marshmallows and a swing in the sea…
Are you looking for private villas in Nusa Dua Beach? Here we go!
Book one of these villas with private pool, a seating area, AC, as well as a bathroom with a fabulous bathtub.
A nice feature is that food can be served at any time in the privacy of your room.
After a few minutes walk to reach the beach, you'll be able to relax on a sunbed in a clean and spacious sandy area.
Prepare yourself to disconnect from the real world!
Location: Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua BTDC Resort Lot Blok B
Price from: US$432 per night
Sleeps: Two-bedroom villa, up to 4 people
What makes it unique? You can get a yoga, massage and a pool floating breakfast package!
Another one of these gorgeous Nusa Dua hotels in Bali, with special private access to the beach!
You'll love the beautiful layout of the rooms, and their terraces with view on the garden.
Each room has AC, a kettle, a safe, comfortable seating area, and a flat-screen TV with English channels.
Location: Kawasan Wisata Nusa Dua
Price from: US$130 per night
Sleeps: Two-bedroom villa, up to 2 people
What makes it unique? Book a suite with an ocean view or a villa with a private pool. It doesn't get better than this!
While being more affordable than many other luxury hotels in Nusa Dua, this lovely resort offers similar facilities and services.
It features a lounge and a restaurant on the beach, as well as a pool and large sunbeds, without forgetting a gorgeous mouth-watering breakfast.
Away from it all, ask for sunbeds or a memorable romantic dinner on the beach. Surrounded by white curtains, this set up will give you the feeling to be alone on a remote island.
Location: Jalan Pratama
Price from: US$100 per night
Sleeps: Two-bedroom family suite, up to 4 people
What makes it unique? Pick a room that has a spa bath on the terrace overlooking the ocean! Quite a unique feature.
Definitely in my top 3 best resort in Nusa Dua, Sofitel stands all around the world for high standards and top-notch service.
You’ll be amazed by the wide beachfront area, the pool bar, and the quality of the bedrooms, including the bedding, the sound system for the TV, and the bathroom.
Previous guests loved the wide choice of breakfast options, and a few mentioned how delicious their Mie Goreng (fried noodles, a classic dish in Indonesia!) is!
Location: Kawasan Pariwisata ITDC, Lot N. 5
Price from: US$170 per night
Sleeps: One-bedroom villa, up to 3 people
What makes it unique? The special ambience. This colossal resort sits like a luxury village on the beach, with multiple ponds, long pools, and tropical gardens where blue and green blend together, creating an absolute harmonious landscape.
More an experience than a mere stay, this resort features elegant rooms with marble floor, satellite TV, AC, and bathtub. Some suites also have a private pool.
When the moment of eating comes, you'll be in awe in front of their buffet: an insane variety of world food to choose from! Indian, western, Asian food – what's your pick?
Even though you’ll be only one person among hundreds of other guests, you’ll feel special and well taken care of.
Location: Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan
Price from: US$244 per night
Sleeps: Two-bedroom villa, up to 4 people
What makes it unique? The impressive look and design of the hotel, standing high as a temple overlooking the sea.
The Westin is one of these hotels on Nusa Dua beach that won’t make you regret the holiday investment!
Each unit has a safe, a TV with satellite channels, AC and a washroom coming with a bathtub.
According to your mood, you'll be able to choose between diverse dining options, from Italian to seafood on the beach, through Chinese, Indian and Japanese.
If you can't make up your mind by picking one of the five pools available, just head to the resort's private beach!
Location: PO Box 36 Nusa Dua
Price from: US$180 per night
Sleeps: Double room, up to 2 people
What makes it unique? The hotel is kids-friendly because it offers cool features for your little ones, such as a slide on the swimming pool and free ice cream between 12 pm to 2 pm. Nice move!
This fabulous hotel is part of the top Nusa Dua resorts, where you’re sure to get outstanding value for your money.
Bali Marriott features spacious rooms, comfortable beds, great wifi, marble bathrooms equipped with large showers and bathtub.
There is so much available for guests that if you wanted to stay for the entire length of your holiday in the resort (or around), you could do it! From five dining venues to a beach club, golfing course, spa & gym, to a yoga pavilion.
The sky is the limit!
Location: Kawasan Pariwisata Lot SW1
Price from: US$100 per night
Sleeps: Double room, up to 2 people
What makes it unique? If you're looking for a place where to keep your little ones busy, the resort will cater all your needs: they have a kids club and a pool full of games to keep them happy and entertained.
This accommodation in Nusa Dua boasts rooms with AC, tea and coffee maker, a TV with satellite channels, a balcony, and a bathroom.
Conveniently close to the beach, as well as the shopping centre Bali Collection.
Breakfast is also included.
Location: Jalan Pratama 99x
Price from: US$100 per night
Sleeps: Double room, up to 2 people
What makes it unique? You can enjoy a sunset on the rooftop while swimming in the pool and drinking delicious cocktails from the bar!
Best hotel in Nusa Dua featuring elegant and unique features, such as a landscaped tropical garden.
Each room has a flat-screen TV, an iPod dock, and some lucky ones will benefit from an incredible view on the ocean or the lagoon.
Take your dearest to the kids club, where they’ll have fun going down slides and playing games, while you head to the gym or the spa!
Location: Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan
Price from: US$200 per night
Sleeps: One-bedroom suite, up to 2 people
What makes it unique? It’s a truly a family-oriented resort!
During your stay, you will be surrounded by a large white sand beach, scattered gazebos like islands among ponds, palm trees, and fun slides.
Rooms are bright, luxurious and modern with a spacious balcony, an en suite bathroom (they’ll provide batik robes!), a TV with cable channels, and AC.
The resort has five pools to choose from, a spa and eight different dining options – from Balinese to Italian, passing through European or Asian.
Location: Kawasan Wisata Nusa Dua BTDC
Price from: US$160 per night
Sleeps: Suite, up to 3 people
What makes it unique? Everything is so perfect and exciting that this hotel almost looks like an adventure park!
This resort is a more affordable pick, while still being very close to the beach!
These traditional style villas, inspired by Balinese architecture, are set in a lush garden offering plenty of privacy and a pleasant environment for your holiday.
The resort has a beautiful sparkling pool, but some villas also have their private one. Perfect for a holiday with your family and friends!
There are two restaurants on-site serving proper Balinese food, and a fabulous breakfast is included.
Location: Jalan Pratama Po Box 132
Price from: US$90 per night
Sleeps: Three-bedroom villa, up to 6 people
What makes it unique? Book your own villa with private pool, and get your meals served in the privacy of your dining room.
After reading this article, you should now have a clear idea of where to stay in Nusa Dua, what to do, where to eat and everything else in between.
Are you ready to have a memorable time with your spouse, family or friends?
From private swimming pools right outside your balcony to luxurious decor surrounding your five-star dinners, this side of Bali will welcome travellers of all ages, as long as you won't mind the numbers of zeros at the bottom of your bill.
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