There’s nothing like waiting for the car heater to warm up at 6am to make you dream of swapping grey skies for golden sunsets. And for plenty of Kiwis, Bali is top of that escape list during the colder months. With an array of serene spots, vibrant beach clubs, lush jungle and laidback island life, Bali is definitely a mood reset all on its own. The Island of the Gods has a way of giving you exactly what you need, even if you didn’t know you needed it. As someone who’s a big fan, here’s a little roundup of some incredible spots to add to your Bali itinerary.
Karma Beach Brings It All
High above the Indian Ocean on Bali’s southern coastline, Karma Kandara is the kind of place that’s more felt than flaunted. The villas overlook dramatic cliffs, and everything is designed with effortless ease. And if you want to head to the beach, you can skip the stairs and take the private hill tram. You’ll glide down the cliffside as the sea sparkles below, and you can do it all with a glass of Champagne in hand.
At the bottom, you’ll find Karma Beach. This hidden cove feels more like a coastal playground with four distinct venues to choose from. Sip in French Riviera-style at Le Club 22, move to the beat at Phoenix Bar, unwind slowly at Tiki Bar and embrace the heat of Indian coastal cuisine at The Beach Shack, the resort’s newest and most flavour-packed dining spot!
The Beach Shack is more than just another oceanfront restaurant though. Think slow-cooked Laal Maas, fiery Pork Vindaloo and fragrant coastal curries, all crafted by Chef Jeevraj Singh, whose culinary career spans the likes of palaces and global kitchens. The flavours are bold and soulful, and somehow feel perfectly at home by the sea. Between Bollywood movie nights, thali Fridays and smoky fire-dancer Saturdays, there’s just a kind of magic there that sticks with you.
Float Into Bliss
Further up the island in laidback Canggu, you’ll find Hotel Sages, steeped in stillness, healing and gentle return. Designed as more of a sanctuary than a stay, this boutique retreat has introduced a Floating Sound Bath where they’ve managed to bottle the kind of calm you only dream about when planning an escape.
It’s a deeply meditative experience. Warm mineral water and sound therapy using crystal singing bowls. Plus a sense of weightlessness that reaches both the body and mind. Here you can be at one with yourself in a moment of personal quiet, releasing stress, recalibrating, or simply just being still.
This new addition slips seamlessly into the Sages ecosystem alongside hot and cold plunge pools, mineral baths and private wellness suites. If you’re not planning on staying the night, the hotel’s Day Pass Programme opens the door for a few nourishing hours. It’s a place to return to yourself, even if just for an afternoon.
Go Where Your Heart Wanders
There’s an endless list of places to visit in Bali, but Ubud is definitely up there. Ancient temples hide beneath thick canopies, the monkey forest buzzes with life and the air feels cooler, softer. The town itself is filled with creativity and calm. You’ll find exceptional coffee, artisan boutiques, yoga studios and cute cafes tucked between rice paddies and stone paths.
And then there’s Nusa Ceningan, one of my favourite spots. It’s a short boat ride from the mainland and often skipped in favour of its busier sister island. But this little slice of paradise offers something special. Glassy turquoise waters, stunning clifftop bars, and all with those golden, endless sunsets you think only exist on screensavers. You can hire a scooter and ride across the yellow bridge, explore quiet coves and let the lush, unhurried pace settle in.
Maybe the real magic of Bali is that it lets you lose track of time… but also somehow find a little more of yourself.