What sets Bali apart is its ability to seamlessly blend timeless tradition and vibrant heritage with all the allure of modern travel. Discover why the Island of the Gods continues to captivate our readers year after year.

Overlooking the Family Pool at Anantara Ubud Bali Resort.

There’s something undeniably magical about Bali. No matter how many times you visit, its charm never fades—which is why it comes as no surprise that, once again, Bali has been crowned Best Island at the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, extending its incredible 18-year winning streak.

Our updated Bali guide offers an insider view of the island’s most delicious dining destinations, stylish boutiques, and after-dark indulgences. Discover some of our readers’ most beloved stays—like Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which claimed this year’s title of Best Boutique Resort at the RCA and see why Anantara Ubud Bali Resort and Andaz Bali should be on the radar for your next visit.

In the quiet corners of Ubud, Meisou and Threads of Life offer a different kind of indulgence of the retail kind, from ethically made clothing to delicate jewelry inscribed with Sanskrit mantras.

But Bali is not only about what you see, it’s also about what you taste. Locally rooted sustainable dining abounds in Ubud at Syrco BASÈ, the playground of acclaimed chef Syrco Bakker while root to leaf cuisine can be enjoyed at Kubu, overlooking the Ayung River. Down south, beneath the cliffs of Uluwatu, The Cave by Chef Ryan Clift offers an unforgettable underground tasting menu, (but make sure you book well in advance!) while Room4Dessert brings bold, boundary-pushing sweets in a garden setting that feels both whimsical and quietly radical.

To complete the experience, Bali’s luxury stays add new textures to the island’s ever-evolving story. Umana Bali, part of Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts, stands high above the ocean with striking clifftop villas and sweeping views. Meanwhile, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort captures the island’s spiritual calm, surrounded by lush jungle and terraced hills.

There’s always more to discover on this enchanting island—let our updated Bali Guide lead the way to your next great escape.

Inside the breezy dining room of Fisherman’s Club, the beachfront seafood restaurant at Andaz Bali.

Bali Beyond The Beaches

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