I won’t lie. Seminyak is super commercial, pricey and crowded.

But with the right combination of picking where to stay and knowing where to go, you will not regret it. I like high energy, bustling streets with shopping and food at every corner, combined with beach beds at prissy-ish beach clubs and dreamy liquid gold sunsets.

STAY

The Awan Villas- Reasonably priced Balinese villas

On our first trip to Bali, we stayed at this super sweet Villa compound. You have your own private villa with the typical Balinese format: enclosed air conditioned bedroom and open living room, private pool, outdoor rain shower. Breakfast came to us in our villa every morning, as did the massages. Super romantic and pretty reasonable for Seminyak standards. Walking distance to all the action or a cheap cab ride will take you anywhere in Seminyak.

Warning: If you have a Lizard phobia Bali is generally not an ideal choice for you but a Balinese villa is definitely NOT. Opt for a proper hotel instead.

Downside: This place is not by the beach

Abaca Villas

On our most recent trip to Bali, we celebrated my sisters big 40 and booked out this entire property and we could not be happier. They have formats for all combinations of rooms. 5/ 3/ 2/1 bedrooms. The main villa with 4-6 rooms Iluh had a huuuuge living room, central pool and amazing service. You can call for massage therapists and just relax by the pool. The rooms had a stunning view of paddy fields and many rooms had outdoor rain showers. A perfect blend of a traditional Balinese villa right in the heart of Seminyak. The chef is ready to whip up a variety of food or host a lavish barbeque party too.

Downside: Pricy and not by the beach. Upside: You have the whole place for yourself and it is great for big groups and pool parties.

Alila Seminyak

This upscale hotel with it’s stunning architecture has a prime spot on the beach.

Lizard haters this where you want to be. The rooms rates vary as per the season but you may be able to bag a good deal.

For me though, hotels versus villas in Bali.. Villas win for me any day. And they do not need to be pricey and fancy, a good obsessive hunt on booking.com can find you what you want.

Other hotels

W Bali, The legion all very pricey and more hotel-y

Vila Lumbung had a good rate so I booked it last year but it was quite a badly maintained property and the bathroom was gross so stay clear of this one.

EAT

Mejakawi

Located above the famous KuDeTa beach club this fine dining restaurant has a spectacular sea view and a chefs tasting menu that highlights local ingredients fusing it with French cooking techniques. The desserts were spectacular and the dent on your wallet is well worth the experience. Call in advance to make a reservation.

Mamasan

A great spot for lunch, loads of Asian fusion yummies along with a chic décor and the walls that you can spend ages looking at.

Chandi

In the heart of the shopping around Seminyak square this spot has some dreamy dimsums and full pan Asian fanfare. Excellent food and a great rest stop in between an intense shopping day.

Sisterfields café

Is the hip spot for safe (non bali belly) fresh juices, healthy variants of food, a mix of burgers, fries, salads and international cuisine.

Street food

Bali street food is something else, Nasi Goreng, pork curry or a Balinese curry with Satay you can find anywhere but be warned Bali Belly is very very real.

BEACH CLUBS

Seminyak is best known for hip Beach clubs. Be sure to book yourself some beach beds well in advance cause these spots get pretty packed and sold out.

Finn’s Beach club

Situated on the Berawa surf break, this place has a covered lunch area, a sushi bar, beach beds all around the pool and some super super hip crowd. The pool is a nice place to jump in to show off your new swimwear collection and enjoy a day of people watching especially the posers and travel influencer types.

Ku de ta

What was once the ‘it’ spot may have now got a bad reputation for being over crowded and over commercial but hey in this area what isn’t. I still love Kudeta for one of the best sunset views in Bali and cocktails.

Potato head

The legendary potato head with epic gigs, music artist performances and the occasional celeb spotting, this super hip place will blow you away with its location, food, and vibe.

Mrs Sippy is another uber cool spot that I didn’t manage to go to but loads of my friends have been and they have raved about it.

La Plancha has a beach shack kinda vibe with it’s trademark multicoloured umbrellas and bean bags, that look super insta-worthy and fun.

PARTY

Motel Mexicola

I cannot say enough about this place. If you are an 80’s kid and enjoyed a different era of partying, far from the repetitive noise of EDM, the same era where dancing was a real thing and not a random ‘jump-up-and-down plus random hands-up-in-the-air’ scenario, then this place is for you. The food was oh-so-fabulous but we barely got past starters cause we were up on the tables dancing our hearts away to the best Latin tunes of the 80’s-90’s and some music thrown in for the millennials. This place is Crazy.

La favela

4 floors of madness with different music on every floor… YES please.  Sadly when I went the line outside meant there was an hour of waiting to be done and I wasn’t in the mood to wait. The rest of our friends  did wait got in within an hour and did not regret it. This is the party spot and if you are in a big group be sure to reserve a table.

SHOP

Bali shopping is kind of epic. I know when I say this you are picturing massive dream catchers and cane baskets, and yes this is all over but Seminyak is not where you should be buying arts and crafts at all. We will talk about that stuff when we get to the Ubud Traditional art market

Seminyak shopping for me is more about the fabulous little boutiques and home stores with absolutely fabulous wearable and not necessarily boho outfits that you can actually take home and wear.

Uma and Leopold

Classic pieces with a modern twist, fusing Balinese lace craft and slow fashion. Pricy but beautiful pieces that can be dressed up or down. Love their sandals too.

Bali boat shed

Curated brands of cute girly outfits and dresses. A spot you would want to hit up pretty early on your trip especially if like me you have always not packed right.

Paulina Katarine

Chic dresses, tops and outfits appropriate for all occasions. The cut and styles of some of the dresses I got here are so flattering and so trendy.

Magali Pascal

Parisian designer who carries some stylish clothing and very sought after designs.

Bamboo blonde

This chain of stores carries a more mass produced and therefore slightly more commercial(read low) quality of clothing. Has been very hit or miss for me.

Uluwatu Balinese lace

Super fine Balinese lace on pure cotton or silk simple western designs on basic colours. Be prepared to shell out the big bucks, or at least go in to look at the intricate lace designs.

Sundays

Smack in the middle of Seminyak square this place had some really nice resort wear and cover ups and  fairly priced.

Kids stuff for your favourite little humans

Around Seminyak square there are a bunch of kids stores with adorable prints, clothes, room decor and toys. Some of my favourites are Indigo Kids, Kidsagogo, Triette store.

Seafolly

This Australian swimwear brand has the best quality and super trendy swimsuits and bikinis to suit every body type at the cheapest price I have seen Sea folly at compared to other countries.

Reservo Art

I know, I know… the Ubud market is where one goes for art. The Ubud art market is for non-certified more mass-produced art. Reservo Art over the years has gotten some really cool artists. They have fixed pricing, authentication certificates and most of their art is fairly priced. You can even ask for a little discount.  http://www.reservo-art.com

Kim Soo and Satunama are my favourite home stores for baskets, boxes, cushion covers and dreamy chic pieces for your home.

Seminyak square street market for bargains, little tidbits and boho sarongs, cover ups and gifts.

SEE/ DO

Tanah Lot Temple

Aaaaah! I can’t even explain how hard I want to kick myself for missing out on this one cause we were sooooo close, but champagne, dancing on tables at Mexicola got the best of me and there were literally no early mornings to do this one. Also in general I am not a morning person. When I am on holiday I have ZERO inclination to wake up early so sorry not gonna get some chirpy hiking tips/ sunrise scenes on this blog I assure you.

Check out Seminyak beach or the Berawa surf break.

Take surfing lessons at the Seminyak beach but the sea in Bali can be super rough, so be careful.

Get a massage at Bodyworks or Jari Menari which has all male massage therapists.

Do some Yoga at the a Yoga centre like Seminyak Yoga Shaala.

Diving in Bali (coming soon)

For other General details read Bali Baby: My Bali guide