Despite its fame as one of the most beautiful beach destinations in SE Asia, Bali may still feel like your personal island paradise. This is not a big place, but there are enough beaches that you could get lucky and have one that is almost completely yours. And there are just about as many accommodation options as there are beaches – including lots of cheap hotels in Bali, some of which boast beaches as their front doors.
When you are looking at budget hotels in Bali, you will want to pay attention to other words (other than “hotel”) in the names of some of the properties. A “resort” is a familiar word to most people, but in Bali it is not just a big Club Med-style place. It could refer to a smaller upscale hotel as well. Another word to look for is “guesthouse,” which usually refers to a room for rent next to someone’s home – these are some of the cheapest accommodation options in Bali, but they are super basic.
The variety of accommodation options is nearly endless, but there are certain areas which may be more appealing to you than others. The most cheap hotels in Bali are in Kuta, so that is where the backpackers go. If you do not mind a bit of nightlife noise, but also want access to great beaches, you might look to the areas of Sanur, Seminyak and Jimbaran, all of which offer budget hotels and access to both beaches and nightlife.
Some of your budget options in Bali are the Sativa Sanur Cottages (10 cottages on Sanur beach, there is a swimming pool and a restaurant), Hotel Raja Gardens (short walk from Seminyak Beach and also not far from Kuta), Bali Tony’s Villa (in the Seminyak area, offering a free welcome drink and 10 minutes of reflexology massage upon arrival), Masa Inn (90 rooms in the Kuta area with a swimming pool), and Sri Ratu Hotel (in the Legian area close to Legian Beach, hotel has two dining areas).