Planning that long-awaited magical escape to Bali? Well, you’re probably wondering which area you’d like to stay in. South Bali is a tourist hub, but there are plenty of towns or cities to choose from to make your base while you’re here.
Two of the most popular tourist destinations in South Bali are Seminyak and Nusa Dua. If these two towns are on the top of the list, you’re on the right track. But which of these two locations should you choose, and why?
Well, we’re here to help you out. Let’s take a closer look at these two beautiful seaside Bali towns.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is a special tourist area designated exclusively for high-end luxury resorts and villas. It is prestigious, clean and pristine, and no wonder, because it was built specifically as an up-market tourist enclave.
Stretching across 350 hectares, Nusa Dua is filled with all the biggest names in hospitality. The resorts here are catered mostly to families and large groups – think gigantic monoliths with impressive architecture and family-friendly amenities, multiple bars, cafes and restaurants and the latest facilities to complement your stay.
Nusa Dua is perfect for those who wish to stay in this sparkling enclave while hardly venturing out and to have everything they need within the resort itself – from luxurious accommodations to delicious cuisine, enthralling entertainment, large pools with waterslides and a stunning beachfront with soft white sands and gorgeous aqua blue water.
The entire location is accessible via three entrances manned by security personnel in uniforms. Even at the gates of the hotels and resorts here, security is tight. Most of the resorts here are tucked into their own acres of lush green land, so walking out and exploring could be a little bit challenging if you don’t have transportation of some sort such as a private car or a taxi.
Additionally, motorbikes are not encouraged here in Nusa Dua and are not permitted to enter most resort premises which means you would have to walk to the gates to catch your ride if you’re planning on getting one.
In terms of activities and nightlife, options are slightly limited here in Nusa Dua when compared to Seminyak. There is a row of streets selling all the standard Bali souvenirs, clothing and accessories but options are limited.
Entertainment like live music and dance performances are mostly found within the hotels themselves. There are limited standalone bars and clubs in this area and the same goes for restaurants.
Seminyak
Outside the sparkling private enclave of Nusa Dua, you’ll find the thriving cosmopolitan that is Seminyak, a lively, colourful and dynamic seaside town that is pulsating with life. From Kuta all the way to Legian, Seminyak throbs with its own unique heartbeat and promises thrills and new discoveries at almost every corner.
So colourful and dynamic is Seminyak that it is an adventure in itself to discover. There is the world-famous Seminyak Beach with its stunning sunsets and charming beachside bars and cafes. When the sun sets, delicious smells of cooking waft through the air, intermingling with the sounds of live acoustic music, laughter and the surf.
When it comes to dining, Seminyak is the cuisine capital of Bali. Whatever your budget, there is something to satiate all cravings and satisfy all preference. From upmarket fine-dining offering degustation menus, international dining and reimagined Indonesian with a twist, to relaxed and casual restaurants with beach views and authentic warungs serving honest-to-goodness Balinese classics since the 70s.
Want to party the night away? Seminyak is home to a plethora of beach clubs, world-famous and coveted including Ku De Ta and Potato Head. Party, dine, lounge, relax – it’s all available for you in one cool and contemporary space. There are even famous LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs in Seminyak, some featuring fun drag performances a few nights a week.
How about some shopping? The biggest names in design line the streets of Seminyak including Religion, Lily Jean, Niluh Djelantik, Frockk, Magali Pascal, Uma and Leopold and so much more, alongside your typical Balinese souvenirs and handcrafted accessories. Pampering is a must.
There are myriad top-of-the-line spas for decadent head-to-toe treatments to renew, refresh and rejuvenate and even beauty clinics offering aesthetic treatments from lasers to botox and fillers.
So now that you know the difference between Nusa Dua and Seminyak, it’s time to book your stay! At The Colony Hotel Bali, you’ll be within walking distance to not only Seminyak Beach, but some truly fantastic shopping, dining, spa, bars and clubs which would all be accessible on foot. You won’t have to worry about flagging down a taxi, driving a scooter and ordering a car with a driver and can instead take your time to explore this thriving section of Seminyak.
Book your stay now with The Colony Hotel for a truly magnificent and unforgettable experience with prices starting from IDR 1,500,000 per night*. Visit us today at The Colony Hotel Bali