Our 9 Favourite Pools in Bali

Bali is full of beautiful swimming pools. The island is known for its plush beach clubs, where you can spend the day on a lounger soaking up the tropical rays, occasionally getting up to cool off in the water, before toasting a perfect sunset with cocktails. There are also some heavenly hillside retreats where you can look out over the jungle from an infinity pool before undertaking some even more intense relaxation with a spa treatment.

Here are our favourite Balinese pools.

Hanging Gardens of Bali

This luxurious boutique hotel is built on the side of a hill near Payangan, about half an hour's drive north of Ubud. Its split-level main infinity pool has views right over the jungle, so you can look down on the canopy and listen to the sounds of the wildlife below. Use of the pool is not restricted to those staying at the hotel; you can buy a day pass, too. If you do want to stay longer, the hotel’s 44 villas include several with private jungle-view pools, in which you can enjoy a unique dining experience: a sumptuous feast served on a mini traditional Balinese boat which floats on your pool. There’s also a restaurant and a spa on site.

El Kabron

This beach club up on the cliffs in Bingin, on southern Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, is great place to spend the day chilling out. You can relax on a sofa in the Hedonism Lounge, grab a day bed on the terrace, and order some oysters and champagne, as well as immerse yourself in the ocean-view infinity pool, of course. El Kabron faces west, so your poolside sundowner will be enhanced by a changing palette of colours in the sky — all accompanied by DJ sets. Stay for the evening and you can dine in the restaurant, which serves cuisine from several Spanish regions, before dancing into the night.

Viceroy Bali

This 5-star resort overlooks a jungle-filled river gorge known as the Valley of the Kings, on the edge of Ubud. There's a heavenly main infinity pool, where you can escape the heat of the tropical sun or take in the sunset over the rainforest canopy. Surrounding the pool are lovely Balinese gardens, with sun loungers and gazebos. You can buy a day pass to use the Viceroy Bali’s pool during low occupancy periods, or if you want to linger longer, most of the resort's villas have private pools. There are also two places to eat on site: a fine-dining restaurant and another restaurant with jungle views, and the hotel has a spa, too.

Potato Head Beach Club

The chic beachfront infinity pool at Bali’s Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak is a must-dip for anyone visiting the tropical Indonesian island. You can flop onto one of the soft daybeds that are dotted around the pool, or sample cocktails at the sunken pool bar. You’ll want to get there before lunch as beds fill up quickly, and most people stick around until the golden hour to watch the sunset before partying into the early hours. In the evenings, the club hosts events including film screenings and yoga sessions, as well as appearances by world-famous DJs. There are showers and storage areas, so you can go from day- to night-wear without having to return to your hotel. Staff can bring food directly to your daybed, or you can dine in one of the club’s restaurants.

Jungle Fish

Chapung Se Bali Resort and Spa is a boutique hotel 10 minutes' drive from the centre of Ubud. It's surrounded by rice paddies on one side and a jungle-covered valley on the other. The resort's Jungle Fish pool club has an infinity pool where the trees come right up to the water's edge, and there's a swim-up pool bar and a restaurant. Non-residents are welcome to use the pool facilities, daybeds, and sun loungers. Accommodation at the resort includes a collection of villas with private swimming pools. There's also the Upper Deck, a fine-dining restaurant with views along the valley, plus a spa offering a wide range of treatments.

Temple Lodge

This hotel, perched on a cliff near Uluwatu, has a super chilled vibe and an infinity pool with gorgeous views of the ocean and distant mountains. And because it's facing west, the sunsets are incredible. The rooms are designed to complement the natural environment; many of them have straw roofs, while some feature coral-stone walls, a private pool, an outdoor shower, rustic wooden hand-carved furniture, and 4-poster beds. Temple Lodge is ideal for surfers as it's perfectly placed for the waves of Impossibles, Bingin, and Dreamland, while daily yoga sessions are also offered. The hotel's healthy-lifestyle ethos doesn't end there: the restaurant serves nutritious home-cooked food accompanied by sea views.

Wanna Jungle Pool & Bar

The Kayon Jungle Resort, on the road to Mount Batur north of Ubud, has a stunning hillside location with far-reaching views over the rainforest canopy. The resort’s Wanna Jungle Pool & Bar is inspired by the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, and is spread over three levels, each having its own infinity pool — water cascades between them. There are also deck spaces featuring loungers and cabanas, as well as a whirlpool. Day passes are available if you just want to make use of the pool facilities, and grab some food and drink. If you do want to stay, the Kayon has a selection of pool villas, where the jungle comes right up to your private plunge pool. Other resort facilities include a spa, a gym, and a wedding chapel with views over the forest.

The Edge

This luxury resort is close to Bali's southernmost point, and features two communal pools, one of which is an infinity pool. The other is a spectacular feat of swimming pool engineering: situated within the resort’s oneeighty° day club, this pool features a section that extends six metres over the cliff edge and has a glass bottom through which you can see the sea 160 metres below. It also offers 180-degree views of the coast (it's not quite an infinity pool, as there’s a glass wall to protect swimmers from the drop). The day club also has a terrace, a rooftop lounge, a restaurant, and a bar. There are only eight villas at the resort, each with its own pool and outdoor area. Guests can also make use of two restaurants, three bars, a bowling alley, an ocean-view spa, and a tennis court.

Alila Ubud

Another of the Ubud area’s stunning hillside resorts that offer views over the jungle, the 5-star Alila Ubud is a dreamy escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You can take a dip in the rectangular, emerald-green infinity pool, which has valley views, and flop onto one of the sun loungers on the adjacent deck area. Day passes are available allowing you to use the pool, or there's a selection of rooms and villas (some with their own pools) if you want to stay longer. The resort also has a spa, a lounge, a sculpture garden, and a restaurant with a menu of sustainable food — the chefs even offer cookery courses.

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Nick Elvin, Anne-Sophie Thivolle, Emma Coubrough, and Ceri Garnett contributed to this post.

Read more about:

Bali's most popular festivals.
Keeping safe and respecting Balinese culture.
Sunning on Bali's best beaches.
Where to find the best hikes in Bali.
Our favourite spots for sunset and sunrise views in Bali.
The best outdoor activities in Bali.
When the best time to visit Bali is.