Best Luxury Hotels in Indonesia

Found in the southernmost part of Bali, the Aman Villas at Nusa Dua is set on a hillside overlooking the Indian Ocean. Each is designed with an inside-outside layout to fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. Menus revolve around local produce from the nearby Jimbaran Market, across a beach club restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, and a poolside bar Treatments at the spa make use of traditional Balinese healing techniques, plus there’s a fitness centre, a tennis court and water sports activities available. The villas are serviced by two butlers and a private chef, with guests enjoying access to a private Beach Club and the Bali National Golf Club.

Stay in East Java’s highest hotel, with unmatched views that take in the tops of skyscrapers down to the network of canals (cocktails at sunset in its Sky Lounge are a must). Attached to Indonesia’s biggest mall, it’s a paradise for shoppers. But there’s also a strong emphasis on retreat at The Westin, with a wellness programme and spa services, along with a peaceful outdoor pool surrounded by trees and overlooking palace grounds. Guests can dine in Magnolia restaurant on an array of international cuisine, and enjoy large bedrooms and impeccable service.

Just 20 minutes from the airport and in the centre of town, the Shangri-La is a great choice for those travelling with children, but in need of some sophistication. A sizeable freeform pool has a slide (for use by kids and big kids), and there’s a playground and a programme of activities to entertain younger travellers. The hotel has three tennis courts, multiple dining outlets, cabanas, a full-service spa and its own nightclub, so you never need to leave, other than to explore the many historic sites on the doorstep. Book a club-level room for access to the club lounge.

This elegant 150-bedroom property with antique furnishings and Javanese decor is evocative of a bygone era. Located a short drive from the palaces and close to excellent street food markets, it’s well-placed for tourists on the main artery of Surakarta. There’s an indoor/outdoor pool with the Tirtotedjo pool bar, catering for both the peak and wet seasons and the Mustika Spa. The Royal Surakarta Heritage has an all-day Srikandi Restaurant that serves a mix of western, Chinese and Indonesian dishes. King-sized and twin bedrooms are available across its superior, deluxe and executive categories.

Take a cooling dip in the long, river-style freeform pool at the JW Marriott, or laze on a lounger beside a palm tree at its side. Everything here feels lush; from the generously planted little man-made island within the pool to the conservatory-style Pavilion dining room with indoor trees and plants. Another restaurant has a live cooking station, and there’s a health club, salon and a gym onsite. King-size, twin, one and two-bedded suites are available, with teepees provided for younger families, adding a little magic for tots’ stays. The top-end Chairman Suite boasts incredible views and its own grand piano.

Conveniently placed on a through-road (cutting down your time spent in traffic), the Four Season pairs a central location with an oasis-like vibe. Designed by Cesar Pelli, it takes some cues from Regency style, mixed in with Asian country motifs. Bedrooms (which are serviced twice daily) are equipped with Illy coffee machines, Bose sound bars, pull-out drinks fridges, Alexandra Champalimaud-designed large work desks and marble bathrooms, balancing luxury and practicality. Take a seat on a green velvet chair beneath crystal chandeliers and quaff champagne in Palm Court, eat Italian food at a restaurant 20 floors up, and sample fine French baked goods at La Patisserie.

The Italian designer brand has extended its hotel portfolio to include this stunning property on the south coast in Uluwatu. The resort comprises 59 exclusive villas and mansions – with bespoke butler service, private pools and all rooms containing well-stocked minibars and of course, Bulgari toiletries in the enormous bathrooms. Utilising local materials including volcanic stone, the interiors are suitably glamorous boasting exotic art, Balinese antiques and moody dark wood with flourishes of textile colour. Guests can enjoy a fine dining experience at the hotel’s sophisticated restaurant and enjoy light bites, cocktails and spectacular views from the bar which sits under a traditional Balinese alang-alang thatched roof. For guests who love the water there is an extensive outdoor pool or the idyllic sandy beach sits just below the resort. The spa is a haven of relaxation with treatments that integrate Asian and European approaches, whilst the fitness centre offers the latest digital innovations with partner Technogym. There is a children’s club and a variety of locally inspired experiences that can be enjoyed both at the resort or in the nearby area. The Bvlgari Resort Bali truly exists in an echelon of its own.

Arrive among the tropical treetops via a dramatic suspension bridge. This stunning property is set on the banks of the Ayung, where guests are blessed with holy water before being taken to one of 60 suites graced with teak and beds draped in a white flowing net. Daily activities include yoga, life talks, village walks, cycle tours and traditional Balinese dance performances, plus there’s the infinity pool, Sacred River Spa and two restaurants serving authentic Indonesian and Mediterranean food. For an extra special dining experience, ask for a table by the candlelit water’s edge at the intimate Riverside Café.

This sustainably minded Six Senses property on the Bukit Peninsula was created from local wood, and cleverly designed with heat-absorbing lava roofs (no need for air-con). It has 103 rooms made up of suites and villas, two pools, a spa and sleek contemporary decor. The dining options include Japanese-inspired barbecue, sushi, farm-to-table cuisine and a chef’s table offering daily specials. Vegan, gluten-free or detox-friendly dishes are all available. With an emphasis on local links and eco-friendly living, ingredients are organic, mostly grown on-site and bath products come from within Indonesia. Those preferring more casual atmos can head to the Cliff Bar for poolside pizzas and healthy homemade kombucha.

Instantly recognisable on Jakarta’s skyline by its iconic fan emblem, the Mandarin Oriental is a big hotel with a boutique ambience. Dine on international cuisine beside an urban tropical garden at the all-day Cinnamon eatery, sample Chinese fare at Li Feng by night, and snack on lighter bites along with deliciously dynamic cocktails at MO Bar, accompanied by live entertainment. Bedrooms come with pillow menus, custom-designed furnishings, working desks with multi-hubs and bathrobes. Guests can also go for a dip in the outdoor pool, book spa treatments, go jogging on the hotel’s track and hit the gym.

Indonesia’s own Jaya Ibrahim designed all 66 of the sleek suites, 13 pool villas and the stunning ocean view Beach House at The Legian; incorporating natural-fibre furnishings, polished wooden floors and artefacts from around the islands. Guests can dine in the main restaurant and at the pool bar, as well as nibbling on canapes at the thatched Champagne Bar which is nestled between the ocean and a lily-pad-covered pond. The lobby bar doubles as a library, with books in many languages, plus there’s a spa, a Grooming Lounge and a Wellness Concierge to look after you.

This was the first resort to arrive in the seaside town of Seminyak and while it’s close to the heart of the town’s action (a five-minute walk), it’s far enough away to provide complete serenity. The charming 15-acre grounds are littered with bright flowers, carved statues, temples, lily ponds, fountains and trees. There’s a real sense of romance and local authenticity here – you can enjoy afternoon tea accompanied by a live Balinese dance show in the hotel’s own amphitheatre. It has a spa, 74 traditional style villas with original teak features and two restaurants with amazing meat and seafood.