Sanur was once so sleepy and laid-back that the local expats nicknamed it “snore”. That unkind nickname looks well out of place today, and the area has become one of the most reliable and affordable places to stay for families seeking a Bali holiday.
This east coast town offers a long, gently sloping white sand beach with calm and reef-protected waters that are ideal for young children. There’s a paved promenade running parallel to the shore, which makes it ideal for bikes and strollers.
And while Sanur may not be sleepy anymore, and the pace of life is still quite relaxed compared to Seminyak and Canggu, it has a unique vibe all of its own.
We’ve found that families love the walkable restaurants, cafes and bars, reliable taxi services and resorts that prioritise providing space, shallow pools, and supervised kids’ activities without the high-energy intensity of the other major beach towns.
In short, it’s a place where people come to recharge their batteries while their kids have the usual hijinks and fun they want to have on a holiday.
The best hotels here deliver big rooms and suites (and often with a kitchen or connecting room options), dedicated children’s pools (and waterslides sometimes), supervised kids’ clubs, free cribs and high chairs, children’s menus, and staff that know how to assist little travellers.
Many of the resorts are steps from the sand or offer very easy beach access, and that makes parents’ lives simpler when looking after toddlers and school-aged children.
Here are, in our opinion, the 10 best family-friendly resorts in Sanur. We’ve chosen them based on our own experiences, consistent parental feedback, practical amenities, their location and their value for families.
The Best 10 Family-Friendly Resorts In Sanur
Hyatt Regency Bali
This striking hotel sits among a collection of curated tropical gardens, and it delivers a classic large-resort family experience.
Their “Camp Hyatt” program provides structured indoor and outdoor play for children, creative activities, and there’s an emphasis on Balinese cultural elements, which can be very beneficial if you want your children to learn something about the island they are staying on.
They also have multiple pools with family-friendly zones, and the resort itself offers direct beach access to Sanur’s calm ocean waters. So, it’s completely hassle-free to jump from the pool to the beach and back.
The scale of the hotel grounds gives your kids plenty of room to explore and have fun, while you enjoy a quieter corner and enjoy some peace or head to the spa for some time.
Family rooms and the service overall make this a really good choice for families in search of really polished facilities, reliable kids’ programs, and a sense of place. We’d recommend it both for families seeking resort amenities and easy beach time and for those looking for a base for a multi-generational trip.
Address: Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.89, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228, Indonesia
Website: Hyatt
Our Rating: 45/50
Our Review: Resort Luxury Right On The Sanur Boardwalk
Maya Sanur Resort & Spa
The key selling point of Maya Sanur is the thoughtful pool design. It has a long lagoon pool, an infinity beach pool, a family pool and a dedicated kids’ pool.
Maya’s kids’ club and playground offer structured play options to keep the kids entertained. There are free cribs and especially attentive staff to support the younger guests.
Many of the rooms at this resort can offer lagoon or pool access, which can be really convenient, particularly if you have younger children with you.
There is beach access, and the resort has a very modern, yet calming, aesthetic appeal. Parents who want quality without overwhelming scale are going to be very happy here.
We find their guests tend to praise the food, spa and the overall family-oriented atmosphere. This resort is very well suited to toddlers and younger-aged children who will benefit from shallow water pools and easy supervision.
Address: Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.89M, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228, Indonesia
Website: Maya Resorts Sanur
Our Rating: 40/50
Tandjung Sari Hotel
This is one of the more historic properties in Sanur, and it’s a more intimate, character-filled alternative to the more modern resorts in the beach town.
It’s directly on the beach, has an outdoor pool, family rooms and a relaxed atmosphere, which all combine to provide that classic Bali feel.
Their guests always praise their consistently high standard of service and the fact that the hotel offers a real sense of place.
It’s a good choice for parents who want to find a place with quieter surroundings and authentic Balinese character as opposed to large kids’ clubs.
However, it still provides the essentials for a family holiday: the pool and beach access. It’s the sort of place you head to for a boutique experience with reliable home comforts.
Address: Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.41, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228, Indonesia
Website: Tandjung Sari Hotel
Our Rating: 38/50
Our Review: Breezy Beachfront Bungalow Bargains?
Our Review: Never Be Bored In Sanur
Prime Plaza Suites Sanur
Prime Plaza Suites Sanur is often at the top of lists of family resorts in this seaside town, and for good reason.
This property centres around its “Camp Splash”. This is a dedicated kids’ club that features a 30-meter waterslide, a shaded toddler pool, climbing elements, a games room, a full program of arts, crafts, treasure hunts, face painting, pool games, etc., that runs every day.
It also has spacious one- to three-bedroom suites that have full kitchens, which makes preparing snacks or even full meals for little fussy eaters so easy.
They do offer kids eat free policies at times (make sure to confirm this is available when you book), and the suite format makes it a good venue for longer stays.
The pool area at this hotel is always busy with families, which makes it easy for your kids to find new holiday friends, and the location is super convenient for exploring Sanur as a whole.
This place is particularly popular with parents with energetic children who want some space of their own with plenty of activities for their offspring, without having to pay ultra-luxury prices.
Address: Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.83, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Website: The Meru Sanur
Our Rating: 37/50
Our Review: A Very Family-Friendly Place
Prama Sanur Beach Bali
This lovely beachfront spot gives families access to one of the finest stretches of sand in Sanur. It also offers multiple pools, including some with water slides, and there are plenty of kids’ activities to enjoy, plus a splash zone that helps to ensure your children are always engaged.
They have spacious rooms, and it’s a very convenient location for restaurants and the promenade, which adds practical appeal to a very pleasant hotel.
The combination of beach access, pool variety and on-site dining options makes it a very solid mid-to-upper-range choice for families seeking to mix up resort time with exploring Sanur’s waterfront charm.
It’s a great place for mixed-age groups looking to have fun in the water and for beach days.
Address: Jl. Cemara, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Website: Prama Sanur
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Segara Village Hotel
Segara Village is a resort that offers pleasant garden bungalows that almost feel like they belong in a local village with beachside dining and family-friendly amenities.
The charming and relaxed layout of the place, multiple pools and proximity to the beach make this a very easy base for parents with young children.
They’ve recently added their own beach club with kids’ pools to give this resort extra appeal to families.
We think it offers excellent value for money and it’s far less formal than some of the bigger resorts in Bali. If you want garden space, beach access and a comfortable mid-range stay this is a great choice.
Address: Jl. Segara Ayu, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80030, Indonesia
Website: Segara Village Hotel
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Mercure Resort Sanur
This hotel sits right on the beach, and it’s surrounded by tropical gardens. The Mercure Resort in Sanur has two pools, family rooms (which have both connecting options and options for bunk beds) and kids’ facilities.
The beachfront restaurant and overall layout support lovely days of swimming, playing in the sand and tasty (but easy) meals.
It’s an ideal place for families that want a practical beach resort with good traditional amenities at a more accessible price point.
The combination of location and facilities helps to ensure that both younger and older children enjoy their time at this hotel.
Address: Mertasari St, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Denpasar City, Bali 80228, Indonesia
Website: All Accor Sanur
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
The Meru Sanur
This is one of the more recently refreshed properties in the area, and there’s an emphasis on spacious suites, wellness elements and a dedicated kids club.
There are plenty of cultural workshops and creative activities for children, large pool facilities and it’s close enough to the beach to ensure there’s all the physical space a family could ask for.
If you’re seeking all-suite comforts and structured children’s programming in a luxurious environment, The Meru might be what you’re looking for.
Address: Jl. Hang Tuah, Sanur Kaja, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80227, Indonesia
Website: The Meru Sanur
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Puri Santrian
This resort provides beachfrton living with multiple pools (this includes family-oriented areas of the pools), a garden setting and a very welcoming atmosphere for children.
Regular guests say that the wel-mataininted grounds and ability to move easily between pool, beach and dining are very welcome.
This is a nice balanced mid-range resort experience with excellent beach access and enough facilities to keep most families occupied without feeling overwhelmed.
Address: Jl. Cemara No.35, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Website: Puri Santrian
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Inna Sindhu Beach Hotel & Resort
The Inna Sindhu is ideal for a family seeking a more value-focused stay but still with beach acess, an outdoor pool and family rooms.
If your family is happy to prioritise beach time over resort time, you can’t beat the value for money that’s on offer here.
Address: Jl. Pantai Sindhu No.14, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Website: Inna Sandhu
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Practical Tips For Families That Visit Sanur
As with every part of Bali, there are certain precautions you can take to make sure your holiday goes swimmingly. Now, we should note that Sanur has one of the safest beaches around, and it’s much safer than the other Southern beach towns thanks to the gentle slope and protective coral reef.
Your hotel can almost certainly arrange an airport transfer, and while it is more expensive than a ride-share taxi from the airport, it’s way more convenient. If you’re dragging loads of luggage and your children are with you, it’s worth the little extra cash.
We recommend that you confirm with the hotel any kids’ club hours, age ranges, and any free periods for meals or stays when you reserve, as they can vary by property and by season.
It’s also worth noting that many properties in Sanur can provide free cribs and high chairs and have dedicated kids’ menus.
You should always pack reef-safe sunscreen for Bali, plus hats and light cover-ups; you don’t want your kids to burn.
Our team also recommends the use of private cars and drivers for day trips (Waterbom, Ubud, Denpasar, etc.) rather than ride-sharing, as it’s cheap and convenient.
We never recommend using a scooter in Bali, particularly if you have kids with you; accidents are frighteningly common due to road conditions and local driving standards. It’s not worth it; take a car and be safe, even if it takes a little longer. It’s not expensive.
Finally, the local restaurant scene is very family-oriented, and it’s easy to find places that have high chairs and simpler dishes for kids.
FAQs
Is Sanur A Good Destination For A Family Holiday?
Yes, Sanur is an excellent destination for a family holiday. The town is quieter and more relaxed than Canggu or Seminyak, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to do.
In fact, for young children, the reef-protected waters mean that you can enjoy swimming as a family without any worries about anyone being pulled out to sea.
The boardwalk along the beach is perfect for a sunrise stroll and then deciding where you want to stop for a little beachside breakfast in the early part of the day.
There are plenty of attractions in the town, and it’s also home to Bali’s biggest shopping mall – Icon Mall, which we think is a very handy addition to a holiday.
Sanur is also not far from the rest of the major tourist towns, so if you want to visit Ubud, Canggu or Nusa Dua, it’s not too hard to do so. It’s also perfectly positioned for exploring Denpasar, the capital city of Bali, which is often unfairly overlooked by visitors.
There are plenty of family-focused resorts in the town too, so it’s never hard to find a kids’ club, organised activities or a great pool and staff who are in the business of ensuring your kids have a great Bali holiday.
Is Sanur Safe?
Yes, the whole of Bali is very safe and, generally speaking, most visitors will find that it’s safer than the places they have left behind to visit the island.
Sanur is an especially safe part of the island as it tends to attract quiet family groups, rather than rowdy drunken tourists as in areas such as Kuta and Seminyak.
That doesn’t mean that every holiday is completely uneventful. There is some petty crime everywhere on the planet, and it’s a wise idea to keep a close eye on your possessions in public.
We should also note that as a tropical island, Bali has some potential health threats that you may not be aware of. It’s a good idea to visit the family doctor a few months before you travel and get up to date on your vaccinations and get any other health advice that you may need.
We should stress that the vast majority of holidays in Bali are incident-free and most tourists will have an amazing holiday.
One final warning: we don’t recommend riding scooters anywhere in Bali, particularly not with your children. The roads and driving standards here are very bad, and accidents are very common.
Don’t risk your child’s health on a bike; take a ride-share car instead. They’re super cheap and way safer, even if it does take a little longer to get somewhere.
Which Family-Friendly Hotels Are Closest To The Beach In Sanur?
Most of the best family-friendly hotels are on the beach in Sanur, and some of those from our lineup above include Prama Sanur Beach Hotel, Segara Village Hotel, and Inna Sindhu Beach Hotel and Resort.
And Prime Plaza Suites and others are a very short walk from the beach. You won’t struggle to get on the sand in this beach town.
Are There Any All-Inclusive Resorts For Families In Sanur?
The only resort that consistently offers an all-inclusive package for families in Sanur is the Prama Sanur Beach Bali.
Most hotels on the island don’t offer all-inclusive packages, and we would note that those that do are often charging way more than you’d pay if you just paid for things as you went along.
Unless you have a fixed budget and want to ensure that you stick to it, we don’t really recommend these deals in Bali.
Which Sanur Hotels Have Water Slides?
There are three top hotels with water slides in Sanur, Bali: Prime Plaza Suites Sanur, Prama Sanur Beach Bali and Hyatt Regency Bali.
Final Thoughts On Family-Friendly Fun In Sanur
Sanur is a firm favourite with families visiting Bali, and its quieter nature makes it ideal for young couples looking for a genuine break from work, but who also want their kids to be entertained and come back with amazing memories of Bali.
The best hotels in this area help parents out by removing any stress involved with day-to-day life. There’s calm ocean water for paddling and swimming, pools with shallow and/or supervised areas, kids’ clubs dedicated to providing you with some downtime, and accommodation with enough space so that everyone has their space and can decompress.
Whether you opt for the waterslide vibes and high energy of Prime Plaze, the garden scale and Camp Hyatt at Hyatt Regency, the lagoon pools of Maya Sanur or something a little more intimate like Tandjung Sari – you’re going to find plenty of properties in this part of Bali that are designed around the realities of travelling as a family.
Sanur is most rewarding to families seeking a self-contained but walkable base with reliable facilities and a gentle vibe. It’s always best to match your hotel choices to your kids’ ages and your overall preferred pace.
Then, prioritise your room configuration to ensure everyone has their own space, and prepare for relaxing beach days, pool play times, and the simple pleasure of a traditional laid-back holiday where everyone can relax together as a family.
Your kids will remember the waterslides, the boardwalk, the freedom to play, and you will remember the joy of being able to sip on a cocktail poolside without a care in the world, knowing your children are safe and sound and having the time of their lives.
