Ubud is in the heart of Bali, and it provides the opportunity to experience a different side of life from Bali’s beach towns. Your family holiday can be nestled in the cultural centre of the island amid rice terraces, monkey forests, river valleys and dense jungle.
It’s a place that appeals to families seeking nature, spirituality, art and a slower, cooler pace of life than in the beach towns.
The best family-friendly hotels in Ubud tend to offer spacious suites or private villas, pools (private and/or shared and usually with shallow areas for the little ones), supervised kids’ clubs and cultural activities, babysitting options and settings that are both safe and inspiring for your children.
Most are within easy reach of the famous Sacred Monkey Forest, Campuhan Ridge, and waterfalls and rice terraces for hiking, while still providing you with the comfort of amazing dining and reliable service.
Unlike Bali’s coastal resorts, Ubud’s properties tend to emphasise the potential for immersion (such as riverside exploration, Balinese craft workshops, interactions with the local wildlife) but can still deliver those practicalities that parents need, such as free cribs, kids’ menus, interconnecting rooms and multi-bedroom villas, and staff who can respond to the needs of travelling children effectively and with genuine warmth and grace.
If you’re planning a two-centre holiday, Ubud’s cooler inland climate and green surroundings can ensure that you feel refreshed after spending some time by the hot and humid coastline.
Here are, in our opinion, the 10 finest family-friendly hotels and resorts in Ubud. We’ve selected them based on our own experiences, parental feedback, their amenities for kids, their location and their overall suitability for families.
The Best 10 Family-Friendly Resorts In Ubud
Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan
This resort regularly used to win accolades as one of the best, if not THE best in the world. It’s one of Ubud’s premier family resorts, and it’s an amazing place to stay.
It sits in a dramatic river valley and offers suites and villas (including multi-bedroom options that can scale to the biggest families). Everything here has generous living space and sweeping views of the Ubud countryside.
Their Pici Pici Kids Club is famous for delivering nature- and culturally inspired activities for children, and they offer excellent babysitting services too.
Families (and particularly kids) love the buggy service that carries out transfers within the property, the riverside exploration fun, and thoughtful child-oriented programming that incorporates Balinese traditions into play.
The combination of luxury, space and meaningful experiences makes it excellent for families that want a very high-end base that will create lasting memories for their children.
Address: Jl. Raya Sayan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Website: Four Seasons
Our Rating: 46/50
Our Review: A World-Leading Resort
Komaneka At Bisma
Komaneka properties are well-known for their attentive service staff and family-friendly designs. The Bisma property has infinity pool views over the jungle canopy, which pair with spacious villas and suites that are perfect for families.
The grounds are safe for exploring, and the whole team is experienced with children. This boutique resort is for families that are seeking a more intimate scale rather than an overwhelmingly large resort but who still want good pools, amazing dining and promixity to the best of Ubud.
The free shuttle service at this resort is excellent and makes it really convenient to explore the centre of town.
Address: Jl. Bisma, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Website: Bisma
Our Rating: 42/50
Our Review: Peaceful Bliss In The Heart Of Ubud
Royal Pita Maha
This gorgeous resort cascades down the Ayung River Valley and offers a collection of amazing pool villas (perfect for families, with two-bedroom villas that share a pool terrace), and it provides privacy and space to its guests.
This riverside setting and terraced design deliver a proper sense of sanctuary found in Bali. And the overall level of luxury in these family-oriented villas is ideal for multi-generational stays.
If you want to prioritise private pools, views and a more secluded family get-together, with the option for cultural activities and great service, this is an excellent choice of resort in Ubud.
Address: Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Website: Pita Maha Bali
Our Rating: 39/50
Our Review: Pampering In The Rice Fields
Maya Ubud Resort And Spa
Maya Ubud offers luxurious jungle immersion alongside practical facilities for the whole family. They have a dedicated children’s pool and kids’ club, offer complimentary cribs, and have kitchenettes in many of their suites.
The resort has a unique layout of villas and rooms with plenty of green space between them to allow you to spread out and find your peace. The daily housekeeping and first-rate service team ensure that the logistics of your family holiday are all taken care of.
Parents say that they value the balance of privacy this resort offers with shared amenities. They say they love that they can hit the spa for some quiet time while their children enjoy supervised play options nearby.
It suits a family seeking a resort vibe without wanting the huge scale of some of the bigger properties, with full access to Ubud’s cultural attractions.
Address: Jl. Gn. Sari, Peliatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Website: Maya Luxury Hotel & Villas
Our Rating: 33/50
Our Review: A Genuine Bargain In The Jungle
The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud, Bali
The Westin’s approach to children is very structured, and it’s super popular in their Nusa Dua resort and in their Ubud hills resort. Their Westin Family Kids Club delivers interactive learning and play opportunities.
These include Balinese dance classes, Indonesian language basics, kids’ yoga classes and much more. There’s also a dedicated kids’ pool, family dining options and packages that offer free stays or meals for kids under a certain age (to add some more practical value).
There’s a real focus on wellbeing at this resort, with programs that extend to families; everything here is about connection.
The spacious accommodation and surrounding greenery offer a restorative environment for families that want activity and real downtime.
Address: Jl. Lod Tunduh, Singakerta, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Website: Marriott
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Padma Resort Ubud
Padma is one of Bali’s best-known hotel groups, and this resort is in a wonderful jungle setting but without compromising on facilities.
Their kids’ club offers engaging and unique elements such as animal feeding, and the family pools and broad range of dining options are ideal for longer stays.
The scale of this property and its careful programs make it a good choice for families that want a bunch of structured activities alongside some natural immersion.
If you want the complete resort experience in Ubud, this could well be the right choice for you.
Address: Padma Resort Ubud Banjar Carik, Jl. Raya Bukiyan, Puhu, Kec. Payangan, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80572
Website: Padma
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Kamandalu Ubud
This resort is spread across broad hillside grounds and creates a sort of traditional Balinese village vibe, but one that has been scaled to luxurious standards.
They have family villas, a main pool with valley views, a children’s pool (that includes a great water slide and shallow area), and a kids’ club with rice-field trekking, traditional painting, Balinese music creation, and pool games. It’s a great program that’s a huge amount of fun for young children.
The pools are also spread out, which means that they rarely feel crowded and children can play to their heart’s content without getting underfoot.
Address: Jl. Lanyahan, Petulu, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Website: Kamandalu Ubud
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Visesa Ubud Resort
Visesa is a lovely rice field retreat with a strong emphasis on family holidays, with a dedicated kids’ club, playground, children’s pool and features such as their daily animal parade through the rice fields.
Their luxury private pool villas overlooking the working fields create a very memorable setting for a Bali getaway. They also offer interactive experiences such as cooking classes and rice-field walks.
Young guests tend to love the animal interactions and open space. Families looking for cultural immersion balanced with more practical amenities will love it.
Address: Jl. Suweta, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Website: Visesa
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Alila Ubud
Alila is a big name in Bali, and if you want private pool villas, shared pools where your kids can congregate, babysitting services, and more, you’re going to find them to be just what you’re looking for.
They provide a great base with plenty of space for families and proximity to all the local attractions while still offering a quiet, secluded environment to unwind in and enjoy some peace.
Address: Melinggih Kelod, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80572, Indonesia
Website: Alila Ubud
Our Rating: TBC
Our Review: Coming Soon
Practical Tips For Families That Visit Ubud
Your holiday in Ubud is going to be great fun, but there are a few things you should know before you travel to the jungle town that will help you get the most out of the experience.
Firstly, the terrain in Ubud can be steep, involve steps, and have uneven paths. It’s a good idea to choose properties that have elevators, offer buggies to villas, and layouts that are meant for strollers and prams if needed. You must check to see if the property you choose is “toddler safe” as some involve some pretty dramatic fallaways into the valleys below.
Many of the hotels in this area provide free or paid shuttle services to Central Ubud, which can be very helpful when you want to get out and explore the area.
However, there’s no doubt that hiring a private car and driver is the best way to get out to the best rice terraces, waterfalls and temples with your kids.
Before you book, make sure to confirm any kids’ club age ranges, the hours of operation, whether there are any fees for this service and if you need them, also check they have crib and high-chair availability for your needs.
You will also need to think about mosquito protection, while the beach towns aren’t normally overwhelmed with mozzies, once you get inland they are a bit more prevalent. Most hotels can provide mosquito nets for sleeping and other measures.
But you should still bring DEET insect repellent and cover up your arms and legs in the early mornings when dengue-bearing mosquitoes tend to make their rounds.
Make sure to pack some layers as the evenings can be pretty cool in Ubud.
The Ubud restaurant scene is very good at catering to families, and many villas and suites have a kitchen so you can cook at home or prepare snacks for your kids.
It’s a good idea to book any cultural activities (such as dance classes, treks, ATV rides, cooking classes, offering making, etc.) in advance if they appeal to your children, as they often sell out, particularly in peak season.
FAQs
Is Ubud A Good Destination For A Family Holiday?
Yes, Ubud is an excellent destination for a family holiday. We’d recommend it as part of a two-centre holiday, where you stay in a beach town such as Canggu first and then head inland for a cooler break surrounded by glorious nature.
There’s a lot to see and do in Ubud, and it’s often more reasonably priced than some of the more popular destinations such as Nusa Dua. This can help you stretch out your budget and still enjoy the finest things in life.
Most of the better hotels have excellent pool layouts and plenty of room configurations to suit every size of family, and many of them have kids’ clubs too. You can enjoy the luxuries of Ubud, safe in the knowledge that your children are having supervised fun.
Ubud’s your chance to explore ancient temples, thrilling monkey forests, stunning rice fields, walk past waterfalls and enjoy so much more. It’s a wonderful place.
Is Ubud Safe?
Yes, all of Bali is safe, and many visitors report that they find being on the island much safer than it is at home. Ubud has a very different vibe from the beach towns, and it’s particularly safe.
However, we should stress that this doesn’t mean that there are no risks when it comes to staying in Ubud.
Firstly, as a tropical island, there are distinct health dangers here that you won’t face at home. It’s a very good idea to talk to your family doctor a few months before you travel for their advice and to get your vaccinations up to date.
There are also some minor risks from wildlife, particularly stray dogs and, in Ubud itself, wild monkeys. The best way to stay safe from these creatures is to keep them at a safe distance. They may be cute, but it’s just common sense.
You’ll be pleased to know that violent crime is almost unheard of in Bali, and it’s very unlikely that you would be involved in anything like this. However, petty crime is real, and you should keep a close eye on your belongings, particularly in crowded tourist areas where pickpockets may operate.
We strongly recommend if you want to get around in Bali, you either use a ride-share car or hire a private car and driver; these are very inexpensive compared to back home and much safer than using a scooter.
And we never recommend using a scooter, particularly if you have young children with you; the roads here are of poor quality, and local driving is erratic to say the least. Accidents are very common, and it’s best to keep your kids safe, no matter how appealing it looks.
Overall, the vast majority of visitors to Bali go home without any incidents.
Which Family-Friendly Hotels Are Closest To The Centre In Ubud?
If you’re all set on staying in the centre of town, you can find a few family-friendly options here. Some local favourites include: Gayatri (around 200 metres from Ubud Palace), Awan Bali House, Adiwana Resort Jembawan and Cendana Resort & Spa.
They may not have made our top 10 (see above), but there’s no doubt that these are good hotels and some of them are very reasonably priced for budget travellers.
Is It Best To Stay In Ubud Centre Or In The Surrounding Countryside?
It really depends on what you’re looking for in your family holiday. Staying in the centre makes it super convenient to walk to the monkey forest, the Royal Palace, or Ubud Market, etc., but it’s very busy and can be quite noisy at times.
You may also have to endure the monkeys from the monkey forest running around the property, which might sound cute, but monkeys are wild animals and can present a real danger to small children if they’re not being carefully supervised.
Staying in some of the out-of-town areas allows you to immerse yourself in jungle life and enjoy a quieter environment, but you will need transportation to get in and out of the major attractions.
Do Ubud Hotels Typically Have Kids’ Clubs?
No, most of the hotels in Ubud will have a pool or more than one pool, sometimes with child-friendly amenities around the pool, but you’ll need to stay in one of the larger resorts to find kids’ club services.
These resorts will also typically offer kids’ pools, waterslides, etc., which can ensure that your children have the time of their lives.
How Many Days Should We Stay In Ubud?
There’s no doubt that you can spend a full two weeks in Ubud without getting bored; there’s a lot to do in this central town, and it has one of the best restaurant scenes in Bali.
However, if you’re looking for a balance within a holiday where you want to see more of the island, we’d recommend 3-5 days. Try not to move around too much; the traffic can make a move a long, draining day without much to do around checking in and out of hotels.
So, we find it’s best to stick to a couple of destinations and then take day trips if you want to explore the island more. It’s cheap and easy to hire a private car and driver for these; you don’t have to join the package tours, which can be a bit much for children, particularly the younger ones.
Final Thoughts On Family-Friendly Fun In Ubud
Ubud is all about bringing together natural beauty, spirituality and local cultural depth and marrying it with the practical requirements of travelling with children.
You can find space to retreat, safe swimming options, supervised and engaging activities, service that makes life easy, and so on.
Whether you opt for the luxurious Four Seasons Sayan with its Pici Pici Club for valley fun and games, the sensible structured programs of the Westin, the rice-field immersion of Viseasa, or the villa privacy of places like Komaneka and Royal Pita Maha, you will find properties where your kids can have adventures while you recharge your batteries.
Ubud is for families seeking something more than beaches. It’s about jungle walks, temple visits, craft workshops, and the chance to slow down as a family and appreciate the good things in life.
It’s always best to match your hotel choice to your children’s age ranges and their energy levels. You should prioritise multi-bedroom or villa configurations for the best use of space, and prepare for a holiday that delivers calm for parents and adventure for the younger ones.
Your kids are going to remember the monkeys, the sense of discovery, and the wonderful pools; you’re going to remember that wonderful time when your family’s comfort, culture and nature all came together.
