Perched high above Jimbaran Bay, Raffles Bali is one of Indonesia’s most exclusive resorts. The Raffles name is synonymous with luxury hospitality, thanks largely to the iconic Raffles Singapore, which has welcomed everyone from royalty and celebrities to literary greats since 1887.
We visited Raffles Bali to continue celebrating a special milestone: Cole’s first birthday. The trip felt particularly meaningful because less than two years earlier we had travelled through Bali on our babymoon while I was pregnant with him. Returning with a one-year-old in tow, alongside his older brother Ryder, felt like a full-circle moment.
While Cole had already travelled to Singapore and the Maldives as a baby, this was his first visit to Bali, an island he had experienced long before he was born.
THE RESORT
Arriving at Raffles Bali feels more like arriving at a private estate than a resort. After welcome drinks at the arrival pavilion, we climbed aboard a buggy for our first journey through the property. Winding roads meander through lush tropical gardens, towering palms and dense greenery, revealing glimpses of the Indian Ocean below.
The landscaping is one of the standout features of Raffles Bali. Although located in Jimbaran, there were moments when the surrounding scenery felt more reminiscent of Ubud rather than Bali’s coastline. Looking out across valleys and rainforest-like vegetation, it was easy to forget we were just minutes from the airport.
The buggy system also brought back memories of our stay at Raffles Seychelles. Much like Praslin Island, the villas are positioned across a hillside overlooking the ocean, with guests travelling between restaurants, pools and the beach by buggy.
With every villa featuring its own private pool, guests can simply enjoy their own private sanctuary. This was evident during our stay, with near full occupancy, even the spectacular main infinity pool overlooking the bay was often virtually empty during the day.
THE RAFFLES BUTLER SERVICE
One of the defining features of a stay at Raffles Bali is the personalised Butler Service. Each villa is assigned a dedicated butler who acts as a single point of contact throughout your stay, helping coordinate everything from dining reservations and activities to buggy transfers around the resort.
Our butler, Chris, quickly became a familiar face throughout our stay. Whether arranging a ride to breakfast, confirming a spa appointment or helping coordinate our activities and photography schedule, he was always on hand to assist.
For us, the service became particularly helpful when travelling with two young children. Having a dedicated point of contact added a seamlessness that allowed us to simply relax and enjoy our time together as a family.
THE ACCOMMODATION
We stayed in one of Raffles Bali’s one-bedroom Pool Villas and it was anything but ordinary. At 470 square metres, the villa featured a private infinity pool, oversized pavilion, outdoor shower and expansive indoor-outdoor living spaces surrounded by tropical greenery.
We found ourselves spending much of our time back at the villa, whether it was for a morning swim, an afternoon nap or simply relaxing together between meals and activities.
Much of that time was spent in the oversized pavilion beside the pool, which captured the most beautiful ocean breeze throughout the day and spectacular sunsets in the evening. Filled with oversized cushions and shaded from the afternoon sun, it quickly became the heart of our villa.
Ryder would spread his toys across the daybed while Cole happily crawled between cushions, books and snacks under the watchful eye of the boys’ nanny. It was also where many of the quieter moments unfolded. While Jason and I relaxed nearby, Cole would often be gently patted to sleep in the afternoon breeze, drifting off to the sounds of tropical birds and rustling palms.
Cole also enjoyed his very first swim in Bali in our private infinity pool. We were convinced he might even take his first steps during our stay. While that milestone didn’t arrive until a few weeks after we returned home, it felt as though he spent the entire holiday preparing for it.
The outdoor shower was another standout feature, while the oversized soaking tub quickly became part of our nightly routine. After long days spent swimming and exploring, both boys would happily splash around before bed, creating some of those simple family holiday memories that often become the most treasured.
THE DINING
Dining proved to be one of the highlights of our stay. Breakfast at Rumari was unlike any resort breakfast we have experienced. Rather than a traditional buffet, guests are invited to order freely from an extensive à la carte menu, creating an experience that feels more like a daily degustation than a hotel breakfast.
One of the things Raffles does exceptionally well is personalised service. At our first breakfast, several members of the team introduced themselves and quickly got to know our family. With two very hungry young children in tow, we asked if a basket of pastries could be brought out while we looked over the menu. Croissants happen to be Ryder and Cole’s favourite breakfast food.
The following morning, the pastries arrived without us having to ask. It was a small gesture, but one that perfectly captured the intuitive service Raffles is known for. While the boys happily munched away on croissants, Jason and I could take our time deciding between lobster omelettes, Indonesian specialities and the many other temptations on the menu.
There were countless highlights, but the Jimbaran Bay lobster omelette featuring rock lobster bisque, tomato, scallion and Asian herbs was unforgettable. Equally memorable was the signature 60-degree Tabanan duck egg, while the Indonesian breakfast dishes provided a delicious introduction to the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Our first evening was spent enjoying one of the resort’s signature experiences, a private in-villa barbecue. As the sun set over Jimbaran Bay, a private chef prepared a feast of seafood, premium meats and local specialities beside our pool. With the boys free to explore their new surroundings and make as much noise as they liked, it was the perfect way to settle into the resort.
We also spent plenty of time at Loloan Beach Bar & Grill near the main pool, enjoying long lunches between swims.
One of the highlights of our stay was a date night at Rumari while the boys’ nanny spent time with Ryder and Cole back at the villa. The restaurant’s storytelling degustation menu unfolds like a journey across Indonesia through flavour, culture and ingredients. Before service began, Executive Chef Gaetan Biesuz personally introduced himself and spent time chatting with us about the menu, his journey to Bali and what drew him to Raffles.
Even the menu itself felt personal. Beautifully illustrated with portraits of the team behind the experience, it introduced guests not only to the dishes but also to the people creating them. It was a thoughtful touch that reinforced the warm and genuine hospitality we experienced throughout our stay.
THE EXPERIENCES
One of the most memorable experiences during our stay was the Melukat purification ritual. Designed to cleanse the body, mind and spirit, this sacred Balinese ceremony takes place within the resort’s temple and involves a series of blessings, offerings and water purification rituals that have been practised for generations.
Thoughtfully arranged for all three of us, it became one of the most meaningful experiences of our stay. Dressed in traditional Balinese attire, Ryder participated alongside Jason and me as we moved through the various blessings and rituals together under the guidance of a Balinese priest.
There was something incredibly special about experiencing such an important part of Balinese culture as a family. Travel can often be about ticking off sights and activities, but this felt different. It was a genuine cultural connection and a memory I suspect we will all remember for years to come.
Ryder and I also spent an afternoon decorating cookies together, one of several family-friendly activities available at the resort. While simple, it was a lovely opportunity to enjoy some one-on-one time together amidst the excitement of the holiday.
Later in our stay, Jason and I escaped for a traditional Balinese couples massage at Raffles Spa while the boys’ nanny spent time with Ryder and Cole back at the villa. Set amongst tropical gardens overlooking the coastline, the spa feels wonderfully removed from the rest of the world.
As parents of two young children, uninterrupted time together has become something of a luxury in itself. For an hour or two, there was nowhere to be, nothing to organise and no schedule to follow. Just birdsong, ocean breezes and the rare opportunity to completely switch off.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN
While Raffles Bali is often regarded as one of Bali’s most romantic luxury resorts, we found it surprisingly well suited to families.
While Raffles Bali does not have a dedicated kids’ club, the spacious villas provide plenty of room for children to play, while the private pool, oversized pavilion and flexible dining options made travelling with young children remarkably easy.
It’s worth noting that we travelled with a local Balinese nanny who had been recommended to us by close friends living in Bali. She joined us throughout our stay and helped care for the boys, allowing Jason and I to enjoy experiences such as a traditional Balinese couples massage at Raffles Spa and a date night at Rumari while knowing Ryder and Cole were comfortable back at the villa.
Most importantly, the resort allowed us to celebrate an important family milestone without sacrificing luxury. Cole’s first birthday may have been just before we arrived, but this trip was very much a continuation of the celebrations and a chance to introduce him to an island that had already played such an important role in his story.
HOW TO GET THERE
Raffles Bali is located in Jimbaran on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, approximately 20 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
FAQs
Is Raffles Bali suitable for families with young children?
Yes. While Raffles Bali is often regarded as one of Bali’s most romantic luxury resorts, we found it surprisingly well suited to families. During our stay with a one-year-old and a five-year-old, the spacious villas, private pool and flexible dining options made travelling with young children remarkably easy.
Does Raffles Bali have a kids’ club?
No, Raffles Bali does not have a dedicated kids’ club. However, family-friendly activities are available, including experiences such as cookie decorating. We travelled with a local Balinese nanny, which also allowed us to enjoy experiences such as a couples massage and a date night at Rumari while the boys relaxed back at the villa.
Does every villa at Raffles Bali have a private pool?
Yes. All 32 villas at Raffles Bali feature a private swimming pool, outdoor living spaces and dedicated Butler Service. We stayed in one of the resort’s one-bedroom Pool Villas and found it exceptionally spacious for a family of four.
What is the Raffles Butler Service?
Each villa at Raffles Bali is assigned a dedicated butler who acts as a single point of contact throughout your stay. Our butler, Chris, assisted with everything from restaurant reservations and activities to buggy transfers around the resort, helping make our stay feel effortless.
What is dining like at Raffles Bali?
Dining was one of the highlights of our stay. Breakfast at Rumari felt more like a daily degustation than a traditional hotel breakfast, while the resort’s private in-villa barbecue and Rumari’s storytelling dinner menu were particularly memorable. The personalised service was equally impressive, with staff remembering our family’s breakfast preferences after just one morning.
Is Raffles Bali better for couples or families?
Raffles Bali works beautifully for both. Couples will appreciate the privacy, spa and dining experiences, while families can take advantage of the spacious villas, private pools and relaxed pace of the resort. We visited as a family and found it offered an excellent balance of luxury and practicality.
