The blue sky, white clouds, and sandy beaches—those wonderful memories all came rushing back. Don’t call me, just let my soul linger there a little longer.
Bali is one of the travel guide’s top picks for family-friendly islands, but to be honest, most island destinations are great for families~
When visiting Bali, remember: it has “first-class hotels, second-class beaches, and third-class attractions.” So be sure to choose a great hotel—you’ll be happy just soaking up the resort.
And the Ayana that Shishi chose? Absolutely top-notch.
Built on a 35-meter-high limestone cliff overlooking Jimbaran Bay, it offers breathtaking views of the emerald-green bay, and at sunset, you can watch the Indian Ocean turn golden. It wins travel awards every year, and the travel guide thinks it’s well-deserved.
The famed Jimbaran sunset—one of Bali’s must-sees—is best viewed from Ayana! Sunset Beach BBQ? Buddy, bring me a dozen orders, please.
Ayana has the island’s largest Kids Club. Just check out these pics and feel the vibe.
The massive pool on the lower level
The kids’ pool with slides—super gentle slopes so children can choose based on their swimming skills. Plus, there’s even a baby splash pool~
A pool even lower than Rock Bar—perfect for watching the sunset in style.
Kids Club
With sand pits, trampolines, swings, indoor play areas, child-minding services, and occasional craft workshops for the little ones.
Rock Bar
Bali’s most stunning sunset viewpoint—a cliffside bar accessed by a vertical lift. Ayana guests get priority queuing. Sunset + cloud scenery = absolutely spectacular. No wonder it’s the island’s best sunset spot.
The Glass Chapel and the lawn in front
Shishi’s wedding ceremony yesterday took place in the Tresna Chapel, perched on a cliff overlooking the endless coastline. The expansive lawn outside is perfect for letting kids burn off energy.
Next to Ayana is its sister property RIMBA, part of the same hotel group and focused on a forest theme. You can take a shuttle from Ayana to explore, and take the kids to see trees and tropical plants. RIMBA’s kids’ pool slides are even longer and more thrilling than Ayana’s.
Let me repeat: Bali has “first-class hotels, second-class beaches, and third-class attractions.” If you really want to get out and about, a one-day private tour is enough.
You can try Zen Spa in the Ubud area—parents can take turns watching the kids, and you definitely have to experience it. It’s dirt cheap, with treatments for around 200 RMB per person. In Beijing, the same Zen Spa branch charges 1500–2000 RMB per person. One session could pay for your discounted flight ticket—shh, don’t tell everyone~
Not far from Zen Spa is a “dirty duck” restaurant. The taste is similar to Peking duck, though it didn’t leave much of an impression—just try it for the experience~
Words from the Travel Guide
As Indonesia’s flagship island destination, Bali stands out from other islands in the following ways:
Compared to Sanya, it has more exotic charm—perfect for letting kids experience a different culture.
Compared to Hawaii, it’s much more affordable—the cost of food and drink is roughly 4–5 times cheaper. And after visiting the main island, you usually have to fly on to the Big Island or the Nusa Lembongan, which is a bit of a hassle.
Compared to the Maldives, transportation is more convenient. The seaplanes in the Maldives are super loud, and water villa resorts like W Island don’t allow kids for safety reasons.
Compared to Phuket or Boracay… well, they’re actually quite similar and hard to put into words. Bali faces the more turbulent Indian Ocean, making it feel broader and more majestic, though the underwater scenery isn’t as impressive. In contrast, Phuket and Boracay are prettier and better for diving… But hey, if you’re traveling with kids, are you really there to enjoy yourself alone?
Compared to Palau… okay, I take back everything I said about all islands being good for families. Palau is simply not a place to bring kids—nonstop diving, basic accommodations, and almost no other activities…
But I love all these islands. The best way to teach kids? “Travel ten thousand miles, read ten thousand books.”
Let one part of you journey, the other part read. Let’s go, kiddo—time to hit the road.