Here's all you need to know about charming Sanur - a personal guide to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions in Bali's most family-friendly beachside neighbourhood.
Spoiler alert: this guide to Sanur will officially abolish this seaside neighbourhood’s unfair and outdated nickname of “snore”. With super cool places to eat, stay and spa, not-so-sleepy Sanur is positively spilling with lovely little cafes, fantastic restaurants, lush hotels and plenty of spas for your ooh-and-aahs.
A family-friendly town with laid back, traditional vibes on Bali’s southeast coast, this former fishing town has plenty to offer. And whether you’re traveling solo or with the family, it’s in Sanur where you can escape traffic and the crowds to instead soak up a slower pace of island living. Here are all of our favourite spots that you’ll want to tick off on your next holiday in Sanur…
WHERE TO STAY IN SANUR: The top 5 hotels
1. Hyatt Regency Bali
One of the first luxury resorts in Bali, Hyatt Regency Bali is a nine hectare resort located in the heart of Sanur. It’s a CHSE certified hotel, complete with a luxury spa, a fitness centre and a beachside restaurant. This breezy and beautiful hotel is designed with a modern Balinese style in mind, with wooden structures and rattan decor all around. As for the rooms? Expect sweeping views of the lush gardens and, not one, but three swimming pools! Tropical jungle vibes in Sanur? You betcha.
Hyatt Regency Bali, Jl Danau Tamblingan No. 89, p. +62 361 281 234, e. [email protected].
2. Andaz Bali
Andaz Bali, the first Andaz resort in Asia, is designed to resemble a “Balinese village”, complete with a village square where multiple restaurants and social hubs meet without borders. And for when you want to escape the village? The tropical landscapes and lagoon pools are fringed by exotic foliage, forming a number of secluded areas that provide a quiet sanctuary for a temporary escape from city-living…
Andaz Bali, Jl Danau Tamblingan No. 89a, p. +62 361 3201 234, e. [email protected].
3. Maya Sanur Resort & Spa
Foodies, this one’s for you. Maya Sanur Resort & Spa is home to so many foodie experiences, we can barely count them all. There are three restaurants throughout the resort, as well as a private dining experience on the rooftop garden, afternoon tea at the breezy Pavilion, and even a floating breakfast in your private suite pool. Bonus points for the beachfront infinity pool and the award-winning spa!
Maya Sanur Resort & Spa, Jl Danau Tamblingan No. 89M, p. +62 361 8497 800, e. [email protected].
4. Artotel Sanur
Artotel Sanur is a boutique hotel for artistic souls, and a worthy addition to this Sanur guide. The architecture is inspired by Sanur’s annual kite festival, while the interior showcases artwork from some of Bali’s best emerging artists. The hotel lobby, AKA the art space, regularly hosts art exhibitions for guests and Bali’s art crowds to browse and bask in. And when you’ve got your fill of art? Live it up on hotel’s rooftop where the bar and pool beckons with signature cocktails, yummy dishes and panoramic views of the city.
Artotel Sanur, Jl Kusuma Sari No.1, p. +62 361 472 1000 & +62 821 46475820, e. [email protected].
5. InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort
Tucked away from the main Sanur strip, InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort is where it’s at for modern-living in the midst of lush tropical gardens. Each stylish room and suite is decked out with high-end facilities (hello digitally-controlled lights and curtains!) while the luxe villas feature their own private pools. Head to the beachside restaurant to catch Sanur’s famous sunsets, and top it off with a signature cocktail or two…
InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort, Jl Kusuma Sari No. 8, p. +62 361 620 1888, e. [email protected]
WHERE TO EAT IN SANUR: The top 5 cafes & restaurants
1. Pescado Bali
Seafood, paella, tapas and sangria… Pescado Bali dishes up a Spanish feast in the very heart of Sanur. The menu has a “sharing is caring” kind of feel, offering shared portions of specialty paella, enormous platters and jugs of sangria – all in an upscale yet relaxed setting. Keep your eyes on Pescado’s calendar, because the restaurant hosts plenty of social events and paella fiestas.
Pescado Bali, Jl Duyung No.3, p. +62 821 4663 6846, e. [email protected], Open daily 11am – 10pm.
2. Massimo Bali
An oldie but a goodie, Massimo Bali has to make an appearance on any Sanur guide! This bistro-style restaurant is where the Sanurians go for an authentic taste of Italian cuisine. It’s the place for a family gathering, with its intimate indoor seating and a romantic garden too. Share a large pizza with the fam, and don’t forget to try the sidewalk-displayed gelato. Top tip: come early, because there’s always a line out front!
Massimo Bali, Jl Danau Tamblingan No. 228, p. +62 361 288 942 & +62 811 3999 727, e. [email protected], Open daily 9am – 11pm.
3. Shotgun Social
A breezy brewhouse and beer garden that pairs top-notch imported craft and draft beer with local brews, Shotgun Social in Sanur is where you’ll also find great wines and a solid food menu to boot. Prop up the bar and sample your way through the selection of 16 craft beers on tap, or settle in for a long and leisurely lunch within the spectacular domed interiors. As for the menu? Think gastropub classics like big burgers, Caesar salads, NYC-inspired pizzas and our fave: the rustic Australian Wagyu and pork meatballs. And psst – the restaurant and garden is dog- and family-friendly, too!
Shotgun Social, Jl Pantai Sindhu No.11, Sanur, p. +62 81339 751 933. Open daily 11am – 10pm.
4. Fisherman’s Club
A fine take on Jimbaran’s iconic toes-in-the-sand seafood barbecues, Fisherman’s Club is where you can soak up sea views, finger-licking food, and live entertainment – right on Sanur’s beachfront. It’s a premium dining destination at Andaz Bali, with fresh-from-the-net ocean delicacies on display for you to pick your own and have it cooked your way. Think buttery soft BBQ octopus (we’ll take a side of miso eggplant, please!), enormous seafood platters to share, and seaside favourites like The Fisherman’s Burger and fish and chips. Come early and enjoy the laid-back beach club ambiance – cocktails aren’t mandatory, but highly recommended.
Fisherman’s Club at Andaz Bali, Jl Danau Tamblingan No.89a, Sanur, p. +62 815 1403 8587. Open daily 11.30am – 10pm.
5. Naga Eight
At the heart of Sanur stands a majestic, castle-like building with coral walls, wooden floors and towering columns. That’s Naga Eight; a Cantonese fine dining restaurant with open-air seating. The word “naga” is the Indonesian word for “dragon”, since the land where the restaurant stands is said to have been guarded by a dragon. As for the number eight? That’s a lucky number in Chinese culture. The result is a fine blend of Balinese and Chinese cultures, centred by authentic Cantonese cuisine that uses locally sourced produce.
Naga Eight, Jl Danau Tamblingan No. 89, p. +62 812 3788 8089, e. [email protected], Open Tue – Sun 11am – 9pm.
THINGS TO DO IN SANUR: The top 5 attractions
1. Go on a bike ride
Sanur is one of the most bike-friendly neighbourhoods in Bali, and it truly is the best way to tour the town. There’s a bike lane along the main street (Jl Danau Tamblingan) and along the famous beachfront promenade which stretches for five kilometres. The streets are small enough for a leisurely ride with the family, and if you’re lucky, you’ll pass plenty of hidden gems that haven’t yet made it to this Sanur guide!
2. Work up a sweat at Paradise Bali
If you’re wondering where active Sanur residents hang out, you’ll find them at Sanur’s popular health hub, Paradise Bali. It offers CrossFit sessions and a fully-equipped commercial gym upstairs with fun fitness classes too. Need a break from your workout? Head downstairs to the cafe for healthy bites to refuel.
Paradise Bali, Jl Danau Tamblingan No. 174, p. +62 811 3820 4984, e. [email protected], Open Mon – Fri 7am – 8pm, Sat – Sun 8am – 8pm.
3. Yoga with a view at Power of Now Oasis
So you’re biking along Sanur’s Mertasari beach, and you come across a beautiful bamboo building and a cow (named Angelique!) calmly grazing on the lawn. Step into this wondrous building and you’ll find an eco-friendly yoga studio/shala that is Power of Now Oasis. The bamboo walls and floors, plus the breezy ocean view, all add to the relaxing atmosphere as you inhale… and exhale…
Power of Now Oasis, Jl Retro Beach, p. +62 878 6153 4535, e. [email protected], Open daily 8am – 6:30pm.
4. Massage on the beach at The Nest Beachside Spa
A spa treatment with ocean views? Sign us up! This beachside spa is no stranger to the spa world, having won a number of awards including the 2020 World Luxury Spa Awards. The Nest Beachside Spa is where you can bliss out with glamorous treatments for some “you time”, from massages to manis and facials too. There’s even a children’s menu for your little divas!
The Nest Beachside Spa, Jl Duyung beachfront, p. +62 361 938 1523 / +62 813 396 34528, e. [email protected], Open daily 9am – 8pm.
5. Channel your creativity with a ceramics workshop at Kevala
Feeling creative and love ceramics? Head over to Kevala Studio Ceramic – one of the most well-known ceramics brands in Bali. During the regular workshops, you’ll get to make ceramic pieces while learning about pottery from the studio’s artists. Even kids can score some creative playtime with clay and paint to make a few pieces of their own!
Kevala Studio Ceramic, Jl Danau Poso No.20, p. +62 361 4490 064, e. [email protected], Open daily 9am – 5pm.
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