From Check-In to Sunset: Bali With our Boys

We have been travelling with children since my first son was 15 months old (14 years ago). 

And our first trip was to Bali and although it wasn’t our favourite trip then, we’ve returned every year since ♥️ 

Bali has become one of our all-time favourite destinations. While it might not be for everyone, it’s absolutely for us. We’ve done it with children, with friends, with family, and just the two of us. Being only a 6-hour flight from Brisbane, it’s ideal for a quick escape.

We enjoy chatting with the lovely locals, the amazing food, the variety of accommodation and of course, the shopping! And even though the beaches aren’t anything to brag about, nothing beats a Bali sunset. 

When we had our 2nd boy (now 7), we took him at 6 months old and felt very experienced and equipped to do Bali with such a young one. We made sure we took plenty of nappies and formula as these items can be quite expensive to buy over there. 

We also bathed him in a container filled with LITRES of bottled water, to make sure he didn’t get sick.

We did hire a nanny for the first few years while travelling over there when my youngest was still little, and she was the most sweetest, nurturing person - we used her every time, and so did our friends!

And the rest is history! The boys love going back just as much as we do.

We have stayed at many hotels since going there and have tried most areas. For us, Legian is our favourite spot. We love being central, we love the buzz, but we also love escaping back to the hotel for some chill time!

As soon as we arrive, it’s a Bintang in hand for us, possibly a quick Nasi Goreng - and the kids straight in the pool! The next day we hire a scooter and always hit Bintang Supermarket to stock up on snacks and goodies for the resort. From there, we map out our plans - whether it’s a visit to Bali Safari, a splash at Waterbomb, a relaxing day spa (mainly for me!), or a fun Day Club.

A quick visit to Bali Barber also keeps my boys happy and with fresh cuts!

Bali has truly stolen our hearts, and it’ll always be our number one travel destination. 🌴✨

Here are some of my favourite hotel and dining recommendations - 

Hotel Recommendations -

Padma Resort Legian 9/10

The reason I didn’t give this place a 10 is because the price has gone up SO much since we first stayed. But it is BY far the best hotel we have ever stayed in!! The service is next-level, the rooms are beautiful, and it’s incredibly well set up for both families and couples. The kids’ area is perfectly separated from the main pool, and there’s also an adults-only pool for some well-deserved quiet time. And not to mention the breakfast…The BEST breakfast we’ve ever had, so many options! 

Bali Mandira Resort 8/10

Bali Mandira is located opposite the Padma - a little hard to accept at first 😅 We stayed in a Hotel Superior Room, which was renovated at the time, however, I would suggest staying in one of the cottages, if it is in your budget - much closer to the main facilities. The pool area is amazing, great for families and couples with the water slides and the pool bar! The breakfast, I must admit, was slightly underwhelming as we had just come from Padma. And again, the staff were lovely as usual.

Courtyard Marriott 9/10

Another one of our regular favourites. We simply LOVE the location of this property, being a short walk to the beach and a free hotel shuttle to the main areas. We normally stay in a City View Hotel Room (yes, with 2 x boys) - as my husband always says ‘we are just in the room to sleep’ 😂The rooms are really lovely and modern and they do have bigger room options! The children’s swimming pool is a little average as opposed to Padma or Mandira or Dynasty, but we find the boys just enjoy being in the water - slides or no slides! The breakfast I have to say is NEARLY as good as Padma, I have never been disappointed there and the staff - exceptional!! 

We have also stayed at -

Bali Dynasty Resort, Legian Beach Hotel, The Pullman Legian, The Hard Rock Hotel, Bandha Suites, The Grand Mercure Legian, Radisson Blu Resort (Uluwatu), The Grand Mirage (Nusa Dua), The Aston (Canggu) 

If you’re thinking of booking one of these and want my honest opinion, feel free to send me a message - I’m more than happy to share!

 

Dining Recommendations - There are so many incredible places to eat in Bali - far too many to list them all. But here are a few of our tried-and-true favourites that we keep going back to (and happily recommend to friends): (too many to mention them all) -

• Mozzarella's (any!) - always a fave!  
• Koko Warung
• Santorini Greek Restaurant (again, any!)
• Fat Chow
• The Duke
• Don Juan
• Dolce Vita
• Bo & Bun
• Ginger Moon
• Sea Circus
• Bluefin Japanese
• Cafe Bali

Tips When Travelling to Bali -

• Packing cubes - a must-have for me. My boys are usually a bit messy with their clothes, but the cubes help keep everyone organised. It makes packing (and unpacking) way easier, plus they love having their “own” cubes.
• We always complete our custom declarations and Visa on Arrival (VOA) forms online before we fly. It’s made our arrival and immigration process so much quicker and less stressful - highly recommend doing this in advance.
• We make sure to convert some AUD to Rupiah before we arrive for cash-based purchases. I’ve also heard really good things about Wise cards (for great conversion rates), but we usually just use cash and credit cards throughout our trip.
• One of my non-negotiables is having a transfer booked through the hotel. It’s just one less thing to think about after a long flight, especially with tired kids in tow!
• In all our trips, I’ve only had ‘Bali Belly’ once, and I’m only a little cautious. I usually skip salads and seafood (just to be safe), but I know plenty of people who eat them with no issue. Honestly, it’s a bit of a Russian Roulette. Trust your gut - literally.
• If you’ve got a specific restaurant or beach club in mind, especially for a special night, book ahead. The popular spots fill up fast, particularly during peak travel seasons.
• When exchanging money at currency booths, always double-check the cash they hand back - just in case. We've personally never had an issue, but it's a good habit to have.
• I always make sure we pack any medications we might need, especially for the kids. That said, their pharmacies are really well stocked, so you can easily grab most things if needed.
• Give tips where due, even if it’s just a couple of dollars, they are so grateful and humble and deserving.

Heading to Bali soon? Check out our travel-ready accessories - curated for jetsetters, families, and adventure-seekers alike.