Since our last staycation in Nusa Dua, my husband and I agreed that this area is the most family-friendly destination in Bali. It offers a secure, gated environment, clean white-sand beaches, and calm, shallow waters that are perfect for kids to swim and play. The entire area is thoughtfully designed for families, with many resorts offering excellent kids’ clubs, children’s pools, and family-focused amenities—so parents can truly relax while the little ones stay happily entertained. This time, we finally stayed at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, a five-star luxury resort I’d been dreaming of for ages. It turned out to be a wonderful staycation, filled with thoughtful facilities and activities designed for guests of all ages.
We also took the chance to explore family-friendly spots in neighboring Uluwatu—Bali’s hip, cliffside playground—which added a fun twist to our trip. Curious how Nusa Dua and Uluwatu compare as family destinations—and what you shouldn’t miss during your stay? Keep reading!
Short Escape at The Apurva Kempinski in Nusa Dua, Bali
I always love every staycation we’ve had in Nusa Dua, which is why we keep coming back. The main reason is simple: every resort here is designed with families in mind. You get access to private beaches, stunning ocean views, and an endless selection of delicious food—everything you need is already within reach. We never have to spend time on the road just to find a playground or hunt for a family-friendly restaurant.
This time, I wanted to try something I’ve been dreaming about for a while: a staycation at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, a five-star luxury resort I’ve long admired from afar.
From the moment I arrived at the hotel entrance, I was already in awe. The grand drop-off area features an elegant water feature and a striking central statue—an entrance that instantly sets the tone for what’s waiting inside. Stepping into the lobby took my breath away. Perched on the 15th floor, the lobby is incredibly airy, with high ceilings and a beautiful blend of wooden accents and marble finishes. It feels both majestic and grounded, with intricate wood carvings that thoughtfully reflect Javanese elegance.
The property itself is expansive, yet so well-designed that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. From the lobby, you can gaze out over the massive main pool below—calm, inviting, and lined with tropical greenery. Just by the pool, there’s a wedding chapel, perfectly positioned for those picture-perfect moments. With breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and tropical gardens, The Apurva Kempinski Bali presents itself as a majestic open-air theatre.
We instantly fell in love with our Grand Deluxe Room — not only was it spacious, but it also felt elegant and truly luxurious. Aimee immediately made herself at home, getting busy with her new coloring book and pencils, a sweet welcome gift we received during check-in.
My daughter is a toddler now, so playgrounds are her happy place. She loves exploring every game, every toy—basically anything that lets her stay active. Staying at The Apurva Kempinski turned out to be the perfect choice because the resort has an incredible family club.
Inspired by the Montessori approach, which focuses on self-directed activity and hands-on learning, the Jalak Family Club offers a wide range of activities tailored to the needs of children, teens, and families.
Aimee had the best time moving between the kids’ club, the outdoor playground (conveniently located just across from it), and the family pool. The pool is completely safe for children yet still exciting, thanks to its fun water slides.
Meanwhile, my husband and I were feeling tired and in need of something to rejuvenate our bodies—especially after the long drive from home and our trip to Uluwatu (more on that later). We decided to unwind in the sauna and then took a dip in the amazing cold pool. It refreshed not just our bodies but also our senses. And the view? Absolutely gorgeous, overlooking the vast Indian Ocean.
One of the things we loved most about The Apurva Kempinski is its main pool. It’s huge, beautifully designed, and overlooks the Indian Ocean. My husband and daughter were absolutely thrilled swimming here — it instantly became our family’s favorite spot.
After the sun went down, we made our way to Reef Beach Club for dinner. We chose this restaurant over the Japanese and Chinese options because it offers plenty of Indonesian and Western dishes. Adrien even got to try their award-winning cocktail. The next morning, we had breakfast at Pala Restaurant. The spread was impressive — everything from Indonesian specialties to international favorites, with fresh juices, pastries, made-to-order eggs, and lots of sweet and savory options. A little highlight worth mentioning: the baguette tasted exactly like the ones in France. Deeply golden, crisp, slightly nutty, with a soft and airy interior — truly a rare find in Bali, and Adrien couldn’t have been happier.
The restaurant was quite full, but we still had enough space to dine comfortably. Honestly, it was one of the most indulgent breakfast experiences we’ve had in a while.
Our staycation at The Apurva Kempinski Bali was the perfect mix of comfort, luxury, and tranquility. My family had such a wonderful experience here that we’re already planning to return. In Nusa Dua, I’ve also had a great stay at Hilton Bali. I loved the contemporary, luxurious room design and the consistent quality of their food. On the opposite side, my experience at Courtyard by Marriott Bali Nusa Dua Resort was less positive — it simply didn’t meet the same standards or overall experience I’ve enjoyed at other resorts in the area.
Exploring Family Friendly Places in Uluwatu
I rarely visit Uluwatu since it’s quite far from where we live, but since we were already staying in Nusa Dua, I thought — why not explore Bali’s hip cliffside playground? And speaking of playgrounds, I’d heard about a massive new one that recently opened in Uluwatu, so that became our first destination.
I was genuinely impressed the moment we walked into Pangolin Kids Club. It’s huge — a 1,000 m², two-story space with indoor and outdoor playgrounds. Aimee was just as excited as I was. She played non-stop for two hours straight and even enjoyed her lunch (pancake and nasi goreng) from their café!
Opened in April 2025, Pangolin Kids Club is designed to let children fully immerse in nature and culture through play and hands-on experiences. Kids will love the 12-meter climbing tower and wall-climbing area, while toddlers can enjoy the sensory ball pool, music room, and pretend play corner. They even have a dedicated baby play area, which is a thoughtful touch.
It’s honestly one of the best playgrounds I’ve visited in Bali — spacious, varied, beautifully designed, and well-maintained with high-quality materials.
For the rates:
- Full-day play pass (1 child 0–14 y.o. + 1 adult): Rp 280.000 on weekdays, Rp 390.000 on weekends and public holidays.
- Since it was our first visit, we used the trial pass, which costs only Rp 100.000.
Aimee had a blast — and now I finally understand why parents in Uluwatu rave about this place.
While Aimee was busy exploring the new playground, my husband and I took the chance to stroll around Uluwatu. I was delighted to see the wide variety of nice restaurants in the Bukit area — many of them are familiar names I’ve seen in Canggu and its surroundings. Around Jl. Pantai Bingin, most places cater to foreigners and tourists, while the road heading toward Nusa Dua feels more local.
We stopped by %Arabica for a quick coffee and to park our car (finding a proper parking spot here isn’t easy!). I was already starving at that point, so we continued to Alchemy for lunch. To my surprise, they only serve vegan food — oh no, I thought! But again, I was completely taken by how delicious everything tasted. It ended up being such a pleasant surprise.
Our short escape to family-friendly Nusa Dua and Uluwatu was truly wonderful and memorable. It may have been a bit tiring, but it was absolutely worth it — and we’ll definitely be coming back to explore more cool spots and fun kids’ activities in the area!
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