Following on from a very successful first stay at a Club Med resort early last year, we travelled to their Bali location in January 2026. Bali is a great favourite of Australians and we were excited to try another stay at this resort chain. We had a lovely time. Highlights included the resort spa, whose massage was reported by my daughter as being the most amazing ever, and also the friendly and thoughtful service of the staff.
I’ll be upfront and say there were a couple of things which made this into a good stay rather than a great stay. Firstly it was the wet season – January is the wettest month, though of course this was not the resort’s fault! And secondly the less-than-ideal response of the children to the Kids Club.
The Rooms
Our rooms were in a great location: just a short and shady walk from the main pool and restaurant. Despite this close proximity, the noise from the bars didn’t bother us. Between the 8 of us we were given 2 suites, each with 2 adjoining rooms. Our suite was made up of rooms 3019 and 3020, in Java building. One room contained a large king bed and the other had two singles.
Both suites were on the ground floor with a little patio covered by a shade sail. The rest of the family was in another suite (I think 4020 and 4021) just across the courtyard from us, in Lombok building. Their patio faced the Zen Pool. Mosquitos are active in all the gardens so please remember your insect repellent!
The room climate swung between chilly and warm, but always humid! The air-conditioning controls were straightforward, and each room contained a dehumidifier. However, Bali is very humid in January and there’s not much to be done about it! We slept fine though.
Our bathrooms were good. There was a toilet (separated by a sliding door), two sinks, and the shower contained a handheld and a monsoon showerhead. Each room of the suite had a bathroom, so we never had to share with the kids. The hot water was quick and the pressure strong. And maybe we were lucky, but none of us got Bali Belly despite using water from the bathroom taps when brushing our teeth.
The safe in the cupboard was straightforward. Fresh sealed bottles of water were provided everyday. There were also filtered water fountains outside the rooms with cold and warm water.
Food & Drink at Club Med Bali
Restaurants
Like Club Med Phuket, the Bali resort also has 2 restaurants. The main restaurant, Agung, contains many different stalls dedicated to various international cuisines, and the other restaurant, The Deck, is à la carte. Both restaurants operate 3 times a day, but at slightly different times. The Deck opens after Agung closes for breakfast and lunch services. It also stays open longer into the evening than Agung.
Agung
Situated upstairs from the main pool area, Agung contains 10-12 different food stalls. Our favourites were the omelette stands (there are 2) for breakfast, and the western fusion stand for lunch and dinner. There was an absolutely divine duck casserole with mashed potato one evening at the western fusion stand. Several of my family went to get their own portion after I brought mine back to the table.
There were 3 indoor dining rooms with air-conditioning, as well as an open air (but still covered) outside terrace. We switched our seating location between the warmly lit room with its large tables at the far end of the restaurant, and the outdoor terrace, depending on the weather.
Interestingly we were not joined at any point by any staff for our meals, unlike in Phuket. There was also no extra evening events that we received special invitations for. It might be that it was because we were part of a bigger group, or that we often had the children with us.
Meal Times
Breakfast started at 7.00 and ended at 9.45.
Lunch was at 12.00 till 14.00 (2pm).
Dinner started at 18.45 (6.45pm) and finished at 9.45.
The Deck
The à la carte restaurant, situated a stones throw from the Zen Pool, opened when the main restaurant closed at both breakfast and lunch. It then opened in the evenings for the whole evening. Serving what I imagine to be similar foods to what the main restaurant is dishing up, The Deck has a much smaller selection on their menu. There were few other diners when we went for lunch, as I imagine others will wait till dinner to use it.
We ordered a few different items from the menu. I was happy with my burger, however, those of us who ordered the fish dishes received pretty small servings. Being an all-inclusive, they just ordered extra dishes afterwards for no extra cost. It was just an interesting choice by the kitchen to serve a starter size as a main meal. There was also only two, rather uninspiring, dessert options (fruit platter or ice cream).
You can choose to eat indoors or outside on the terrace. There’s some tables outside under large umbrellas, and some lovely water features. Indoors is also pretty.
We also organised a special birthday dinner which was cooked in The Deck’s kitchen. Dinner was then served to us at a beautifully laid table in the Zen Pool area after hours. We were lucky with the weather – it rained so much during the week but for this we had a nice clear evening. All the food was sensational and the service was top notch. Thanks to the staff who were in charge – they did a fabulous job! If you want to organise a similar special dining experience at the Zen Pool, just go chat to the staff at the main reception.
Meal Times
Breakfast started at 10.00 and ended around 12.00.
Lunch was at 14.00 till… well I’m not totally sure actually, but I believe it went till just before dinner!
Dinner started at 18.45 (6.45pm) and continued well into the evening.
The Bars
There are several bars at Club Med Bali: the main bar near the main pool, the beach bar in the tiki hut down near the beach, and the Zen Pool Bar. I think The Deck restaurant also has a bar area and they do refer to it as a separate bar in the app.
The Main Bar: Kintamani
The big round-roofed situation behind the main pool is quite a sight to behold. Kind of UFO-like actually! It also was the location of the food truck in the afternoons, as well as many of the late night parties held at the resort. I was impressed that Kintamani offered sun lounge service during the day – staff would come around regularly and check on those who were poolside. This was definitely something they didn’t offer at the Phuket resort!
They also have a cigar humidor from which you can purchase (for a rather expensive amount) a number of cigars, and they also have the usual cigar kit such as cutter and lighters.
The Beach Bar: Tapai Tapai
Closest to the beach, Tapai Tapai is a tiki hut style bar between Kintamani (main pool bar) and the beach. Its not as loud as the main bar, owing to its smaller size, and has less staff than other bars.
It also doesn’t have the same cigar kit as up at the main bar, but if you ask nicely they may go and get it for you.
The Deck Bar
I stopped by to check out the bar but didn’t actually stay for a drink. I can’t therefore comment on the service or the ambience, but it was very nicely decorated. If there was a crowd in there in the evening, it would have been pretty cool.
The Facilities at Club Med Bali
Pools
There are 3 pools at Club Med Bali: the Main Pool, the Zen Pool and the Spa Pool. The app suggested there was also a kids pool but I didn’t see it. And if it did exist then the kids club didn’t appear to ever use it: when they had pool time it was always at the main pool, in a shallow end which they roped off from the rest of the guests.
Main Pool
A large, if a bit shallow, pool in the main area of the resort, the Main Pool was where we spent a good deal of time. With lounge service from Kintamani Bar it was a very relaxed place to while away the time. With the notable exception of whenever there was a water aerobics class.
Zen Pool
A truly fabulous place which we didn’t get to spend as much time at as we wished. This was due to a combination of the inclement January weather, and the children who decided that Kids Club wasn’t where they wanted to be. It was a bigger pool than at the Phuket resort, and they weren’t as strict with the noise levels. Also, I appreciated that there were 3 toilets next to the bar, so you didn’t have to leave the area.
Spa Pool
The smallest of the pools, and also the quietest – at least when I visited! You need to be a guest of the spa to use this pool, and I believe it is a child free zone.
The Wifi
The wifi was very good and covered the whole resort, no problem.
Medical
We had to use the infirmary, but thankfully for a minor situation: a splinter in my son’s foot. The nurse was very quick, and I was quite glad to not be the one removing it. My boy got to watch Paw Patrol on my phone which took away most of the discomfort. And the nurse was lovely, though I’m not sure my son would agree!
The infirmary is at the front of the resort next to the reception.
The App
We downloaded the resort app (My Club Med app) on arrival and I’d recommend you download it before arriving at any of the Club Meds. Once downloaded you log in under your own specific reservation. We received a 50 euro voucher for use at the resort which was relayed to us through the app before it was emailed to us.
I noticed that the spa treatment selection is a bit limited in the app compared to what the spa actually offers. You may want to book a treatment at one of the spa kiosks, or at the spa itself, rather than doing it via the app.
The Spa
The spa was lovely and I visited it twice. Once with my daughter for a parent/child 30 minute massage and once for the Ancestral Indonesian treatment. Both treatments were sensational. My daughter talked so highly of our massage that her cousin insisted on having a massage with her mum too.
There is also a private pool you may use after your treatment, but you may only get offered usage if you have no children with you (I was only shown through to the pool after the Ancestral Indonesian massage!).
Activities at Club Med Bali
I was motivated to be really active while I was at Club Med Bali and I even brought my gym sneakers! I went to the gym once. There was also a lot of talk of playing a round of golf, amongst other things, but to be honest, the muggy Bali weather isn’t really conducive to wanting to work up a sweat. At least not for me. I did do a water aerobics class which was fun.
Kids Club
Ah the kids club. For whatever reason our kids didn’t take so easily to it at Club Med Bali. The first day started off great and they went off very happily. Then at pick up they were all in a grumpy mood and it took some negotiation to get them to agree to go back for the next day! Was it because we had a cousin with us and it changed the vibe? Who knows!
How to get to Club Med Bali
We flew in with Jetstar from Perth, Australia. If you’re ever wondering why there are so many Australians in Bali just remember that our closest city, Perth, is only a short 3.5 hour flight away! There are plenty of other international airlines servicing routes to Bali.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has undergone an upgrade since I was last there. Ignorant me didn’t realise this was its official name, having always known it as Denpasar Airport). Colonel Ngurah Rai commanded the Indonesians in their fight for independence from the Dutch.
Club Med Bali is in Nusa Doa, which is on the other side of the peninsula from the airport. The resort is located within a protected area: all cars entering the area have to go through security. Its a lot less hectic than other touristy areas!
We looked into a transfer with Club Med’s own bus but were lucky enough to have a friend who was able to pick us up instead. Google Maps estimated it to be a 20 minute journey, but with the rainy conditions it took us more than 30 minutes.
Visas & other Entry Requirements
It was a slightly more complicated entry for Australians into Bali in 2026 than what I remember. So I thought I’d include a “short” section on this so that you can prepare yourself for the fun. Passport holders from other countries might have a very different set of requirements so please do check on your own country’s entry requirements.
We needed a Tourist Visa and a Customs Declaration for every traveller. If there’s a group of you (such as you and your extended family) and you organise the visas for a sub-group of this group (like you and your kids), then you’ll only be able to organise the Customs Declaration for your sub-group.
Its best to apply and pay for your Tourist Visa online, allowing you to go through the smart gates at immigration. The All Indonesia Arrival Card Service website is, as of January 2026, the government’s official visa site. If you have children under 6 with you then you still need to line up at an in-person immigration desk. That line is long and will invariably not have enough desks open.
You need to fill out a Customs Declaration for everyone you’ve applied for the visas for, so do it online before you arrive. Show this declaration via QR code after baggage collection at the airport.
What do I know about Club Med Bali?
I’m starting to pick up the vibe of Club Med Resorts with this being my second. We’re now silver members! But with only 2 visits under my belt, I’m not about to claim I’m an expert, more an interested party! And definitely keen to try out some more!
Check out my posts on family travel
- The best things to do in Almaty with little kids
- A Great Option For Families: My Review Of Lous Seurrots Resort
- Fabulous food and a great kids club: Why we loved Club Med Phuket
- The best hotel for families at Shymbulak: Shymbulak Hotel Review
- A great fishing trip and fresh bread: A review of Clover Cottage Manjimup
- An Exciting Trip: My Portsmouth To Caen Ferry Review