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JOURNAL
The Bali Travel Guide
Discover a curated guide by our Co-Founder and Creative Director, Helle Them-Enger, who calls Canggu home. Along with recommendations on where to sip your morning coffee, drink and dine with friends, swim and relax – there are also some of her favourite local boutiques to peruse, including the first FAITHFULL retail store in Pererenan.
Where to stay
A beautifully designed boutique hotel just a short walk from the FAITHFULL store. Great rooftop pool and a beautiful restaurant downstairs, Bar Vera.
One of the most magical places on the island. Even if you’re not staying in Ubud, it’s worth visiting for a long lunch and an afternoon by the natural pools.
One of our favourites, perched on the cliff in front of the most iconic waves in Bali. Great for a family escape too.
We went here for a few days without the kids, and it was a perfect reset. It is beautifully designed, overlooking the valley and the jungle, and a short walk to the waterfall. A perfect Bali escape. Highly recommended.
Our top pick if you are staying in Seminyak. Book an ocean-view room for a beautiful view.
Tandjung Sari is a family-run beachfront boutique hotel in Sanur that has offered authentic, quiet Balinese luxury and traditional thatched bungalow accommodations since 1962. I like that this hotel offers a more authentic experience than the surrounding big resorts.
Perfect with kids, if you want to stay in a resort. Great kids club, the resort is not too overly big and the surroundings are beautiful.
Beach House at Lago, Nusa Lembongan
Our favourite island escape, only 30 minutes away on a boat from Bali.
Worth the drive for a completely different side of Bali. Remote, design-led and peaceful.
A private villa with a nostalgic 1970s feel, has Aperol Spritz on tap and with a sauna / ice bath, in a great location close to good shops, restaurants and spa.
Where to find your morning coffee
Our morning ritual. It opens early, so we’ll often grab a coffee barefoot with the kids while watching the sunrise. On weekends, it turns into a gathering place for local families.
BAKED., Canggu, Seminyak or Uluwatu
Our go-to breakfast. I love Tom’s bagel. We love stopping by after school drop-off for a breakfast before heading into the office.
Another bakery and coffee favourite.
Always busy with a line in the front, so we either go really early or to one of the more quiet locations, for example Seseh one. Must try the Cinnamon scrolls.
One of Bali’s coffee institutions and still serving some of the best coffee on the island in our opinion.
Where to swim
The beach in front of Times Beach Warung is our favourite. Grab a bean bag for the day or rent sunbeds next door. You can also rent longboards and go for a surf out front. Great hang spot for the day. Our go-to on the weekends!
Echo Beach, Canggu
Love this beach on low tide. It is right in front of our house, and we walk down with our kids and dogs. We always hang in front of Surfer’s, which is one of the warungs down there.
Mengiat Beach, Nusa Dua
Beautiful white sand and calm water for swimming, with plenty of shade from the trees.
Go at low tide and spend the day swimming in crystal-clear water. You can pre-book or show up. It is a great thing to do for the day.
Rent a daybed and hang for the day, until the sun goes down. A beautiful place to spend the day.
Nusa Lembongan
Our favourite island escape. Ideally go for a few nights, if not you can also rent a boat for the day.
Bambu Indah
If you’re not staying in Ubud, make a day trip to Bambu Indah. A long lunch followed by an afternoon spent by the natural pools is one of our favourite ways to escape the bustle of Canggu.
Where to drink and dine
Everything on the menu is great. I love ordering sharing plates. My usual order is the beef tartare, snapper crudo, the risotto, maltagliati or rigatoni vodka, the cucumber salad, and of course the Tiramisu! It is amazing.
Book for an early seating, around 5.30pm to have a cocktail out on the terrace while watching the sunset before having dinner.
A Bali institution. We have been going here for the past 20 years. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, it is all good. The view is beautiful, service always on point and beautiful simple interior overlooking the ocean.
One of our favourite spots for sushi.
Family owned, and a hidden gem for fresh pasta and simple Italian dishes.
I love Shelter for a more quiet lunch and the food is delicious.
A French-inspired bistro, love the little outside pateo.
If you feel like Asian food, go for dinner and try the duck on the menu.
Another family favourite. They have a great playground upstairs so you can enjoy your hot pot dinner while the kids are having fun. They also have private karaoke rooms which are so fun if you go with a group of friends.
Our go-to ramen spot after the beach. It is a small place with only a few tables.
If you are in the neighbourhood, their pizza is great.
Where to experience true wellness
AIR Social Wellness Club, Seseh
Hire the private sauna, alternate between the ice baths and then enjoy a long lunch by the pool afterwards. The perfect reset.
Our go-to for nails.
Book in for a facial and leave time to browse their natural skincare products all made in Bali.
Where to shop
Our home away from home and a reflection of the island lifestyle that inspired the brand.
Our go-to for children’s clothing, next to Baked in Batu Balong.
Cove. Island Essentials, Badung
A favourite for gifts, homewares and beautiful pieces for island living.
A great art gallery hidden behind Shelter in Pererenan, they represent some amazing Indonesian artists if you want to bring back a special souvenir from your holiday.
A small interior shop with beautiful antiques or unique interior objects.
A great boutique with a mix of ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes.