A Global Spotlight on Bali’s Luxury and Soul
Bali once again takes its place among the world’s finest destinations for mindful luxury. In the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, the island’s COMO Uma Ubud has been named one of the Top 50 Best Resorts in the World, securing its position alongside legendary properties from Thailand, Oman, and Mexico.
This recognition was based on a survey of more than 757,000 travelers worldwide, reflecting the collective voice of global wanderers who continue to place Bali among the most loved destinations on Earth.
The awards celebrate not just design and comfort, but the deeper essence of what makes a place unforgettable — a connection between people, landscape, and spirit. And nowhere captures that connection better than the jungles and river valleys of Ubud.
The Top 10 Resorts in the World 2025 — According to Condé Nast Traveler
Below are the ten properties that led the 2025 list, as published by Condé Nast Traveler:
- COMO Uma Ubud – Bali, Indonesia
- Wilderness Dumatau – Linyanti, Botswana
- Alila Jabal Akhdar – Jabal Akhdar, Oman
- Waldorf Astoria Park City – Utah, United States
- Maroma, A Belmond Hotel – Riviera Maya, Mexico
- Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa – Trancoso, Brazil
- JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa – Thailand
- Paws Up Montana – Greenough, United States
- Baoase Luxury Resort – Willemstad, Curaçao
- Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Krabi, Thailand
Bali’s COMO Uma Ubud leads this global list as the highest ranked Indonesian resort, marking yet another milestone for the island known as the Land of the Gods.
COMO Uma Ubud: Serenity in the Heart of the Island
Perched above the lush Tjampuhan Valley, COMO Uma Ubud combines contemporary design with spiritual calm. The resort reflects Ubud’s tranquil rhythm — quiet mornings filled with birdsong, yoga sessions beneath banyan trees, and evenings scented with frangipani and incense.
Wellness here is woven into daily life. Guests are invited to explore rice terraces, meditate in forest shrines, and experience the harmony of traditional melukat cleansing rituals at nearby Tirta Empul Temple. It is luxury expressed through stillness rather than spectacle.
This is where many travelers discover Bali as a living, breathing island of balance — a place that feels both grounding and deeply restorative.
Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape – Reimagining Isolation as Art
Also among the world’s top resorts, Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape lies north of Ubud, a haven built on the principle of no walls, no doors. Each villa opens directly to the forest canopy, erasing boundaries between human and nature.
Buahan celebrates simplicity — no televisions, no distractions, only the pulse of the jungle and the soft flow of the Ayung River below. The resort encourages guests to embrace slowness, silence, and the raw beauty of being fully present.
Here, sustainability is not a statement but a way of life. Local materials, village partnerships, and plant based dining reinforce the idea that luxury can coexist with stewardship.
Alila Villas Uluwatu – The Cliffside Jewel
Further south, Alila Villas Uluwatu represents the pinnacle of coastal refinement. Perched atop limestone cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean, its modern architecture and serene openness have earned it continued acclaim in global rankings.
Each villa features a private pool and panoramic sunset views, with service that reflects Balinese hospitality at its purest — gracious, calm, and intuitive. Alila’s design language blends geometry and nature, reminding visitors that beauty is most powerful when it respects its surroundings.
The St. Regis Bali Resort – The Art of Timeless Elegance
Nestled along the soft sands of Nusa Dua, The St. Regis Bali Resort stands as a sanctuary of timeless refinement. The resort has earned the No. 4 spot in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, reaffirming its legacy as one of the world’s most celebrated beachfront escapes.
Every detail here speaks of artistry and grace. Suites and villas open directly to private lagoons or the Indian Ocean, while handcrafted Balinese touches weave through marble interiors and tropical gardens. It is a place where sunrise breakfasts feel ceremonial and twilight dinners unfold beneath stars reflected in calm waters.
Service at The St. Regis Bali Resort is renowned for its quiet precision. The signature butler experience, an emblem of the brand’s heritage, ensures every moment flows seamlessly — from curated spa rituals to candlelit dinners by the shore.
This is not simply a stay by the sea, but an encounter with the living, breathing essence of hospitality itself. Beauty here is not performed; it is preserved, passed down like an heirloom through grace and attention to every gesture.
Other Global Icons on the 2025 List
While Bali led with distinction, the global list reveals a fascinating diversity of excellence. From the deserts of Oman to the forests of Costa Rica, each of the following properties represents hospitality as art:
- Fairmont Chateau Whistler – British Columbia, Canada
- The Oberoi Beach Resort – Hurghada, Egypt
- Four Seasons Resort The Pearl – Doha, Qatar
- The Singular Patagonia – Puerto Natales, Chile
- Lizard Island Resort – Queensland, Australia
Each shares a philosophy of deep connection to place — a reminder that the world’s finest resorts are not built to impress, but to belong.
Why Bali Continues to Lead the World in Resort Experiences
Bali’s continued presence in global rankings reflects something beyond architecture or service. It is the island’s enduring ability to offer a sense of peace, even in a fast changing world.
From Ubud’s jungle sanctuaries to Uluwatu’s ocean cliffs, travelers find a rare harmony between the spiritual and the sensual. The Balinese concept of Tri Hita Karana, or balance between the divine, humanity, and nature, remains the invisible foundation beneath every great resort on the island.
📸 Whether exploring forest temples or lounging beside infinity pools, Bali always reveals something timeless 🌺.
Where to Stay: Bali Resorts Among the World’s Best
For travelers seeking the spirit of these global winners, here are luxury stays in Bali that echo the same sense of peace and purpose:
- COMO Uma Ubud – A holistic retreat surrounded by rice fields and spiritual energy.
- Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape Bali – A sanctuary without walls for seekers of silence.
- Alila Villas Uluwatu – A design icon that defines Bali’s modern coastal luxury.
- Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan – Ideal for spiritual travelers who crave riverside tranquility.
- Capella Ubud – A luxurious jungle camp celebrating Balinese art and storytelling.
- Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Elegant and reflective, this resort embodies mindful luxury.
- The Kayon Resort – Romantic, quiet, and surrounded by lush forest canopies.
Here are luxury stays that keep you close to the sacred heart of Bali’s wellness and culture.
Bali’s recognition among the world’s finest resorts reaffirms what seasoned travelers have long known — this island is not a destination to check off, but a journey to feel. Its hotels are not just places to rest, but living expressions of balance, gratitude, and artistry.
This forest holds a living, breathing ritual.
Originally developed for BaliExpertGuide.com, this article draws from local insight and curated travel research.
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