Why Legian makes sense
The location is the main attraction. You’re within walking distance of many restaurants along Garlic Lane, there are shops on Legian Street when you need a new sarong or souvenirs, and the beach is basically your backyard. Day trips to Ubud for the rice terraces and temples are fairly easy to arrange, or you can head south to Uluwatu for spectacular cliff views.
In terms of cost, Legian is really reasonable. You can find basic but clean accommodation for around £30 a night, or go completely overboard on luxury resorts which will cost you upwards of £400. Street food is ridiculously cheap. I’ve had full meals with a beer for less than five dollars. Even the best restaurants won’t break the bank compared to what you would pay at home.
One thing that struck me about Legian is how it manages to feel alive without being completely overwhelming. There is energy and excitement, especially near the beach, but go back a few blocks and things calm down. It’s this balance that makes it suitable for so many different types of travelers, families, couples and solo adventurers.
The end of luxury
Padma Resort Legian
Padma Resort Legian It’s perhaps the most talked about spot on the Strip. It’s right on the beach with infinity pools that overlook the ocean, four pools in total, so you don’t have to fight for space. They have garden chalets dotted throughout, free bike rides if you feel like exploring, and an adults-only club lounge that feels very exclusive. Rooms start at around £110 a night depending on when you book.
I chatted with a family who stayed there and they couldn’t stop talking about the morning bike adventures and the attentiveness of the staff. They mentioned that it had cost them a bit, something like £10,000 for eight nights with five people, including flights and activities.
If you’re looking for beachfront luxury where everything is taken care of, this is the one for you.
Legian Beach Hotel
Legian Beach Hotel is built in traditional Balinese style with 236 rooms ranging from standard superior rooms to spacious pool villas. Prices vary hugely, from around £75 for a basic room to £350+ for luxury villas. They have two pools: the Frangipani pool is family-friendly with a swim-up bar, while the Coco pool is adults-only if you want to escape the splashing.
What I found interesting here was the amount of activities offered. There are Balinese dance classes, cooking workshops, themed dinners and evening fire shows. The beachfront bungalows come with sarongs as a welcome gift, which is a nice touch.
The food received good reviews across the board, although some people mentioned that the grounds looked a little tired in some areas. Still, the general consensus seemed “unbelievable” when it came to price.
Hotel Les Pierres
Hotel Les Pierres is part of Marriott’s autograph collection, so you know it’s going to be a certain standard. It has a huge swimming pool with a swim-up bar and jacuzzi, spacious rooms with balconies (some have private plunge pools) and is literally steps from Kuta Beach and shopping areas. Rooms cost around £110 and up.
The breakfast buffet here is apparently something else with custom eggs, plenty of salad options, Asian dishes, and even ice cream. You are greeted with fresh coconut water, which gives a very Balinese feel. The bathrooms are marble and appear quite modern.
It’s about a five minute walk to the beach and 20-40 minutes to the airport or Seminyak depending on traffic.
Bali Mandira Beach Resort & Spa
Bali Mandira Beach Resort & Spa is another beachfront option with an infinity pool for adults and a separate fun pool for children. The swim-up bar is a nice feature, and they have family cottages if you need some extra space.
What people seem to like most is being able to walk directly onto the beach from your room – no roads to cross or long walks through corridors. The spa also gets high marks. One woman told me she had this amazing massage there that felt like a “complete mind and body reset,” although maybe that was just what vacation was about.
Astagina Resort Villas And Spa
If you want something a little more secluded, Astagina Resort Villas And Spa offers villas with private pools set in tranquil gardens. Two large shared pools, spa discounts, free breakfast and afternoon tea, and you’re still pretty close to shops and the beach. Prices start from around £75 per night. The villas are truly spacious, ideal for couples or small groups who want their own space. The pools are great if you have kids who want to splash around while you sit nearby with a drink.
Mid-range and budget that actually work
Exterior Bali Legian Camakila
Exterior Bali Legian Camakila has a day spa, sauna, gym, and swimming pools (basically everything you need without the luxury price tag). Some rooms are poolside, which is convenient if you have children who get up early. The staff are constantly praised, the food is decent and the beach is ridiculously close. The air conditioning works well, which matters more than you think during humid periods.
Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort
Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort receives mixed reviews, but is still a great option. Some parts seem a little dated, but it’s one of those older properties that has been around forever. The swimming pools are large with plenty of loungers, you have direct access to the beach and the breakfast is good. The staff is friendly and it’s in a family-friendly place. If you don’t care about having the latest facilities and amenities and prioritize location and beach access over Instagram-worthy interiors, this does the trick. Prices are around £50-70 per night.
Hotel Champlung Mas is another modest option close to the beach, markets and food courts. Beautiful garden, easy transport links and really helpful staff. It’s basic in the best way possible, clean, comfortable and affordable. Ideal if you are the type who spends little time in your room.
For appropriate budget choices, Legian zest lies at the heart of everything, Hotel Legian has swimming pools and is on Garlic Lane, putting you close to many restaurants and shops, and Ibis Styles Bali Legian offers this reliable Accor standard for around £25-£75 a night depending on the season. All family-friendly, all offering more than one might expect for the price.
Villas and Airbnb to consider
If you want your own space, Large Villa with Garden 3BR on Airbnb is fantastic. It has three bedrooms AND three and a half bathrooms, spread over two floors. You have a fully equipped kitchen, living room, free WiFi, international TV with YouTube and a huge private garden with its own sanctuary (which the owner comes to leave offerings on every day).
It sleeps six people, costs around £100-£150 a night depending on dates and is a five-minute walk from Padma Beach. It’s just off Garlic Lane, so shops and restaurants are just a short walk away. When we stayed there, a new mobile coffee shop (on the back of a scooter) had just opened a few hundred meters away, so morning coffee didn’t last long.
The host, Daisuke, arranges surf tours and guides if you need them, and nothing is too much trouble.
Our children loved having a real garden all to themselves and a private pool that they didn’t have to share.
My favorite part was the balcony which took advantage of the early morning sun. I could just open the bedroom doors and sit there with a cup of coffee and my book before everyone gets up.
Sun Island Boutique Villas is on the border of Seminyak and offers private and shared pool options with breakfast included. Prices start from around £110 per night. You get the privacy of a villa with the accessibility of being close to everything Legian and Seminyak offer.
Our favorite places to stay in Legian
Padma Resort Legian – a beautiful beachfront resort with multiple infinity pools, lush gardens and exceptional service
Exterior Bali Legian Camakila – a great value beachfront resort with swimming pools, spa, gym and wonderful staff
Large Villa with Garden – a spacious three-bedroom villa with a private pool and huge garden just minutes from Padma Beach and Garlic Lane
Practical things that really help
If you’re traveling with family, look for beachfront properties with a decent pool. Places like Jayakarta or Mandira work well. Villas like Big Garden give you space to spread out without paying resort prices. Some people split their stay between Legian and a quieter place like Sanur, which I would definitely recommend.
Book via Reservation.comdirect hotel websites or Airbnb depending on what you are looking for. Peak season (July-August, December-January) sees prices rise, so book early if your dates are fixed.
The rainy season means swimming pools become essential rather than optional. Morning activities and day trips work better than in the afternoon, when rain tends to fall. Traffic is worst during peak hours, so allow buffer time for airport transfers.
Why we love Legian
Legian gives you options, that’s what makes it work. You can spend big money at Padma Resort for that complete luxury beachfront experience, or you can buy a villa like Big Garden for more space and privacy without the resort price tag. Budget travelers aren’t stuck with unnecessary options either, as places like Kumala Pantai and the various mid-range hotels offer clean, comfortable accommodation with no frills.
The mix of beach access, affordability, cultural touches and proximity to the rest of South Bali makes Legian so versatile. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you need absolute peace and quiet and no salespeople, look elsewhere. For most people who want a balanced Balinese experience without having to choose between budget and location, this works.
