%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-mandapa-00-INDONESIAWB25-75916efb52c24c8f89df0297f8889806.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
The 5 Best Resorts in Indonesia of 2025
One of the many Dining Beyond Culinary Experiences at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Bali.
Richard Bryant/Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
In the southern resort region of Nusa Dua, The Mulia once again earned the runner-up spot on this year's list, and readers raved about the food: 'The restaurants are exceptional, especially the Sunday Brunch at Soleil—it was a highlight of our trip.' They also loved the family-friendly offerings: 'Our kids loved playing in their kids pool, kids club, and at the beach. It was the perfect place for a family vacation in Bali.'
The Mulia's neighbor in Nusa Dua, The St. Regis Bali Resort, secured the No. 5 spot this year, thanks to an 'absolutely wonderful team. From the airport greeter to the drive out to the resort, everyone is exceptional! They recall your name, your preferences and are genuine in their effort to see that you have a great experience while enjoying the resort.' Rounding out the list is The Ritz-Carlton, Bali (No. 3), also in Nusa Dua, and the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay (No. 4). Aside from the Four Seasons' amenities like the Sundara Beach Club and the Healing Village Spa, it offers adventure-focused experiences for guests like helicopter tours, fishing expeditions, and surfing lessons.
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve The Reserve two-bedroom pool villa.
Richard Bryant/Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
'Feels like heaven.' That's how one reader described this year's winner, which occupies a large swath of verdant jungle along the Ayung River in Ubud. 'It's completely immersed in nature, and wellness is at its core,' added the reader. The resort is made up of 35 suites and 25 pool villas, the latter named for the private swimming pool that comes with each one. But even entry-level suites here are enormous by most resort standards, clocking in at 1,076 square feet with views of the rain forest or rice paddies. Service was also a major draw, as one guest noted: 'The entire staff is top notch, extremely respectful and friendly.' As for the food? 'The restaurants are without exception outstanding. The set menu at Kubu [Madapa's fine-dining venue] is highly recommended.'
The entire staff is top notch, extremely respectful and friendly.
— T+L Reader
1. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Reader score: 99.18
2. The Mulia
Reader score: 98.72
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Bali
Reader score: 98.64
4. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Reader score: 98.36
5. The St. Regis Bali Resort Reader score: 97.68
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
I did yoga in Italy with my favorite wellness influencer: Inside the world of creator-led retreats
I'm sitting cross-legged on an artisanal yoga mat near the picturesque Ionian Sea with eight other women who've traveled across the globe to be here. I am perfectly still despite the beach flies and mosquitoes buzzing around. A photographer gently circles behind us, capturing the vibrant hues of the sunset and yogis. My yoga teacher Riva Gdanski, who has a social media following of more than 760,000 people, speaks softly but emphatically about setting an intention for today's practice. I'm nearing the end of my five-day Yoga & Content Creation Retreat at the 250-year-old eco-friendly farmhouse Masseria Specula in Puglia, Italy, where I made orecchiette from scratch, crafted ceramics with local artisans, tasted farm-fresh olive oil, practiced three kinds of yoga and hiked to see flamingos in their natural habitat — all documented in glossy, Insta-worthy photo shoots. The women I'm with are all influencers (or aspiring influencers), and we're all trying to do the seemingly impossible: unplug while being plugged in. Along the way, we've picked up swag from small, sustainable and women-led brands: mindfulness journals, Satya yoga mats, swimwear from Mimi Flamingo, clean hair care products and organic sunscreen. According to Statista, the global wellness tourism industry is growing at a rapid pace and is predicted to clock in at $1.35 trillion in 2028. The newest travel agents herding hundreds of excited wellness enthusiasts to exotic sanctuaries? Influencers like Gdanski, who are inviting their social media followers to hop offline and meet up IRL with like-minded devotees for retreats dedicated to sweat, relaxation and community. And while the experience doesn't come cheap, many fans are more than happy to follow their favorite content creators to the ends of the earth. So what does an influencer retreat entail? It all depends on who's hosting it — and what your budget is. Broadly speaking, participants can expect all the bells and whistles of a spa vacation, plus face time with their favorite content creators, many of whom are leaders in the fitness and wellness space. Plus-size trainer and adventurer Kanoa Greene has led small groups hiking the Swiss Alps, surfing in Costa Rica, paddleboarding in Mexico and rock climbing in Colorado through Nakoa Adventure. As a creator, these trips offer the chance to bond in person with the community she's built, while helping them feel more welcome on any terrain. 'As we move forward, it's more important than ever for us to provide spaces to connect with community,' Greene tells Yahoo, 'but ultimately, [it's about] having safe spaces to exist and be ourselves without judgment and fear.' Prefer your relaxation a little less rugged? Taryn Toomey, owner of the celeb-loved workout the Class, has been hosting her Retreatments — billed as a 'transformational, immersive wellness experience' that 'blend[s] mindful practice with deep rest, community and exploration in some of the most spiritually charged destinations in the world' — for 10 years. This October, guests will head to Peru; the $5,800-$8,100 price tag includes luxury accommodations; daily movement and meditation sessions led by Toomey herself; nourishing, locally sourced meals; wellness programming (e.g., longevity panels, hot/cold therapy, hiking and sacred rituals) and a welcome gift; plus a 30-day subscription to the Class Digital Studio. But act fast: There's already a waitlist to sign up. For those looking for something a little closer to home, celebrity trainer Kira Stokes is the latest wellness influencer to partner with Canyon Ranch. Her upcoming all-inclusive wellness retreat in the Berkshires, Mass., this month includes four workout classes led by Stokes (who will also join guests for an intimate group dinner) and 'curated daily group activities.' The three-day retreat starts at $1,800, which includes $400 worth of spa credit. Meanwhile, Katie Austin, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model and creator of her own eponymous workout app, will soon be offering 10 followers a free ride to her Camp KA retreat in Palm Springs, Calif., this September. The itinerary is still being fleshed out, but guests can expect a mix of high-energy workouts, outdoor activities, healthy cooking classes and nightly events designed to spark real connection, such as campfire confidence circles, themed game nights and sunset sound baths — all at no cost to the attendees. 'There's something magical about bringing people together in person,' Austin says. 'This experience is designed to be more than a getaway — it's a celebration of the work we've all been doing on ourselves and a chance to deepen the connection we've built online.' It's not only yoga teachers and fitness experts leading these getaways. Influencers across the lifestyle space are also inviting their communities to engage offline. Cookbook author and private chef Gaby Dalkin, better known as What's Gaby Cooking to her more than 1 million followers, took 30 fans on a luxury yacht trip around the Galápagos Islands in 2022; the trip cost $7,300 per person for nine nights and sold out in one day. The following year, Brittany Allyn, aka ThirtyWaves, held a retreat in Marrakech, Morocco, for 18 fans of her 'MeMoon' movement, which encourages women to take solo trips celebrating themselves. Dubbed 'WeMoon,' the six-day adventure cost $4,000 to $5,000 a person for sunset camel rides, visits to a hammam (Turkish bath), a private riad (traditional Moroccan guesthouse) and more. And Women Work F#%k*ng Hard — a group for career women founded by former Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus and Kristin Merrick — partnered with the luxury experiential travel company Mira in 2023 to offer their high-performing female community a space to slow down, restore and reconnect with themselves and each other in a deeper way. Enter a Costa Rican retreat that featured a 4 a.m. canopy climb and other programming 'designed to open, ground and expand each guest,' according to Mira founder Katie Giblin. 'Think less yoga and smoothies — more energetic shifts, local immersion and somatic programming,' she tells Yahoo. More all-inclusive trips are in the works, with a price tag starting at $5,500. So what's compelling people to show up and pay for these retreats? For many attendees, it's about having a vacation with a purpose, in the company of the creators who inspire them most. Sol Han of San Francisco is a tech operations manager who moonlights as a Pilates and yoga instructor. She was the first to sign up for the Riva Gdanski retreat I attended in Italy, drawn by the opportunity to learn the practitioner's 'creative process' firsthand. 'I had been following Riva for a little over a year and admired her stories and beautiful shapes she created, so I was thrilled she developed this retreat to share her knowledge,' she tells me. For others, it was a mix of education and cultural engagement that got them to book. Private fitness trainer and travel adviser Natalia Kahn had never been to Italy before, and Gdanski's retreat seemed like a perfect fit. 'I was craving connection with like-minded women, and knowing that this retreat included mindfulness, movement and authentic Italian experiences in charming towns was a great way to take it all in,' she says. Han says she's noticed more influencer retreats popping up on her feed, which comes as no surprise. Amid the rise of AI, 'real human connection is more valuable than ever,' she notes. People are getting a lot more out of these retreats than some swag and a suntan. Some people are coming home with friends, business contacts and job opportunities. Giblin says many women who attended the Mira x Women Work F#%k*ng Hard trip have since built 'business collaborations, launched weekly virtual book club meetups and dinner get-togethers and continued supporting one another across personal and professional endeavors.' Shookus, meanwhile, says she 'came home full of possibility and clarity ... and feel like there is sparkle in the air again.' Yoga teacher and writer Nicci Rothe, who had never posted an Instagram Reel before Gdanski's content creation retreat but is now building her social media following, left a changed woman. 'I grew a new confidence in myself, and I realized that I can achieve higher goals than what I've been setting for myself,' she says. And there are just the simple mental health benefits associated with getting away. Research shows that taking a vacation as short as four days can boost well-being for 45 days after your trip. If that vacation happens to be a community-building retreat, therapist Rachel Wright points out, all the better. 'Connection, novelty and intentional rest are key ingredients for long-term well-being, and curated retreats offer all three,' Wright tells Yahoo. The right retreat doesn't just give you memories; it gives you momentum, she adds. 'By stepping away from the noise of daily life and into a space designed for reflection and genuine connection, people often return not just feeling recharged, but with renewed confidence, clarity and the kinds of relationships that continue to transform their lives long after the retreat ends.' As I write this, it's been a week since my trip. Eventually, my tan will fade. The olive oil will run out. The algorithm will move on. But what stays with me isn't the content I created on the retreat — it's the contentment, and community, I found.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-jutland-surfing-denmark-SURFTOWNDENMARK0725-ff84a2def5c848b8b8d78606e27c2743.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
16 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
Denmark's Laid-back Northern Coast Has 19-hour Summer Days and a Quaint Surf Town Called 'Cold Hawaii'
Summertime in Denmark is like nowhere else. With the sunset pushed back past 10 p.m., there's plenty of time to pedal around on a bike, drink natural wine on the waterfront between swims, and take in the effortless cool and always joyous vibes of the country. On a recent trip to a rugged and wild stretch of the country known as the Jutland, I found that summertime buzz is taken to the next level in these parts. This string of fishing towns in northwest Denmark has become an unlikely surfer hub in recent years—and more than just good waves have washed up on the area's shore. After a week traversing the area, I found the last wild flat oysters in all of Europe, ambitious tasting menus, hygge-packed boutique hotels, and a million reasons to venture into the untouched natural spoils of this region and get lost for a little while. Surfers wait to catching waves in the cold waters of Klitmoller and Hanstholm. FynnAalborg, Denmark's fourth-largest city, makes a convenient getaway to the country's northern coast. You might opt to explore the art museums and walkable waterfront in this compact city for a day or two to see why Travel + Leisure named it one of the best places to go in 2024. But after landing, our crew found the promise of crashing waves irresistible, so we piled in our van and headed straight to the coast on a 90-minute drive. Denmark is an unlikely surfing destination. But this region—nicknamed 'Cold Hawaii'—sits at a high latitude that allows it to usher in epic swells as storms pass through the north. Surfers began whispering about the good surf brought on by the area's sometimes harsh weather in recent years. Red Bull heard the scuttlebutt and recently hosted its premier King of the Air qualifier event near Klitmøller, and the area is currently gearing up to host the World Championships for windsurfing. We landed on a gloomy day, but even through the misty coastal air, I immediately spotted the bobbing heads of surfers sitting just past the break as the wind whipped the coast. Where warmer weather surf towns have beach bars and seafood shacks, cozy coffee shops and sauna clubs line the beach in Klitmøller. I opted to take in the tranquility of the gray skies with a coffee, but you could zip up a wetsuit and grab a board courtesy of Cold Hawaii Surf Camp and dive right in, wasting no time. One of the Sauna Clubs along the beaches in Klitmoller. Liz Provencher/Travel + Leisure Chilly summer days aren't uncommon in these parts—which makes sense considering the Jutland shares latitude lines with Alaska. So even on summer days, a long day in the water should end with a cozy meal. I found just that only a short drive down the coast at Hanstholm Madbar, which has a dining room lined with large windows that look out onto the vast grasslands. Walking up to the restaurant, I passed bushes of sea buckthorn (tart orange berries that grow wildly in this region) and shaggy brown cows. The serene setting is the perfect place to dig into steamy pots of mussels and specials that change with the seasons. All of the towns along this stretch of coast are teeny—some have just over 1,000 residents. But word of premier surfing and an opportunity to unplug has brought more and more visitors and a slew of new hotels. Owned by a world-famous chef, the 36-room property at Svinkløv Badehotel guarantees excellent dining and a cottage-like atmosphere, and a popular Danish design brand, Vipp, recently opened a three-bedroom guesthouse that allows guests to immerse themselves in the nature and solitude of the area. The next morning, I admittedly hit snooze to sleep off a long travel day. Those who were up bright and early headed to the country's largest seafood auction in Hanstholm, where fresh catches from the North Sea are sold in a lively atmosphere on weekdays. The rest of day two should be spent among the waves, but make time to visit Hanstholm Lighthouse. Once the oldest and most powerful lighthouse in all of Denmark, the space also hosts a summertime pop-up called Østlængen with pizza, traditional Danish plates of sourdough and cheese, and birkes , a local baked good that features flaky, croissant-like layers filled with marzipan. Thy National Park (nationalpark Thy) in the morning sunrise. jonathanfilskov-photography/Getty Images I started the day by driving about 20 minutes inland to Thy National Park. Ninety-four square miles of protected land is packed with sand dunes and bird-filled wetlands ripe for exploring. Climb to the top of Lodbjerg Lighthouse for sweeping views of the rugged coastline or spot red deer and rare birds in the country's largest wildlife reserve. On the edge of the national park, Thy Whisky is run by eighth-generation farmers who respect the land and turn it into some solid single malts. The owners took me through rolling hills of barley, rye, and wheat and all of the distillery spaces before filling up glasses of four different whiskies for a taste. The single-estate distillery also offers quicker drop-in tastings, but it's worth penciling in some extra time for the tour to fully appreciate these terroir-driven pours. After driving about 25 minutes further down the coast, I settled down for a mind-blowing meal at Restaurant Tri, which sits in a tiny coastal town with less than 200 people. The restaurant is chef Nicolas Min Jørgensen's ode to regional flavors achieved by expert sourcing and a palpable love for the area. When I was there, a local farmer had just dropped by with a bounty of fresh produce and Jørgensen was upstairs drying mushrooms from a recent foraging trip—no wonder the Michelin Guide has awarded this spot both a standard star and a special green star award for sustainability. After a long night, tuck into Vorupør Badehotel. The seven-room property sits right on the ocean and oversized windows ensure you can take in all the views. Going oystering in Mors. Liz Provencher/Travel + Leisure Oysters are another draw of the region, so my final day was spent pulling on waders and getting out into the fjord between the island of Mors and the mainland. The area's Danish Shellfish Center is dedicated to researching and sustaining some of Europe's last remaining wild oysters. The team offers a two-hour experience that starts with a lesson on the area's flat oysters before it's time to pull on slick rubber waders and get out on the water. Equipped with a waterproof outfit, a net attached to a long bamboo pole, and a bucket to hold my catch, I walked down to the water to give it a go. After about 45 minutes of scouring the floor of the fjord, I only had an oyster or two to show for my efforts. But even on unlucky days, the team has plenty of fresh oysters to shuck while you toast some sparkling wine to a hard day's work. A dish from Limfjordens Hus. Liz Provencher/Travel + Leisure For even more seafood, have lunch at Limfjordens Hus nestled in Glyngøre Havn. If you have room for even more oyster-infused fare, walk over to Danish Oyster Bar to try a local beer that's brewed with oyster shells resulting in a delightfully briny pour that can be enjoyed overlooking the water. We then checked into the Tambohus Inn for our last night in the Jutland. The accommodations are homey and simple, but its location along the fjord is prized. Before packing up for the airport, be sure to cross the street to enjoy the inn's sauna and chilly plunge into the fjord to do as the locals do—it's the only way to cap off this epic trip.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-suite-livingRoom-kitchen-the-ingalls-ANNHOTEL0125-db072d78624349f98510cbeed57c475b.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
19 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
There's a Platinum Marriott Bonvoy Status Tier You've Never Heard Of—and It Costs More Than $1 Million
When Boston's newest skyscraper is finally completed later this year, the mixed-use development soaring above South Station will symbolize Marriott International's decades-long effort to diversify its residential portfolio. The 680-foot tower is crowned by 166 luxury Ritz-Carlton residences, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with city and harbor views. Twenty-five years after the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Washington D.C., which was the first branded residential project for Marriott, the company now has 300 similar offerings, either open or in development. These are across 17 brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, W, St. Regis, JW Marriott, and Edition. The variety of options includes full ownership of branded residences, extended-stay furnished apartments, and vacation villas. 'Customers love our brands, and they love this special lifestyle that they can buy into,' says Dana Jacobsohn, chief development officer for U.S. luxury brands and global mixed-use at Marriott International. Organized kitchen for cooking and hosting in your suite. Courtesy of The Ann Savannah The perks associated with ownership are music to a Marriott Bonvoy members' ears. Approximately 93 percent of Marriott residential owners are already Bonvoy members, the company reports. New homeowners earn Bonvoy status depending on the brand their residence is tied to; Those purchasing a unit in The Ritz-Carlton Residences receive Platinum status. (Prices at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Boston, South Station Tower start at $1.3 million.) But company leaders emphasize that this isn't your standard Bonvoy Platinum status. Residence owners also tap into a new program called Onvia, an owner recognition platform that includes benefits such as preferred rates at Marriott-affiliated hotels worldwide, exclusive perks when booking a voyage on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and access to a variety of exclusive partnerships, events, and activities. Additionally, once owners put down a non-refundable deposit on their future home, they can enjoy the benefits of elevated Bonvoy status for a period of two years. 'Our hope is that with that elevated status you start with, you'll travel and earn a higher status,' Jacobsohn says. 'Once you're a loyal customer, that status typically just comes so easily.' Marriott's residential options are expanding and now include a variety of ways to experience the company's hotel brands. The upcoming W Cleveland, slated for completion in late 2026, will feature Marriott International's first branded apartment rental, with 12-month leases (at minimum). While W will be the first Marriott-affiliated brand to offer rental units, additional brands could follow, adds Jacobsohn. For travelers who prefer not to sign an ownership agreement or a 12-month lease, Marriott has an alternative in store. The Ann Savannah, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, boasting 157 accommodations ranging from studios to four-bedroom lofts, opened earlier this year in Georgia as the first hotel of the new Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy brand. It caters to different types of travelers, from those in town for the weekend to those seeking a much longer stay. And it provides an elevated experience compared to roadside extended-stay hotels. A closer look at the fully stocked kitchen in the suites of The Ann Savannah. Courtesy of The Ann Savannah For starters, The Ann Savannah isn't highway-adjacent; instead, it is cloistered in downtown Savannah, just around the corner from one of the city's must-visit restaurants, The Grey. The hotel's residences include full kitchens, in-suite laundry, and well-furnished living spaces. 'People are extending the amount of time they can work out of a place, particularly in the summer,' explains Peggy Roe, executive vice president and chief customer officer at Marriott International. 'So, if they're going to do that, they want more of an apartment-style type of experience.' Another residential-style brand is Marriott Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, offering high-end vacation home rentals that allow guests to accrue or redeem points. The platform recently made a splash by aiming to ensure guests don't have to deal with rain during their stay through a new partnership with WeatherPromise, a service that pays travelers if there is excessive rainfall during their stay. Marriott's foray into residential hospitality also signals the broader evolution and appeal of blended travel, Roe says. 'From a customer standpoint, I think if you erased all the hotels today and you started over, you would probably see everybody [build for longer-term stays] a little bit more,' she explains. And with the rising popularity of bleisure travel and remote work, it looks like Marriott's long-term focus on alternative accommodations is hitting the mark.
