[Bali Family Trip with Two Kids – Day 1] Accommodation at Aloft Kuta & Driver Recommendation

Bottom line: For the first night in Bali with kids, staying in Kuta and choosing Aloft Kuta is a practical choice—just 15–20 minutes from the airport, right next to Beachwalk Mall (instant access to food and supplies), within walking distance to the beach, and offering two-queen-bed rooms perfect for a family of four. This Marriott-affiliated brand, opened in 2022, is affordable and modern. Ideal for families who want to skip long drives after landing and head toward Jimbaran or Uluwatu the next day.

[Bali Travel Diary] Our family of four—two adults and two kids—shares our first two nights’ accommodation in Bali.

“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” live on-site

A Vietnamese-Taiwanese expat sister visited Bali.
This article is adapted/reposted with permission from the owner of “Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City”
Originally published in the Facebook group “Bali/Indonesia Food & Fun Travel Guide”
Sourced from the group, now shared back to the community

☀️《Bali/Kuta》✈️ A lazy traveler’s paradise: watch the sunset 🌇, enjoy dinner 🍽, and stock up on supplies 🧃 - Beachwalk Mall

Why Stay in Kuta

Although Kuta isn’t ideal for a long stay (see: The Most Convenient Place to Stay in Bali, Yet the Least Recommended! Pros and Cons of Kuta), here’s why we chose to stay here right after landing—four reasons:

1. It’s the closest to the airport, so we could relax almost immediately after landing. Traveling with two kids, staying in the nearest area to the airport minimizes fatigue from the long flight, letting the whole family unwind quickly and start enjoying Bali.
2. It aligned with our plan to head to Jimbaran and Uluwatu on day two. Kuta’s location is excellent—not only close to the airport but also convenient for reaching other Bali attractions like Jimbaran and Uluwatu. Staying here saved travel time and let us make the most of our trip.
3. It was our first time in Bali, and we wanted to see the liveliest area. Kuta is the most bustling part of Bali, with vibrant streets, diverse dining and shopping options, and stunning beaches. As first-timers, we wanted to soak up Bali’s energy and culture right here.
4. We heard Kuta Beach is the best place for beginners to learn surfing, and our two boys wanted to give it a try. Kuta Beach is one of Bali’s most famous surf spots, with gentle waves perfect for beginners and wide sandy shores. We hoped to witness our boys’ courage and effort as they took on surfing, sharing joyful beach moments together.

After weighing these four factors, we decided to spend our first day in Bali in Kuta, and found a comfortable hotel near Beachwalk Shopping Center to kick off our Bali adventure.

Choosing Accommodation in Kuta

🔅 The Aloft Kuta hotel is right next to Beachwalk Shopping Center—👣 step out of the hotel and you’re instantly at the mall, perfect for lazy travelers 👏👏👏. The location is incredibly convenient: not only is it close to the shopping center, but the beach is also within walking distance. Plus, the two double-bed room option suits our family of four perfectly, making it an ideal place to stay.

The Aloft Kuta two-double-bed room also comes with a mini bar

▶ Aloft Kuta Booking Link Booking ▶ Trip.com Booking

Aloft Bali Kuta is a New Marriott Hotel

On the hectic first day of flying, to align with our family’s goal of a ‘relaxing vacation,’ we didn’t want to rush between destinations. The Kuta area, just 15–20 minutes from the airport, was a perfect fit!

Located within the Beachwalk Shopping Center and opened in April 2022, Aloft Kuta is Marriott’s younger, trendier brand. Its design is simple and comfortable, with relatively affordable rates while maintaining Marriott’s quality. The service is friendly, the facilities are brand new, and the overall vibe is fantastic. Although it’s next to a shopping mall, entry and exit require passing through an X-ray security gate, ensuring safety. With only three floors, Aloft Kuta has many rooms per floor. Rooms deeper inside are quieter, away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta’s beachfront street, ensuring a good night’s sleep in the twin-bed room.

“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” live shot

The room design includes a small sofa area, a balcony, and a separate wet-and-dry bathroom—overall, we were extremely satisfied! The breakfast restaurant is bright and comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows letting in plenty of sunlight. While the breakfast selection isn’t huge, it offers both Western and Balinese options, all refined and delicious. We absolutely loved the overall atmosphere!

The pool had a lush green vibe, surrounded by trees, offering an endless sense of clarity. We stayed here for two nights, but one morning was drizzly, and the other we saved for surfing—since right across from the hotel is the world-famous (beginner-friendly) surf spot, Kuta Beach. How could we not visit?

The best scenery is the people, and at Aloft Kuta, it’s everywhere you look. The overall service deserves a perfect score—isn’t that exactly what a vacation needs?

▶Aloft Kuta Booking Link Booking ▶Trip.com Booking

Day 1 Itinerary

Here’s our Day 1 itinerary:

Our private driver took us to exchange money and get a SIM card > then we had a bowl of dry noodles for less than a dollar

“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” live shot

Check-in > Beachwalk shopping, watched the sunset from the 3rd floor > ate the roast pork rice Warung Babi Guling Bu Dayu Kencani that Xiao Jie recommended

“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” live shot

Truly a hidden gem of flavor! Check out Xiao Jie’s recommendation in the video below:

Beachfront Shopping B1 Foodmart: Buy water and souvenirs

Notes & Reflections

✖️ If you don’t want to trek all the way to Jimbaran for sunset, just head next door and follow the ‘Beachwalk Shopping’ signs to the ‘Sunset Deck’—you can enjoy a stunning, ‘free’ Bali sunset right there 🥳🥳🥳. It was a delightful surprise on our trip, being able to soak in such a beautiful sunset near the mall, lifting our spirits.

‘Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City’ live shots

🍽 Restaurants line both sides of the Sunset Deck. I originally planned to grab a drink at ‘Mr. Wayan, by the sea’ on the left and enjoy the sunset 🍸, but all the good spots were reserved, so I just wandered around the deck instead 👀. Even without finding the perfect seat, strolling under the sunset and soaking in nature’s beauty was a treat.

🍴 The restaurant on the right, ‘Raa Cha Suki & BBQ Beachwalk,’ seemed to have even better outdoor seating, closer to the sea. If you’re interested, be sure to book in advance! 📲 Next time, I’ll definitely reserve a spot to enjoy a meal by the sea with that stunning sunset combo.

🌠 In the evening, the Sunset Deck is accompanied by soft music 🎵—sunset, scenery, and good vibes 😊. With the music playing and the sun setting, it was an incredibly joyful moment that left me feeling refreshed.

👀 Bali is vast, but the roads are narrow and single-lane, so traffic jams are common 🚘. If you don’t feel like venturing out for food, the Beachwalk Shopping Center is a lifesaver for hunger pangs 💪. It offers a wide range of dining options, plus snacks and souvenirs—super convenient and affordable.

🔹 1F: A massive candy wonderland ‘Candylicious’ 🍭, bursting with colors—a true paradise for little ones 🫧 (we visited). The kids couldn’t get enough of this candy haven; they had a blast, and I loved seeing their joy.

🔹 3F: ‘MM Juice’ 🍹—recommended by netizens for tasty juices, though the food is reportedly not great (we didn’t visit). While I heard the juices are good, we opted for other restaurants. Maybe next time we’ll give it a try.

🔹3F: “Bebek Tepi Sawah” 🦆, perfect for those short on time who still want to taste authentic Balinese cuisine (did not visit). Although I didn’t get to try the food here, I’ve heard the dishes are very authentic—definitely on my list for the next Bali trip.

Dining Experience at Bebek Tepi Sawah

🔹Basement Supermarket Foodmart: A convenient spot to stock up on snacks, drinks 🧃🍪, and some souvenirs (visited). We picked up plenty of essentials and keepsakes here, making our trip more convenient and enjoyable.

“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” live footage

“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” souvenirs and personal purchases

🗓 Over consecutive Saturday and Sunday nights, the 1F main plaza of Beachwalk Shopping Center hosts live music performances 🎙, creating a strong vacation vibe. These performances filled the mall with joy and energy, and we spent a delightful evening there, deeply immersing ourselves in the local music and culture, which enriched our trip.

We followed the recommendations from “Xiao Jie Indonesia.” If you’re interested in visiting, check out the video below:

Want more Kuta travel tips? Click here

Recommended Bali Private Driver

✨ A good driver takes you to heaven ☁️ Eat local 🍽️ Capture stunning views 📸 Plus a tour guide 📚 Highly recommend this Bali driver 👍

📋 Our Bali trip came together so suddenly. For getting between 📸 attractions, I originally planned to just ask the hotel for help. But a week before departure, a Facebook group admin from ‘Bali/Indonesia Travel Guide’ gave us a hand 💪 — and we got our ticket to paradise.

🏡 Gede lives near Kuta. Before returning home to work, he served on large cruise ships in the 🇺🇸 US, so his English is flawless 👍 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 He also has daughters aged 8 and 10, plus a 6-year-old son, so he’s incredibly patient with kids 💗 — a huge help for family travelers like us 🙇‍♀️

“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” Facebook screenshot

😊 Gede’s smile is genuine and puts you at ease; his service is top-notch and makes your trip worry-free:

🔹 Always shows up on time (or early)

🔹 If there’s a delay (traffic), he always notifies you in advance 📱

🔹 Safety first — he even shields you from traffic when you get in and out of the car ⛑️

🔹 At the hotel, he always rushes ahead to check in for you 👀

🔹 He’ll go out of his way to help with any questions (lost items, shopping, sharing info ℹ️)

🔹If you need to purchase a tour, I’ll also ask around among friends to try and get you the best price 💰

🔹Three steps after landing, all taken care of for you: ✈️ airport pickup, 📲 buying a local SIM card at a shop, 💵 currency exchange (at a legitimate, no-swindle exchange center)

🔹For tourist traps, I’ll advise against going ❌ (Gede doesn’t take kickbacks, so some popular spots won’t allow him to accompany you inside). 🔆 At certain attractions, Gede will join you (some places offer free entry for locals 🎫), acting as a guide to explain the site’s history and stories 🔊. 🌇 On our trip to Uluwatu Temple / cliffs / sunset, Gede stuck close to us, 📸 helping take photos, 🐒 and keeping a sharp eye out to prevent monkeys from snatching our belongings 👀

Want to compare prices for more attraction tickets? Check out the Bali Ticket Price List for 49 popular spots, all with booking links to Klook, Agoda, and Trip.com.

⚠️ Remember! Be a considerate traveler—Gede is a driver, ✖️ not a personal guide. If he doesn’t accompany you into attractions, that’s perfectly reasonable. Don’t over-demand; put yourself in his shoes 🫰. 🔎 Throughout this trip, we never insisted Gede join us for sightseeing or commentary—we went with the flow. Extra company was appreciated ❤️, but its absence was just as normal.

🍽️ As for meals / afternoon tea / scenic coffee ☕️, places tourists like you and me visit tend to have high prices 💸. 🚘 Basically, Gede drops you off and leaves, waiting for your call 📲. 👦🏻 For Gede, who doesn’t earn much, these spots are sky-high 💸. We, who treat Gede like a friend, love inviting him along (he always refuses to join for meals, claiming he’s full 😑, and occasionally shares a drink, always picking the cheapest option 😑).

📍Gede’s pricing (2024) 💰 ➰ Full day: 600,000 IDR (10h) ➰ Half day: 400,000 IDR (5h) ➰ Remote areas: Kintamani 650,000 IDR (10h), Lempuyang 800,000 IDR (10h), Bedugul 650,000 IDR (10h)

➰ Price includes parking, gas, and the car ➰ Does not include entrance fees for certain villages

🔊 I originally planned to arrange onward transport through each hotel. After gathering all the info, ℹ️ I shared it with Gede, and you’ll see his cost-performance is absolutely explosive 💥

📍Contact info for you right here:

🚘 A good driver takes you to heaven—travel hassle-free in Bali GO 🥳🥳🥳🥳

PS 🇮🇩 Indonesia is a tipping country, so please don’t hesitate to tip generously, ✨because Gede deserves it!✨ (A 10% tip on the day’s car rental cost is standard; if you’re very satisfied and can afford it, feel free to give 20% to 30%—I thank you on Gede’s behalf 🙏)

To Be Continued in the Next Episode

This is the first installment of our series. Today, we’ll eat well 😋, sleep soundly 💤, and recharge our energy 💪, ready to take on the next challenge: surfing fun at Kuta Beach 🏄‍♀️. This vibrant and romantic island is full of endless possibilities, and we look forward to creating unforgettable memories on this beautiful beach.

Series completed:

• Day 1: Living in a Shopping Mall! Family Accommodation for Two Adults and Two Kids
• Day 2: GWK Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, Free Beach Club in Uluwatu, Uluwatu Temple, and Kecak Fire Dance
• Day 3-7: Five Days in Ubud: Food, Attractions, Accommodation, and Volcano Exploration Recommendations
• Day 8: How to Enjoy Bali Safari & Overnight Stay Guide

Do you think the itinerary arranged by the Vietnamese Taiwanese businesswoman is exciting? Hurry up and plan your own Bali trip! Feel free to share your itinerary in the community as well!

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