Bottom line: For the first night in Bali with kids, staying in Kuta at Aloft Kuta is the practical choice—just 15–20 minutes from the airport, right next to Beachwalk Mall (instant access to food and supplies), walking distance to the beach, and offering two-double-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 the long drive 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.
Live shot from ‘Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City’
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 & Travel Guide’
Sourced from the group, now shared back here.
☀️《Bali/Kuta》✈️ The lazy traveler’s favorite: watch the sunset 🌇, have dinner 🍽, 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), we chose to stay here right after landing for four reasons:
- It’s the closest area to the airport, so we could relax almost immediately after landing. Traveling with two kids, staying in the nearest area to the airport minimizes post-flight fatigue, letting the whole family unwind quickly and start enjoying Bali.
- It aligned with our plan to visit Jimbaran and Uluwatu the next day. Kuta’s prime location—close to the airport and convenient for other Bali attractions like Jimbaran and Uluwatu—saved us travel time, allowing us to savor more of the journey.
- It was our first time in Bali, and we wanted to see the most vibrant area. Kuta is Bali’s liveliest district, with bustling streets, diverse dining and shopping, and stunning beaches. As first-timers, we wanted to soak up Bali’s energy and culture right here.
- We heard Kuta Beach is perfect for learning to surf, and our two boys wanted to give it a try. Kuta Beach is one of Bali’s most famous surf spots, with beginner-friendly waves and wide sands—ideal for kids eager to surf. We hoped to witness their courage and effort as they took on the challenge and share in the joy of beach time together.
After considering 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-queen-bed room layout suits our family of four perfectly, making it an ideal place to stay.
The two-queen-bed room at Aloft Kuta also comes with a mini bar
▶ Aloft Kuta Booking Link Booking ▶ Trip.com Booking
Aloft Bali Kuta: A New Marriott Hotel
On the hectic first day of travel, 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, Aloft Kuta opened in April 2022 and is a youthful brand under Marriott. 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 experience is fantastic. Although it’s next to a shopping center, 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 bustle of Kuta’s beachfront street, ensuring a good night’s sleep in the twin-bed layout.
“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 vibe!
The pool had a wonderfully lush vibe, surrounded by trees that made it feel endlessly refreshing. We stayed here for two nights, but unfortunately one morning was rainy, and the other we had to save for surfing—since right across from the hotel is the world-famous (beginner-friendly) surf spot, Kuta Beach. There was no way we could skip it!
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 driver took us to exchange money and get a SIM card > then we had a bowl of noodles for less than a dollar
“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” live footage
Check-in > Beachwalk shopping on the 3rd floor to watch the sunset > Tried the grilled pork rice recommended by Xiao Jie at Warung Babi Guling Bu Dayu Kencani
“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” live footage
It’s truly a hidden gem! 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 travel all the way to Jimbaran for sunset, just head next door and follow the signs for “✨sunset deck✨” at Beachwalk Shopping Center. You can enjoy a stunning, free Bali sunset right there—a magical surprise that makes the trip even more delightful.
“Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City” live footage
🍽 There are restaurants on 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 the best seats were all reserved. So I just wandered around the deck instead 👀. Even without the perfect spot, strolling under the sunset and soaking in nature’s beauty was a joy in itself.
🍴 The restaurant on the right, “Raa Cha Suki & BBQ Beachwalk,” seems to have even better outdoor seating, closer to the sea. If you’re interested, be sure to book a table! 📲 Next time, I’ll definitely reserve a spot in advance to enjoy the perfect combo of seaside dining and sunset.
🌠 In the evening, the sunset deck is accompanied by soft music 🎵—sunset, scenery, and good vibes 😊. Watching the sun go down with music in the background was an incredibly uplifting 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, Beachwalk Shopping Center is a lifesaver for hunger pangs 💪. It offers not only a wide range of dining options but also plenty of snacks and souvenirs—convenient and affordable.
🔹 1F: A massive candy wonderland 🍭 “Candylicious,” bursting with colors—a true paradise for kids 🫧 (visited). The children couldn’t get enough of this candy heaven; they had a blast, and I enjoyed seeing their happiness.
🔹 3F: “MM Juice 🍹”—recommended by netizens for great juice but terrible food (not visited). Although I heard the juice here is good, we chose other restaurants. Maybe I’ll give it a try next time.
🔹3F: “Bebek Tepi Sawah” 🦆 — perfect for those short on time who still want to taste authentic Balinese cuisine (did not visit). Although we didn’t get to try the food here, I’ve heard the dishes are very authentic. Next time in Bali, I’ll definitely make a point to enjoy a proper meal here.
🔹Basement Supermarket: Foodmart Supermarket — an easy spot to stock up on snacks, drinks 🧃🍪, and some souvenirs (visited). Here we picked up plenty of daily essentials and keepsakes, making our trip more convenient and colorful.
Live shots from “Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City”
Souvenirs and personal purchases from “Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City”
🗓 Over two consecutive nights (Saturday and Sunday), the main square on the 1st floor of Beachwalk Shopping Center hosted live music performances 🎙, creating a strong holiday vibe. These concerts filled the mall with joy and energy, and we spent a delightful evening there, deeply immersed in the local music and culture, which made our trip even more vibrant.
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 great driver can take you to heaven ☁️ — local eats 🍽, stunning views 📸, and a tour guide all in one 📚. Highly recommend this Bali driver! 👍
📋 Our Bali trip came together quite suddenly. 📸 For getting between attractions, 💭 I initially planned to just ask the hotel for help. But a week before departure, thanks to the admin of the Facebook group ‘Bali/Indonesia Travel Guide’, 💪 I got the chance to step into paradise.
🏡 Gede lives near Kuta and used to work on large cruise ships in the US before returning home. So his English is flawless 👍. 👨👩👧👧 Plus, Gede has daughters aged 8 and 10, and a 6-year-old son — he’s incredibly patient with kids 💗, which was a huge help for our family trip 🙇♀️.
Screenshot from the ‘Let’s Play and Eat Ho Chi Minh City’ Facebook page
😊 Gede’s smile is genuine and puts you at ease; his service is top-notch, making your trip worry-free:
🔹 Always arrives on time (or even early)
🔹 If there’s a delay (due to traffic), he always notifies you in advance 📱
🔹 Safety first — he even shields you from traffic when you get in and out of the car ⛑️
🔹 Upon arriving 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 book 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, 📲 buy a local SIM card at the shop, 💵 currency exchange (at a legitimate, no-cheating exchange center)
🔹 For tourist traps, I’ll advise you not to go ❌ (Gede doesn’t take kickbacks, so some popular spots won’t let him accompany you inside). 🔆 At some attractions, Gede will join you (locals get free entry 🎫), acting as a guide to explain the history/stories 🔊. 🌇 At Uluwatu Temple / cliffs / sunset, Gede stayed close to us, 📸 helping take photos, 🐒 and keeping an eye out so monkeys wouldn’t snatch our belongings 👀
⚠️ 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—please don’t over-ask, put yourself in his shoes 🫰 🔎 On this trip, we never asked Gede to join us or explain things; we went with the flow. Extra company was appreciated ❤️, but if not, that’s totally fine and 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 places are sky-high 💸. We, who get along with him like friends, love inviting him along (Gede always refuses to join for meals, claiming he’s full 😑, and occasionally has a drink, always picking the cheapest one 😑).
📍 Gede’s rates (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 some areas
🔊 I originally planned to arrange transportation through each hotel, but after gathering all the info, I sent it to Gede, and you can see his value is absolutely sky-high 💥
📍 Contact info right here:
🚘 A good driver takes you to heaven, no travel worries—Bali GO 🥳🥳🥳🥳
PS 🇮🇩 Indonesia is a tipping country, so please don’t hesitate to give a little extra. ✨Because Gede deserves it!✨ (A 10% tip on the total cost of a day’s car hire is very basic; if you’re really satisfied and can afford it, 20%–30% is also great—on behalf of Gede, thank you 🙏)
To Be Continued in the Next Episode
This is the first installment of our series. Today, we’ll eat our fill 😋, sleep well 💤, 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.
The series has concluded:
- Day 1: Staying 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 Guide
- Day 8: How to Enjoy Bali Safari and Overnight Stay Tips
Do you think the itinerary arranged by the Vietnamese Taiwanese businesswoman is amazing? Hurry up and plan your own Bali free-and-easy trip! Feel free to submit your itinerary to the community as well!
Click here to see more amazing Bali travel stories
