Why Australian Families Love AYANA Bali

Karlie is an Australian travel writer and Indonesia destination expert based in Bali.

A common misconception Australian families have about AYANA Bali is that they think they are booking a typical family resort in Bali.

In reality, it feels much more like a small village.

Before arriving, many families assume they will spend most of their holiday heading out for activities, visiting different beaches, and exploring other parts of Bali. What usually happens is the opposite. Once they arrive, they quickly realise just how much there is to do within AYANA Bali itself.

Between the pools, restaurants, kids clubs, activities, Kubu Beach, walking paths and easy tram system connecting everything together, families often find themselves wishing they had booked a few extra nights.

In fact, the thing we hear from Australian families at the end of their stay is that they underestimated how much there was to do. Many arrive with plans to spend every day exploring Bali, only to discover they do not want to leave AYANA Bali nearly as often as they expected.

So, is AYANA Bali worth it for families? Our honest answer is yes.

When travelling with children, luxury is not always about beautiful rooms or five-star facilities. Sometimes luxury is not having to organise a driver every time somebody wants lunch, a swim, or a change of scenery. It is knowing that if one child wants the beach, another wants the pool, and somebody else is hungry, you can make all three happen without leaving the property.

That convenience is exactly why Australian families love AYANA Bali.

What Australian families appreciate most about AYANA Bali is how easy everything feels once you arrive.

The property is large, but it has been thoughtfully designed. An easy tram system connects AYANA Resort Bali, RIMBA by AYANA Bali, AYANA Segara Bali and Kubu Beach, making it simple to move around without spending your holiday walking long distances or constantly arranging transport.

For parents, this removes a major source of holiday stress. There is no need to load everyone into a taxi every time somebody wants dinner, a swim, or an activity. Everything you need is already there, which means more time enjoying your holiday and less time organising it.

It's a big reason families relax so quickly after arriving.

If we were recommending one area of AYANA Bali for most Australian families, it would be RIMBA by AYANA Bali.

What makes it work so well is something many people overlook before they arrive. So many of the things families use every day are located close together.

Breakfast, the kids club, the waterslide and the main family pools are all within easy reach of each other. When you are travelling with young children, every extra walk feels longer than it should, so having everything conveniently nearby makes a huge difference.

Many Australian families also love the atmosphere around the pools at RIMBA by AYANA Bali. It feels social and welcoming, while still delivering the luxury experience AYANA Bali is known for.

Most parents assume they will need to convince their children to go to kids club.

At AYANA Bali, it is often the other way around.

AYANA Bali is home to two dedicated kids clubs, one at AYANA Resort Bali and one at RIMBA by AYANA Bali. The RIMBA Kids Playground is particularly popular with families thanks to its huge netted adventure playground, giant slide, ball pit and variety of activities.

The reality is that many Aussie kids genuinely want to be there. We regularly hear from parents whose children are asking to go back the next day.

For parents, this means they can enjoy a spa treatment, a long lunch or simply some quiet time by the pool without feeling guilty.

Australian and Indonesian school holidays often overlap, which means AYANA Bali becomes incredibly popular with families during these periods.

The good news is the property is so large that it rarely feels crowded. The challenge is that some of the most popular room categories, dining experiences and activities can book out well in advance.

Our advice is simple. If there is something you know your family really wants to do, book it before you arrive. It is much easier than explaining to the kids why the thing they were most excited about is already full.

If your children love swimming, they are going to be very happy here.

AYANA Bali is home to 14 pools spread across the property, and what families love most is that every day can feel a little different.

The RIMBA Lower Pool is particularly popular with Australian families. It is home to the family-favourite waterslide, which keeps children entertained for hours and is surprisingly popular with adventurous adults too.

What we hear most often from families is that the kids never seem to get bored. There is always another pool to try, another area to explore, or another place to spend the afternoon.

What we love about Kubu Beach is how manageable it feels with kids.

At low tide, children can spend hours exploring the rock pools while parents relax on sunbeds under the shade. It feels adventurous enough to keep kids entertained but easy enough that parents can actually relax.

The other thing families love is Kubu Beach Club. If the kids get hungry, and they always do, lunch is right there. There is no need to pack everyone up and head back across the resort just to find something to eat.

It is one of those little conveniences that makes a family holiday feel easy.

Family holidays are not just about keeping younger children entertained.

A key reason AYANA Bali works so well for Australian families is that teenagers love it too.

Teenagers enjoy the variety of pools, the freedom to explore the extensive gardens, trips down to Kubu Beach, and activities such as putting golf. The resort is large enough that they feel independent, but contained enough that parents still feel comfortable.

For families travelling with children of different ages, this balance is one of AYANA Bali's biggest strengths.

Australian families love a good buffet breakfast, and AYANA Bali does this particularly well.

One of our favourite things is that you are not restricted to the breakfast venue at the resort where you are staying. Guests can explore breakfast options across AYANA Bali, each offering slightly different views, atmosphere and menu highlights.

If you are staying for a week, breakfast hopping becomes part of the fun. It is amazing how excited kids can get about choosing a different breakfast spot each morning, and it is a simple way to experience different parts of the property while keeping everyone happy.

The biggest challenge of a family holiday is often deciding where to eat.

At AYANA Bali, that is rarely a problem.

With more than 30 restaurants, cafes and bars across the property, there is usually something to suit everyone. Whether you have a fussy toddler, a teenager craving burgers, or parents looking for a special meal, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Just as importantly, you do not need to organise transport to get there.

Every family travels differently.

Some parents prefer everyone sleeping in the same room. Others want separate living areas where younger children can go to bed while the adults stay awake. Some families love a balcony, while others prioritise being close to the pools.

A standout advantage of AYANA Bali is the variety of accommodation options available. Whether you are travelling with toddlers, teenagers, grandparents or a combination of all three, there is usually a room category that fits your style of travel.

Our biggest piece of advice is to decide on your must-dos before you arrive.

Whether it is a particular room category, a special dining experience or an activity you have your heart set on, it is worth booking ahead.

There is nothing worse than planning a family holiday for months only to discover the one thing you were most excited about is already booked out.

Most flights back to Australia leave Bali late at night, often around 10 or 11pm, which can feel daunting when you are travelling with children and checkout is at midday. The good news is that your last day does not have to be wasted sitting in a lobby with restless kids. Concierge can store your bags so the family can enjoy one more RIMBA pool session, a relaxed lunch at Kubu Beach Club, and an early dinner before the 25 to 35 minute drive to Ngurah Rai. We always suggest planning a slower final day around the pool the children love most, so everyone arrives at the airport tired in the best possible way and ready to sleep on the plane.

If there is one thing we hear again and again from Australian families after staying at AYANA Bali, it is that the whole family genuinely feels like they had a holiday.

The kids are entertained, the teenagers have enough freedom to feel independent, the parents get time to relax, and everyone leaves with their own favourite memories.

For us, that is what makes AYANA Bali so special.