The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
4 Ways to Spend 5 Days in Bali Using 100,000 Marriott Points
Jennifer is a contributing writer to The Points Guy where she focuses on family travel. She is also the founder of Deals We Like where she helps her readers travel on a deal.
February 17, 2019 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Bali offers excellent value for hotel stays when using points, especially at chain properties where points can stretch further than in other popular destinations.
Family-friendly options are available across Bali, including beachfront, resort, and inland properties, with amenities such as kids clubs, pools and spacious rooms or apartments.
Award nights at select properties can be booked for relatively low point amounts, with some hotels offering a fifth night free on award stays.
Different regions of Bali—Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Kuta and Ubud—cater to varying preferences, from quiet beaches to cultural experiences and lively tourist hubs.
What to consider
Award availability and room types may be limited, especially for families needing multiple beds or larger accommodations.
Peak dates can require significantly more points, and some properties restrict point bookings to certain room types.
Some offers and point redemption rates mentioned may no longer be available.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of specific Bali hotels, including pros, cons and tips for maximizing points for family stays.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Bali is probably one of my favorite parts of the world. It is rich with culture, activities and beautiful beaches. It is also extremely inexpensive using cash or points. When you start looking at chain hotels like those under the Marriott umbrella, you'll find that your points go much further than somewhere like Hawaii or the Maldives. Of course, you still have to get to Bali and it's a long haul from anywhere in the US and is about a five-hour flight from Hong Kong. While flying an entire family to Bali isn't the easiest, there are many airlines that fly in and out of Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). (Here are the best ways to get to Bali using miles and points.)
But once you figure out flights, it's worth the jaunt as many hotels across the island cost just 25,000 points a night (or less). Factor in getting a fifth award night free with Marriott, you are looking at spending just 100,000 Marriott points for your five-night stay.
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a Hindu temple on Bali. (Photo by sutthinon sanyakup / Getty Images)
Here is what the current Marriott Bonvoy award chart looks like. As you can see, the standard award cost for a Category 4 Marriott property is 25,000 points a night. For now, Marriott has not yet set a date for off-peak and peak pricing.
Jimbaran is probably my favorite beach area in all of Bali. It is not as touristy as Kuta nor mainstream like Nusa Dua. It is beautiful and authentic. It is your traditional fisherman's village and that means if you are a seafood lover, you'll be in for a treat. For dinner, you can eat right on the beach with your toes in the sand and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Yes, it can have a romantic setting to it, but it is also low key and casual — perfect for families.
Jimbaran Beach at sunset. (Photo by Jennifer Yellin / DealsWeLike.com)
While there aren't too many hotels in Jimbaran, fortunately, you'll be able to use your Marriott Bonvoy points at the Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran. Despite it being right on the beach in a great location, it is only a Category 4 property. At 25,000 points a night and your fifth night free, you can stay five nights for just 100,000 points.
Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran
The property is only a few minutes’ walk to Jimbaran Beach, which means you can have the best of both worlds — a secluded beach and an amazing kid-friendly hotel. With the saltwater pool and the complimentary J Kids Club, families are sure to enjoy this property. The one downside of the property is that if you are looking to use your points for a free night stay, you can book either one king bed or two double beds. Some families might find sharing a double bed to be a deal breaker. With that being said, the rooms are quite large at over 600 square feet.
2. Make Nusa Dua Your Home Base
Nusa Dua is an extremely popular area for tourists. The hotels are gated, and you'll find a property representing most hotel chains. When I stayed there, I didn't necessarily feel like I was in a foreign country until I left the property and ventured outside. For those looking to redeem their points, Marriott fortunately has a large presence in Nusa Dua, where you can pick one of four properties: Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Gardens, Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, and The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali. While the Westin and The Laguna are luxurious and extremely family-friendly, your points will not go quite as far, as they both are Category 5 properties.
However, if you are looking to maximize your points earned from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, you might want to consider either the Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort and the Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Gardens. These two properties are actually right next to each other and share amenities. While neither are directly on the beach, you are only a 10-minute walk away, or you can take the hotel shuttle.
(Photo courtesy of Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort)
Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Gardens is actually one of Marriott's Vacation Club properties, although you can still use your points when space is available. The hotel offers not just your regular guest rooms, but also one- and two-bedroom apartments. The best thing about this property is that you can actually book the multi-room apartments on points for just 26,500 points a night, which is pretty amazing. The apartments are large and offer kitchenettes, perfect for a family. The amenities on-site are pretty sparse, although you can use the amenities of the Marriott Courtyard right next door. The one perk of this property is the lagoon pool with a lazy river. Note that on peak dates, regular guest rooms require double the amount of points.
The Courtyard by Marriott Bali Nusa Dua is where you will find more of the amenities for your family. There is everything from a luxury on-site spa, a restaurant, kids club and many daily activities. The kids club is complimentary for children ages 4–11 and provides hourly activities between 8am and 8pm. There are also many resort activities, ranging from exercise classes to games to cultural experiences. And best of all, most of them are free.
3. Head to the Action in Kuta
Kuta is probably my least desired area in Bali, as it is filled with backpackers and crowds. But I know many people love to be where the action is. There is a shopping town that’s walking distance to the beach, so if you find a property here that suits your needs, you'll have everything at your disposal.
Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Isa Foltin / Getty Images)
There are many Marriott properties here, although most either require more points than I'd want to spend or the accommodations only allow for two guests. Fortunately, there is one property that could work: the Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta. This Category 3 property could actually stretch your stay for seven nights for just 105,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
While this is not a luxurious property, there is a kids club and multiple pools, and you are just a few minutes’ walk to the beach. For those looking to go on daily excursions, this property could serve as a great home base.
4. Relax in Ubud
Ubud is a fully different experience than staying near the beach towns. You are inland, surrounded by rice patties and just absolutely beautiful scenery. Up until a few years ago, there were no opportunities to use your hotel points in Ubud, but you'll now find a variety of chains, including Marriott, for a free night stay.
Beautiful rice patties (Photo by Jennifer Yellin / DealsWeLike.com)
In Ubud you can stay at the Element by Westin Bali Ubud, which is a Category 3 property. This means it is just 17,500 points a night. There is also the Sthala, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Ubud Bali costing just 25,000 points a night, but unfortunately, there are no rooms you can book on points that will accommodate a whole family.
The one downside of the Element is that when you book with points, your only choices are one king bed or two twin beds — neither being ideal when traveling with a family. This property is just seven minutes away from the center of Ubud (which is common for many properties in the area) and accessible via a shuttle or complimentary bike rides. After a long day of exploration, you can also relax in the hotel pool. In the center of Ubud, you'll find the Monkey Forest, which is a favorite among kids and adults. There are many art galleries, restaurants and spas as well. It is a fun place to walk around and explore. Outside of the center, you'll find many family-friendly activities, such as white-water rafting, cycling and hiking tours, cooking classes, temples, jungle swings, ATV tours and more.
(Photo by Smith Photographers / Getty Images)
Bottom Line
Do not let the long flight times discourage you from visiting Bali, as it can be a spectacular vacation destination for families. Bali offers a plethora of beaches, outdoor activities and cultural experiences across the island and it's easy to book a hotel using points. After one visit, you — and your kids — will want to return again and again.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
