Every now and then, a property comes along that makes you rethink what a “family villa” can actually be. Last year it was Wapa di Ume Sidemen that stole our hearts, and the year before that it was Uluwatu Surf Villas. This year, on our latest Bali trip, that title went to Family Nest Uluwatu – and honestly, it might be the best family villa we’ve ever stayed in, anywhere in the world.
If you’ve been following along on our Bali content lately, you’ll know we’ve been working our way around the island – Sanur, Ubud, and the Bukit Peninsula – testing out some of the best family resorts in Bali for this very reason. We wanted to find properties that actually understand what travelling with young kids looks like, not just ones that tick a “family-friendly” box on a website. Family Nest didn’t just tick the box. It built the whole house around it.
In this Family Nest review, I’m going to take you through everything – the drive in, our first impressions, the villa itself, the (incredible) kids club, the food, and exactly why I think this is one of the best family villas in Uluwatu right now. If you’re putting together your Bali itinerary and trying to decide where to base yourselves with kids in tow, I think this one might just answer that question for you.
Related: “Wapa di Ume Sidemen Review – Best Hotel in Sidemen Bali”
Location of Family Nest Uluwatu
Family Nest is tucked into the heart of Uluwatu, on the Bukit Peninsula – which, if you’ve read any of my other guides, you’ll know is one of my favourite areas in Bali these days. While Seminyak and Canggu have their charm (and their cafes), Uluwatu has slowly become our go-to base as a family – we got married here in 2022 and have returned every year since. It’s a little quieter, the beaches are some of the best in Bali, and there’s a real sense that the area is growing up alongside families like ours.
We were coming from Kayumanis Sanur, about an hour’s drive away, and we let the kids nap before we left at around 2.30pm. We booked our driver Wyon to take us, mainly because we needed a proper car seat for Zadi – something I always recommend if you’re travelling to Bali with a baby. The ride was smooth for most of it, though Zadi got a little cranky right near the end (some snacks sorted that out quickly), and we pulled into Family Nest just before 4pm.
If you’re mapping out where to stay across the island, Uluwatu sits in a really nice spot for day trips too – close enough to Seminyak and Canggu for a change of scenery, and a manageable drive if you want to head north towards Ubud or even further out to Sidemen.
First Impressions of Family Nest Uluwatu
The first impression at reception was genuinely so much fun – they have a huge gong in the lobby that the kids are actually allowed to play with, plus a Lego wall, which had Kylo glued to it within about thirty seconds. On the walk down to the villas there’s also a little climbing structure that he jumped straight onto. It’s such a small thing, but it tells you everything about who this property is designed for.
Our nannies, Eka and Mar, were already there waiting for us when we arrived – which made a huge difference, because they could jump straight in and help with the kids while we got settled. We’ve used Eka and Mar for years now (we first had Eka back in 2023 when we stayed at Elementum and Uluwatu Surf Villas, and Mar joined us last year with Zadi at Los Cabos Villa and in Seseh), so having familiar faces there waiting for us always makes the first few hours so much smoother.
Villas at Family Nest
One of the things that makes Family Nest stand out among the best accommodations in Uluwatu is just how many villa configurations they offer. Whether you’re travelling as a couple or arriving with three generations of family in tow, there’s genuinely a villa size to match:
- 5 Bedroom Villa – ideal for big family groups or two families travelling together (this is what we’d recommend if you’re coordinating a trip like ours, with grandparents, aunties, and nannies all under one roof)
- 4 Bedroom Villa – great for extended family or a family plus a nanny and friends
- 3 Bedroom Villa – what we stayed in VILLA P, and a brilliant size for a family of four with room to spare
- 2 Bedroom Villa – perfect for two couples or a smaller family
- 1 Bedroom Villa – romantic getaway territory, but still with all the Family Nest extras on hand
- 1 Bedroom Villa (No Pool) – the most budget-friendly option if you’re happy to use the communal pool and Pangolin’s facilities instead
Every villa size still gives you access to Pangolin Kids Club and Ant’s Pants, so even if you book the smallest option, you’re not missing out on the parts of Family Nest that make it so good for families.
Our Villa
The villa absolutely blew us away. We stayed in one of the three-bedroom villas, and it might be one of the most thoughtfully designed family layouts I’ve seen in Bali.
The master bedroom and one of the other bedrooms both overlook the pool, which is such a nice touch when you’re trying to keep half an eye on the kids splashing around. All three bedrooms have their own bathrooms, and they’re genuinely huge – two of them have these stunning outdoor showers that we loved using each evening. There’s also a massive sunken lounge, which became our go-to spot for cards and drinks with my sister and her husband before we headed out.
The kitchen is fully equipped – microwave, water filter, the works – but it’s the little details that really stood out to me: kids’ bibs, plates, and cutlery already stocked, plus complimentary high chairs and cots supplied without us even having to ask. If you’ve ever done the rounds calling ahead to a dozen villas asking “do you have a highchair,” you’ll understand how much that matters.
The dining table is huge too, which was perfect for our group, and there’s a giant fruit bowl on it at all times – genuinely useful when hungry toddlers arrive at 4pm wanting a snack before dinner.
The Kids’ Room
Kylo had his own room, and he absolutely loved it. There were little stuffed toys waiting on the bed, a small drawing station, a wooden train filled with toys, and a stack of books. It’s such a simple gesture, but it made him feel like the trip was just as much his as ours.
Outdoor Space
The outdoor area is massive – a big pool, daybeds, plenty of outdoor seating, and that gorgeous outdoor shower I mentioned. It’s the kind of space where you can genuinely spend an entire day without leaving the villa and not feel like you’re missing out on anything.
Pangolin Kids Club – The Real Star of Family Nest
If there’s one single reason I’d tell another family to book Family Nest, it’s Pangolin Kid Club. It is, without exaggeration, one of the best kids clubs we’ve come across anywhere! Period.
As soon as we arrived, the nannies took the kids straight up to check it out while we got ready for the evening, and from that point on it became the heart of our stay. Pangolin spans two or three storeys, with indoor and outdoor areas built around eco materials and sensory integration – there’s a 12-metre climbing tower with a ball pit, a separate climbing wall, a dedicated baby play area, a library, a UV-protected outdoor playground, an “ocean wave” dance and gym space, and a whole art space called Dreamland.
There are also magnetic building tiles (the big-format kind that Kylo turned into an entire house), a play kitchen, soft toys, and reading nooks tucked throughout.
We genuinely spent hours there across the trip, and Kylo even made a friend named Reef while playing – he was, in his words, “absolutely loving life.” Outside Pangolin there’s also a playground with a basketball hoop and trampolines, which became a regular stop for us between pool sessions.
Pangolin also runs daily workshops and special events that you can book in advance – think bracelet making, magic paper canvas, hair braiding, and cooking classes, along with plenty more on rotation.
We signed Kylo up for a cookie decorating class, and even though he was the only child there that session, he had a ball decorating three cookies and eating most of the icing in the process.
If you’re visiting and want to try it before committing, Pangolin offers a one-hour trial visit for 99,000 IDR, though that’s a first-comers-only special, so it’s worth checking if it’s still running when you book.
For longer visits, the full-day pass (8am–8pm) covers one child (0–14 years) plus one adult across all play areas for 280,000 IDR, with extra children at 180,000 IDR each.
If you’ve got a big birthday coming up, they also do birthday party packages starting from 3.7 million IDR– something worth filing away if you’re ever in Uluwatu around a kid’s birthday.
One small practical note: kids need grip socks to use the play areas, which you can buy on-site if you don’t bring your own.
Inside Pangolin you’ll also find Sando, which is fantastic for snacks and small bites – we grabbed Zadi a berry crunch yoghurt bowl from there everyday, and they also do delivery to the villa. A Japanese sando and options like karaage bowls were a hit to villa P come lunch time.
For context, if you’re researching the best things to do in Bali with kids, I genuinely think Pangolin deserves a spot on that list on its own.
Where We Ate During Our Family Nest Stay
One of the best parts of basing yourself at Family Nest is just how good the food scene is around it. Here’s everywhere we ate across our stay:
Ant’s Pants (On-Site)
The Ant’s Pants, the on-site restaurant, became our breakfast spot for almost the entire trip – partly because the food was great, and partly because, as anyone travelling with kids knows, the ease of not having to go anywhere in the morning is its own luxury. I had the shakshuka one morning and loved it, while the kids went for avocado toast with hash brown, and Matt opted for the big breakfast most mornings.
Other mornings we mixed it up – the kids loved the granola, more avocado toast, and the beef sausages were genuinely excellent. I became a little obsessed with the hazelnut oat lattes there, ordering one most days we were on-site.
Sando (Inside Pangolin)
Tucked inside Pangolin itself Sando, is fantastic for snacks and small bites between play sessions – we grabbed Zadi a berry crunch yoghurt bowl from there. They also do delivery from Sando, a Japanese sandwich spot, with options like karaage bowls if the kids (or you) need something more substantial than a snack.
El Kabron
We headed to El Cabron one evening for sunset drinks with my sister and her husband, after a Gojek mix-up sent us twenty minutes in the wrong direction (more on that below). Despite missing sunset, the vibe at El Cabron was excellent – relaxed, not overly busy since it was a Sunday night, and a great spot to end up even with a slightly chaotic start to the evening.
Osteria Luna
We were originally booked at Osteria Luna the first night but ended up staying at El Kabron instead, so we pushed our reservation to the next evening. The food was excellent – the kids had pizza, and Matt and I shared 2 pasta dishes and a salad. It’s a short drive from Family Nest and a great option if you want something a little more polished for dinner.
Gooseberry
Kay and I also had lunch at Gooseberry, a French restaurant that’s been in Bingin for years and is absolutely worth the trip. We snuck away kid-free after a pilates sesh for a little girl lunch. We got steak and fries plus a salad, and it was so good I’ll be adding it to our best restaurants in Uluwatu post!
Milk & Madu
One morning we got a Gojek (if you don’t already have the app – please download its a must-do!) to Milk & Madu for breakfast with friends. It has its own small playground with a slide and climbing equipment, plenty of open space for the kids to run, and great coffee! I had a burrito, Matt got the big breakfast, and the kids played happily while we caught up with friends who’d met us there. If you’re hunting for the best cafes in Uluwatu with kids in tow, this one needs to be on your list.
If you’re building out a wider Bali itinerary and comparing food scenes across the island, Uluwatu’s cafe culture has genuinely caught up to – and in some cases overtaken – what you’ll find among the best cafes in Canggu or the best cafes in Ubud. It’s less saturated, the views tend to be better, and almost everywhere we ate was a 5-10 minute Gojek from the villa.
Amenities at Family Nest
Around the Grounds
Beyond the villa and kids club, the little touches at Family Nest add up. The on-site playgrounds scattered through the grounds – including a treehouse, plus another play area with a slide, swings, and a sandpit – meant Kylo always had somewhere new to burn energy between pool sessions.
Laundry
One amenity that made a genuinely huge difference when travelling with young kids was the in-villa washing machine. If you’ve travelled with a baby, you’ll know they get through outfits at an alarming rate – every meal, every snack, every spilled drink becomes a wardrobe change. Usually, we’re scrambling to find a cheap laundry service nearby, but having a washing machine on site meant we could just throw a load in without thinking twice.
Wellness and Nearby Activities
Just around the corner from Family Nest is Bulvana Pilates, which Kay and I walked to one afternoon for a class. It was a tough class but genuinely excellent – beautifully designed in soft beige tones, with a great instructor – and the fact that we could walk there from the villa made it an easy addition to the day.
Family Nest is also closely connected with Atmos Steam, just down the road, for anyone wanting a proper massage or steam session during their stay – it’s considered part of the wider Family Nest family, so it’s an easy add-on if you want some adult-only downtime while the kids are at Pangolin.
Services Worth Knowing About
What really sets Family Nest apart from a lot of the other family villas in Uluwatu is the sheer range of services they offer beyond the villa itself. These are the kinds of things that make travelling with kids feel less like logistics and more like an actual holiday:
- Free essentials – cribs, high chairs, bed bumpers, and even kids’ helmets are provided at no extra cost, which takes so much pressure off when you’re packing for little ones! Also need food pouches? Well Bubs concept store had lots! We took advantage of this alot.
- Nannies on request – if you don’t already travel with your own (like we do with Eka and Mar), Family Nest can arrange one so parents actually get a proper break
- In-villa dining – breakfast in the villa, a floating breakfast set up in your private pool, or a private chef for a special night in
- Transfers & mobility – airport pickup, a beach shuttle, and rental bikes to get around the area
- Memorable moments – pool flower setups, BBQ nights, and flower decorations for birthdays, anniversaries, or just because
- Grocery & fruit delivery – handy if you’re stocking the kitchen for little ones or just want snacks on hand without a supermarket run
- Photo & video sessions – villa shoots, family portraits, and combo packages, which is such a clever offering for families wanting to capture the trip without relying on a stranger’s iPhone skills
Is Family Nest the Best Family Villa in Uluwatu?
In our experience, yes – and here’s the short version of why:
- Location – Right in the heart of Uluwatu, close to some of the best cafes in Uluwatu, top beach clubs, and Uluwatu’s beaches, while still being a manageable base for day trips further afield.
- Villa range – From one-bedroom (with or without pool) right up to a five-bedroom villa, there’s a configuration for couples, small families, and big multi-generational groups alike.
- The villa – Spacious three-bedroom layout, two pool-facing bedrooms, oversized bathrooms with outdoor showers, a fully stocked kitchen, and a dedicated kids’ room that turns the whole stay into something special for little ones.
- Pangolin Kids Club – Hands down one of the best kids clubs we’ve experienced in Bali. Multi-storey, endlessly entertaining, and genuinely loved by both our kids.
- Dining – Ant’s Pants makes breakfast effortless, and the surrounding Uluwatu food scene (Osteria Luna, Gooseberry, Milk & Madu) is part of the appeal of basing yourself here.
- Services – Free essentials, on-request nannies, in-villa dining and private chefs, transfers, and even photo packages mean you can outsource almost every logistical headache of travelling with kids.
- Practical extras – On-site laundry, complimentary cots and high chairs, and a fruit bowl that saved us more than once with hangry toddlers.
If you’re working out your Bali trip cost and trying to decide where to splurge on accommodation, I’d put Family Nest near the top of your list for the best accommodation in Uluwatu, particularly if you’re travelling with kids. Between the villa itself and Pangolin, it’s one of the few properties where the kids’ experience is just as considered as the adults’.
We stayed as guests of Family Nest, as always opinions, ideas and photos remain my own.
Plan Your Bali Trip
- Wapa di Ume Sidemen Review
- Kayumanis Sanur Review
- Best Things To Do in Uluwatu
- Best Cafes in Uluwatu
- Best Accommodation in Uluwatu
- 12 of the Best Beaches in Uluwatu
- Ultimate Guide to Bali
- Bali Bucket List – 50+ Things To Do in Bali
- Things To Do in Bali With Kids
- Travelling to Bali with a Baby Guide
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