Bali’s Oldest Tourism Resort Has Holidaymakers Returning For Annual Vacations 

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Bali is set to welcome over 6.5 million international tourists by the end of 2025. With hundreds of thousands of these visitors arriving on the island for the first time, there is always an air of excitement and anticipation at baggage claim at Ngurah Rai International.

Yet, one of the biggest signs of success in Bali’s tourism sector is the number of holidaymakers who return year after year to enjoy all that the island has to offer. 

Bali’s OG tourism resort, Sanur, has undergone a huge transformation in the last five years. Now, a Special Economic Zone for Medical Tourism, Sanur is entering a new era. Yet, as the charming fishing village transforms and grows it still manages to retain its laid-back vibe and traditional Balinese community charms.

This is one of many reasons why both Australian and European tourists return to Sanur year after year to soak up the sun in the warm shallows and familiar shorelines of Sanur. 

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New data from hotels in Sanur shows that 60% of all guests are returning visitors, and those who stay for an extended period; usually four nights or more, and often closer to 10-14 days.

Speaking to reporters about the travel trends seen in Sanur in 2025 so far the Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Denpasar City, Ida Bagus Gede Agung Sidharta Putra, revealed his insights.

Putra, who also owns the Griya Santrian Sanur Hotel, told reporters, “Around 60% of our guests are repeat guests. Some have been there five times, thirty times, and even 84 times.”

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He noted that repeat-stay guests from Europe and Australia tend to stay longer than guests from other regions. Citing travel data from Griya Santrian Sanur Hotel, he said that European tourists usually book a complete two-week stay in Sanur, while Australian tourists tend to book a week. 

Putra, like many other hotel owners and managers in the Sanur area, is now working to create a relationship with a new generation of returning guests. Putra and hotel operators in the Sanur area want to welcome a more diverse demographic of tourists, including domestic tourists. 

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Putra noted that Sanur’s calm atmosphere and natural landscape encourage tourists to stay longer and return time and time again. He shared that while Kuta and Canggu have their charms, Sanur is simply quieter and appeals to tourists who want a truly relaxing stay. 

The Griya Santrian Sanur Hotel will celebrate its 53rd anniversary in 2025, and it is conducting a series of celebratory events, including the release of 53 baby turtles with hotel guests.

Putra shared, “The environment is indeed our concern, and these turtles are often born on the coast here, so we help protect the environment. Both of these also make guests become responsible tourists.”

The Griya Santrian Sanur Hotel is one of many affordable, welcoming, and highly rated 4-star hotels in Sanur. Offering beachfront access and located just steps away from the new ICON Mall and only a short drive to the new Bali International Hospital, The Griya Santrian Sanur Hotel is a much-loved hotel with return visitors to Sanur. 

Popular hotels for holidaymakers making their annual pilgrimage to the shores of Sanur include Prime Plaza Hotel Sanur, The Meru Sanur, Bali Beach Hotel, and the Hyatt Regency. 

One of the biggest draws of Sanur for holidaymakers is its diversity. It is entirely possible to spend a whole two-week vacation sauntering from the resort’s poolside to the shoreline and back again, doing little more than sunbathing and sipping cocktails. Alternatively, Sanur has heaps of cultural attractions and authentic travel adventures.

The Sindhu Night Market is a great spot to try local Balinese street food, meet local people, and immerse yourself in Sanur’s low-key nightlife scene. Sanur is also the gateway to Bali’s Nusa Islands, which offers a whole new world of travel opportunities for tourists.