Why We Love the Grand Mirage: Bali's Best Kid-Friendly Resort (And How We Saved Big Twice!)

Like many Aussie families — especially us Perth locals — Bali is our go-to destination for sun, sand, and stress-free family fun. But finding a resort that caters to kids and offers a touch of luxury for parents? That’s rare. That’s why we’re sharing our top pick and how we save BIG! — the resort that ticks every box: Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali. After staying here more than once, it’s safe to say this place has officially earned the title of our favourite kids resort in Bali – and the best part? We found ways to make it budget-friendly too.

🛏️ The Kids Suite: The Best Family Room We've Ever Stayed In

We stayed in the Kids Suite, and honestly, nothing else compares. It’s designed for families like ours (we’re a tribe of five!), with a separate kids' room, their own bathroom, bunk beds with a trundle, TV, night lights, and themed decor that makes the kids feel right at home. We’ve tried both the ground floor and level one, and while both are great, we preferred the ground floor for its direct pool access. The level one balcony is huge, but we found the ease of jumping straight into the water from our room hard to beat!

👩🏫 Kids Club Heaven

The Kids Club at the Grand Mirage is next-level. We’re talking about two separate sections: one for the little ones, and one for older kids featuring gaming consoles, a giant screen, and loads of entertainment. Supervision is provided from 9am to 5pm for kids aged 4+ at no extra charge, and younger children can be looked after by a babysitter (available 9am–5pm and 5pm–9pm for a fee). You can also arrange a nanny directly to your room if needed (we always use our go-to nanny service—check it out here).

🏝️ Family Paradise Wing = Kid Paradise

The resort has two parts: the Family Paradise section (where we stay) and the Main Wing, just a 2-minute beachside walk away. All the best kids activities happen in the Family Paradise section, so it's the obvious choice for families.

🎉 Activities Galore

We’ve stayed during school holidays and quieter seasons and can confirm: the fun never stops. Some of our favourites:

• Foam parties
• Mermaid swimming classes
• Reptile encounters
• Popcorn & movie nights under the stars with teepees, bean bags, a real popcorn machine, and beach s'mores by the fire

If your kids are checked into the club, they’ll be taken to these events by staff. It’s stress-free fun for everyone!

🍴 All-Inclusive = All Awesome

If you opt for the all-inclusive package, prepare to feel spoiled. You can access seven restaurants, all meals, drinks, and most alcohol. The only things not included are premium items like lobster or high-end wine – but even then, you get a discount.

Our favourite spots:

• Rama Stage: Nightly themed buffets (Italian, BBQ, Indonesian, etc.) on the lawn with live entertainment and kids' shows hosted by the club staff
• Mahi-Mahi: Right by the pool and movie night area – our go-to when we couldn’t be bothered moving
• Jukung: Right on the sand with stunning views, incredible food, and impeccable service

🌊 Location Perfection

The Grand Mirage sits on a clean, white sand beach – no rubbish, just paradise. There are kayaks, water sports, and easy access to local bars and restaurants if you want to explore (though honestly, we rarely leave!).

🧘♀️ Adults-Only Escape

Thanks to the nannies and kids club, we had plenty of time to sneak off to the adults-only pool. This area is absolute bliss – an infinity pool overlooking grassy dunes and a pristine beach. Our secret spot? The tranquil space under the pool, surrounded by palms, waterfalls, and in-water daybeds. It’s where us six grownups would gather, music on, drinks in hand, chatting about how much we love our kids... while enjoying a moment without them!

💰 How We Saved Big

We discovered an amazing travel hack: booking through Reserving.com. Both times we've stayed at the Grand Mirage, we saved more than $3,000 AUD compared to booking directly through the hotel. Sounds too good to be true? That's exactly what we thought.

On our first trip, I called the hotel immediately after booking and again after making payment – and they confirmed our booking both times. The money had gone directly to the hotel, and when we arrived, everything was absolutely perfect.

Even better? You only need to pay a week before your arrival and there's free cancellation up until this date. No huge upfront commitment!

Here’s a breakdown of our stays:

• March trip (8 nights, not school holidays): All-inclusive for 5 people cost us $5,300 AUD (vs hotel direct at ~$8,500 AUD)
• April school holidays (9 nights): We paid $6,300 AUD (vs hotel direct at ~$9,500 AUD)

Final Thoughts

We’ve tried a lot of resorts over the years, but the Grand Mirage ticks every box for families: amazing staff, unbeatable kids club, all-inclusive convenience, and thoughtful design. Plus, when you factor in the room layout, activities, food, and beach access, it really is fantastic value.

We’ll be back (again), and if you’re heading to Bali with kids, this is your sign to book in.

➡️ Check out our recommended nanny service here

➡️ View the Grand Mirage Resort website

➡️ Check out our travel friendly activities for the flight over

Let the countdown to paradise begin! 🌴