I’ve been to a lot of places in the world, but never to Bali. That changes this week. But I need your help in selecting a hotel.
I know I’m in the midst of another trip, but I’ve got another trip right around the corner (which I’ll outline in a future post). I’ll be spending a night in Bali…a long layover really…and have a huge number of hotels to choose from, even just sticking to the World of Hyatt properties.
You may have read that Alila recently joined the World of Hyatt. So did Small Luxury Hotels of the World. That opens up a number of options in Bali.
Take a look at my choices:
My Thoughts
- The Alila Villas Uluwatu and Alila Ubud properties look great…I’d love to try either one. But, I’ll arrive in the afternoon and leave the following afternoon. That’s really not sufficient time to enjoy a spa resort in the middle of nature.
- Since I’ve never been to Bali, I’d actually like to check out Denpasar. My brother, who was recently there, said there are no redeeming qualities. But I would just like a clean room with good coffee. I’m also interested in a cheap massage and haircut during my stay…it seems like being in Denpasar is better than being captive at an isolated resort. That makes me lean toward the Hyatt Regency.
- Then again, it may be a long time before I return…is one night at Alila Uluwatu worthwhile?
CONCLUSION
I would indeed be grateful for any feedback you can provide as I finally check Bali off my travel list. Noting the limited time I have on the ground, what option do you think would be best for me? And no, I won’t deviate from a Hyatt property…I need the stay credit.
I would stay in Jimbaran. Close enough to the airport to be convenient, but you can get a little sense of what Bali is like
It is not in your list, but the Oberoi in Seminyak is simply heaven on earth. Beautiful, typical houses scattered around gorgeous grounds with direct access to the best beach around. Yet, the real asset of the property is its staff. Words can’t explain how adorable they are. Heaven on earth…
If you are only there for 1 night then I would just take the room at the Studios in Seminyak for 5,000 points. I have looked to stay there and it doesn’t look like that great of a place, but you have access to the beach club at the main property and it’s only 5,000 points.
Not worth driving all the way to Ubud or Manggis for 1 night.
What are you looking to do?
Depnasar area itself offers nothing. Seminyak is the place to be for dining, beach, shopping and nightlife. If you are looking for a “cultural experience” you won’t find it here, but it’s a nice area.
https://imgur.com/KOHuXAZ Spa @ HR Sanur. Although they’re building an Andaz next door if you want to wait for that location.
Couple barbers on the main street. I found Sanur more walk-able than Seminyak/Canggu, less chaotic, and a better beach.
Highly recommend the Alila Seminyak. Spent last new years there and loved it. Great beautiful beachfront property, easy walking distance to food/shopping/nightlife in upscale Seminyak area. Denpasar the city is a dump- there’s really nothing there that’s worthwhile.
The other Alila properties are 2+ hours drive from the airport.
Hyatt Regency is a nice property, but in a really quiet boring area.
I think Alila Seminyak will suit you better since is not take to long from the airport and since you only have 24 hour. But if you prefer peace and quite then Alila ubud, uluwatu or manggis is for you but it’ll take couple of hours drive from airport
Don’t let the airport code of DPS deceive you, you won’t be visiting Denpasar. At only 5K points, I don’t know how you could turn down the Studios property in Seminyak. That might be the best points value I’ve ever seen.
Save the points. Raid the savings account and stay at Amankila. Unbelievable service and the 27-yr old Aman still feels brand new.
If you’ve never been to Bali, you should get to Uluwatu. Seminyak has better restaurants etc but if you get one experience in Bali, it should be sunset from the cliffs at Uluwatu (Single Fin is the famous bar for this but there are heaps of other options). Even if you’re not at all interested in surfing, it’s amazing watching the lines roll in across the Indian Ocean. They’re coming all the way from Antarctica. If you’re arriving in the afternoon better to ask your driver to take the toll rd. It will still take 45-60 min but much better than dealing with the traffic the whole way. Just make it clear you’re paying the toll. Do not waste your time going to Denpasar.
Mathew
Although not a regular traveler, the surroundings and Balinese atmosphere of the
Hyatt Regency Nusa Dur even for 1 night, I highly recommend. Our third visit to Bali
will take place next March for 6 weeks and we have already taken care of all details.
Should you ever plan on a return visit to Bali, I can certainly offer other alternate
accommodation in other areas (Ubud, Tegalallang and Nusa Lembongen).
Bon Voyage
One night or a week, Alila Villas Uluwatu is sooo worth it. My wife and I splurged and stayed 4 nights during our honeymoon and it was hands down the most incredible place we’ve ever stayed. The restaurant on site was one of the best meals we had as well. We also stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Nusa Dua and it felt like any Hyatt/Marriott/Hilton in Hawaii. Seminyak is way too loud and touristy, Denpasar isn’t worth your time. Ubud is also great but you need time for the time.
I’ve been to Bali about half a dozen times in the last five years. My wife and I normally stay at the Grand Hyatt, which is lovely but rotten for your needs. This Fall, we’re doing the Hyatt Regency, since there’s things right outside the hotel. Cheap massages are pretty much everywhere, so that’s easy. I also stayed at the Four Point by Sheraton while having dental work done. Great in-house massages at extremely reasonable rates and nice hotel overall, although the neighborhood lacks charm. In any case, avoid Ubud. It’s a great place, but just too far for one night. If you have the chance, have your laundry done “express”. It’ll be cheap and your clothes will smell amazing.
Oops, the laundry part is just any streetside vendor, not your hotel. I forgot to mention.
Thanks. Can I trust them for sure? I don’t have many outfits and would hate to see even one shirt ruined.
I’d bet a lot on it. I’ve used dozens of places with never a missing sock. The Balinese people, excepting maybe cabbies, are really honest. The clothes will be folded and ironed as well.
Any other questions or what not, feel free. It’s nice for once to be able to provide information to you rather than the reverse.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency so I can at least wave to you on my daily afternoon jog at Sanur beach! Hahaha……But seriously, Alila Uluwatu is a special place. So beautiful and serene with top notch service. Food is great too. But if you’re stopping in my home airport in the midst of another RTW trip with just a carryon and want to do errands like laundry and stuff, I say the Hyatt Regency Sanur is the place to be to unwind for a day before you hit the road again.
Denpasar is nothing. Seminyak is nice but quite q bit of traffic to get there as roads are narrow. Expect at least an hour. I have a property in Seminyak and rarely go there anymore because of traffic. For just one night stick to Nusa Dua. It is not the real Bali but saves you a lot of time traffic wise.
Haircuts and massage u can get everywhere. Even the more ‘complete’ variants.
Having previously lived in Bali for many years, I agree that it’s unfortunate you won’t be experiencing Bali and traffic has become atrocious. Either stay in Seminyak and take care of all your needs in that area, go to Uluwatu for the beauty but it’s isolated, or Nusa Dua for the convenience but it’s boring. Ubud is the best to go to but the traffic has made it into a much longer and unpredictable trip it would not work for you.
I’m not a fan of resorts, although I understand why others are. I’d choose the Hyatt Regency at Sanur. If I’m not mistaken it is the original Bali Hyatt, ie one of the 3 original ‘modern’ hotels in Bali ( along with Bali Beach Hotel, also at Sanur, and the Kuta Beach Hotel). It is right on the beach at Sanur but is a slightly more urban area than the main resorts, but still with a great garden and in an iconic location.
My advice to anyone going to Bali for the first time: have very low expectations. It is no longer even vaguely reminiscent of the Bali experienced by Walter Spies, Miguel Covarrubias or Vicky Baum but it still has a certain charm if one can avoid the ghastly tourist hotspots. But many people I know swear by the resorts , returning year after year.
If you’e got time I recommend splitting time between a beach resort (Nusa Dua on the southern end has lots of points hotels) and a high end resort in the forest/mountains (around Ubud). Good to compare beaches with rice paddies. I stayed at the Four Seasons (magical), but there are many others (including a few Aman resorts etc.) that look stunning.
You’re just looking for a place to sleep. You’re not going to experience anything. What a waste. This is not “going to Bali”, this is just blowing through the airport. As such, it really doesn’t matter what you pick. Don’t overthink this – you’re no more “going to Bali” than you are “going to the moon.”
Fair enough. But I will have 28 hours on the ground.
Recommending Amankila for a quick layover is absurd! It is a fantastic place. I have been there twice, but it is about about a 2 hour drive from the airport. It would be a total waste to go there for a layover.
I’ve been going to Bali twice a year for the past few 10 years so I know it very well.
Denpasar is a dump. Stay away from it.
Traffic is really bad, so it is critical to keep this very important factor in mind when you choose a place. Don’t rely on the map location. The distance on the map might not seem too far but the traffic could make a short distance take 45 -90 minutes depending on the time of day.
As a very experienced traveler to Bali, I can tell you that your short layover is only good for a few hours of relaxing at the hotel pool/beach, getting a massage, and having dinner and breakfast. Good luck trying to squeeze in anything beyond this if this is your first time in Bali.
With so little time, I frankly don’t think you will be that impressed with Bali since you will not have the time to discover the magic of Bali.
I think you should go aspirational for better blog content
If you have a time constraint for your stay, then Ubud area is off the list. 2 hours driving from airport. Karangasem is further to the east, very remote. Denpasar is municipal city of Bali province, so not much to see except maybe sunrise at sanur beach if you are lucky. Nowdays Bali is full of traffic jam. Keep that in mind to calculate transport time. Sometimes there’s road closure due to Hindu’s ceremony.
Seminyak area is closest to airport. You can easily find barbershops, cafes, restaurants, etc. along Petitenget road.
Every good hotel provides spa services. Or, you can download Gojek/Golife, a local super app which includes go-massage, like uber but masseuse.
Extra tip: don’t try local wine. Its awful.
Very helpful. Thanks.
Hyatt Regency Sanur. Comfy, newly-renovated, and adjacent to a fun, walkable stretch of beach that, while bustling, is a world away from the tourist nightmare of Kuta.
The Indian Ocean/ Beach:
Alila Uluwatu.
Enjoy the resort.
Check the nearby Sunday Beach club, when you’re finished with Alila Uluwatu.
Alila Seminyak.
Enjoy the resort and surroundings.
Two beach clubs are within your reach, Ku De Ta and Potato Head.
I love Amankila!
Unfortunately, you can’t go there this time; it will take almost 2 hours drive from Ngurah Rai Airport.
Alila Manggis also in the Candidasa area.
The Jungle:
If you dare to spend 1.5 hours of a car ride from the airport, go to Ubud.
Besides the Alila Ubud, the Four Seasons Sayan, Hanging Gardens of Bali and the Mandapa are ready.
For your next visit to my beloved country; check:
Alila Purnama & Amanikan.
Personally I would go for the Alila Seminyak, lovely hotel on the beach, decent food, laundry etc options around, not a bad drive to the airport
Nusa Dua is very sterile, not much to get out and about. Uluwatu again is somewhere to just stay in the hotel (which I am sure is fantastic)
Ubud is too far
I suggest denpasar as it gives u chance to walk around in a city. Check out potato head next door to the w for a bintang beer and have dinner at Metis, most beautiful gardens i’ve ever seen in a restaurant. And a bar that is great for solo dining!
I mean Seminyak, dps is the airport! Still early here, Haha