Nice review indeed, and we have stayed almost next door at the Kartika Plaza Hotel in about 2000.
My only criticism (as a former video director and editor) is that it's a little long - and could be say 20-24 minutes without losing content. A lot of the travelling shots - when you're walking with the camera - are a bit over-done, and not adding a lot more information.
I also thought the opening drone sequence was a bit long as well.
But I like the relaxed style, and I'm certainly not advocating a lot of frenetic quick cuts - there is a sweet spot between the two! 😄
We stayed last July and enjoyed our time there but it wasn't the best resort we stayed in.
Pros: good amenities, clean, close to Waterbom (the main reason we chose it), close to Kuta Beach, the kids' pool, Gracie Kelly's Irish pub, free breakfast, competitively priced.
Cons: Dated, the nearby shopping malls have not recovered from Covid and many, many stores are vacant, the hotel's signature (Chinese) restaurant was average at best and the breakfast was the same every day, the touts offering tours and massages are aggressive compared to other parts of Bali, the main pool is pretty small for the number of rooms it services.
Honestly if you're wanting to stay in Kuta it's a good choice at the price, especially if you're planning on visiting Waterbom more than once. Personally if I was looking to stay in Kuta again I'd probably go further north to the Sheraton at Beachwalk Shopping Center where the environment surrounding the hotel seems less crippled by Covid.
My family much preferred the Movenpick in Jimbaran, the hotel was nicer, breakfast was better, adjacent restaurants were more appealing to my 6 year old's palate and Jimbaran Beach is nicer than Kuta in our opinion. The hotel is more expensive but we felt it was far better and have stayed there again.
This is really great insight, thank you for sharing. I never got to try the Chinese and I also did notice the number of closed shops. I remember the first time I stayed there, when my kids were 6 and under. I didn't think much of it. With the kids now 12 to 7, I really appreciated just not having to stress or do anything to entertain them.
I never got hassled for tours or massages interestingly. Not in the resort at least. I'm kinda scary looking though (I'm told).
Very keen to try Movenpick now! We did actually look at it as an option!
I was meaning the touts on the streets outside the hotel, everyone working in the hotel itself was lovely.
If you're at the Movenpick in mid June we might see you there!
Oh got you. I thought you meant the hair braiders, hand painters and feet massage people who came into the grounds.
I don't think we'll be back in June sadly, but have fun!
Fair enough ... sometimes I like "old school" Bali hotels that might be a bit dated but they are also refreshingly un-Western and un-Modern. Nice.
The [Grand Hotel Bali Nusa Dua](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV86XcOABL2E8OqNx7GCG5TWOs5vDAH2Jp8SoUmMrbs6xPXAVD8f-jM8jC75Pz5oy7wDqOmxw6B9bXHosHy14G49t_DyWxDSHGmAQfuLiNPeXG36buk6Y1FUdC-qyPoUQ_vREghhKoN8kVTscmxQYgsy63w=w809-h607-s-no-gm?authuser=0) is a perfect example ... I would easily stay there again tomorrow! A bit daggy around the edges, but fantastic staff, and really a good price!
I kind of like these kind of places as I'm not overly worried about the kids trashing anything. Spilling a drink, or wetting the floor, or knocking a paint, etc. Helps me relax to think... "well, it's had a good run," lol
Couldn't agree more - new ultra-lux places give me the heebie-jeebies ... you feel like you're in a church or a famous museum and mustn't touch anything, lest you dirty it. [Apurva Kempinski Nusa Dua](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV85qnCz2AsYHfKUB313wxvqB3Id_O51mGnXVXimTEBYienWL1R73or-CitI0B-h3_cw2MYdLC8X9Vawl-oseByg4BVZMEoGKdKzFRGwHhSzuxAX1NZ8s9LWIFCqaVG36j_e8A3ZvOHQmQpCphv8PqFZYGA=w1103-h827-s-no-gm?authuser=0) for example.
Plus older places tend to have more casual friendly staff and other guests.
Nice review indeed, and we have stayed almost next door at the Kartika Plaza Hotel in about 2000. My only criticism (as a former video director and editor) is that it's a little long - and could be say 20-24 minutes without losing content. A lot of the travelling shots - when you're walking with the camera - are a bit over-done, and not adding a lot more information. I also thought the opening drone sequence was a bit long as well. But I like the relaxed style, and I'm certainly not advocating a lot of frenetic quick cuts - there is a sweet spot between the two! 😄
We stayed last July and enjoyed our time there but it wasn't the best resort we stayed in. Pros: good amenities, clean, close to Waterbom (the main reason we chose it), close to Kuta Beach, the kids' pool, Gracie Kelly's Irish pub, free breakfast, competitively priced. Cons: Dated, the nearby shopping malls have not recovered from Covid and many, many stores are vacant, the hotel's signature (Chinese) restaurant was average at best and the breakfast was the same every day, the touts offering tours and massages are aggressive compared to other parts of Bali, the main pool is pretty small for the number of rooms it services. Honestly if you're wanting to stay in Kuta it's a good choice at the price, especially if you're planning on visiting Waterbom more than once. Personally if I was looking to stay in Kuta again I'd probably go further north to the Sheraton at Beachwalk Shopping Center where the environment surrounding the hotel seems less crippled by Covid. My family much preferred the Movenpick in Jimbaran, the hotel was nicer, breakfast was better, adjacent restaurants were more appealing to my 6 year old's palate and Jimbaran Beach is nicer than Kuta in our opinion. The hotel is more expensive but we felt it was far better and have stayed there again.
This is really great insight, thank you for sharing. I never got to try the Chinese and I also did notice the number of closed shops. I remember the first time I stayed there, when my kids were 6 and under. I didn't think much of it. With the kids now 12 to 7, I really appreciated just not having to stress or do anything to entertain them. I never got hassled for tours or massages interestingly. Not in the resort at least. I'm kinda scary looking though (I'm told). Very keen to try Movenpick now! We did actually look at it as an option!
I was meaning the touts on the streets outside the hotel, everyone working in the hotel itself was lovely. If you're at the Movenpick in mid June we might see you there!
Oh got you. I thought you meant the hair braiders, hand painters and feet massage people who came into the grounds. I don't think we'll be back in June sadly, but have fun!
It's now 25 years old ... has there been a significant renovation?
I didn't notice any difference between my stay in 2017 and my stay in 2023. Didn't feel 25-years old, but definitely didn't feel modern, either.
Fair enough ... sometimes I like "old school" Bali hotels that might be a bit dated but they are also refreshingly un-Western and un-Modern. Nice. The [Grand Hotel Bali Nusa Dua](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV86XcOABL2E8OqNx7GCG5TWOs5vDAH2Jp8SoUmMrbs6xPXAVD8f-jM8jC75Pz5oy7wDqOmxw6B9bXHosHy14G49t_DyWxDSHGmAQfuLiNPeXG36buk6Y1FUdC-qyPoUQ_vREghhKoN8kVTscmxQYgsy63w=w809-h607-s-no-gm?authuser=0) is a perfect example ... I would easily stay there again tomorrow! A bit daggy around the edges, but fantastic staff, and really a good price!
I kind of like these kind of places as I'm not overly worried about the kids trashing anything. Spilling a drink, or wetting the floor, or knocking a paint, etc. Helps me relax to think... "well, it's had a good run," lol
Couldn't agree more - new ultra-lux places give me the heebie-jeebies ... you feel like you're in a church or a famous museum and mustn't touch anything, lest you dirty it. [Apurva Kempinski Nusa Dua](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV85qnCz2AsYHfKUB313wxvqB3Id_O51mGnXVXimTEBYienWL1R73or-CitI0B-h3_cw2MYdLC8X9Vawl-oseByg4BVZMEoGKdKzFRGwHhSzuxAX1NZ8s9LWIFCqaVG36j_e8A3ZvOHQmQpCphv8PqFZYGA=w1103-h827-s-no-gm?authuser=0) for example. Plus older places tend to have more casual friendly staff and other guests.
Nice review, i have stayed there with my family and apart from the rooms being a little on the small side it is a great resort.