Intercontinental Bali hotel review | escape.com.au

Clean from a million dollar refurb, this grand old dame of the Bali resort scene has rediscovered her sparkle.

When resorts declare they offer you ‘something for everyone’, they usually unwittingly location by themselves in risky territory. Since ‘something for everyone’ often interprets into ‘a few things for most people’.  We’re glad to report that the Intercontinental basically delivers. This is largely thanks to the sheer dimensions and range of the residence.

We noticed multi-generational family groups, knots of gals who’d remaining their husbands to search just after the youngsters for a long weekend, really like struck honeymooners and conventioneers pondering how numerous additional Powerpoint shows they’d have to sit by ahead of they could get their toes into sand. And there was space more than enough for anyone. Which is what you get when a 1.4 kilometre jogging monitor can be accommodated inside of the hotel’s footprint.

A major element of its attract is its site on a sweep of Jimbaran Bay. Stage onto the beach front, change left and you will see a dozen seafood dining establishments that’ll remind you that the Aussie greenback continue to has some muscle mass abroad. That reported, with the possible exception of the also-cool-for-university La Brisa seashore club in Cenggu, the hotel’s Sunset Beach front Bar & Grill offers the most effective combo of dusk and cocktails on the island. 

The property is immaculate – so substantially so it feels cleverly artwork directed – with classic design and style fountains, bridges and so lots of pools and koi ponds that we stopped counting following a little bit. As far as amenities and actions go, the Earth Trekkers young children club has a unique eco concentrate, there is a Technogym laden physical fitness centre, tennis courts, yoga, kite earning and bike tours of the area marketplaces.

With a manufacturer this dimension, you count on a slick operation and which is what you get. But what made the check out was the workers. They didn’t have to say it – that would have been awks – but there was a authentic joy in staying back again on the equipment right after the uncertainties of Covid. A sense of lifestyle commence to recalibrate. Certain it was a minor overattentive at occasions becoming confronted with the choice, I’d considerably relatively be asked a number of times in speedy succession by different men and women if I was all set to get than wrestle to catch the eye of a server.

A single moment exemplified the vibe. For lunch 1 day, I experienced to get simple bread and white rice. If you’ve at any time positioned a similar buy in Bali, you will realise its gastrointestinal implications. Which allow me strain, experienced practically nothing to do with the vacation resort. This situation of Bali Belly was picked up elsewhere. As an aside, it did support me figure what the cellular phone following to the toilet was for – it is to get in touch with your cherished kinds to say goodbye in circumstance you don’t make it. Anyhoo, the woman having my order, seemed it me with a sense of grandmotherly compassion, produced her way to the kitchen area and returned with my plated blandness. Free of charge. See? It’s the small kindnesses that signal real hospitality.

One thing that will rankle Aussie readers and which you require to be organized for is a sense of segregation in certain parts of the residence. You see, only customers of the Intercont’s loyalty program are permitted at particular pools and in distinct lounges. Stray into a person of these zones and your existence will be questioned. That mentioned, it’s a small quibble in an in any other case superb practical experience. 

Area 9/10

It’s 15 minutes from the airport with just adequate dining places nearby so you never come to feel you’re caught in the vacation resort. It is also absent from the hustle and bustle of Kuta and Seminyak so you can soak in the nature about you. 

Place 10/10

Which is a huge get in touch with but the two-stage duplex rooms with balconies and timber staircases are what we think about the visitor residences of tech billionaires to sense like.

Food items 9/10

Informal pizza by the pool, large-conclude Italian, a beachside grill, a just refurbished sushi temple and al fresco breakfast terrace beside a koi pond…you get the photograph.

Verdict 9/10

An all-spherical men and women pleaser with a stage docked for the inability to obtain all places even even though you’re having to pay to be there.

For much more facts, click on in this article. Writer was a guest of the Intercontinental Bali.

See also:

20 amazing places to swim in Bali.

20 top factors to do with children in Bali.

8 outstanding places you require to take in at in Bali.