I spent 1 week at the Intercontinental Bali.
First impressons count, as we know.. and this hotel doesn't disappoint. The reception area is beautiful - almost colonial in taste, with lanterns swinging in the breeze. There is a constant Balinese music in the background, which I have to say I found very soothing.
I booked a superior ocean view room. The room turned out to be very big, with hardwood floors, a massive bed (complete with pillow menu), and the layout of the wardrobe meant that you have a dressing area between the living room and bathroom. Bathroom featured gorgeous products and had separate tub and shower. I often stay at Intercontinentals in Europe, and I thought this hotel struck the right note between class and comfort but nevertheless with a holiday atmosphere. The only drawback to my room was that it was so far from reception and the pool!
The pool area was to die for! The whole area flows down from the main hotel building, with a large non-swimming pool fed by stunning gargoyles! There are fish and monitor lizards in abundance. The breakfast terrace overlooks this area and it was the most beautiful start to every day! This area continues with a stone bridge then stone pathways (all fantastically landscaped) through to the first pool area. I can't even begin to describe it. This pool has 3 pools around its sides, all shallow and with different fountain areas feeding them. One, for example, entailed walking under a waterfall to access it. The main pool was beautiful, with covered lounging areas and a swim-up bar. I never struggled to find a sunbed... there are plenty around the pools themselves, but also scatttered through the grassed and sanded areas of the grounds.
The beach was lovely. The sand here is not white and powdery.. more golden and slightly coarse, but perfect for lounging and for swimming. The sea was pretty rough several days during my stay, but I did manage to swim a few times (there is a life guard on duty at all times).This was the wet season but in fact it didn't rain once. Great for me and other sun-worshippers... possibly not so good for the locals or the wildlife.
I ate in hotel restaurants most evenings as there was plenty of choice and the menus were appealing. A lot of people do go down to the fish restaurants on the beach, however as I was on my own I didn't fancy the walk in the dark across the sand. I am sure it would have been fine... but I wasn't taking any chance. Also there was a lot of smoke coming from those restaurants and I found it slightly choking even from the distance of the hotel.
Breakfast was a highlight for me. Special "health" juices served every day with explanations of the potential benefits (!) Bakery section with pancakes and waffles made to order. Egg station.... ditto. There was a huge selection of hot breakfasts... a lot featuring noodles - presumably for the Japanese clients who seem to make up the main proportion of the guests. Fruit selection was beautiful, with plenty of local options - all labelled and explained (some of them weren't obvious!).
A special mention to the activities available at the hotel. A really nice mix of opportunities... early morning yoga, tennis lessons (I did both), cycle rides around Jimbaran bay, cookery classes, music classes.... I could go on.. Anyway, not everybody wants activites to be laid on for them on holiday - and normally I would also rather do my own thing - however here I felt that the options really were the things I would have chosen to do. You could probably do things more cheaply than the Intercontinental, but you probably wouldn't do it with as much charm! I didn't try the spa, but the prices did seem toppy. Tennis was reasonable though.. and a special mention to the 2 coaches who were so kind to me and became friends (as they also saw me in the gym every day!) Mention for the gym here... very well equipped (3 treadmills, bikes, cross trainers, lots of freeweights and weight machines) and good air conditioning!
Another special mention to Sam the concierge.. a singularly helpful and kind man who went out of his way to make sure I was enjoying myself and that I was getting the most out of my holiday.
All in all a charming resort, very classy and a real treat. on all levels. I felt very valued and wanted. Can't often say that about a hotel, but here I felt like an individual, not just someone occupying a room for a few nights.
