Just returned to Moscow from a great vacation in Bali with a two-day stop over in Singapore on the way back. I would definitely recommend the Ayodya (former Bali Hilton) to older couples looking for a beautiful, quiet, picturesque and peaceful place to spend a week or so. Dates of stay were April 27 to May 7 and with the exception of some brief showers one day in the morning, the weather was perfect.

Service at the hotel was great (room serviced at least twice a day). Everybody was really friendly. Great beach (though the first few days there was quite a bit of trash in the water...wrappers and papers and things floating, which would then wash up on the beach...but hotel staff were pretty vigilant about cleaning up...keeping in mind that Bali beaches are all public). Pool is awesome. Excellent exercise facilities with lots of machines and bikes, saunas and jacuzis which are all free to hotel guests. I never used the business center, but there was one. There is renovation going on...but we only noticed it in the lobby...that is, it didn't disturb us at all.

Breakfast was included in our rate and it was great. Make sure you take a few extra pieces of bread from the buffet on your way out to feed the koi fish and the dozen our so lizards swimming in the lagoon. Would not recommend eating there for dinner or lunch as it's kind of pricey...you can get more food for a fourth of the cost by walking off grounds ten minutes to one of the commercial strips in Nusa Dua (or even to the Galleria Mall about 20 minutes away), you just have to put up with a few touts/cab drivers asking if you want a lift, and keep a watchful eye on the money changers! Lot of good shops nearby for souvenirs in the Bualu village. Bought things like masks, paintings, batik. Make sure you try to haggle, but be pleasant about it...don't get stressed over a few dollars (you're supposed to be on vacation)...I write this just because I was in a shop making a purchase when a guy passed by, asked the nice old shopkeeper how much something cost, she quoted him a price (which obviously was more than the item was worth, but that's the point, right?), he got upset, yelled "why don't you just tell us how much it really costs?" and stormed off down the road.

Overall a great experience and would love to go back. Though next time might stay at Kuta, just to check it out and compare (plus you see the sunset from that side), might be more to do/see and I think it might be a little cheaper.

It was our first time in bali....and ayodya was just amazing. We stayed at the grande garden view room which was nice. Its a huge property with 500+ rooms, a beautiful lagoon, nice pool and amazing beach.....perfect to swim and relax. We were earlier confused about nusa dua or kuta...but we r glad we chose nua dua....2 min walk from the hotel there are very nice places to eat with live music which offer 20% discount and also free ride back to the hotel ......cheaper and better food than the hotel is available there. Also for those wondering, ayodya is infact than better nusa dua resort, its architecture is more traditional and intricate with beautiful carvings. The hotel lobby, a few restaurants and part of the spa was currently under renovation, so before u book make sure to ask which parts of the hotel are closed due to renovation.

The best resort I’ve been so far. I've recommend it to who ever is planning a honey moon. Excellent service, food, pool, Beach, Rooms everything!

I stayed at the Ayodya Resort Dec 22 – 28, 2006. Occupancy was ridiculously low and the place felt empty. Generally, the resort presents an impressive façade. However, it appears that the rooms and general facilities are suffering due to the striking downturn in occupancy seen throughout Bali. We stayed in a Grande Ocean View Room (actually we had two rooms – since we are a family of four). Although very clean, the rooms are dated and due for refurbishing. Beds were comfortable.
Negatives - only petty things really. Grande Ocean View room occupants are to receive a fruit basket on arrival – we did not receive one even after calling the front desk. Should also have received 20 min of free internet access per room in the business center each day – had to argue with staff to avoid being charged. There is no ATM (cash machine) in the hotel which is unbelievable given its size and relatively isolated location. Breakfast – Sorry, but certainly not up to par with a hotel of this stature. There is a buffet breakfast provided but it is very, very basic in nature when compared to other similar hotels throughout Asia.
Positives – We enjoyed the large pool with plenty of loungers. The beach was very clean and the small group of vendors was kept at bay by a very clear delineation between the grassed hotel grounds and the sand beach. Vendors were not allowed to come on to the grass and pester the guests, although they did their best to pester guests from the sand !! The gardens, sculptures, waterfalls and lagoons are fantastic. Disregard the earlier comment regarding swimming in the lagoons. These lagoons are of course man made but have naturalized and are a very beautiful and unique part of the overall landscape master plan. There are birds, fish, lizards and other harmless things living in the lagoons which give the property a more authentic feel.
The staff were generally well behaved – no complaints there.
Overall we enjoyed out stay at the Ayodya. I was sorry to see the low occupancy and know that the hotel must be struggling to maintain standards.