We have 2 nights stay at Amaris hotel. We book directly to hotel from 19-21 August 2011, which is during peak season with rate IDR475.000. At first we think the rate is overprice, but searching on hotels near Legian/Kuta area with the same class, the result is average price or even higher ! So we decided to try this hotel. Not so many review we can read on TripAdvisor. we just knew the hotel is new under Santika group. As for us, travelling with family by car. Arriving afternoon time, first impression,the hotel is quite modern and minimalis. So, here is our experience :

1. LOCATION
Hotel location is on the corner of Padma Utara. Many well known hotels in Legian also in this street. For who bring own car, Amaris only provided paralel parking lot in front of their hotel, so maybe rather difficult to find empty parking lot during “ very peak time” like Lebaran, X’mas & New Year holiday. But location is very good. Only 500metres from beach, a shortcut through narrow alley directly to Legian beach. But beware motorcycles also pass this alley, so walker must let’s them pass first. We choose Amaris because from PADMA UTARA we can directly pass NAKULA street from/to SUNSET ROAD and IMAM BONJOL (from/to DENPASAR city). That’s mean bypassing traffic jam which is many happen recently in KUTA/PANTAI KUTA. It took only 8KM to TEUKU UMAR (Denpasar) which is avalaible many option for local restaurant with reasonable price. But around hotel also can find some nice restaurant, café and minimarket

2. ROOM
Amaris is 4 floor building. But 4th floor is rename to 5th floor. 1st floor is front office, lounge/breakfast area, swimming pool and rooms. We stay in 5th floor. The room is good, very clean, minimalist and surprisingly for us is quite large. Outside,small balcony facing to the pool. No key provided, but you can ask front office (but they will politely ask not to dry out the clothes on the balcony). No amenities like fridge, water boiler, cofee/tea/sugar. Only 2 glass and small mineral drinking water (only for 1st day, they don’t exchange it). But Hot/Cold dispenser is avalaible on the corner near lift. But we hate this, why hotel only provide 1 dispenser on 1 corner. So just like us who stay on the behind other corner must walk far to reach it. AC is Daikin with own remote control, which is wellknown brand for cooling room. Sattelite TV is Samsung 26inch on the wall. And just maybe because it is quite new, the bed is still good. Cleaning service is not to good (see STAFF below), they did not clean our floor (which is have excess sand from our trip to beach), only tidy up the blanket but not replace it. But they replace the bathroom towel. A safety box is avalaible, problem is in locked condition and we can not open it. Don’t be surprised the room provided a phone but it didn’t work (they said it’s installation progress). So any need with FO, just go down below.

BEWARE : Balcony and corridor is only separated with iron bar, so when bring small children please don’t let them play too close

3. BATHROOM
Bathroom is clean, shower is good, hot water is avalaible anytime. Just adjust the shower head to get more hard water pressure. Beside shower, faucet also avalaible on the bottom, so benefit, for us who bring little children that did not like water spill out directly from shower.Hotel only provided liquid soap&shampoo on small wall containers. But soap smell is not too good, so be sure to bring your own soap.Flushing toilet is working and have toilet faucet on side of it. A wash basin & mirror is avalaible outside the bathroom,

4. STAFF
We just amaze how little employees around the hotel. During our 2 night stay, we don’t see many staff avalaible. That’s include concierge/front office boy to carry our lunggage to room.But they have some security officer that may do the function.Maybe lack of staff caused minimum service for cleaning the room. But staff is remarkably friendly. Regrettly, Amaris only have 1 lift, which is in use together for guests and staff doing their job. But staff always let’s guest to use the lift first and willing to wait. Even I alone insist them to use together, they still give me a chance to reach my 5th floor before their 2nd floor. Very impressive !

5. POOL
I think the pool is only for decoration manner as we rarely see people use of it. The pool location is not good, on side the breakfast/lounge area. So,who would want to swim when everybody seem to near and stare on the pool area. Not to mention having a chance to sunbath. Just forget it, the pool is situated on the central of the building, I see no chance for maximal sun to reach it. If you plan spend your sunbathing time near the pool, maybe another hotel with more open space can be a good option than Amaris. The kiddy pool with 0.4M height is good for children or just a soak by after visiting beach.

6. BREAKFAST / LOUNGE AREA
We think hotel did not provide restaurant to take order, as we can not find menu on the room. Breakfast is regular, Bufee about 5 menus. On our stay, they provide rice, fried noodle, baked potatoes, salad, bread, cofee, tea.,fruit But in my surprised they have ‘egg stand’, which we can order for omelette. Lounge is not too big but comfortable with open air design. Our children enjoy breakfast and play around the pool.

Conlusion : Amaris is budget minimalis hotel. Having location near beach and Denpasar city is a plus.Room & Facilities are standart. But if you just need a place to stay while mostly you will end the day outside, this hotel is recommended. Don’t expect too much if you plan to play/spend time around the pool. Almost having no complain during our stay here except for minor problem.