Andaz Bali

Andaz Bali, a Michelin Key Selected property in Sanur, Indonesia, is widely lauded for its luxurious ambiance, exceptional service, and thoughtful design. Guests consistently highlight its blend of contemporary luxury with authentic Balinese charm, making it a standout resort on the island.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Andaz Bali is overwhelmingly positive. Guests frequently describe it as a "truly luxurious hotel" with "outstanding service at every step". It's considered a "brilliant gem" and a "premier stand-out property in Sanur," offering a serene and blissful experience. Many express a strong desire to return, praising its beautiful and lush property.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several key aspects of Andaz Bali:

• Service & Hospitality: The staff's warmth, attentiveness, and genuine welcoming nature are frequently mentioned as exceptional, often going "above and beyond".
• Design & Aesthetics: The resort's design is deeply rooted in local traditions and culture, inspired by a traditional Balinese village. It features lush landscaping, high-quality materials, and modern fittings, creating a beautiful and authentic atmosphere that feels more residential than a typical hotel.
• Location: Situated in the quieter, less touristy beachside village of Sanur, it offers a peaceful retreat while still providing easy access to local shops, spas, and restaurants. Its proximity to the airport is also a plus.
• Dining Experience: The breakfast, in particular, receives universal praise for its unique à la carte concept and high quality.
• Amenities: Guests appreciate the variety of pools, including quieter options, and the access to shared gym and spa facilities with the adjacent Hyatt Regency. Complimentary non-alcoholic mini-bar snacks and drinks are also a nice touch.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Andaz Bali are a significant highlight, described as "stunning," "beautifully designed," and "exuding luxury".

• Space and Layout: Standard rooms are spacious, typically around 50 square meters, including a generous balcony, providing ample room to spread out. Villas are even more expansive and often feature private pools.
• Design: The aesthetic incorporates local traditions and culture, with a darker, sophisticated design that offers a counterpoint to the bright Balinese days. Details like intricate carved wood patterns and a blend of different materials are noted.
• Features: Rooms include a walk-in wardrobe with a large luggage rack, an open clothes rail, iron and ironing board, and a safe, keeping luggage and clutter out of sight.
• Bathroom: The massive en-suite bathrooms are finished floor-to-ceiling in dark stone, featuring double vanities, a spacious walk-in shower, a large free-standing tub, and a separate high-tech Japanese-style toilet chamber.
• Comfort & Technology: Guests enjoy comfortable beds, plentiful international power outlets, and USB-A ports. Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks in the minibar are replenished daily.

4. Dining Experience

The dining at Andaz Bali is considered world-class and exceptional.

• Breakfast: The "Village Market Breakfast" is consistently singled out as a highlight and "one of the best breakfasts in Bali". Instead of a traditional buffet, it offers an à la carte menu with unlimited, small-portioned dishes, allowing guests to sample a wide variety of fresh, made-to-order items and minimize waste. Popular items include warm banana bread with espresso butter, French toast with coconut ice cream and pineapple, and the Andaz Prawn Omelette.
• Restaurants: The resort features a "Village Square" with four intertwining restaurants: Wok Wok (Indonesian favorites), Blue Oven (Mediterranean cuisine), Fire Fox (Asian Steakhouse), and a Deli & Bakery. The beachfront Fisherman's Club offers Indonesian and international cuisine with a focus on fish.
• Pricing: Food and drink prices are generally considered reasonable by Bali hotel standards.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Andaz Bali is consistently praised as outstanding and a reflection of warm Balinese hospitality.

• Warmth and Attentiveness: Staff members are described as cheerful, genuinely welcoming, and highly attentive, often addressing guests by name and being particularly kind to families with children.
• Efficiency: While generally efficient, minor missteps like occasional delays in turndown service or in-room dining orders have been noted but are typically outweighed by the overall high level of service.

6. Location & Accessibility

Andaz Bali is strategically located in Sanur, a serene coastal area:

• Neighborhood: Sanur is known for its quieter, more relaxed atmosphere compared to the bustling areas of Seminyak and Kuta, making it appealing to those seeking tranquility. It has a long-standing expat community and is popular with retirees and families.
• Beach Access: The resort is nestled directly on Sanur beach, though a public boardwalk separates the hotel from the sand.
• Transportation: It's conveniently located a 30-45 minute taxi ride from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).
• Local Attractions: Guests can easily walk to nearby restaurants, spas, and shops. Sanur also serves as a good base for day trips to popular Balinese destinations like Ubud, Seminyak, and Jimbaran, all within an hour's drive. Boat trips to Nusa Lembongan are also accessible from Sanur.

7. Value & Pricing

Andaz Bali is generally considered to offer excellent value for a luxury property in Bali.

• Cash Rates: Nightly cash rates start around $300 CAD (approximately $220 USD), which places it on the higher end for Bali but is still considered surprisingly reasonable for the quality and experience offered.
• Points Redemption: It's a popular choice for World of Hyatt point redemptions. While it recently moved from a Category 4 to a Category 5 hotel (requiring 20,000 points per night, up from 15,000), it's still seen as a good value for points, especially when utilizing Hyatt Prive for additional benefits.
• Villas: Upgrading to a lagoon access room or villa is often recommended as being well worth the extra cost for the enhanced experience.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Main Pool Environment: The main pool can sometimes be noisy due to children's inflatable toys and a high number of guests, leading to a desire for clearer guidelines to ensure a more relaxing atmosphere for all.
• Paid Pool Water: The policy of charging for water at the pool areas, despite complimentary bottled water in rooms, is sometimes perceived as a minor inconvenience.
• Public Beach Promenade: The public boardwalk separating the resort from the beach can make some guests feel "on display."
• Lobby Ambiguity: Some guests find the open-plan lobby a bit impractical, lacking clear order.
• Housekeeping Frequency: Historically, during the pandemic, housekeeping was noted to be every third day unless requested, which might be an outdated policy but was a past point of feedback.
• Family-Friendly vs. Tranquility: While praised for its family-friendly amenities, those seeking an adults-only, ultra-quiet idyll might find the presence of many families in certain areas a slight detractor.

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