The Apurva Kempinski Bali

The Apurva Kempinski Bali, a Michelin Key Selected property, is widely regarded as a magnificent and luxurious resort offering a truly immersive experience in Nusa Dua, Bali. Its grand architectural design, inspired by an open-air theatre and Balinese heritage, consistently impresses guests upon arrival.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing their stay as exceptional, amazing, and even "one of the best hotels in Bali." Review scores frequently range from 9.0 to 10 out of 10. While some guests arrived with very high expectations and found a few minor oddities, the overall sentiment remains highly favorable, with many expressing a desire to return.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise the resort's stunning architecture and design, often described as "breathtaking" and "majestic," with a grand foyer and intricate Javanese artistry. The extensive facilities are another major highlight, including a huge swimming pool, the Reef Beach Club, a well-equipped fitness center with ocean views, and a luxurious spa. The property's cliffside location offers spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and tropical gardens. The sincere and attentive service from the staff is also frequently mentioned as a key highlight.

3. Room Quality

The resort boasts 475 iconic rooms, suites, and villas, with a significant number (around 60%) featuring private plunge pools. Rooms are described as spacious, elegantly designed, and well-appointed with modern amenities and wooden furnishings. Many accommodations offer garden or ocean views from private balconies. The Cliff Private Pool Junior Suites, for instance, are noted for their decent-sized private pools, suitable for laps, and offer peaceful views, sometimes with distant ocean glimpses. While the decor is generally contemporary with traditional touches, one guest found a statue at the entrance not to their taste. Some minor issues reported include noisy air conditioning in a cliff suite and non-functioning pool lights. The walk-in wardrobes are spacious, though one reviewer noted their placement being far from the bathroom.

4. Dining Experience

The Apurva Kempinski Bali offers a diverse array of dining options, with guests consistently praising the quality and variety.

• Breakfast: Often highlighted as "fantastic" and "the best I have ever experienced," offering a wide variety of high-quality dishes, including Asian and Western options. It runs until 12 pm, allowing for a late start to the day. Pala Restaurant & Rooftop Bar is a popular choice for breakfast, offering garden, pool, and sea views.
• Koral Restaurant: Bali's first aquarium restaurant, providing a unique and "incredible" underwater dining experience with modern cuisine crafted from local ingredients. Reservations are highly recommended as it books out quickly. It offers an adults-only dinner seating.
• Izakaya by Oku: A Japanese restaurant that receives positive feedback for its good food.
• Bai Yun: A Chinese hot pot restaurant praised for attentive service and a high-end experience, though some found it a bit overpriced.
• Reef Beach Club: Offers international cuisine in a casual, seaside setting.
• Other options: Selasar Deli for Balinese favorites and Kubu Pool Bar for snacks and libations.

Some guests found the evening cocktail offerings at the Cliff Lounge to be a bit weak compared to similar hotels, with a limited selection of local sparkling wine and only Bintang beer.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at The Apurva Kempinski Bali consistently receive exceptional praise. Guests describe the staff as "attentive, warm, and professional," "friendly," "helpful," and "enthusiastic." The "Lady in Red" personalized concierge service is a signature highlight, anticipating guests' needs and going "above and beyond" to ensure a pampered experience. Check-in is often noted as seamless and efficient, even when rooms are not immediately ready, with guests offered lounge access and amenities while waiting. Housekeeping and overall hotel cleanliness are also highly rated.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel is located in a quieter part of Nusa Dua, facing southeast, flanked by other resorts like the Hilton Bali and Ritz-Carlton Bali. This provides a relatively quiet and retreat-like atmosphere. The resort itself cascades down a terraced cliffside to a private, golden-sand beach with calm water due to a wave breaker. While somewhat isolated from external amenities, the resort offers a self-contained luxury experience. It's approximately 16 kilometers from the vibrant heart of Bali. Complimentary transport service to nearby towns would be a positive addition, as currently, guests rely on hotel transport or taxis.

7. Value & Pricing

The Apurva Kempinski Bali is considered a luxury property. While specific pricing varies greatly by room type and season, rates for a Deluxe room can start from around $244 USD. Cliff Private Pool Junior Suites can be around IDR 7,400,000 (excluding taxes and fees). Guests often find that booking a room with club lounge access offers excellent value, providing benefits like delicious late breakfast, coffee, and access to exclusive pools and lounges. The quality of the experience, particularly the architecture, facilities, and service, generally justifies the cost, especially when factoring in potential upgrades or lounge access.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are largely positive, some recurring criticisms and minor issues include:

• Crowded Breakfast: Breakfast can get very busy, sometimes requiring a wait for a table.
• Noise from Air Conditioner: Some guests reported noisy air conditioning in cliff suites.
• Isolated Location: Being in a quieter part of Nusa Dua means it's a bit isolated from external attractions and dining options, necessitating reliance on hotel transport.
• Size of Property: The sheer size of the resort can sometimes make navigation feel a bit long, especially from some rooms to the lobby or main facilities.
• Inconsistencies: Some minor inconsistencies in guest treatment (e.g., mask-wearing policies) have been noted.
• Evening Cocktail Offerings: The canapés and alcohol selection at evening cocktails in the Cliff Lounge were considered weak and limited to local options by some, especially compared to other luxury hotels.
• Water Quality: One guest observed a slight yellowish tint on the filtered showerhead after a couple of nights in a villa, suggesting potential water quality concerns.
• Dust and Grime: A detailed review mentioned noticeable dust, and in some cases, grime and mold in the room, accompanied by a heavily scented air freshener.

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