Beautiful grounds make getting lost fun — Photo courtesy of Dana Rebmann
Travel is typically about visiting a new or unfamiliar place. If you’re going to spend much of your time sightseeing, you might not be concerned about booking a hotel with a long list of amenities. But sometimes the hotel is just as worthy of your time as the destination.
If Bali is in your future, the Grand Hyatt is worth saving some precious time in your travel schedule. With an exceptionally friendly staff and tropical scenery at seemingly every turn, the resort knows how to make its guests truly feel like they’re on vacation.
With 636 rooms and three villas, the Grand Hyatt Bali is one of the largest hotel properties in Nusa Dua. When you check in, you’ll receive a map of the resort, but chances are you won’t be paying close attention. Lagoons of water lilies that seem to stretch to the sea have a way of distracting new arrivals.
A friendly staff member will take you to your room, but hang on to that map, just in case. It takes a few days to get the lay of the land here, but exploring is fun, especially when the grounds are home to surprises like two striking Balinese temples, one of which is believed to be more than 400 years old.
Accommodations
Sleep well in Balinese-inspired rooms — Photo courtesy of Dana Rebmann
Even when the resort is close to being full, it doesn’t feel crowded. Accommodations, including rooms and suites, are spread out among four villages that are limited to four or five stories tall. (There are also villas with private pools.)
Many rooms located in the South Village boast beautiful beach views – the kind of views that make you wake up before the sun. Rooms are a bit dated, with older televisions and hair dryers, but there’s no good excuse to even turn on the TV here. Dark wood furnishings contrast white walls and white bed linens. Muted reds, blues and greens can be found on throw pillows that top the bed and daybed.
Marble-covered bathrooms feature bathtubs and walk-in showers. All rooms also offer minibars, hot water tea kettles, safes and a balcony or patio with garden or ocean views.
Exploring the property
Room with a beach view — Photo courtesy of Dana Rebmann
For most guests, time on property won’t be spent in their room. Deciding what to do when you wake up in the morning could be the hardest part of your day. Lounge chairs are well-placed under shady trees along the typically empty beach. A massive beach swing has a way of distracting guests every time they head toward the surf.
If you don’t like sandy feet, the resort is home to five pools. Just off the beach, the Lagoon and River Pools, complete with a couple of water slides, are the most popular. But the Balinese Feature Pool, and its whimsical elephant water feature, has a way of bringing a smile to your face. With a location on a more remote corner of the grounds, there’s also a good chance you could have it all to yourself.
Along with three lit tennis courts, the Bay Club and Fitness Center has two squash courts, a sauna, steam room and offers daily classes including mat Pilates, hatha yoga and aqua aerobics. (Some activities require an extra fee.)
Kriya Spa should not be missed. Treatments ranging from Balinese massage to facials and body wraps take place in luxurious, stand-alone villas. The spa is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily, making it easy and convenient to book treatments even after long days spent off the property exploring Bali.
Where to eat
Breakfast with a Balinese view at Watercourt Restaurant — Photo courtesy of Dana Rebmann
Guests can dine on dishes from around the world at the Grand Hyatt Bali. A handful of restaurants offer everything from Italian pizza and pastas to Japanese teppanyaki and tempura. The resort also does an impressive job of introducing visitors to Balinese foods they might not otherwise have the opportunity to try on their own.
Open nightly for dinner, outdoor Pasar Senggol serves classic Indonesian and Balinese dishes buffet-style. Staff are happy to help diners sort through the many culinary options, and easy-to-understand written descriptions placed near dishes remove the anxiety of trying something new. An added bonus: a Balinese dance show takes place at Pasar Senggol every evening at 7:30 pm.
Watercourt Restaurant serves a Balinese-themed breakfast in a beautiful setting inspired by the water palaces of Bali. You’ll wish they served lunch and dinner, too.
Good for families, too
Traveling families will find a lot to love at Grand Hyatt Bali. The Kids Club offers hourly, half-day, or full-day programming for children ages three to 12. Different activities take place every day, and Balinese culture is incorporated into experiences like traditional dance and music lessons.
Kriya Spa also offers a couple kid-friendly spa treatments, suitable for children age five years and older.
The Grand Hyatt is a 15- to 20-minute drive from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Room rates start from $135.