When we booked luxury resort Intercontinental Bali, it wasn’t the first choice but because we were doing it last minute and not a lot was left in Jimbaran. We also were strongly focused on somewhere with a good kids club and this has one. I’m not complaining, because who wouldn’t want to stay at the Intercontinental, but I will admit, upon arriving, I felt somewhat silly, due to the extravagant price and recognising there’s so many cheap and amazing options in Bali. But having experienced this resort, it is definitely worth every dollar. The resort has everything you need, and they do it so well.
Arriving at the lobby, it’s is classic Intercontinental style, a huge sculpture and Indonesian art aplenty. It is expansive with multiple areas to sit and lounge whilst you wait or even after check out. Plenty of counters, a concierge and welcome drinks.
Around the site there are countless Balinese touches, on the walls, gardens, fountains and in restaurants and many religious in nature, including and on site temple. The staff carefully manicure all the lawns and we can see them spending hours on garden upkeep, and it looks amazing.
Once you check in, you realise just how big the site is, and you definately need a map to get around the first few days. There’s also specialised club rooms and dining space for those members.
We find our room, and it reminds me similarly of other Intercontinental rooms we’ve stayed in, so the brand really keeps up that reputation. The beds are comfortable though we book for three, we had to pay an extra $29 USD for a child bed. I’m strongly opposed to that and professed this prior to booking and upon arrival. If you book for three, there should be beds for three. Thus extra cost is exorbitant and unfair. Otherwise, we are happy, the room is spacious – balcony, couch, tv, coffee and tea making facilities, a huge bathroom, gowns and slippers. Rooms have safes and irons. The plugs are not international and only have one USB port so technology is a tad old. Don’t forget your adapter.
This resort is on Jimbaran Beach so you can easily walk out onto the beach, for a dip in the ocean, or to visit a beachside seafood restaurant.
As far as the whole Intercontinental property goes, it is enormous, 36 acres to be exact. Guests don’t have to leave the hotel, unless you plan to go on tours. However, given its pricy nature, we did walk out into the main strip for some great restaurants, laundry, coffee and massage. But if you’ve got the cash, by all means get it all done in the Intercontinental because obviously it’s amazing. We did what we could in the realm of our budgets.
The site has wellness spaces; massage, hairdresser. The jacuzzi was awesome, no extra charge.
The facilities are divided into male and female areas, each with a steam room, a sauna, hot tub and a plunge pool, plus lockers and showers.
Oh and the gym is amazing. Is better than my one in Australia where I actually pay membership! They’ve even got an outdoor gym by the beach too.
There are multiple pools including one with a swim up pool bar. People lounge all day and “reserve” their pool beds so to speak. So get out early, plonk your towel or book there and you’re set for the day. You can also have tennis lessons, hire bikes or do Pilates and a number of their other wellness experiences – keep in kind most of them cost.
Holidays are also a lot about eating – so make visits to their various dining spaces. There’s a fancier restaurant, Bella Cucina, Ko Restaurant, a Japanese venue with Japanese outdoor gardens and this offers both teppanyaki and Ala carte.
For most of us though, you’d be visiting Jimbaran Gardens, a poolside eatery which hosts the breakfast buffet and Ala carte over lunch and dinner. There’s also Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, overlooking the ocean, and Taman Gita for the other buffet site. We mostly ate from the buffet and the occasional meal down at Jimbaran Gardens.
The food at the buffet was outstanding; Cereals, yoghurt and fruits, an egg station, bread buffet, western and local hot dishes and also Ala carte options to order like avo from n toast or Benedict. The other buffet venue even had a whole kids station with special foods to suit their fancy. We were impressed with the food here and couldn’t have asked for anything more.
One of the other great things about the intercontinental is the kids club, I mean that’s the whole reason we booked! Planet Trekkers has great staff, and it’s open long hours. The staff run plenty of activities (at extra charge) and take such good care of the children. The site also has a kids park.
Overall, we loved our stay and would definitely go again, if we got a good luxury escape deal!