Bali. The name conjures up images of sundrenched beaches, poolside cocktails, staggering rice terraces, and balmy evenings under the stars. And it’s true – Bali is all this and so much more. It is one of those places that gets under your skin. We have visited Bali eight times now, and every time I worry that it won’t live up to expectations, or I will regret returning to somewhere we have been so many times. But I never do. Instead, I end up just not wanting to leave!
There are several different destinations in Bali, each offering a unique perspective of this paradise island. Many people swear by the cultural charm of Ubud, others by the white sandy beaches of Nusa Dua, or the staggering clifftop sunsets of Uluwatu. For me, my destination of choice will always be Seminyak. I’m drawn here by the chichi beachside cocktail bars, the fabulous fine-dining restaurants and all the funky little boutiques that line its dusty streets. And it’s just so hip! I am continually held in awe by just how stylish a small town on a tropical island can be.
So it came as no surprise that Starwood Hotels chose Seminyak for the location of their vibrant and modern design-led brand – the W Hotel Bali, which opened its swanky doors in 2011. Here is our W Hotel Bali review.
I have stayed at the W Hotel Bali on three separate occasions and it has always surpassed my expectations. Its beachfront setting means the sound of crashing waves is ever-present from its tiered swimming pool and beautifully landscaped gardens. The rooms are comfortable but super-stylish at the same time, with cutting-edge features, and the restaurants are excellent. Another stand-out of the W Hotel Bali is the staff, who are all super-friendly and have always been so accommodating to our children.
Bedtime at the W Bali
The W Hotel Bali has 237 retreats, suites and villas in total. The Retreats (that’s hotel rooms to you and I) are divided into Garden View and Ocean Facing. Given that the sun sinks into the ocean right in front of the W Hotel, I would definitely recommend the Ocean Facing rooms, although be aware that these can suffer from thumping soundtracks drifting up from the Woo Bar in the evenings.
At 64 square metres in size and featuring a large corner sofa, there is plenty of room to squeeze in children and cots, while sizeable outdoor balconies provide parents with the perfect space to enjoy quiet evening drinks while the kids sleep. If you’re looking for more space, and more wow factor, then a range of suites – aptly named Marvelous (1-bedroom), Wow (2-bedroom) and Extreme Wow (2-bedroom, split-level) are also on offer at the W Bali.
But my favourite option with a family is a private pool villa, available as a Marvelous One-Bedroom, Wow Two-Bedroom or the uber-fabulous E-Wow Three-Bedroom villa. Here you are protected from the noise of the resort and you can enjoy a private pool and sundeck – perfect for quiet sunbathing if you have young children who still do daytime naps, or for a quick cool-off after sightseeing. Be aware that the sliding bedroom doors lead directly onto the pool deck though, a potential hazard for active toddlers. The two- and three-bedroom villas also include BBQ facilities for private at-home dining under the stars.
Regardless of whether you choose a Retreat or Villa, you can be assured of super stylish surroundings in which to slumber at the W Hotel Bali. First of all, the Signature W beds are amazing – the lavish 350-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, pillow-top mattresses, plush pillows and goose down duvets ensuring you a good night’s sleep. They’re also enormous, should any errant children sneak into bed with you at night.
State of the art entertainment systems include 40-inch LED TVs with DVD players, while the BOSE sound systems (with speakers both inside and out in the villas) are pre-loaded with an Ibiza-esque soundtrack to get you in a holiday mood. We also love the MunchieBox, which provides you with lots of yummy goodies beyond the usual Pringles and Toblerone.
One of the most impressive services provided by W Hotels is the Whatever Whenever service. At the touch of one button they can respond to any request – bucket of ice, restaurant reservation, Balinese dance lesson – whatever, whenever. And in my experience they actually respond to it. Fast. You can even download the W Hotels app to your smartphone, so all your needs can be taken care of without even having to speak to anyone!
My only criticism of the villa set-up from my point of view, is the path that leads to the villas. The terrain is so bumpy and jagged that we literally couldn’t push our Bugaboo Bee on the path with a child in it. Not great if you are in a faraway villa, and clearly a decision of style over practicality
