1 November 2007
Like the Jayakarta which I stayed in a few months ago, the Bali Dynasty is a very typical big Bali beach hotel, although in this case the hotel doesn't actually have any beach frontage. It makes a good first impression, with low rise Balinese style guest wings laid out around a small garden.
When you get the room, however, a bit of disappointment begins to set in. My deluxe room was on the ground floor of one of the three story guest wings. So although there was a small patio for sitting outside, anybody walking by could see into the room, if the drapes were left open. Even with the curtains open, the room was quite dark all day, and this is yet another one of those hotels that only invests in maintenance when it becomes absolutely necessary, and isn't worried too much about appearances.
Breakfast was served in the coffee shop on the lower level of the main lobby building. The selection was good and quality acceptable. In addition to the coffee shop there are two other restaurants as well as the pool side bar. In addition to the large main pool, there is a smaller one is a dedicated children's area. There's even a dedicated 'adults only' zone.
Hotel facilities include three pools, spa, fitness center, children's play area, several restaurants and a special 'departure lounge' for people who have checked out of the hotel but still want to spend some time around the pool and need some place to shower and change.
Rooms feature air conditioning, hot and cold water, mini-bars, complementary coffee and tea, color televisions (many channels) and telephones.
Pluses: Good location, near restaurants and shopping. Good family orientation with lots of activities.
Minuses: Maintenance is very lackluster. Ground floor rooms lack much privacy.
Rooms at the Bali Dynasty Hotel may be booked through Agoda, or use Hotels Combined to compare rates for the resort from dozens of online booking sites.