One of the advantages to living in Singapore is the ability to hop a quick flight to one of many beautiful islands. We took advantage of this during a recent school holiday, and visited the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort. We had been to Bali once before, and stayed in Nusa Dua, so we were excited to get to know another part of this beautiful island.
Two hours after leaving Singapore’s Changi Airport (and with a full meal provided by KLM Airlines!) we touched down at the Denpasar Airport in Bali. The airport can be a bit chaotic, but the friendly driver from the Sheraton found us easily and we were immediately on our way!
Location:
The Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is located in the heart of Kuta, a town known for its exciting nightlife scene, but it is just far enough removed to be a perfectly family-friendly location. Next door is the Beachwalk outdoor mall complex, with a plethora of shopping and dining options as well as a movie theater. Also located in Beachwalk is the Cheeky Monkeys Daycare and Miniapolis. Although the Sheraton does not have its own kids club at this time, they have an arrangement with Cheeky Monkeys to offer hotel guests a discount. Miniapolis consists of a playground with a large climbing structure, music room and waterplay area.
Although not situated directly on the beach, the Sheraton is just steps away on the other side of the roadway. We did not find this proximity to the road to cause any noise issues for us at night.
Hotel Ambience and Rooms:
Upon arriving at the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, we were very pleased by its appearance. The overall design is simple Balinese and the open-air bar and large lounge has amazing views of the pool and beach. The sunset from the lounge was truly amazing to behold. After a refreshing welcome drink and a quick check-in by Pandhu, we were escorted to our rooms.
Our family was assigned adjoining rooms located on the lobby level (level 4) which offered plenty of room for our family of four. We have travelled extensively around Southeast Asia, and these rooms were considerably larger than most we have encountered. Awaiting us were plate of local crackers and various fruit spreads in the adult room, and freshly made cookies and cupcakes in the kid room. So far, off to a good start! One room had a king-sized bed, the other had two fulls, and both had small seating areas, bathrooms with shower and soaking tub, and balconies with views of the ocean. The rooms were both equipped with all standard amenities including free hi-speed internet access.
Dining:
The Sheraton has two dining options: Feast and Bene. Feast is an all-day dining restaurant, and we indulged in the expansive breakfast buffet both mornings. The staff at the buffet were really impressive, very attentive and friendly. You could tell they genuinely wanted to make sure we were satisfied. Offering our children hot chocolate was a nice touch, and at one point I noticed a staff member entertaining a baby so the parents could take a break to eat! The servers who attended us were all great, but I’d like to give a special shout out to Anton. He was a class act. The buffet itself was one of the best I have seen, even including a gelato bar (at breakfast!).
The other restaurant, Bene, offered authentic yet modern Italian fare. I enjoyed a large plate of prawns and a nice bottle of Peter Lehmann Shiraz (well I shared the bottle!). The wine list was very nice and ambiance was lovely. The restaurant is two stories, and we opted to dine on the upper floor (which has an outdoor patio as well) to really get the best view of the sunset.
In addition, the Sheraton has one centralized kids menu for the two restaurants and room service, and it is impressive. I have never seen a hotel or restaurant break up a kids menu into age groups (seems logical, right?). There were separate sections for 4-8 months, 8-36 months and 3-12 years. I was also impressed with the commitment to nutrition – some examples from the 3-12 years menu include hummus, hidden vegetable mac and cheese and honey mustard turkey pinwheel.
Amenities:
For the kids (and adults), the infinity pool with views of the beach was a hit. Though relatively small in comparison to the size of the hotel, the pool offered plenty of space for our kids to swim, splash, float and relax in the warm Bali sun. It’s also only steps from the beach, and though our schedule was such that we didn’t spend much time there, the sand, water, and waves would have offered our kids hours of enjoyment.
For the adults, the pool provided everything from comfy lounge chairs, thick beach towels and cold face towels, to cold water and even colder cocktails and beer. The hotel also boasted a gym for an early morning treadmill run or workout and the adjoining Shine Spa. At the spa, I indulged in only the second massage of my life and I was very glad I did. My treatment consisted of a 90 minute massage and facial, and the service was performed very professionally by Mita. The spa rooms were large, comfortable and decorated with soft colors and live plants, making the experience very relaxing.
All in all, we had a great getaway at the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort. The staff was lovely, the facilities top-notch and the food delectable. If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in the heart of Kuta, then this is your place!
For more information, visit the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort website.
See also: Waterbom Water Park, Kuta, Bali
Jennifer Ludt is a writer and mother of two travel-hungry kids. Follow her family’s adventures in Southeast Asia on their blog, Sleepless in Singapore. Thanks to the Sheraton Bali Kuta for hosting this stay.
