Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort

From the outside, the four-story Courtyard looks nothing like the image many travelers have of this Marriott chain -- it's fronted with palm tress, grasses, and statuary that create a tranquil first impression. That sharp look continues inside. Common areas are bright, breezy, and grand, and the lobby has soaring ceilings, minimalist low-slung furniture, and a color palette that draws heavily on the natural hues of the tropics -- think: gray, soft blues, and plenty of wood. The paper-lantern-inspired light fixtures hanging from the ceiling are a particularly nice design choice. 

Guests gravitate to the resort's outdoor spaces, including the huge lagoon swimming pool, set in a scenic, lush courtyard with indigenous trees, plants, and flowers. The deck has an abundance of both shaded and sunny areas. Located a three-minute free shuttle ride away, the resort's private beach club on the Java Sea features water sports and a cafe-bar with food and drinks. With a kids' club and children's pool, the resort is a good pick for families with children -- we saw plenty of kids running about when we visited -- and generally attracts those who want to save a bit of money by staying at a less luxe resort away from the water.

Courtyard by Marriott Bali Nusa Dua is centrally located in the Bali Tourism Development Complex area, a three-minute drive or 10-minute walk west of its own private beach and the Java Sea. The Bali Collection, with high-end shopping, dining, and entertainment center, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. It's a four-minute drive or 15-minute walk to the Museum Pasifika and the Nusa Dua Theatre, which has colorful Devdan dancing and acrobatic shows. The Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center is a five-minute drive away, and the Water Blow -- a rock formation on the sea that creates photo-worthy splashes when punded by surf -- is just seven minutes away by car. It's about 15 minutes by car to get to Tanjung Benoa Beach, a popular spot for water skiing, banana rides, wake-boarding, scuba diving, and sea turtle watching. The local ferry and cruise dock is also a 15-minute drive from the resort. Ngurah Rai International Airport takes under 20 minutes to reach.

Housed in a four-floor building, the 246 rooms at the Courtyard have a contemporary, minimalist feel, with a slate-blue, brown, beige, and gray color palette. All are spacious, and entry-level Deluxe Rooms start at 35 square meters (377 square feet). The look is appropriate for the hotel's tropical location, but ultimately the bland abstract wall art and invariable design scheme from room to room feels a bit generic, albeit far nicer than many Courtyards we've come across in our travels. Light wood furniture looks sharp and has stone and granite countertops, and seating has subtly mod silhouettes. Suites offer additional space including a proper seating area and a dining table, but more windows would have made all of the rooms feel a bit brighter. 

All rooms come with air-conditioning, safes, and free bottled water along with minibars and electric kettles for tea and coffee. Flat-screen TVs have HBO and other American cable channels, and all rooms have balconies or terraces, some with pool views. Some rooms also have iPod docks. Marble bathrooms are spacious and bright, with bathrobes and slippers; suite bathrooms have separate walk-in showers and tubs. 

The Courtyard is not located right on the beach, but it does offer a private beach club on Nusa Dua Beach (Pantai Mengiat), a three-minute free shuttle ride or 10-minute walk away. The waters closer to the beach are generally calm and good for swimming and snorkeling, while the waves farther out can be surfed or body-boarded. Tour operators offer glass-bottom boat rides and fishing trips. The resort's beach club serves comfort food and drinks, and offers happy hour specials and sunset dinners.

Back at the resort, guests can swim in a huge freeform lagoon pool, bordered by a children's pool and deck with sunny and shaded sections. There's also a poolside bar with light meals and drinks. A kids' club features sand castle-building, storytelling, movies, Balinese dress up, and arts and crafts. The spa has a decent menu of massages, facials, and scrubs, while the spacious 24-hour fitness center comes with a good range of cardio and weight equipment. Personal training is also available (for a fee). The resort has no hot tub, sauna, or steam room.

The breakfast buffet is of fairly good quality, and offers a fresh noodle station, cooked-to-order eggs, cold cuts, cereal, breads, yogurts, fruit, and beverages. Breakfast is not included in room rates. The cafe serves international cuisine for lunch and dinner, and offers outdoor dining and Indonesian and Balinese buffets. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The resort also has bicycle rentals, a convenience store, a business center, meeting rooms, a concierge desk, free valet parking, and free Wi-Fi.