Ion Bali Benoa Hotel

Among the many hotels lining the Tanjung Benoa coast, the Ion Bali Benoa is one of the cheapest, most cheerful mid-range options. The entrance, marked by just a tiny sign pointing down a narrow residential lane off the main road in the peninsula, is easy to miss, but the building itself is easily recognizable. It features big ornamental metal screens made up of dozens of white circles of different sizes running down the entire facade, and overgrown plants hang from the second-floor pool deck. Stylish wooden accents and an array of streamlined chairs and couches with soft lines and plenty of colorful pillows set the vibe in the lobby for an unpretentious, casual stay. Interiors are contemporary and cheerful throughout, with lots of pops of lime green, laminate floors, and an airy layout that leaves most of the common spaces open to the elements. 

Although it opened in 2013, the hotel is already showing signs of wear in common areas, such as chipped paint and water damage on walls. We saw some maintenance works during our stay, but they seemed to be minor and cosmetic. The vibe is laid-back here, and while the dining room -- which is just an extension of the lobby -- keeps the reception area buzzing with people in the morning, the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing when the many Thai and Chinese groups that stay at the Ion leave for the day. 

The Ion Bali Benoa Hotel has some of the lowest rates in the area, but rooms are too tight to comfortably fit an extra bed, so families on a budget may want to consider the Mahogany Hotel instead, which has a few Family Rooms and a pleasant pool. Its location on the Airport Bypass is a little isolated, though. Families and groups with a slightly bigger budget may want to compare rates at the Grand Whiz Hotel Nusa Dua, which features a number of four-bedroom villas with private pools, and easy walking access to the beach. The more expensive Tanjung Benoa Beach Resort Bali is a decent alternative with resort-style amenities, including two pools, two restaurants, a spa, and a fitness center. 

Ion Bali Benoa Hotel is located on a narrow lane off the main drag in Tanjung Benoa. The road is lined with mini-marts, restaurants, spa parlors, and beachfront resorts, and although it is fairly quiet compared to other parts of Bali, there is a lot of foot traffic in the area. The nearest beach is just an easy five-minute walk away, across the street, but it is a popular water-sports area, and swimming is not recommended. The hotel offers free shuttle service to a few other local beaches, as well as to the famous Bali Collection mall, home to dozens of restaurants and shops. The property is about a half-hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport via the toll road.

The hotel has 150 rooms, all decorated with laminate floors, simple wooden furniture with minimalist lines, and a colorful turquoise, lime green, and white color scheme that gives rooms a fresh, cheerful feel. Big mural photos of surfers, and bright accent pillows with words such as Smile, Waves, Surfing, and Beach are fun touches in every room. Although big floor-to-ceiling windows and open-floor bathrooms add some visual space, the hotel’s 270-square-foot rooms are compact. Cots are available for children, but it can get uncomfortably tight with two beds in such a small space. 

Beds are big and some of the most comfortable we have slept on in a mid-range hotel in Bali -- and certainly the best in this price range. Our mattress was plush and thick and topped with a light duvet, crisp white linens, and two fluffy pillows. In-room amenities are good for the price, consisting of air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with a few international channels, and safes. Mini-fridges come empty, but bottled water is provided daily free of charge, and all rooms feature electric kettles with free tea and coffee. Wi-Fi is also provided free throughout the hotel, but while it was reliable and strong during the day, we kept getting kicked out of the network in the evening. 

Bathrooms are cute and clean, with mosaic tiles in either lime green or turquoise around the sink area, several round mirrors, and spacious walk-in showers. However, the toilet and shower cabins have frosted glass doors only, which may make some guests feel uncomfortable.

Located on the second-floor deck, the freeform pool is medium-sized and pleasant. It features a small swim-up bar with a few underwater stools, a separate kiddy area, and a compact wooden deck with a few loungers and umbrellas. There is also a couple of tables where guests can order food that is delivered from the main restaurant at no extra charge. Room rates include an average breakfast that comprises a handful of Asian items, such as fried rice, noodles, and soup, along with made-to-order eggs and pancakes. The lunch and dinner menus offer mostly Indonesian dishes along with a few sandwiches. 

The rooftop area offers stunning 360-degree views of the area, from the beach on the east to the lagoon and the airport on the west. There used to be a full bar with a food menu there, but it was closed for good when we visited and the owner said there were no plans to reopen it in the near future. It is still possible to go up there to enjoy the view, though.