Legian Beach Hotel

Legian Beach Hotel is set on a lush and inviting 10-acre (four hectare) expanse of gardens, thick with shrubs, palm trees, and frangipani trees. A former Balinese temple is situated on the property, and a path leads through the trees past fish ponds to a thatched-roof wedding gazebo with Balinese statuary. The atmosphere is equal parts tranquil and upbeat, contemporary and rustic. The hotel's modern Balinese interiors make good use of wood, including soaring ceilings in the hotel's sharp lobby, outfitted with curvy wicker furniture amid walls that are open to the lovely gardens. Guests relax around the two outdoor swimming pools, situated in the heart of the greenery. One is a freeform pool with a waterfall feature, swim-up bar, and more sedate adult-only atmosphere, while the other is a larger and more conventional rectangle-shaped pool with a kids' section and livelier vibe. The hotel's beach-facing bar with large outdoor terrace is a particularly lively spot to sip a cool drink and watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean. The hotel draws a large number of Australians, but the vibe here is generally rather quiet. Repeat guests couples are frequent here, but families in particular benefit from the spacious rooms, kids' club, pool with kids' section, and location next to the beach.

Legian Beach Hotel is in a good location at the southwestern edge of Legian, just north of the Kuta border. Only a pedestrianized stretch of Jalan Pantai Kuta separates the property from Legian Beach, which is popular for sunsets and surfing as well as its cafes, live music, and beach soccer games (though there will be plenty of vendors hawking their wares too). Numerous restaurants and bars are a short walk from the hotel, and the nightlife of Jalan Legian is a little over a five-minute walk. The hotel is on Jalan Melasti shopping street, which is lined with boutiques and art shops. Alternatively, Beachwalk Mall, with its international brands, is a little over a 10-minute walk, while the Kuta Art Market is 10 minutes away by car. A distinctive piece of Balinese history, the nearly 200-year-old Vihara Dharmayana Buddhist temple is a three-minute drive or 10-minute walk from the hotel. The somber Ground Zero Monument to the victims of the 2002 Sari Club bombing will take five minutes to reach by car. Ngurah Rai International Airport is a little under a 25-minute drive from Legian Beach Hotel.

The rooms here aren't packed with character, but they have a fairly pleasant modern look. The color palette is beige, white, and black, with largely bare walls and dark wood furniture, some of which is a bit worn. A dash of pizzazz is offered by fresh flowers and Poleng checkerboard throw pillows done in black, white, and yellow. Beds have canopies with mosquito netting, and the hotel will replace the mattress with a softer one upon request (some guests have reported original mattresses to be hard). Keep in mind that some double beds are two singles pushed together. Rooms are generally quiet, but some facing the street may pick up a little noise at night. 

There's ample space to spread out, with floor plans ranging from from 344 square feet (32 square meters) to 1,012 square feet (94 square meters) in the villas. Standard features include coffee/tea makers, minibars, free Wi-Fi, CD/DVD players, iPod docks, and 32-inch or 42-inch flat-screen TVs (some rooms have one of each TV). Occasionally the Wi-Fi is slow. Some rooms have living areas and/or sofa beds, and many feature balconies or terraces with garden views. Family Rooms are two interconnected rooms, and some have a loft layout; the bungalows, which can be rented together, also make a fine option for families. Villas feature private pools set in lush courtyards. 

Spacious bathrooms are done in marble and include circular vessel sinks and tons of counter space. All have hairdryers and shower/tub combos, while villas and some bungalows have two-person jetted tubs and rainfall showers.

Legian Beach Hotel offers a generous array of features, topped by its two excellent swimming pools. The adult-only Coco Pool is large and lagoon shaped, and features a sunken swim-up bar at one end. This pool has a quieter vibe than the Frangipani Pool, which allows children. The main section is about 160 feet (50 meters) long, so it's a good spot for a genuine swim. There's a shallow kids' section and the deck has a poolside bar. Unlike at many other area hotels, the decks at both pools tend not to get crowded, and both offer enough sunbeds and towels. The hotel is across a pedestrian-only stretch of Jalan Pantai Kuta from Legian Beach, which has umbrellas and surfboards available for rental. 

The hotel's spa has a nice Balinese style plus a patio surrounded by a lush garden, plus several treatment rooms, cleansing and prayer rooms, a yoga gazebo, and a reflexology room. There's also a fitness center with a small selection of cardio machines and free weights. A colorful on-site kids' club offers children's activities include video games, arts and crafts, and Balinese dance lessons. There are no dedicated teen activities.

Dining and drinking venues are numerous, including a main restaurant serving a breakfast buffet (for a fee), featuring a cooked-to-order egg station and a wide range of Western and Indonesian items. Guests can also eat breakfast at a separate top-floor pancake and waffle bar overlooking the beach and ocean. This restaurant also serves decent-quality Western, Indonesian, and Asian fare for lunch and dinner. Another restaurant serves traditional Indonesian cuisine and candlelight dining is available. An ocean-facing outdoor restaurant serves international and Asian fare, and features nightly live entertainment and weekly Balinese dance shows. A Japanese restaurant, pizza/pasta restaurant, and ocean-view bar are also on site, and room service is available. A business corner, free Wi-Fi, an in-house medical clinic, concierge service, and free parking round out the features here.