Ramayana Resort & Spa

A welcoming, friendly atmosphere emanates throughout this modern-meets-traditional hotel. The property comprises clean white buildings with pitched gray-shingled roofs for a contemporary play on authentic Balinese architecture. Dark wood floors, a wooden ceiling, and rattan furniture with stylish purple and green cushions decorate the lobby, which has many potted plants and an open-air design that allows for views of the tropically landscaped grounds. 

The Gabah Restaurant and Bar, where breakfast is served, is large and calming, with wood and rattan furniture, decorative tiled floors, and bamboo accents, all in shades of warm beige. There's a long bar made of red stone, and a rectangular fountain divides the interior from the outdoor terrace with additional seating. Red couches tie to Balinese statues and artwork in the Resort Club Lounge, while the Rama Spa combines carved stone walls with bamboo ceilings, dark wood, and stunning stone soaking tubs filled with colorful flower petals. Koi ponds and tropical greenery are found throughout the grounds of the property, which tends to draw lots of couples and families on vacation. 

The Ramayana Resort & Spa offers easy access to a range of activities. Within a five minutes' walk, guests can reach Kuta Beach, Kuta Square, Kuta Art Market, and numerous restaurants and shops. Discovery Shopping Mall is seven minutes away on foot, while guests seeking insight into local history can reach the Bali Bombing Memorial in 15 minutes on foot. Seminyak Beach and Legian Beach are 20 minutes away by car. Ngurah Rai International Airport is a 10-minute drive from the resort.

Rooms feel contemporary, but with nods to authentic Balinese style. Decor combines traditional textiles and artwork with heavy wood furniture -- including desks and cushioned armchairs -- and clean tile floors. However, it's this flooring that can make rooms feel not quite as upscale as one may expect at a four-pearl property. 

Each room has tea/coffee facilities, a minibar, flat-screen TV, DVD player, safe, and air-conditioning. Bottled water is free, and bathrobes and slippers are also provided. Some rooms have balconies with daybeds, while cottages have pool views, and Resort Club Rooms offer connecting rooms. Brightly lit bathrooms are tiled in tan and have shower/tub combos and Rama Spa toiletries. There are TVs above the bathtubs in Resort Clubs Rooms. Some rooms do get traffic noise, or noise from the on-site pools. 

Two outdoor pools are available to guests, and both are surrounded by greenery and lined with nicely cushioned lounge chairs. Guests can sip cocktails -- or take a mixology class -- at Jepun poolside bar. There are six restaurants available to guests, and all are well-reviewed. Authentic Indonesian cuisine, as well as a buffet breakfast, is served at Gabah Restaurant and Bar. Stadium Cafe has a sports bar-style atmosphere and comparable dishes. Traditional and fusion Japanese fare is offered at Bluefin. Flapjaks caters to sweet-toothed guests with pancakes, waffles, and gelato. Cantonese and Chinese dishes are on offer at Seafood House. Pastas and pizzas are available at Al Dente Italian Kitchen & Bar. The Resort Club Lounge (only for Resort Club Room guests) has free coffee, tea, and snacks, while the Gabah Terrace Lounge hosts live music on some days. 

The full-service Rama Spa has couples' and individual treatment rooms, a reflexology room, poolside massages, and a beauty salon. On-site classes range from relaxation to Balinese dance; some incur fees. A computer and printer are available in the lounge business center, and 24-hour room service is available. Parking is available, but limited. Car and bike rentals are available on-site.