Sun Island Hotel & Spa

Legian is a constant buzz of activity that just gets more amped up as the night goes on, and the Sun Island Hotel is situated right in the middle of the fray. This is either a good or bad thing, depending on what travelers are looking for, though for those staying at Sun Island, this seems to be a blessing. Given its location, the hotel offers a solid value, especially considering how modern and fresh it is. The lobby is stylish and contemporary, with beautiful ironwood timber details and art installations hanging from the ceilings. It's details like the living green walls located throughout the lobby that help set this hotel apart from the competition, though features like two pools, a large spa, and trendy restaurant also help. One of the major features here is Topix Asia Bar and Restaurant, which has three distinct spaces, including the open-air street-side section that's always bustling with travelers staying at the hotel and elsewhere in Legian. Families do occasionally stay at the Sun Island, but the hotel predominantly caters to young couples, single travelers, and groups of friends. It can be loud, given the younger clientele and their party-hard agendas. 

The hotel is located in the heart of Bali's busiest tourist hub, Legian. The area is famous for it's wild nightlife and parties, but also offers a great selection of restaurants and shops, all within walking distance from the hotel. Popular Legian nightclubs such as Sky Garden and Mbargo are a short five-minute walk from the hotel and Kuta Beach is just 10 minutes away on foot. There's an authorized money changer on-site, and a 24-hour mini-mart is just across the road. From the airport, the hotel is a 20-minute drive. It's important to clarify to your driver that the hotel is located in Legian, as the chain has four other properties in Bali. Additionally, the small hotel sign is also easy to miss, so look out for the Love F Hotel, which is located directly next door.

When stacked up against neighboring budget and mid-range hotels, the Sun Island is a sharp alternative that's still reasonably priced. In large part, that's due to the contemporary rooms. Decor includes mid-tone wood-veneer furniture, artistic metal light fixtures, carved wooden headboards, and attractively patterned accent walls in brown and yellow hues. The look is simple, but attractive, though it's worth noting that rooms aren't well soundproofed -- the noise from nearby nightclubs can be an issue.

Standard features include flat-screen TVs with satellite and cable channels, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, coffee- and tea-making facilities, bathrobes, rubber sandals, and safes. Superior Rooms are a little compact, with 236-square-foot floor plans (22 square meters), but they're well arranged to maximize space, and the large sliding glass doors let in plenty of natural light. Suites have more than double the space of the Superior Rooms and contain living areas with larger work desks, glass coffee tables, and comfy modern sofas. Bathrooms are attractive across the board, with mosaic-tile walk-in rainfall showers in Superior Rooms, and dual-sink vanities, tan marble surfaces, and separate tubs and showers in Suite bathrooms. 

The hotel features two pools, both with adjoining bars that serve snacks, light meals, and drinks. The main infinity pool has a swim-up bar and can get crowded at times, but the surrounding deck is large and has plenty of seating options. A smaller and shallower dipping pool is located on the roof, and there is adjacent seating, but there's no shade and it can get scorchingly hot in the middle of the day. Still, it's a beautiful place to take in the sunset and can also be rented out for private functions and weddings. The spa is spacious and tranquil, with immaculate rooms well-suited to pampering -- natural wood furniture, leather chairs and marble accents are featured throughout. There are also couples' treatment rooms. 

Topix Asia Restaurant & Bar is a hotspot at all hours of the day and night. The breakfast buffet is included in the room rates and has a large selection of both Asian and Western foods, but the quality is mediocre. Dishes on the lunch and dinner menu are reasonably priced and well-liked, and the cocktails offered during happy hour are affordable. Live bands perform at the restaurant almost nightly, and during rugby and soccer season the bar projects sporting events onto a large screen. Flavored Shisha water pipes are also available. Other features include an on-site money exchange and free Wi-Fi. Meeting and events space are also available.