Jl. Seminyak 188, Seminyak, Indonesia
In downtown Seminyak -- walk to the beach, bars, and restaurants
Lush garden grounds with tall palm trees
Private villas with kitchenettes and plunge pools
All villas feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks
Large main pool with a spacious deck
A relaxed bar and restaurant that overlook the pool
Free buffet breakfast served poolside or delivered to villas
Free afternoon snacks with tea or coffee
Spa with clean treatment rooms containing large soaking tubs
Free shuttle service to nearby areas departs twice daily
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Villas have visible wear and tear
The hotel restaurant is a little outdated and overpriced
Not located directly on the beach
Sun Islands Villas & Spa is a three-and-a-half-pearl all-villa property located in downtown Seminyak. Despite its city-center location, the hotel is calm, and the beach is a 12-minute walk away. The grounds are filled with flowers and tall trees, providing plenty of shade from the tropical sun. The property contains 21 villas, with single-room and two-bedroom options. All are simple and modern, and come with plunge pools, small garden verandahs, free Wi-Fi, and kitchenettes. However, a deep scrub might come in handy around some of the private pools. Features are limited to a large central pool, a restaurant and bar, and a small spa. For those who don't mind being farther from the beach, the the villas and suites at Uma Sapna are more stylish, though rates are higher.
Scene
Quiet and intimate villa-only property with green, tropical grounds
Stepping in off the busy main road and into the quiet and tranquil setting of the Sun Island Villas is a refreshing respite from the hectic streets of Legian and Seminyak. The pathways that lead to the rooms, restaurants, and pool are lined with beautiful tropical plants and flowers. Villas have tall walls surrounding them, making them feel intimate and private, which is part of the reason the hotel is popular with couples. While the romance of a villa stay is undeniable, there are also two-bedroom villas here that are great for families or groups of friends. There aren't a ton of common areas, but the hotel's pool area is a relaxing space for guests when they want to leave the privacy of their own villa's plunge-pools. Having only 21 villas on the property means that the pool and common spaces tend to stay quiet and low key, and the overall ambiance throughout the hotel is peaceful and tranquil.
Location
In downtown Seminyak, an easy walk to the beach, popular restaurants, bars, and shops
Sun Island Villas & Spa are ideally located in downtown Seminyak, near Jalan Legian, where many popular nightclubs and bars can be found. The Bintang Supermarket is a two-minute walk -- handy for stocking kitchens -- and it's less than a five-minute walk to restaurants like Ryoshi and Grain Bali. Designer boutiques and handicraft stores are all just outside the hotel's door as well. Double Six Beach is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and is a slightly quieter alternative to wilder Kuta Beach. The beach is especially popular at sunset hour, when beach-shack styled bars like La Plancha get packed. There are also trendier options like Cocoon Beach Club, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. A few popular nightclubs and bars are located within walking distance from the hotel, but most of the nightlife on Jalan Legian is located a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Attractions such as Kuta Beach, the Beachwalk Mall, and Waterbom Bali are a 20- to 30-minute drive away. The airport takes about 25 minutes to reach by taxi, though driving times may vary as traffic can be unpredictable.
Rooms
Modern villas with kitchenettes, plunge pools, and verandahs, though they are a bit worn
Villas are modern and spacious, though the best feature is the privacy offered by the tall walls surrounding them. Entrances and verandahs are lined with heliconias, palms, and tropical greenery, and once inside, the style is simple. Sleek black tiles line the floors and the white walls are hung with just one or two bright paintings. Furniture is generally black and has clean lines, and low platform beds have colorful throws. It's worth noting that we did spot a bit of wear throughout the villas, and areas like the pools and terraces could use a deep scrub. The private pools come standard, but can be a bit chilly, and all villas have large sliding doors that open up onto verandahs. Single-room or two-bedroom villas are both available. Standard features include kitchenettes, iPod docks, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, air-conditioning, safes, and free Wi-Fi. All are spacious, with entry-level Pool Villas starting at 1,400 square feet (130 square meters). Bathrooms are partitioned from the bedroom with a sheet of glass, and while tubs and vanities are open to the villas, toilets and showers are private. Expect to see lots of black Corian, white tiling, and plenty of space for storage.
Features
A garden pool, spa, and poolside restaurant and bar
Sun Island Villas & Spa is a small property with only a few facilities. The pool is one of the best features of the hotel -- it's spacious and surrounded by tall trees. The large pool deck is lined with comfy lounge-chairs shaded by umbrellas. Overlooking the pool is the hotel restaurant and bar, which serves a free buffet breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. The menu consists of Western, Asian, and Balinese dishes, and the dining room is a bit dated. Additionally, the food is a little overpriced and there are many other great restaurants near the hotel. Free snacks are served with afternoon coffee and tea as well. The small spa has a few private treatment rooms that are clean and have large soaking tubs, which are a favorite feature of previous guests. Various massage and spa packages are available. Free parking is provided and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There's also a free limited shuttle to area destinations -- check with the hotel for times.