Swiss-Belresort Watu Jimbar

Sanur has seen its share of large-scale hotels in recent years, and the Swiss-Belresort -- a mid-rise property that sits off of Jalan Danau Tamblingan -- is every bit the cookie-cutter hotel that's sprouting everywhere in southern Bali these days. For group tours and travelers who value a pool-and-bar scene above all else, this property will fit the bill. Common areas are big and impressive, from the soaring lobby that buzzes with guests all day, to the stunning multi-level pool that's ringed with guests into the night. There's also a hopping pool bar and an open-air restaurant -- both of which drew plenty of guests during our visit. That being said, the flaws aren't easy to overlook, though most of those are in the rooms themselves. Penny-pinching policies diminish the hotel's supposedly upmarket style as well, and include deposits for a room keys and a complicated pool-towel sign-out procedure. You'll see plenty of Chinese and Indian tour groups here, as well as Australian and European families. Still, there are better options in Sanur -- even for those who prefer larger scale hotels. 

Location is one of this hotel's strong suits, even if it's not right on the beach. Thankfully, that's only a seven-minute walk away, though we'd still like to see a shuttle added, as Bali's heat can be extreme for some travelers. Keep in mind that while beach chairs there are reserved for guests, they're limited and must be requested by voucher. Otherwise, nearly every restaurant, bar, cafe, and shop in Sanur is less than 10 minutes away on foot, many just outside of the hotel's front door (check out Three Monkey's for a splurge-worthy dinner). The popular Hardy's department store is a six-minute walk south, while the Sindhu Night Market is a 12-minute walk in the opposite direction. Travelers making a day trip to Kuta or Seminyak should budget up to 40 minutes to reach those towns via taxi, while the sunset at Tanah Lot can take up to an hour or more in each direction by car. The airport is a 20- to 30-minute drive away depending on traffic.

Rooms are the biggest let down at this hotel, which is an unfortunate problem for a property with upscale aspirations. While they are nominally contemporary and certainly photograph well, they are worn and tired. You'll see dark wood furniture, shimmery gold upholstered headboards, and taupe silk fabrics alongside tiled floors. However, we saw scrapes, scratches, and stains on nearly every surface, from the furniture to the walls. It's also worth noting that any noise from the hallways makes its way directly into the rooms, and the thin walls between rooms means sounds from neighboring rooms is also audible. Standard features include free and reasonably fast Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, two bottles of water, and electric kettles for coffee or tea. All rooms also have balconies or terraces, and those on the ground floor may have hot tubs or direct access to a semi-private area of the hotel's stunning courtyard pool. Bathrooms are another major flaw here, as they lack proper doors. Instead, the toilets are sectioned off only by frosted glass panels that don't entirely wall off the space. To say privacy would be an issue is an understatement. Towels are also limited, though hairdryers and toiletry kits are available (but hidden underneath the sinks). 

While rooms are entirely disappointing here, the features do a lot to make this hotel a steady draw in Sanur. The pool is -- without a doubt -- one of the nicest that we saw during our 2017 trip. This multi-level stunner covers the entire hotel courtyard and is full of intimate nooks, livelier areas, and laid-back spots for in-water lounging. It's also ringed by more than enough chairs for the hotel's visitors. Pool towels all have numbers and must be signed in or out under threat of a hefty fine if they aren't returned. The poolside bar, with walk-up and swim-up service, is a popular spot as well, and the free welcome cocktail voucher can be redeemed here. Adjacent to the pool is the open-air restaurant, which serves the extensive breakfast buffet (for a fee). Lunch and dinner are also available, as are poolside snacks and drinks. The fitness center is clean and modern, with just a handful of cardio and weight options that make it sufficient for only a basic workout. There is no spa. A small shop on the ground level sells cakes, drinks, and souvenirs. The advertised beach club is really just a few chairs that the hotel reserves through a vendor, and guests must request vouchers in the morning to score them. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and is relatively reliable. There's also on-site parking.