Akmani Legian

Located on a busy street lined with shops, cafes, and massage parlors, the Akmani Legian is easy to miss. Housed in a skinny white building, the hotel has a small entrance partially hidden behind one of its two restaurants, and the white sign bearing its name doesn't quite stand out among the many neon lights and banners lining the narrow sidewalks. Past the entrance, the hotel has a relaxing, serene vibe, with lots of greenery and a minimalist design in contrasting dark and off-white tones. The lobby is an airy space, with dark wooden floors and a mix of black classic furniture and white minimalist couches. Delicate latticework panels with a lotus flower design, and an accent wall covered in differently sized pieces of wood become recurring design motifs throughout the hotel, and lend it a softer, local charm. At the end of the front desk is a small koi pond with three skinny statues of men playing instruments, and across from it is the lobby’s most striking feature: a wall covered in plants lining the stairs to the rooftop. Many of the surrounding hotels cater to young partiers due to the area’s hopping nightlife and dining scene, but this property draws couples as well as families with a more low-key vibe, a small kids’ club, and a spa with treatments for two. 

The Akmani Legian is located on a busy street lined with small shops, cafes, salons, and bars. The area is lively and draws all types of travelers, from young partiers to families and beach-goers. It only takes eight minutes to walk to the closest section of the beach. The Bali Bombings Memorial, built at the site of the 2002 attacks, is a five-minute walk from the hotel, while Kuta, home to a hopping nightlife scene and lots of restaurants and shops, is just a 10-minute drive south. Seminyak’s famous restaurants and beach clubs, including Ku De Ta and Potato Head, are a 20- to 30-minute drive. Ngurah Rai International Airport can be reached in about 15 minutes.

The hotel has 154 rooms, all with contemporary decor in a light color palette with a few pops of chocolate brown. Pale-wood laminate floors, night stands, and headboards, along with matching curtains keep the compact spaces from looking too cramped. Every room has at least a couple of stylish touches -- such as flat-screen TVs mounted on reclaimed wooden planks, textured accent walls, and rustic dark-wood desks with Balinese silhouettes that add some local charm. Classic Rooms are the only category without balconies, but all rooms have free Wi-Fi, king-size beds, mini-fridges, safes, electric kettles, air-conditioning, and free bottled water. Bathrooms in Classic Rooms are simple, sharp, and tight, with white tiling, walk-in showers, and contemporary fixtures and hardware. Grand Deluxe Rooms have balconies, as well as larger bathrooms with separate soaking tubs and showers with stylish wooden accent walls. Grand Deluxe units on the ground floor have small decks with double loungers and direct access to the pool. Suites have larger outdoor spaces, each with a whirlpool and loungers, a living room with a LED TV and a couch, and a small bar area with a sink and a microwave. 

A long, skinny pool lined with plants, frangipani, and palm trees runs through the middle of the property. There are a few white loungers and umbrellas, a small statue of an angel playing a horn, and a round infinity-edge plunge pool cascading into the main pool. A nice breakfast spread is served every morning at Terrace Restaurant, which also offers an international menu for all other meals on the fifth floor. Tasty halal Indonesian street food is served at aptly named Streetfood, located right by the main entrance and offering sidewalk seating. Ula Spa provides body treatments in a small space with a bright-blue and white color scheme. A handful of cardio and strength-training machines can be found in the small indoor-outdoor fitness center, but the room has no windowpanes and can get hot during the day. 

The feature that sets The Akmani Legian apart is its rooftop deck, which has a long, shallow pool complete with a swim-up bar, and a lounge area with day beds and drinks service. This spot is a favorite among guests for its low-key vibe and great views. The hotel also offers five meeting rooms, a small business center, and a colorful kids’ club with toys. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, but there's a fee for airport transport service. Free valet parking is available.