The Kana Kuta

The bamboo-lined driveway is the only tropical touch on the exterior here, which otherwise looks as if the hotel could be anywhere. Upon entering the sleek lobby, that impression changes. Guests are greeted with cold towels and welcome drinks. Modern in style with marble floors, large artistic floral arrangements, a decorative fountain and pond, and contemporary furnishings in gray and neutral shades, The Kana Kuta gives off a city vibe, but the sweet tropical air wafts through its open configuration, and natural light, especially beautiful in the morning, streams through the lobby. 

This hotel has ample communal space, which is great for guests who like to get out of their rooms; there are plenty of sofas and lounge and patio seating areas around. Family-friendly, the hotel offers plenty of free, supervised activities for the younger set.

Located near the Ngurah Rai International Airport on a busy road that feeds into the main intersections of Kuta, this hotel is great for those who are interested in taking tours of the area or who plan to rent or hire a car for getting around. It's not the place for those who want to walk to the beach or other nearby attractions (the surrounding roads are congested and make walking feel a tad unsafe). About two miles to Kuta Beach and Tuban Beach, the property is also about 10 minutes to the Mall Bali Galeria. There isn't much directly surrounding the hotel, but a free area shuttle takes guests wherever they'd like to go in the vicinity, including the beach and Waterborn Park. 

Rooms are impeccably maintained. Minimally decorated with marble floors, light-wood paneling and furnishings, and a dark-red accent wall offset by a mounted gold-leaf sculpture, the overall look is clean, spacious, and appealing. Beds are comfy with specially made mattresses and luxe linens. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, electric kettles (with coffee and tea), and hairdryers. The bathrooms are small, and the showers are only partially enclosed, which means that the water can spill out onto the bathroom floor, making it dangerously slippery. The hotel provides flip-flops. 

Pool view rooms on higher floors are the most popular, and the quietest (some traffic noise can be heard within the hotel). There are bi-level Family Rooms and Suites, which come with bathtubs and microwaves. 

The outdoor pool is a focal point for this hotel. It's not huge, but it does have an adequate number of sun loungers and umbrellas. Just off the pool is the hotel's gym, which is tiny -- it has a pulley machine, some free weights, and only one cardio machine (so expect a wait for the treadmill).

The hotel doesn't market itself as a business hotel, but it has three meeting rooms that can also be combined into one large event space (holding up to 350 people), and event planners are available for those seeking to schedule conferences or receptions. The kids' center -- located next to the lobby -- is a colorful room with a padded play mat, games, books, and toys to keep the wee ones amused.

Seleriana, the main restaurant, overlooks the pool and serves a varied menu of Indonesian, Asian, and Western fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The free breakfast buffet has a varying menu of hot and cold items, and 24-hour room service is available. Star Anise Restaurant, located in front of the hotel with an adjacent garden, serves Indonesian fare for lunch and dinner. A Balinese dance performance accompanies dinner three times a week.