The Stones Hotel - Legian Bali, Autograph Collection

The Stones Hotel is situated across the road from Legian Beach, and with its contemporary interiors and prime location, it remains a popular choice for the area -- particularly for those seeking out Marriott's name-brand standards. The style is contemporary throughout the hotel, with ample wood and natural stone giving everything a sleek finish alongside details like artsy Balinese-inspired pillars in the lobby. A few tastefully deployed local patterns used in seating help give everything a bit more local flare, but this isn't the hotel for those looking for traditional Balinese decor and design. Given its perennial popularity, this hotel can be busy for much of the high season. Guests gather around the huge outdoor pool, a visually inviting space with a swim-up bar and landscaped deck with tall palm trees, shrubs, and vertical gardens on a white wall. The hotel's bars and restaurants, likewise sharp and modern, are also popular with guests, who come from a wide swath of backgrounds. Couples are drawn to the romantic setting around the pool, while families with children benefit from the kids' club, pool, and nearby beach. With its extensive meeting space, The Stones also sees plenty of business travelers.

The Stones Hotel is located across Jalan Pantai Kuta road from the southern tip of Legian Beach, adjacent to Kuta and Kuta Beach. It's a two-minute drive or 10-minute walk to the area's main road, Jalan Legian, and there are many shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs a short walk away. Jalan Melasti shopping street will take five minutes to reach on foot, while the big Beachwalk Mall shopping complex is a little over a five-minute walk. The Sky Garden Bali entertainment complex and the Ground Zero Monument to the victims of the 2002 Sari Club bombing are a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk away. It will take 10 minutes by car to reach the Kuta Art Market, 3D Dream Museum Zone of interactive 3D art, and the 200-year-old Vihara Dharmayana Buddhist temple. Waterborn Bali water park is a little over a 10-minute drive from the hotel, popular with families who are staying here Expect a 15-minute drive to Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Rooms and suites at The Stones Hotel have a minimalist contemporary look, with a white, light gray, and beige palette that looks fresh and breezy. Accents like angular black pendant lighting add a funky touch, but it's worth noting that travelers looking for typical Balinese decor won't find many local touches here. Walls are largely undecorated and the all-white bedding creates a clean and peaceful aesthetic. The key asset of the rooms is space: regular rooms range from 344 square feet (32 square meters) to 646 square feet (60 square meters), while suites range from 742 square feet (69 square meters) to 1,173 square feet (109 square meters) in size. 

All 308 rooms come with minibars (with room for cold storage), free bottled water, electric kettles for instant coffee and tea, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs with a wide range of international and English channels (including CNN and HBO). Rooms also feature plug-in panels on the TV to connect personal electronic devices. Some rooms have espresso machines, and all have air-conditioning. Many rooms also have balconies, some of which have pool views and others with jetted tubs. Suites feature sitting areas. The tan marble bathrooms are attractive, and some are partially open to the living area. They feature bathrobes, slippers, and lighted make-up mirrors. All have rainfall showers, but only some have separate bathtubs. All rooms are non-smoking, and hotel has designated outdoor areas for smoking.

The Stones Hotel is right across the road from Legian Beach, which is home to surfing, beach cafes, and gorgeous sunsets. For those looking to stay on-site to get wet, the hotel has an excellent outdoor pool. It's huge, and there's generally plenty of room in the water for guests to get in a good swim. Some sunbeds rest right on top of the water, and the deck also has numerous lounge chairs as well as some thatched-roof cabanas and a lawn section with hammocks. It can occasionally be difficult to get a seat at peak times, and the pool also has a swim-up bar. There's a bar on the deck as well, and occasionally a staff member will paddle around in a small boat and hand out free non-alcoholic drinks. 

A number of activities are available to keep both old and young guests occupied. The spa offers a range of authentic Balinese treatments plus massages, scrubs, wraps, facials, and foot baths. A 24-hour fitness center is handy for working off any excessive indulgences, and there's a kids' club with face painting, puppet making, movies, and video games. 

Dining is a standout at the hotel as well. A la carte and buffet breakfasts (both for a fee) are available, with the ample buffet spread offering an egg station, local dishes, and even ice cream. The main restaurant features an open kitchen and serves international fare in a European cafe setting. The hotel also has a pool-facing seafood grill restaurant and an authentic Indonesian restaurant featuring communal dining. 24-hour room service is available. It's worth noting that drinks in the hotel's several bars tend to be expensive, especially when compared to the local bars. The Stones also has a concierge desk, free parking, wedding hosting, and over 25,000 square feet of meeting space. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.