White Rose Kuta Resort, Villas & Spa

The White Rose’s grounds feel like something of a secret garden, with well-tended lawns and a water fountain accented with animal statues that shoot water from their mouths. The hotel's presentable, low-rise cream-and-brown exterior has a local feel, and the entrance has a pagoda-like design. The bright, spacious lobby has high ceilings, local flower arrangements, and an interior balcony with an attractive black railing, dark-wood-panel edging, and an elaborate staircase -- but overall the space still feels somewhat impersonal and generic. The attractive curved pool, surrounded by rooms and tree-lined lawns, complements a smaller, shallow pool and an elevated whirlpool (with fountain), but the tiling is old and discolored in places. Wood-framed padded sunbeds sit under large and attractive modern parasols. The partly open-air spa feels stylish and intimate, and treatment rooms are especially stunning. Open-air Lotus restaurant and Bunut Cafe are generally bright and attractive, while Tulip Lounge has a garishly clashing color scheme and dated marble-like flooring. Most guests here are couples and families on vacation. 

The White Rose is centrally located in the midst of Kuta’s nightlife scene, as well as being close to numerous local restaurants and opportunities for shopping. The memorial to the Bali bombing is within a couple minutes' walk. Kuta Beach is 15 minutes away on foot, or a short taxi ride. Bali’s international airport is just a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

There’s a mixed bunch of rooms to choose from at the White Rose. Dated Deluxe Rooms feature dark-wood furniture (including desks), and there’s unattractive white-and-gray marble-style flooring. Walls are plain white, and there’s little in the way of other furnishings. Large floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of light. Spacious bathrooms have sleek cream tiling and long black marble vanities; walk-in open showers feature attractive black-and-gray mosaic tiling and fixed showerheads. Small balconies have dark-wood tables and carved armchairs. Balconies face directly onto the gardens, so ground-floor rooms have little privacy. 

Duplex two-bedroom Family Suites have modern marble-style flooring, black-wood furniture, stylish turquoise ceiling-height fabric headboards, and pale-purple accents that contrast with white walls. Further personality comes from beam-effect ceiling features, elegant French doors, and local artwork. Living areas have stylish sofas, and there are secluded, garden-facing balconies off here and bedrooms, with white-brick-effect walls, and low, dark-wood tables and chairs.

Best of all, Pool Villas have stylish beds with cream drapes and dark-wood and cream-brown furniture. Chic, spacious bathrooms have black-wood cabinets and cream marble flooring, double sinks, and freestanding tubs surrounded by glass walls; plus glass-framed walk-in rainfall showers. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors lead to private courtyards with tropical greenery and elegant private plunge pools, plus dark-wicker daybeds. Gates feature traditional Balinese design, framed by local sculptures.

Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen cable TVs (DVD players in Pool Villas), safes, mini-fridges (minibars on request), coffee- and tea-making facilities, and bathrobes and slippers. Noise (from other rooms, the pool, and nearby bars and nightclubs) can be a problem until early morning. Some rooms are only accessible using stairs. Unsealed doors mean mosquitoes can be problematic and there are some reports of housekeeping issues.

Extensive facilities include an outdoor pool and hot tubs, but there are some maintenance issues, and scoring a sunbed can be tricky. The attractive spa offers various treatments, while the gym includes extensive but dated cardio equipment and free weights. The included breakfast buffet offers a good variety, including local dishes. Bunut Cafe serves all-day international cuisine, plus afternoon tea. Tulip Lounge offers juices and cocktails until late evening, and there’s daily entertainment, plus 24-hour room service. Reliable Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. A small business center offers a computer.