Wina Holiday Villa Kuta Bali

The Wina Holiday Villa is a quiet choice in the center of Kuta, and there's a nice dose of traditional Balinese design throughout the hotel. The grounds and buildings are filled with locally made sculptures and wall carvings, and landscaping is pleasant. Still, the budget nature of the property shows through, and some open areas are covered in unattractive artificial turf. That look continues indoors, where dark wood, cheap furniture, and artificial flowers all combine to create a dated impression. As a simple property, there isn't much to the hotel, though it has enough to make it a decent home base for a couple of days, especially for those wanting to be near the bustling beach scene. The partly open-air Legenda restaurant sits in a space dominated by brown pillars and tan-wood tables -- the pool views are a plus, but the old-fashioned buffet equipment and signs do not inspire. The Beji Bar has couches under a thatched roof, with attractive drapes and Balinese sculptures guarding the entrance -- the book corner and pool views contribute to its relaxed vibe. Expect to see an even mix of couples and families here, all drawn by the mostly peaceful ambience.

Reached by a quiet alleyway, the Wina Holiday Villa Hotel is centrally located in North Kuta. It's a five-minute walk to Kuta Beach, and also five minutes on foot to the popular Beachwalk Mall. Plenty of other tourist shops, restaurants, and bars are all around, and the Hard Rock Cafe is about a 15-minute walk down the beach. Quieter Seminyak Beach is about a 25-minute drive from the hotel, near Double Six Beach, which is popular with surfers. Expect an hour-long drive to iconic sights like Tanah Lot temple. Bali Ngurah International Airport is about a 20-minute drive away, though traffic can change that figure.

While there's nothing gravely wrong with the rooms here, they won't inspire the kind of breezy tropical dreams that many visitors to Bali have upon landing on the island. Lower-category rooms, like the Deluxe and Superior Rooms, are furnished with cheap flat-box furniture, outdated fabrics, and garish tropical paintings that all contribute to their budget vibe. Suites, which range from Junior to Presidential, are a bit nicer and include elegant carved four-poster beds, Balinese wall art, and handsome hardwood furniture (some of which does clash with cheaper pressboard pieces). Both categories have balconies, which include dark-wood daybeds, tub seating, and small tables in suites.

All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and safes. The free Wi-Fi can be spotty. Guests complain about noise that travels between rooms, and rooms closest to the restaurant get particularly noisy during breakfast hours. Travelers recommend top-floor rooms at the back of the hotel, close to the Mandala Pool, which are quieter, but they require a climb up steep stairs. Gaps around the door frames sometimes let in mosquitoes. 

Bathrooms also vary a bit in style -- those in Deluxe Rooms are actually nicer than some higher-category rooms -- but all have shower/tub combos, a decent amount of counter space, a range of simple toiletries. Guests have also complained about inconsistent housekeeping, and unpleasant bathroom odors.

Features here aren't surprising for the area, though at least the standard amenities are on offer, helping to make this a reasonable value for its low rates. The small Mandala Pool sits amid trees, with a swim-up bar at one end of the pool, which is near an outdoor playground. The hotel’s larger pool also has a whirlpool, and there's a handful of seating around the perimeter. Breakfast, which is not included in all room rates, is served in the Legenda restaurant, which slings Indonesian, Malaysian, and other international fare throughout the day. The Beji Bar offers drinks and light meals. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Spa services include massages, body scrubs, and hair and nail treatments. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, but the signal is touch and go.