Andaz Bali – Hotel Review

A triumphant reclamation of the gardens of its neighbour, Hyatt Regency, Andaz Bali is a property that braids itself around established trees, shaded pathways and tranquil pools. Add friendly staff and delicious food and you have a charming stay in central Sanur. Read on for the full review.

Life seems to grind to a delightfully slow pace at Andaz. Mornings typically begin with the peaceful tinkling of a live performance of the gamelan (local xylophone) at the Village Square, a relaxed courtyard ringed by tables and lounges where the hotel’s main four eateries spill out onto a shared green space. From there, you can skip from sun lounger to sun lounger, swapping the searing sun for the shade of a Banyan tree until sunset.

Where is Andaz Bali? 

Just back from the main road running through the laid back seaside town of Sanur on Bali’s south east coast, Andaz stretches from street to sea. It’s about 25 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport (if you don’t hit traffic).

What’s near Andaz Bali?

Anchored by the seaside, Sanur’s main attraction is the shoulder of beaches that reaches down its eastern edge. If you’re keen to explore the town, Sanur’s cafes, snack carts and boutiques are right outside the hotel’s entrance. The lively Sindhu Night Market, a hub of street food stalls, red plastic chairs and piles of souvenirs, is about seven minutes away by car.

Room types 

No stay experience is the same at Andaz, where rooms and suites are situated in varyingly tranquil sections punctuated by lily-pad-adorned ponds or tree-shaded pools. One common denominator is space: even the smallest room is a generous 66 square metres, with a lovely balcony overlooking the gardens, ocean or one of the lagoon-style pools (with direct access, if you opt for a suite on the ground floor). Villas are grand, with enormous bathrooms and soaking tubs, kitchenettes, outdoor and indoor dining areas and peaceful gardens. 

Restaurants and bars 

The Village Square forms the hub of the hotel’s dining experiences, adopting a “roaming” concept where four eateries essentially fold into one dining space. It also forgoes the often overwhelming buffet for a fresh and delicious array of à la carte options (chia puddings laden with fresh tropical fruit, as well as Indonesian broths and the standard egg configurations). Kids can race untethered around the Village Square green, while couples sip coffee undisturbed on nearby lounges – it all works harmoniously, thanks to the open and welcoming layout. 

The delicious Wok Wok dishes up incredible Indonesian (with, thankfully, no dulling of spice), Blue Oven offers Mediterranean fare such as seafood paella and pumpkin gnocchi, while Fire Fox moonlights as a steakhouse with a short and sharp menu and an East Asian twist – the meat may be Australian but the spicy “Foxy” sauce is from somewhere else entirely. 

Travel for work

On the edge of the Village Square, there’s an open lounge area offering comfy seating and complimentary beverages — coffee, tea, cordials — at any hour. If there are emails to be sent, grab a seat at the long desk-esque bench, grab a long black and try not to be distracted by the jingling sound of the lovely weathervane as it spins above the hotel grounds. 

Spa, gym and pool

Andaz’s Shankha Spa forms an entire wing of the hotel, with a separate pool, an abundance of private lounging areas, a sauna, steam rooms and cold plunge pools. In place of treatment rooms are treatment villas – expansive pavilions with open-air circular soaking tubs and, at the centre, beds and lounges where the relaxation (from warm river stone massages to personalised yoga sessions) takes place.

What you need to know

The adorable kids’ club, centred around a basket-weave “treehouse” installation, is surrounded by walled gardens and an outdoor pavilion for activities. There’s also an expansive shallow pool with fountains for supervised splashing.

SEE ALSO: 18 of the Best Luxury Villas in Bali to Bookmark