There must be hundreds upon hundreds of hotels and resorts around Bali, and many of them are listed among the world’s best lists. But why pick a humble city hotel like ibis Styles Bali Denpasar? I stayed there a couple of nights to find out.
ibis Styles Bali Denpasar isn’t located in a tourist hotspot like Kuta or Seminyak, and this makes it a very affordable city hotel. But despite being away from the tourist action, it has no shortage of restaurants, street food, shops, and convenience stores—which offer local prices and not Bali tourist prices. And like I always say, when coming to Bali more for touring, it doesn’t matter much where in the south of the island one stays, since tour prices are the same.
ibis Styles is under the AccorHotels portfolio, along with Sofitel, MGallery, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, and the ibis family. It’s an economy lifestyle hotel that focuses on delivering quality traveler essentials: a cozy bed in a nice room, an all-you-can-eat breakfast, broadband internet access, and some nice little extras. All these are offered at an affordable, all-inclusive price.
From the airport, it was a quick drive, since the roads leading to the hotel didn’t lead to the heavy traffic in Kuta, Legian, or Seminyak. I was welcomed into the hotel’s stylishly designed lobby, which had touches of indigenous Indonesian aesthetic that captured the essence of Bali’s lush nature. (I was told the owner of the hotel also owns The Royal Surakarta Heritage Solo – MGallery by Sofitel, so that explains why this hotel has a more native design inspiration.)
Notably, the property also holds the record for the most number of frangipani flowers in a hotel by the Indonesian World Record Museum.
After my stay details were confirmed, I was quickly handed my keys. I was billeted in a Superior Room, the hotel’s lone room type. Like other ibis Styles hotels, the room was hip and modern, though this one, again, had Indonesian influences integrated into its aesthetic.
As expected, it had all the necessary features and amenities, starting with the queen bed, which was comparable with . The toilet and shower were on the small side but were spotless.
Some may dismiss ibis Styles Bali Denpasar as yet another city hotel, but I believe what sets it apart—aside from its friendly service—is its cuisine. I had the pleasure to take my meals at its all-day dining restaurant called Montana Restaurant and Bar.
The restaurant allowed me to delve deep into Balinese and Indonesian cooking through fantastic dishes. Some of what was served to me were nasi ulam (rice served with various meats and vegetables), nasi timbungan (prawn with Balinese herbs and spices served with conical rice), and gado-gado (blanched vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and rice cakes topped with peanut sauce). And frankly, all of them were memorable and tasty.
In terms of facilities, the hotel offers a spa and a fitness center.
IBIS STYLES BALI DENPASAR
Jalan Teuku Umar, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 36 122 8228
Email: info@ibisstylesbalidenpasar.com
Website: www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-7538-ibis-styles-bali-denpasar/index.shtml
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
