Grand Whiz Hotel Nusa Dua

Located in a beachfront gated community that's home to the Bali Convention Center, the Grand Whiz stands out among its ritzy neighbors for its simple, unassuming style that caters to business travelers and families. The focus here is not on luxury or style but rather on offering all the basics for a relaxing stay without breaking the bank. Interiors are decorated in a generic style that combines simple furniture in dark hues with white walls and natural wood accents. Although there were some renovations in 2013, the property is showing wear and tear in some areas -- especially in the lobby, where tired wood paneling is around pillars and the front desk. Some cute touches help to distract from the aging elements, in particular the stone fountains, the wooden lattice screens providing shade in the main restaurant, and the lovely grounds. 

The Grand Whiz is a popular pick among business travelers due to its location within walking distance of the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center and its simple, comfortable rooms, but its lovely pool, pleasant spa and easy access to the beach draw many European, Indonesian, and Chinese couples as well. The main dining room was busy but not chaotic in the morning, and the pool area was quiet during the day, with just some low music playing in the background, and a handful of couples sunbathing on loungers. Although the four-bedroom villas are great for families, the hotel lacks all of the kid-friendly amenities that can be found at the more expensive Courtyard by Marriott Bali Nusa Dua. Travelers on a tighter budget may want to compare rates at the Ion Bali Benoa Hotel, a simple mid-range hotel also within easy walking distance of the beach, and complete with a pool. With tons of on-site amenities -- including tennis courts, three pools, and a full spa -- and contemporary rooms with balconies, the Westin Resort Nusa Dua is a great upscale pick located in the same complex as the Grand Whiz.

The Grand Whiz is located in a quiet, upscale gated community home to the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, which is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel. A small, sandy bay beach is a five-minute walk away, but the access is via a narrow alley between two upscale resorts that can be dark at night. The hotel offers free shuttle service to the beach, and guests can also borrow bikes free of charge. The famous Bali Collection center for shopping, dining, and entertainment is about a 15-minute walk or four-minute drive from the hotel, and the mall provides free shuttle service to and from the Grand Whiz at set times. The natural phenomenon, Water Blow, is ituated a 10-minute drive from the Grand Whiz. It's a 20-minute drive from the hotel to Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

The hotel has 130 clean, air-conditioned rooms, including some with direct pool access from the balcony, and a number of four-bedroom Villas with large private pools. All are decorated in a generic contemporary style, with simple wooden furniture, striped green bed runners over white linens, and laminate floors. Open closets, bare white walls, and big windows opening to balconies or patios add visual space, but Standard, Superior, and Deluxe Rooms -- which are 195-, 260-, and 280-square-feet, respectively -- are tight. All, however, have a small desk and enough storage space for a short stay. Premiere Rooms are a little bigger and have a few stylish touches, such as green accent walls, backlit headboards, and wooden furniture in a lighter shade of brown. Many guests have complained of poor lighting in rooms and bathrooms.

In-room amenities are basic but up-to-date, and include small flat-screen TVs, safes, and minibars stocked with soda, beer, and water. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and works fine in rooms. Junior Suites have a seating area with a sofa bed. Bathrooms are also generic and a tad basic and small, with older gray floor tiles, simple walk-in showers, and small square sinks with no counter space around them. Hairdryers and a few toiletries are provided in all rooms, and most bathrooms have big windows to the bedroom, some with frosted glass and others with blinds for privacy. 

Villas are stand-alone buildings with their own private entrance and garden, and many have direct access to the parking lot. Each villa has four en-suite bedrooms, a spacious living room with a big dining table, and a kitchen equipped with a gas stove, a full fridge, a sink, and a microwave. Gardens are spacious and well-maintained, and all have big private pools with narrow wooden decks and loungers around them.

Features are excellent for the price point and include some nice freebies. The hotel has a big L-shaped pool that goes all the way around one side of the Premier Rooms building. It features a spacious wooden deck around the main section dotted with plastic loungers and umbrellas, and there is a separate kiddy section. Adjacent to the pool is Aglio, a casual pool bar and restaurant serving Italian food for lunch and dinner, as well as snacks and cocktails between meals. The main restaurant, Arjani, is located off the lobby and serves international cuisine, as well as a free, decent breakfast buffet that includes rice dishes, eggs, toast, noodles, pastries, and fresh fruit. The spa has five treatment rooms, including one for foot massages, and has a whirlpool that guests can use before or after their treatments. Bikes are free to borrow and there are free shuttle services to area locations like the beach and mall. There are also four boardrooms and a big ballroom, all featuring audiovisual equipment. Wi-Fi is free and fast throughout the property.