Kuta Paradiso Hotel

This large hotel gives off an elegant vibe right away, with a pitched teak roof covering the cobbled driveway out front and a charming fountain with sculptures of traditional Kecak dancers in the center. Guests are greeted with welcome drinks in the high-ceilinged lobby that feels open and airy -- as any hotel in Bali should. The marble-lined space is slightly dated and feels a bit like an office building, though hanging vines add greenery and there are brown wicker and wood chairs throughout. This is a family-friendly resort, though plenty of couples on holiday pass through as well, and the lush tropical grounds include lovely fountains, coconut palms, and a great three-tiered pool with a kids' pool. There are attractive places to hang out for grown-ups and couples as well, including the Jalandi Spa, and several casual dining and drinking spots, including open-air El Patio with its central koi pond, and the Testarossa Lounge, with a red 1992 Ferrari Testarossa parked out front. With the exception of the extra-casual B'Couple seafood restaurant, most on-site spots are only visited by hotel guests. 

Though the Kuta Paradiso Hotel sits adjacent to the beach, it doesn't have direct beach access and guests will need to walk five minutes around the corner to reach the sand. There are plenty of activities for shoppers, foodies, and families in the area, including Discovery Shopping Mall, Waterbom Park, Kuta Square, and Wake Bali Art Market, which are all a five-minute walk from the hotel. Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, while the islands Sanur Beach, Seminyak Beach, and Legian Beach are all within a 20-minute drive. Ubud is about an hour north by road and Denpasar is about 20 minutes away by car. 

The hotel offers simple, bright Deluxe and Premiere Rooms as well as Family Rooms and Suites with white walls, minimal Balinese art work on the walls, and warm wood laminate floors. Rooms also have comfortable white-linened beds with brown patterned bed runners and green armchairs arranged near the windows. Most rooms have king-size beds, though twin beds are available, and all have free bottled water, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs, atop contemporary mid-tone wood cabinets with minibars and coffeemakers inside (in Deluxe and Premiere Rooms). All rooms also have balconies or terraces with seating, and some feature marvelous ocean or pool views or have direct pool access. Chandeliers and recessed gold ceilings add a bit of sophistication to contemporary Suites, which also feature full-size refrigerators and living rooms with large sofas. We did notice a good deal of wear-and-tear on furniture in some rooms, and others suffer exterior noise due to the downtown location. Bathrooms in Deluxe and Premiere Rooms are a bit outdated, with tan marble floors and dark marble vanities, as well as separate walk-in showers and tubs, though we noticed a lot of dirty grout. Bathrooms in Suites are large and contemporary, with double-sink vanities, modern fixtures, TVs over jetted tubs, and rainfall showerheads.

The resort's three-tiered, free-form pool with stone fountains is surrounded by padded wood lounge chairs and tons of greenery, and has a secluded lagoon-like feel (though it draws plenty of families). The area also includes a children’s pool, sandy playground area, and the swim-up, tiki-style Laguna Pool Bar. The bar serves cocktails, beers, and small plates and there is a ping-pong table and outdoor stone showers, though no hot tub here. 

The hotel offers an extensive, free breakfast buffet with Indonesian, Western, and Asian dishes, while lunch, dinner, and snacks are served at the El Patio Restaurant, which is open well into the evening. Tapas plus tropical cocktails, beer, and live entertainment are offered at the Testarossa Lounge, in the lobby, while the Kaigara Japanese Restaurant serves a mix of classic yet contemporary dishes including sushi, sashimi, and grilled robatayaki. Chinese cuisine and seafood are provided at the B’Couple Seafood Restaurant, which also offers live music and draws guests from across Kuta, though reviews here are mixed.

Mani/pedis, body scrubs, facials, and traditional Balinese massages are available at the Jalanidi Spa -- a tranquil, if slightly '90s space -- which also has a sauna, and the Contender Fitness Center is a bright and airy, wood-floored space with modern cardio equipment, machines, and free weights.

Both room service and concierge services are offered 24/7, and there is a peaceful Muslim prayer room on-site. The Mickey Kids Club offers daily indoor and outdoor activities and is free for guests to use -- a great feature for families. There is free Wi-Fi and free airport transfers as well, and laundry services can be arranged.