Melasti Legian Beach Resort & Spa

Melasti Legian Beach is situated on tropical grounds that are packed with shrubbery, palm trees, and frangipani trees. Upon stepping inside, there are few surprises, and the resort embraces a fairly typical and tired style that's found at plenty of budget and mid-range properties in the area. There are a few distinctive Balinese flourishes, like soaring wood-beam ceilings and religious statuary, but everything is well past its prime. Despite the somewhat worn surroundings, the swimming pools are a standout, and serve as the social hub of the resort. The main pool is large and lagoon-shaped and gets lots of sun. Most guests gather here to swim and sip drinks at the swim-up bar, though there are two other pools that offer more secluded vibes as well. While the resort draws plenty of Australian tourists, the vibe at the Melasti Legian is quiet and calm, which is a nice change of pace from some of the louder resorts in the area. Families with kids benefit from the playground, pool with kids' section, and access to the beach. 

Melasti Legian Beach Resort & Spa offers a choice location in central Legian on Jalan Padma Utara, with the back side of the resort situated across a small pedestrian road from Legian Beach. This stretch of sand is known for its cafes, live music venues, sunset views, and sports like beach soccer and surfing. Numerous restaurants and bars are a short walk from the resort, and the nightlife of Jalan Legian is within a five-minute walk. There are numerous boutiques on Jalan Legian, and Jalan Padma -- with its Balinese bead shops -- is five minutes away on foot. Clothing boutiques, an art market, and Balinese handicrafts can be found on Jalan Melasti, a 10-minute walk away. Dream Museum Zone (DMZ) Bali is a fun attraction with a collection of life-size 3D murals for visitors to pose and interact with -- it's a seven-minute drive. The Ground Zero Monument to the victims of the 2002 Sari Club bombing is a 10-minute drive from the resort. Ngurah Rai International Airport is a little under a 20-minute drive from Melasti Legian Beach Resort. 

The rooms at the Melasti Legian Beach are arranged in Garden, Poolside, and Style Wings, and the resort also has separate Suite Cottages and Two-Bedroom Residence Suites. Rooms are tired across the board, with chunky wooden furniture and wood paneling, though higher-category rooms feature flourishes like Balinese decorative headboards and art. The color palette is a neutral beige, light gray, and brown, with splashes of color in the decorative throws and pillows on the all-white bedding. As of late 2016 the resort is renovating, but many rooms are still tired and in need of repair and renovation. Issues include non-functioning door locks; non-working air conditioning and mini-fridges; and general wear and tear throughout.

Rooms range from 194 square feet (18 square meters) to 388 square feet (36 square meters), while Suite Cottages are 431 square feet (40 square meters) and Two-Bedroom Residence Suites are 807 square feet (75 square meters). Amenities are decent, including mini-fridges, electric kettles for instant coffee and tea, free daily bottled water, free Wi-Fi, and TVs, though some lower-category rooms have tube TVs. All rooms have balconies or terraces, and some have pool or garden views. Suite Cottages and Two-Bedroom Residence suites have sitting areas. Bathrooms are done in marble, but they are rather bland in appearance, with a drab beige color. Some bathrooms have only showers, while some have shower/tub combos or separate tubs and showers.

A key draw of Melasti Legian Beach Resort & Spa is its proximity to the beach. The resort sits across a pedestrian road from Legian Beach. Umbrellas, sunbeds, and surfboards are available for rent. The resort also has three outdoor swimming pools, including a large lagoon-style freeform pool with a shallow children's section and center island with a Balinese statue. Lounge chairs can be scarce on occasion and towels have reportedly run out from time to time. A poolside bar with a billiards table is situated on the deck. The hotel's other two pools are a bit calmer and quieter, and there's also a spa offering a decent range of massages, therapies, and beauty treatments.

The Melasti serves an average-quality free breakfast buffet, featuring fried rice and noodles, a cooked-to-order egg station, meats, pastries, cereal, and seasonal fruit. The 24-hour restaurant also offers serviceable Indonesian, Asian, and international fare for lunch and dinner, and features a bar, nightly live music, and weekly Balinese dance performances. The resort also has a playground with brightly colored equipment for the kids, plus a tennis court, though guests have noted that it's sometimes used for storage and not usable. Concierge services are available, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.