Mercure Resort Sanur

The Mercure Sanur was built in the 1990s and has abided by the old Balinese tradition of not building higher than the surrounding temples. The resort spreads over five acres of land along the pristine white beach, and is dotted with individual bungalows, some with traditional lang roofs, that are only two stories high. A public footpath leads the short distance from the main resort to the beach. Inside, the front reception area and the departure lounge downstairs are almost always a hive of activity; the reception area is welcoming, with cushioned wooden chairs grouped into sitting areas and an airy atmosphere thanks to high ceilings and walls open to the elements. The lobby's general style is traditional, with a high, wooden cane roof, and the lush tropical gardens add to the relaxed Balinese atmosphere. The main Pandawa restaurant is done in the same pavilion style, with a breeze blowing in from the Lombock Strait, soothing Balinese pentatonic scale music, and pool and beach views.

The hotel's grounds are bustling with all kinds of travelers from all over the world, including families and middle-aged groups as well as younger couples. It's the sort of place that attracts those avoiding the hectic pace of Kuta, who prefer a slower pace that lends itself to tropical relaxation. The beach is open to the public, with colorful local fishing boats scattered on the sand, but the atmosphere is slower than in some of the more touristed areas; the hotel's section of the beach has beds set up for massages, as well as a low-key cafe. The grounds are also home to a bamboo yoga pavilion, surrounded by people lazing around on hammocks and taking Balinese dance lessons. Although not many guests partake, hotel staff conducts drills for tsunamis and earthquakes on a regular basis, and the reception and meeting area has an evacuation area on the roof.

Located on a beautiful white sand beach on the southeast coast of Bali, the Mercure Resort Sanur is surrounded by the lower-key resort area of Sanur, a sleepy Balinese village with quaint little shops and a smattering of restaurants. On the other side of the resort lies the Sanur beachfront. The footpath at the front leads guests to craft and jewelry stalls and small shops. There are about 15 restaurants within a 10-minute walk; all close relatively early, so there isn't much in the way of clubs or nightlife in the immediate area. The nearest club is about a 25-minute drive away, and it is about a 20-minute drive to the Ngurah Rai airport in Kuta. Ubud is a 38-minute drive away.

Rooms at the Mercure Resort Sanur are spacious two-story bungalows decorated with clean-lined, modern furnishings typical of an upscale chain hotel. There are 41 of them, and all are cozy and peaceful. Besides the occasional visit from some ants, they are relatively clean. The beds are exceptionally large and back up against a long wooden headboard that runs the length of the wall. Another wooden shelf lines the entire opposite wall, over which there is a modern flat-screen TV with a few cable channels and an ornate mirror set in a wooden frame. The walls and door frames feature pattern-cut wood that resembles lace. There is free Wi-Fi in rooms, and each has a small private garden and patio with a couple of chairs. The bathrooms are lined with clean, stone tile and are relatively small but have decent-size walk-in showers with large showerheads built directly into the ceiling.

The Mercure Resort Sanur is a self-contained vacation, complete with a beautiful beach, two swimming pools, free Wi-Fi, and four eateries. The breakfast buffet is especially impressive, with a wide variety of local and Western fare, including an omelette station and fresh tropical fruit; note that it's not included in most rates. The main restaurant also has a full-service bar with beach delivery and serves raw and health food items like salads and sushi. The on-site yoga studio offers daily classes as well as Balinese traditional dance lessons and acupuncture treatments. The airy spa has several options for massage and body treatments, and massages can be provided out on the beach. There is a kids' club area filled with toys and games with daily activities. The resort offers bike rentals and water sports, as well tennis courts. There is also ample meeting and banquet space available for events and presentations. The staff offers concierge services and help with transportation and other activity arrangements.