The Grand Sunti

The Grand Sunti is a decent budget option in Ubud, though it's hard to see how it lives up to its name. Instead, this is a fairly humble, low-frills hotel that's best used as a home base for travelers who don't mind being outside the touristy melee right in the heart of Ubud. The highlight here is the hotel's grounds, which hold three lovely pools. We spotted families and older couples splashing away the Balinese heat during our visit, though otherwise there's not much of a social vibe here. The hotel takes its style cues from traditional Balinese design, and the vibrant gardens are peppered with Eastern statuary, as well as the occasional ornate carving. This is particularly evident in the restaurant, which draws on traditional pagoda architecture. Rooms are a mixed bag, and honestly let this hotel down a bit. Given its relatively low rates for the area, The Grand Sunti does draw a wide swath of guests, from couples to families and friends, most of whom are from Europe. 

There are pluses and minuses to The Grand Sunti's location. For starters, this part of town is a bit quieter. Even if the road outside is busy and noisy, the traffic jams around the hotel are less frantic than those along Ubud's main road. The Agung Rai Museum of Balinese Art is just across the road, and the Sacred Monkey Forest -- one of Ubud's biggest draws -- is only a 10-minute walk away. Yoga Barn, one of the town's most popular yoga spots, will take a little less than 10 minutes to reach on foot. There are also countless cafes, restaurants, and other hotels all around, plus a grocery store that's a nine-minute walk up the road. However, it's a sweaty 25-minute stroll to Ubud's main road, where Ubud Palace, Ubud Market, and various other hotspots can be found. Alternatively, the same trip will take 10 minutes by car (though that's with minimal traffic, which is only the case late at night). Budget at least 90 minutes to reach the airport, though most hotel websites will tell you it takes less time than that. In our experience, southern Bali's roads can be akin to parking lots in many places, with traffic moving little. 

Unfortunately, there's a big disparity in rooms at this hotel. Let's begin with the good: Super Deluxe Rooms are pleasantly modern, and the most secluded of the categories, as they're tucked away at the back of the hotel's grounds. These rooms have attractive Balinese art, modern whitewashed furniture, and nicer textiles -- from bright accent bedding to seating. Even so, we did spot some wear like patched bedding and chipped cupboards. The other room categories were badly worn during our 2017 visit, with obvious holes in linens and beat-up wood-veneer furniture. Bathrooms in lower category rooms are equally uninspiring, with lots of moldy grout and stains around shower/tub combos. The Super Deluxe Rooms have bathrooms that are a bit more fresh, with separate rainfall showers and soaking tubs that make them worth the upgrade. Keep in mind that the Super Deluxe category is the hotel's most popular, so you may need to book in advance if you want these better rooms. Standard features in all rooms include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, TVs (some are first-generation flat-screen models), basic minibars, and limited free bottled water. Safes are only available in Super Deluxe Rooms. 

The hotel's features aren't numerous, though the pools here are a delight. There are three of them tucked throughout the grounds, and while there isn't a ton of poolside seating, they make for great places to cool off during Bali's hot afternoons. Two massage cabanas sit next to one of the pools. The restaurant is an attractive, Balinese-style space that serves an international menu and has a full bar (though no bar seating). Breakfast is served as a buffet and costs extra. Dance performances and live music aren't offered. A shuttle runs to the center of Ubud twice daily, but return service isn't offered. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.