Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel

Date of arrival: 24.12.05 – 7.1.06
Time difference: + GMT 8 HRS
Room number 114 – ground floor overlooking the pool
Flew out of Manchester with Singapore Airlines and had two nights stopover in Singapore on the way out to Bali and on the return.
We arranged for the hotel to pick us up from the airport in the courtesy bus. No problems here and the driver was waiting for us with a signboard. The cost was 9 US dollars or 80,000 Rupiah. He was very pleasant and informative. I think it is slightly cheaper if you take one outside of the airport, but as 50,000 Rupiah is approx £3 it didn’t break the bank. Our first impressions of the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel were not good. However, this quickly changed when we got into the reception area. I think that after the glitz of the Singapore hotels it is a little bit of a shock when you get to Bali, as some parts of the buildings all look as if they could do with a good jet clean.
We soon found out that this was because of the high humidity and that the statues were all made of dark grey concrete. From the first moment we stepped into the hotel we were very well treated and nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff. The staff are very friendly and cannot do enough for you. We were presented with our room keys and vouchers for breakfast and discounts for the spa. We were then taken to our room by a porter who took charge of our cases and also explained how to use the a/c, TV etc.
The breakfast buffet is very good and caters for all tastes.
Room:
Pleasant and roomy with a door directly out to a small patio and the pool area. Basic but had a comfortable double bed, TV, mini bar and cocktail cabinet, adequate wardrobe/drawer space (could do with more hangers), two armchairs and small table, dressing table, hairdryer in dressing table drawer (blow drying nozzle) – this was secured to the wall and could not be moved). Sockets are of the European type (2 pin), but there was one 3 pin plug on the cocktail cabinet. Two bottles of drinking water were delivered each day. Tea & coffee making facilities are available and these are also replenished daily.
Bathroom:
Not plush but adequate. Good shower over the bath that had hot water at all times, shower curtain. Wash basin unit with large mirrors on three walls. Flush toilet and tiled floor and walls. Towels were changed every day and toiletries replenished on a regular basis.
Pool Towels:
Available at the pool – no payment required but you did have to sign for them.
Safe:
In room and free of charge.
You can book trips from the hotel and the service was very efficient. You also book outside as there are many tour operators that are after your business. Outside you will find taxi/mini cab drivers who will take your wherever you want to go and these are very cheap. We used the services of ‘Bobby’ who looked after us for two weeks. He took us all over the island and to places that were not on the regular tourist routes. His phone number is 081 647 21080. He was very pleasant and only took us to where we wanted to go. The cost of a taxi to Kuta was approx £4/5 = 70,000 Rupiah. Sanur was 20,000 Rupiah that is approx £1.20 – about 10 mins away. Agree the price before you get in.
We only eat in the poolside restaurant and this was very good (Café Komodo). A little bit more expensive than outside, but worth it. We tended to go into Sanur or Kuta in the evening. The food is good and you can get western food if you want a change from the excellent Indonesian noodles and fried rice. The sate we had both in the evening and in the many beach bars was always very good. Alcohol is more expensive, but not over the top. The local wine (Hatten) is drinkable (usually Rosè). You can get Aussie wine, and this usually worked out at about £12.00 bottle.
Grounds:
Very well kept. Meandering pool area and gardens with pools, fountains and statues. Lush tropical greenery and plants.
The hotel is situated in a street close to a beach that is not used by holidaymakers and is more for the locals. You can walk to the hotel beach if you want to – takes about an hour and is pleasant (turn right at the end of the road). You do have to run the gauntlet of lots of vendors who are keen to sell you there wares. We did this a few times, both ways but mostly took the hotel shuttle bus. The hotel section of the beach is a little disappointing. The access is over a really scruffy section and could be better. There are pool towels available and sun beds. There are only three parasols and these were always taken before 11.00am. If you want shade you will need to move your sun bed under the palm trees (oh dear what a hassle). With a little though the layout could be much better – two sun beds with table and parasol.
There is a small café where you can get snacks and drinks. You will be waiting on hand and foot and you really do not need to stray very far if this is what you want to do. You will be hassled by ladies who want to give you a massage, manicure and pedicure. Again very cheap and we took advantage of all three. The ladies are very pleasant and if you say no will go away. All other hotel beaches are the same and have their own set of ladies. The beach is okay but do not expect pristine soft white sandy beaches as in the Caribbean – they are more golden in colour and not as pretty.
There are plenty of boat trips, pedalos, hang gliding etc to be had all along the beach area. Also many different bars and restaurants that offer good food at very cheap prices. Service at all is exceptional and friendly. Sometimes it can be a little slow, but it is hot all said and done and local beer (Bintan) is good.
Note: since our visit the hotel newsletter states that a new beach area has been provided.