Update: A week spent in the madness and agitation in Kuta, followed by a week full of adventures in nature in the gorgeous and rustic Ubud.
This is the first half of the one-month trip to Bali. After all this, I wanted relaxation in the true sense of the word.
With physical activities that involve stretching the sunbed on the beach or at the pool.
With plenty of sunshine, with slow walks, and spectacular sunsets, seen from a terrace with colorful sofas and a smoothie of mango and pineapple in my right hand.
Sanur was on our minds, opposite from all points of view from Kuta, whether through opposite we mean localization or the general atmosphere.
While Kuta is suffocated by tourists and has an extremely active and explosive nightlife, Sanur, located on the eastern coast of the island, is more relaxed and everything is going on at a much slower pace.
One week it would have been too much and maybe we would have fallen into the other extreme, and the boredom would have happened.
That being said, I opted for a 4-day hotel-like oasis of relaxation and recreation, a place where the shades of green and intense blue, prevail. The Griya Sanur Hotel.
Location:
It is not located on the beach, but 15 minutes walk from it, but that did not bother me because I didn’t feel the need to leave the hotel.
The Airport in Denpasar is about 25 minutes away by car, depending on the time you are traveling and the traffic at that time. It’s not the right place if you want fun or to be near the beach, but it is a perfect place to relax.
The hotel:
Although it is positioned on an intensely circulated boulevard in Sanur, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai, all the atmosphere inside the hotel is very quiet, and that’s because all the rooms are oriented towards an inner courtyard, with a pool in the middle, and lots of greenery around it.
So, you will not feel at all that you are in an area where you should normally be bothered by a disturbing noise.
The staff is very attentive while respecting your privacy. They were available to us and helped us with all the information we needed, but also with the shuttle to the beach.
The check-in starts at 2 pm, and the check-out is done until 12 pm. The building is a P + 1, and the rooms are divided accordingly.
You can opt for direct access to the pool, which is obviously located on the ground floor, or the pool-facing room, located on the 1st floor.
The rooms:
As I said, the rooms are of two kinds: deluxe pool access and deluxe pool view. We chose the second option, and that’s because I prefer a beautiful view over a shortcut to the pool.
The room is spacious enough, very bright, modernly furnished, and equipped with all the facilities of a more than a decent hotel: mini bar, air conditioning, coffee and tea maker, safe, plasma.
Mostly, I liked the ceiling and the hinged doors with huge windows through which all the light came in and connected us very nicely to the outside of the room.
Another big plus would be assigned to the balcony, furnished with 2 chairs and a small glass table, a place where we savored our coffee every morning and from where we admired the gorgeous pool, whenever we had the opportunity.
The pool:
The perfect size, ideal scenery, and very pleasant temperature. The swimming pool is the main element that made me write a review for this hotel.
Stand in it, you have the feeling that it stretches right up to the entrance to the room, an optical illusion that makes it look like is an infinity pool, but much bigger than it really is.
Definitely, entered the top 3 my favorite pools of all time. I could not describe it in words, so I let the pictures speak.
The food:
Although the hotel is not situated in the best area in terms of places to eat, fortunately, on the ground floor, there is a restaurant with good food, a varied menu, and late evening program.
In the 4 days spent in Sanur, I think only three or four times I ate elsewhere. Being part of the hotel, the restaurant also offers a cocktail with mango as a welcome drink. There is also the option for room service.
Other facilities:
- free shuttle to Sindhu Beach & Central Sanur
- restaurant on the ground floor open until late at night
- conference room
- massage room
The pool indeed looks lovely! I’ve heard good things about Sanur, thanks for adding up. We, too, adored Ubud but ended up hating Kuta – it was so noisy, touristy and spoiled. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to stay in Sanur but loved our lazy days in the Gili Islands. Snorkeling around the Gilis is among the best we’ve ever experienced. Your article makes me miss Bali so badly!
That’s so cool! I hope to visit Gili Island next time 🙂
Sometimes I feel staying a bit away from the beach is nice. It feels like you have to make an effort to step out, to walk a bit to meet the beach. It makes the beach a destination for you. Sanur looks like a good option to explore Bali.
That’s so true, Anu!
This looks like a quiet part of the island. I have been to Bali but always ended up staying in Kuta area . . I agree that the pool seems as if it is starting right at the room entrance and the food looks quite appetizing. I guess next time I shall explore Griyas
Sanur is my second home. I used to live in the area for 7 years. I love its laid back ambiance because I’m not into crowded places like Kuta. I used to pass by this hotel almost everyday but never went in. The pool looks gorgeous with homey environment! And the food looks scrumptious too. I might stay in The Griya Sanur on my next trip to Bali. 😀
Wow, it must have been amazing living there for 7 years! 😀
I love that pool! You’re right, the optical illusion makes it look like the pool meets the doors – very surreal! I love how the plants hang down from the roof. Sanur sounds like a lovely quiet option for relaxing in Bali, and the Gryia Hotel looks like a great place to enjoy the delights of Sanur!
Woah, the courtyard of the Gryia Sanur Hotel looks amazing – I can see why this is one of your favorite pools of all time (and why you didn’t feel the need to leave the hotel). I agree that the madness of Kuta would drive one to look for absolutely relaxation on another part of the island. Bali is becoming a bit of a madhouse but it’s great to see that there are the lovely little spots of tranquility still tucked away!
I stayed in Sanur many moons ago when the British Embassy was actually housed in a bar. Now that is what I call cool.. This place has a fabulous pool.
The Gyria Sanur Hotel looks like an ideal place to rejuvenate and relax. Rooms look so cozy and the pool view are so soothing. Food too is quite tempting. Of all I love the pool and your pictures are so dreamy. I will love exploring Sanur Hotel while travelling to Bali
The pool is gorgeous and your photos are fantastic. It looks like a nice quiet, relaxing hotel. My type of place! The food looks good too. I can see why you were happy to stay put and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
I like the sound of Sunar being a more relaxed atmosphere and slower pace. I really don’t enjoy destinations which are suffocated with tourists like Kuta sounds! The Gryia Sanur Hotel sounds incredible, and it says a lot about the property that you didn’t feel the need to leave! What an oasis! I love the décor in the rooms – very traditional Bali; and the pool is incredible – they’ve done well in creating a green space around it to make it feel like paradise.