Conrad Bali

“Homage to Conrad Bali”

Last year, I returned to Conrad Bali for the first time on a solo trip because my husband no longer travels. It still felt like home because the GM Kevin and DO Evelyne checked in with me regularly and made sure I was well taken care of. The loving and caring team members ensured that I was never… more

Last year, I returned to Conrad Bali for the first time on a solo trip because my husband no longer travels. It still felt like home because the GM Kevin and DO Evelyne checked in with me regularly and made sure I was well taken care of. The loving and caring team members ensured that I was never alone during mealtimes. Managers were allowed to sit with me, while others would stand while talking to me. Even team members who have moved to other properties would return to Conrad Bali to visit me. This year, I was more hesitant to visit alone because both Kevin and Evelyne are no longer at Conrad Bali. However, the team members (current and departed) continued their tradition of spoiling me. I alternated having breakfast at Suku (on TWTh when it is less busy) and at Rin on the remaining mornings. At Suku, Chef Manik, Manager Ridwan. Yatni, Adi, and many others pampered me with more food than I could eat. And one day, on his day off, Exec Sous-Chef Esteban brought his new wife to have breakfast with me – a most special day. I was similarly spoiled during breakfast at Rin, and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces whose names my old brain cannot remember. I met the new manager at Rin whose name also escapes me. Again, a great team who took care of all my needs. A few people deserve special mention: The new GM Marco with whom I emailed a few times before my arrival. I was blunt and to the point with my disappointment when he shared that the Exec Lounge was permanently closed. Yet, Marco did not hold any grudges, and we both bowed politely upon my arrival. We even hugged at my departure. A la prochaine quand je me comporte mieux….. Wayan, to whom I had the privilege last year of presenting an international Hilton award for her dedication to her job. Thank you for fixing another dress for the Spoiled One. Chandiki at the spa who gives me the best massage and mani/pedi while serenading me with her beautiful voice. Gede, the new spa manager who has replaced the beloved Arini. I was very impressed when I showed up at a Zumba class to see Gede as the instructor. I look forward to more classes next year. Pastry Chef Putu who created another huge chocolate display that was impossible for me to eat by myself. Once again, it was delivered to the staff canteen where I shared it with the team during lunch. Even Marco showed up to have some chocolate! Rin Chef Handayani who is patient and puts up with my ridiculous requests for more food, both at breakfast and at dinner. More scallops, please! Exec Chef Semawan, who never disappoints me. Thank you for the special time spent with your family and for the priceless gift that ensures I will always stay warm. Thank you, also, for the special poutine cooking class that was done right with beef gravy! The Spoiled One will forever cherish her special plaque and for her role within Conrad Bali’s culinary team. Dwi, a behind-the-scenes manager, whom I met for the first time last year. With Kevin and Evelyne gone, she took on the role of my babysitter by texting me frequently to ask if I needed anything. I appreciated the many times she showed up unexpectedly at different venues to entertain me. Thank you, also, for introducing me to fried garlic peanuts. Delicious! Evelyne, who returned to Conrad Bali for a weekend to keep me company. I am so grateful for your thoughtfulness. May we meet annually going forward wherever you are located! Cicilia, my curator for the second year. Once Evelyne left, I thought there would no longer be any annual videos for the Spoiled One. I shared with Cicilia my dream of having another video with the Spoiled One featured in a Conrad Bali video. Amazingly, Cicilia made that dream a reality. Thank you to all Conrad Bali team members for another memorable stay!

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“Mixed feelings with Conrad Bali!”

We have stayed at Conrad Bali numerous times over the past 25 years: the resort grounds are undoubtedly the largest and most beautiful in the entire Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa area. The extensive tropical gardens, the excellent location, and the genuinely warm hospitality of the staff are the main … more

We have stayed at Conrad Bali numerous times over the past 25 years: the resort grounds are undoubtedly the largest and most beautiful in the entire Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa area. The extensive tropical gardens, the excellent location, and the genuinely warm hospitality of the staff are the main reasons why we return. Conrad Bali is a very large resort that caters to every imaginable type of guest: solo travelers, couples, families, business travelers, and wedding groups. Weddings are, of course, a huge business in Bali. The hotel also appears to have agreements with numerous travel agencies and airlines, which means that occupancy levels are often extremely high. Unfortunately, this creates several operational challenges: First, room turnover is extremely fast. In practice, housekeeping does not always have enough time to perform the level of thorough cleaning and inspection expected from a Conrad resort. Occasionally, rooms would benefit from being aired out for a night or even two before welcoming new guests, but the pace of arrivals and departures simply does not allow for this. Second, housekeeping standards can become inconsistent when the hotel is full. On several occasions, we had to wait until the evening for fresh towels. The quality of the towels also varies noticeably. Sometimes they are bright and fresh, while at other times they appear worn, greyish rather than white, and may develop an unpleasant odor after only a single use. This raises questions about either the washing temperatures or the drying process. Third, breakfast at Suku Restaurant can become chaotic during peak occupancy periods. The staff are absolutely fantastic and work incredibly hard, but the restaurant itself is simply too small for the number of guests being accommodated. An alternative breakfast venue is available, but unfortunately it does not offer the same quality or atmosphere as Suku. Waiting times for a table can range from 10 to 30 minutes during busy periods. Fourth, noise levels around the pools and public areas can be overwhelming. Conrad Bali appears to be focusing heavily on the family market, which is understandable from a business perspective. However, this can create a challenging environment for solo travelers and adult couples seeking a peaceful and relaxing luxury holiday. During the peak summer months of June, July, and August, the resort can at times feel more like a children's summer camp than a Conrad luxury property. It is clear that Conrad Bali has chosen to maximize occupancy and revenue, which may become a long-term challenge for the resort. The grounds remain the finest and most extensive in the Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa area, and the staff continue to be one of the property's greatest strengths. Unfortunately, this property does not come even close to the standards of Conrad hotels in Bangkok, Hong Kong, or Singapore, despite room rates that often resemble those charged by Conrad properties in those cities. However, the resort certainly has its own strengths: the grounds are extensive and beautifully maintained, the staff are genuinely warm & delightful, and we always enjoy our stay as long as we remember to avoid the most crowded and chaotic areas of the resort, particularly the pools and the breakfast restaurant during peak hours. Conrad Bali faces something of a paradox: it seems determined to cater to everyone, but is it truly succeeding in doing so? We are no longer entirely convinced that we are receiving the best value from our Hilton Honors bookings when we find ourselves wondering - time and again - what kind of room we will be assigned, whether the pools will once again be overcrowded during the two weeks we typically spend at the resort, and whether we will be able to enjoy breakfast without lengthy waits at any time after 7:00 a.m. We have come to the conclusion that, during the peak months of June, July, and August, any rate above EUR 230 (USD 260) per night is simply not worth it. NOT WORTH IT. At that point, disappointment becomes more likely than satisfaction, despite the fact that the staff do everything in their power to ensure that guests have an enjoyable stay at Conrad Bali. Conrad Bali remains a resort that we genuinely want to love and continue supporting: its beautiful setting, exceptional grounds, and remarkable employees keep bringing us back. However, we hope that management will carefully consider whether maximizing occupancy at all costs is compatible with maintaining the premium/luxury guest experience that guests expect from the Conrad brand. The resort's greatest strengths are still there; the challenge is ensuring that they are no longer overshadowed by overcrowding and operational pressures.

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“Disappointing - not a 5 star”

We had a nice time, but the hotel was very disappointing and is not a 5 star hotel in our opinion for all the following reasons. 1. In the 10 days we were there, our breakfast order was only correct once. Not sure how or why a mug of tea with scrambled eggs with bacon is so hard, but twice we didn'… more

We had a nice time, but the hotel was very disappointing and is not a 5 star hotel in our opinion for all the following reasons. 1. In the 10 days we were there, our breakfast order was only correct once. Not sure how or why a mug of tea with scrambled eggs with bacon is so hard, but twice we didn't even get it and more than 3 times we had to wait over 30 mins. They don't allow guests to make their own tea and eggs are not part of the buffer so have to be custom ordered which makes no sense at all as there was always long queues to order eggs every morning. 2. We had room service walk in TWICE at random times in the day even though we told them to stay out. 3. The balcony was so small that a chair couldn't even fit and this was not made clear in the room description. 4. There were only 3 draws for clothes and 10 hangers. For a couple staying 10 days we had to keep most of our clothes in our suitcases which was ridiculous. 5. Room service "accidently" threw away my pouch of silver earrings and even though I filled in a complaint nothing was done. This was extremely upsetting and I was made to feel like a liar as their security team said they can't find any evidence that it happened. This was not a lot of money (only around £100 of jewellery) but the sentimental value of 2 of them is priceless. 6. The food in the restaurant 8 degrees was bland and over priced. We eat there twice and both times there was no favour and the food was cold the second time. 7. The bath towels smelt and were hard in the room. 8. There was no milk in the room and only 2 teabags provided. The mugs were not washed out and we were served dirty mugs at breakfast twice as well. 9. The entertainment (local staff doing bali dancing) was the same EVERY day. There were a number of private events while we were there; but we had to go to other hotels in the evening as there was nothing in the Conrad. 10. There are multiple pools but they are falling apart with a number of loose or missing titles in most of them and the titles are dirty with concerning black mould in a number of places (especially under the bridges).

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“An underwhelming Conrad.”

This review includes two separate stays at the resort, apx. ten days apart. The first stay was for three nights and would've earned a solid FOUR mark and the second stay was for four nights and would've earned a poor TWO mark. So instead of writing two separate reviews, I've combined them and the t… more

This review includes two separate stays at the resort, apx. ten days apart. The first stay was for three nights and would've earned a solid FOUR mark and the second stay was for four nights and would've earned a poor TWO mark. So instead of writing two separate reviews, I've combined them and the total mark is a THREE. First stay: We arrived to the beautiful hotel lobby and checked in around noon. We booked a Twin Suite and were upgrade as Diamond members to a Sea Facing Twin Suite - suite 3514. Then we started marching towards the suite - and it's a LONG 600 meters walk, which is only partially covered. Arriving to the suite we immediately noticed how it and the entire building both need some serious TLC, as the wear and tear were apparent all over the place. The suite opens up to a living room with two sofas, a dining table with three chairs, and armchair, a TV, a ceiling fan, a kitchenette with a sink, a coffee machine and a minibar. The TV was showing a message of a "private event" planned for that evening. This was the case during most of our stay. The double balcony was facing the sea, but was also facing the main wedding venue of the resort, which meant a VERY loud wedding almost daily. It also featured a sink, two chairs, a table and a hanger for laundry. The bedroom featured two king beds, a small TV and a ceiling fan. While the mattrasses were fine, the beds themselves were peeling off and looking pretty bad. Next, there was a closet room, a safe and a powder table with chair. The bathroom was large and featured a sofa of some sort, two sinks, a bath tub, a toilet with a hose bidet and a shower with a good water pressure (but a severe leakage, too). The bathroom amenities were the Mojave Ghost by Byredo. The A/C in the bedroom was constantly malfunctioning (it took three separate requests to have it fixed), the bedroom doors to the balcony were not sealed at all and hot air always kept entering the room. This made the A/C drip constantly in the closet room, sometime on the floor and sometimes into our suitcases. The room was not soundproof at all, and was anything but lightproof, too. For the second stay, we were allocated the exact same suite. The resort features several pools: A lovely pool located next to the suites' building, an adult-only pool located in the spa area, not too far from the suites' building (the spa also features a hot tub, a cold tub, a dry sauna and a wet sauna) and the main pool next to the lobby. The pools are all open until 10PM. Unfortunately, the beach is literally non-existent - it's shallow, dirty and we never saw anyone entering it, other than local fishermen. Breakfast is served in several restaurants. We had one breakfast at Rin, the Japanese restaurant, located next to the suites' building and it was small and not impressive, so we had the rest of our breakfasts at Suku, the hotel's main restaurant, which had a wider buffet and while being chaotic at times, was much better. We also had a single dinner at Rin, which was very disappointing. We had the rest of our dinners at Suku (four of them) and at Eight Degrees South (two of them), which were all very nice. All the restaurants and the lobby bar had a FANTASTIC team. I've written separate reviews about all the restaurants. The Club Lounge was located above the Rin restaurant, overlooking the pool. It was open from 11AM until 11PM and featured an A/C room and an outdoor seating area, too. It was unmanned most of the day and you could only get soft drinks, hot drinks and some nibbles. Between 3PM and 5PM, there was a little buffet of sandwiches and scones. Between 5PM and 7PM, there were only cocktails, mocktails and small japanese canapes served from the Rin restaurant. While the lounge was not amazing, it was a tranquil place were you could relax, read and get some work done. We requested a late check out at 1PM but were told the hotel is fully booked. We checked the Hilton app and immediately saw this wasn't the case, so we confronted the duty manager with this information. After a long conversation we were granted our 1PM check out. So, what went wrong during our second stay? Well, a whole lot! Upon checking in, we were cordially informed that the Club Lounge is now permanently closed and that we can have a coupon for a drink instead. This was a shock for us, as nobody bothered to inform us when we check out from our first stay that the resort is shutting down the lounge PERMANENTALLY in between our stays. The duty manager tried to put the blame on us, saying "you never asked", which was mind-boggling. Only after requesting a meeting with the GM, we were told that all Conrad resorts (not city hotels) are now obligated to shut down their lounges. The GM explained to us that the "club benefits" are now available during "happy hour" in the lobby bar, which most guests prefer. This is, of course, not the same as having a separate, quite and A/C Club Lounge. As a gesture of good will, the GM granted us unlimited non-alcoholic drinks at the lobby bar and three small dinners at the hotels' restaurants. While the gesture was appreciated, we couldn't enjoy the drinks at the lobby bar during the day, as it was too hot for comfort and while the weather was pleasant in the evening - the mosquitoes were not. To add insult to injury, there was nightly smoke coming from the nearby property, which made the balcony useless and even penetrated our suite. It took several requests (and days) from the hotel to stop this. Bottom line - two very different and contrasted stays left us truly disappointed. The resort is dated (although a renovation is expected in the future, according to the GM) and with the elimination of the Club Lounge, there's no reason to prefer it over the nearby Hilton.

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