After a roughly five year delay, the Andaz Bali has finally opened today.
In this post:
Details of the new Andaz Bali
The Andaz Bali is now open, and it marks the first Andaz property in Indonesia, and the first Andaz resort in all of Asia. For those of you not familiar, with Andaz, it’s Hyatt’s luxury(ish) lifestyle brand, with roughly two dozen properties around the globe.
Here are some of the basic details of the Andaz Bali:
- The hotel is located in Sanur, along Bali’s southeast coastline; that’s potentially a ~25 minute drive from Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), though traffic can be terrible sometimes
- The hotel is located right next to the Hyatt Regency, which recently underwent a significant renovation
- The hotel has 149 guest rooms, including 22 villas
- I appreciate how spacious the rooms here are — standard rooms are 710 square feet, while standard suites are 1,345 square feet (though I imagine this includes outdoor space)
- The hotel features amenities like four intertwining restaurants in the hotel’s village square, a beachfront restaurant, and three swimming pools, including an infinity beachfront pool
- Interestingly the hotel doesn’t have its own spa, but rather shares the Shankha Spa at the adjacent Hyatt Regency, which is also where the fitness center, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, yoga space, and adults-only pool are located
Below are some pictures of the Andaz Bali.
Andaz Bali entrance
Andaz Bali pool
Andaz Bali guest room
Andaz Bali suite
Andaz Bali suite
The Andaz Bali is a Category 4 World of Hyatt hotel
The Andaz Bali is debuting a a Category 4 World of Hyatt property, meaning that:
- A free night in a standard room costs 15,000 points, and you can also redeem Category 1-4 free night certificates here
- A free night in a standard suite costs 24,000 points, and a free night in a premium suite costs 30,000 points
For context, I value World of Hyatt points at ~1.5 cents each, so to me 15,000 points are worth ~$225. Initially the hotel has rates starting at well under $200 per night, though I imagine over time we’ll see rates increase, as travel restrictions are lifted.
Why I’m kinda lukewarm about this hotel
It’s great to have another Hyatt option in Bali, though personally I’m not sure I’ll be putting this on my bucket list:
- Bali has endless luxury hotels of the highest standard, and many of them are bookable with points, so there’s no shortage of great options
- I find the Andaz brand to be really inconsistent, so I don’t have much faith in this hotel purely in terms of the brand
- I don’t particularly love the area this hotel is in, and would rather be in Nusa Dua, Seminyak, or Ubud, in terms of easy access to restaurants and excursions, depending on what I’m looking for
- The fact that this hotel shares a spa with the 350+ room Hyatt Regency next door doesn’t exactly sound like a great experience; we’re talking about 500+ rooms all using the same spa, and spa treatments are a big reason to come to Bali
So I’m sure the hotel will be perfectly lovely and nice, and many will like this hotel. But unless I hear otherwise from people who stay here, I just don’t see myself prioritizing this hotel the next time I visit Bali.
The Andaz Bali shares a spa with the Hyatt Regency
Bottom line
The 149-room Andaz Bali is finally open, after a roughly five year delay (the hotel was supposed to open in 2016). It’s located right next to the Hyatt Regency, which also recently underwent a renovation.
It’s great to see another Hyatt option in Bali, though personally I’m not sure I’d fly around the world to stay here, given the endless luxury hotel options available in Bali.
What do you make of the Andaz Bali? Anyone considering a stay, if/when it’s possible?
I stay in Bali once or twice a year. I have never liked Sanur because the beaches and views there are lousy. Jimbaran is way better. Nusa Dua is too sterile for me and doesn't feel very Balinese to me. When I go to Bali I want to stay at a place that feels Balinese, not a place that feels like Cancun or Miami.
It's the same reason why I don't care for Canggu...
I stay in Bali once or twice a year. I have never liked Sanur because the beaches and views there are lousy. Jimbaran is way better. Nusa Dua is too sterile for me and doesn't feel very Balinese to me. When I go to Bali I want to stay at a place that feels Balinese, not a place that feels like Cancun or Miami.
It's the same reason why I don't care for Canggu because it feels like you are in Australia. There are so many westerners that it doesn't feel like Bali. At virtually every restaurant and beach club in Canggu, 90% of the people are caucasian. To me, Canggu feels like it is some kind of hip western tropical resort.
@jamie wrote "What a horrible airport. Long queues for immigration". You must be very sheltered. lol... there are many way way worse airports. As far as long queues for immigration is concerned, have you ever been to the US? Their immigration lines are worse than Bali and the immigration officers are not friendly. When I travel overseas, the worst part of coming home is having to go through US immigration. Before Global Entry, it was...
@jamie wrote "What a horrible airport. Long queues for immigration". You must be very sheltered. lol... there are many way way worse airports. As far as long queues for immigration is concerned, have you ever been to the US? Their immigration lines are worse than Bali and the immigration officers are not friendly. When I travel overseas, the worst part of coming home is having to go through US immigration. Before Global Entry, it was always the most unpleasant part of my trip.
I'd rather spring for 30,000/night point redemptions at Alila Villas Uluwatu. I had a magical week there pre-pandemic.
Lucky-
Last time I checked Singapore was in Asia and they have had a Andaz for a few years......
I live most of every year in Sanur. I am a long time traveler to Bali. Sanur is very unique in the fact that it is off the tourist map and really found by word of mouth. Once there it’s the only place you will spend your time on Bali. Quiet and upscale which makes it the destination of choice for those that can appreciate the “unflashy” genuine Balinese culture. I have stayed at the...
I live most of every year in Sanur. I am a long time traveler to Bali. Sanur is very unique in the fact that it is off the tourist map and really found by word of mouth. Once there it’s the only place you will spend your time on Bali. Quiet and upscale which makes it the destination of choice for those that can appreciate the “unflashy” genuine Balinese culture. I have stayed at the remodel Hyatt regency once and was not impressed but I was there eating at the old HR which was much nicer. I will be on Bali in 22 days and I plan on eating at the andaz at least once.
@Rhys
I'd say neither the Hyatt Regency or the Andaz is too bad in terms of how Balinese it looks. In fact, if the Andaz pictures are to be believed, I'd say it incorporates a substantial amount of Indonesian design. And outside of Ubud, Sanur is a bit of a cultural hub in itself.
I'd say the worse hotels in Bali (in terms of sense of place and design) would definitely be the ones...
@Rhys
I'd say neither the Hyatt Regency or the Andaz is too bad in terms of how Balinese it looks. In fact, if the Andaz pictures are to be believed, I'd say it incorporates a substantial amount of Indonesian design. And outside of Ubud, Sanur is a bit of a cultural hub in itself.
I'd say the worse hotels in Bali (in terms of sense of place and design) would definitely be the ones like Le Meridien, Sheraton, the W Seminyak, Laguna Luxury Collection, Westin Ubud, and pretty much the rest of the Marriotts (apart from Mandapa, and the St Regis perhaps). Even the Hiltons does a much much better job.
Outside points, I'd say COMO Shambala, the Four Seasons's, the Amans, and the Capella in Ubud are really great picks in Bali (most being outside the gated sanitised area of Nusa Dua).
@Jamie, well I mean you don't visit Bali to go to the airport. The contract lounges are indeed very underwhelming (like much the rest of Indonesia and a lot of SEA countries). But I don't see how immigration queues are much worse compared to BKK, MNL, and KUL (during rush hour). A lot of South America also has horrible queues.
I mean have you seen JFK Terminal 4 during the Latin America arrivals in the...
@Jamie, well I mean you don't visit Bali to go to the airport. The contract lounges are indeed very underwhelming (like much the rest of Indonesia and a lot of SEA countries). But I don't see how immigration queues are much worse compared to BKK, MNL, and KUL (during rush hour). A lot of South America also has horrible queues.
I mean have you seen JFK Terminal 4 during the Latin America arrivals in the morning? I'm not American, and had to queue for 3 hours to clear immigration back in 2019. 3 hours.
DPS. What a horrible airport. Long queues for immigration and don’t even get me started on the “ lounges “. A pity really as some of Bali is stunning
If you want to see more Balinese culture, skip the Hyatts which felt not much different than being in Hawaii and head to Ubud in the interior instead. Amazing spread out bungalows with your own private pools, close to temples, the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and eco tours. Flying from the US, staying at Hyatt Regency was a sanitized tourism experience and I should have spent all of my time in the much more culturally interesting Ubud.
@numbers man Divide by 10, and then further reduce by about 10%. This works well unless you're in the 95% of the population that finds math difficult.
Bali I think is for the most part not such a great deal for points redemptions since most hotels even luxury ones have cash rates that are relatively low.
@ Numbers man -- See Google.
How big is 710 square feet? I’m in the 95% of the world’s population that uses the metric system.
I disagree about your tepidness about the location. You mention having easy access to restaurants in Nusa Dua. Could you tell me where you stayed because Sanur where the Hyatt Regency and now the Andaz are located has places in easy walking distance while in lots of Nusa Dua it's a serious schlep to eat off property. Sure Nusa Dua is lovely, kind of like Coral Gables with manicured grass and more open spaces and...
I disagree about your tepidness about the location. You mention having easy access to restaurants in Nusa Dua. Could you tell me where you stayed because Sanur where the Hyatt Regency and now the Andaz are located has places in easy walking distance while in lots of Nusa Dua it's a serious schlep to eat off property. Sure Nusa Dua is lovely, kind of like Coral Gables with manicured grass and more open spaces and higher prices but Nusa Dua is not at all more walkable than Sanur. As to Seminyak, it's a bit more of a hard partying area than Sanur. That works for some. You also mention Ubud but that's inland so a bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison.
I stayed at the Hyatt Regency next to the Andaz in 2019 and have reservations to return late this year. With the nice and lovely club lounge and great Globalist benefits for 8,000 points a night, the Hyatt Regency is a no brainer for me.
On a side note you mention an adults-only pool. The Hyatt has a few of these and as with every other hotel I've seen or heard of in Bali children are not kept out, which can make reading a book with lots of sound and splashing an interesting experience.
@ Ben -- The HR Bali next door has a good Regency Club, good Globalist breakfast in the restaurant, and suite upgrades are easy on an 8,000 point reward night. I don't see how being adjacent with access to the same spa and the same beach could be a much better option. Given the current options, I would stick with the HR Bali over this property.
Maybe I'd stay in this "motel style" property if I lived in Jakarta and wanted a swimming pool and cheap easy restaurants for the weekend. But I wouldn't stay here if I was flying half way around the world looking for a more authentic Balinese experience.
I mean the Regency was a super delayed complete rehab of the old Hyatt, so consistent timelines. I think people who were in the third square at the Regency will be happy there is no longer Andaz construction noise. I 100% perferred Sanur to similar priced options in Canggu and surrounding on western side or Nusa Dua. Only Uluwatu would beat it. Between Andaz and HR, they have a massive uninterrupted stretch of beach real...
I mean the Regency was a super delayed complete rehab of the old Hyatt, so consistent timelines. I think people who were in the third square at the Regency will be happy there is no longer Andaz construction noise. I 100% perferred Sanur to similar priced options in Canggu and surrounding on western side or Nusa Dua. Only Uluwatu would beat it. Between Andaz and HR, they have a massive uninterrupted stretch of beach real estate and much cleaner than Canggu/Seminyak. You won't get the same diversity of food options, but far more relaxing and less 'tourist'.
Given the size of the Regency the Spa area was really quiet when I stayed at the HR and there was at most 2-3 people at the 'relaxation pool' there at any one time and often to myself. Gym was really nice too.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JG4K21BJwaJQJLHFA
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I've been checking Hyatt properties in Bali. Was pleasantly surprised by the large number of choices, including several costing only 8,000 points per night. Would be interesting to see an updated comparison of the different properties.
Sanur is a great place though Ben! It's not a hip area like Seminyak or Canggu, but it's very quaint. In fact the area was home for the first hotels in Bali (Tandjung Sari and the former InterContinental Bali Beach).
There area is also home to plenty of great restaurants and street food including:
- Massimo Sanur (an Italian Restaurant with great Gelato helmed by *surprise* an Italian guy who fell in love...
Sanur is a great place though Ben! It's not a hip area like Seminyak or Canggu, but it's very quaint. In fact the area was home for the first hotels in Bali (Tandjung Sari and the former InterContinental Bali Beach).
There area is also home to plenty of great restaurants and street food including:
- Massimo Sanur (an Italian Restaurant with great Gelato helmed by *surprise* an Italian guy who fell in love with the Island)
- The legendary age-old Restaurant Tandjung Sari
- Kayumanis Seaside Restaurant (Indonesian Fusion Restaurant)
- Many seafood restaurants on the beach (like Jimbaran but quieter, and arguably fresher)
- and on Saturday afternoons, a market of sorts with many food stalls by the beach serving local food.
Additionally, the Andaz was actually built on the land of the old Bali Hyatt which was subsequently divided into Andaz and Hyatt Regency when the old Hyatt closed in 2014.
Hyatt is going downhill. I agree with your recent post Lucky that they are not delivering benefits and not being good to loyal Globalists who have spent a lot with them over the years. They've handed out globalist like candy and its too bad. Hyatt was so great. These new globalist-lites are really affecting the experience they should be designated in the system as people who have not spent 60 nights in their beds. I...
Hyatt is going downhill. I agree with your recent post Lucky that they are not delivering benefits and not being good to loyal Globalists who have spent a lot with them over the years. They've handed out globalist like candy and its too bad. Hyatt was so great. These new globalist-lites are really affecting the experience they should be designated in the system as people who have not spent 60 nights in their beds. I think next year I will become a free agent and not go out of my way to stay loyal to Hyatt.
Bummer that Bali probably won't be opening to foreigners anytime soon. I had a flight to go in late September but just cancelled it as I doubt they will be open. I'm hearing March 2022 at the earliest. I can't wait to go. I was staying at all the Alila hotels there plus Viceroy and had 1 night booked here at the Andaz on the way out to Bangkok but will try to go in 2022.
The pic for the outside of the pool and rooms looks like my college apartment. That's not a compliment