Trip Report: InterContinental Bali

Wow... unbelievable pictures. Thanks for posting them!

Amazing

How did you score the surge to Royal Ambassador status? Did you do some kind of challenge?

I'm sold on Bali!

OMG. I want to live there, esp the Inspiration Center. It's like adult daycare... which is exactly what I need! lucky, Bali is definitely on my "must do" list now.

Did you guys ever leave the property to sightsee? Or is it not safe?

BTW, I enjoyed the Boardwalk pic.

Thanks guys!

Boxo, we went to the market near the hotel and felt very safe. The reason we didn't leave other than that isn't because we didn't feel safe, but rather because there was too much fun to be had at the hotel. Based on what I saw I'd feel very safe anywhere in Bali during the daytime, and likely anywhere but the bars at night as well. The locals are so friendly and have good intentions, it's only the few extremists, but they seem to be after bigger targets, so like I said I wouldn't have hesitated to go anywhere else...

Gray, I was born Royal Ambassador. 😀 OK, if you want a more serious answer, I'll send you an email with details on that.

Lucky, Great pictures, I was in Bali last Jan and feel very safe walking around, next time you need to go to Ubud too.

It would be great if you would also email me the details re: the Royal Ambassador thingy, sounds fanatastic. We arrive at IC on 11 Aug and can't wait. Do you think it's a good place for a family with young children?

I definitely think so, there's a lot to do and the pools (especially the main one) are very good for young children.

I'm sure you'll have a blast.

Email on its way...

Yup - i know that feeling. Stayed at this resort more than a dozen times. It ranks as the best place I have ever stayed - even though its sprawling grounds make it feel a bit too big at times. I've stayed on a private island in Malaysia at what Conde Nast ranks as its Top Island resort - Pangkor Laut - and while it was good - it was not the IC Bali.

I hear that iC will open at least a 2nd property in Bali shortly. It will be hard to match the marvels of Jimbaran Bay.

Your photo journey was excellent.

Could your unknown gift possibly be a small black bamboo woven thingie? I use mine as a cigar holder!

p.s - and Lucky as other comments suggsest you really need to get away from the resort next time.

Feel free to ask me for my Bali tips on restaurant, spa etc. To match your IC sunset, you need to head to KuDeTa and soak in that ambience...

I think the safety issue is warranted, given that one of the last incidents ocurred on the stretch of beach next to the IC between IC / FS - be smart - avoid Kuta - and as Lucky put it - there is really no reason to leave the compound.

Bali is so safe. I often travel to Bali - from Sydney, so much so I own a condo at Tangjung Benoa, (near Nusa Dua).

There are a few issues in Bali, one is drugs, the person selling them to you ( if you are stupid enough to buy them) will most likely sell that information to the police, and there are a few extremeists who hate westerners.

Personally I don't go to many places that attract lots of tourists, like some of the great restaurants, as the cost of a meal there is about 3 months income to the average person on the island. This can cause friction, and could be a target of terrorists. The main reason the Sari Night Club was targetted was the over the top drunken behaivour there. It offended the few Muslims on the island and the rest is history.

Bali is a wonderful place, has great resorts, wonderful people and a MUST on every itinerary. Get up into the middle of the island, Ubud and Bedugal, or Besakiah and Candi Dasa.

There is a reason why this place is called the "Island of the Gods". Its a magical holy place

Canuck and Adam, many thanks to both of you for your thoughts. Very interesting stuff!

Canuck, that actually sounds like it might be it, thanks!

Dude,
Thansk very for the fab pix! I've been thinking of Bali for years. Local residents, airline pilot-friends, are offering to rent a train car for travel for the lot of us, but they also allow as how they "just take the kids indoors when the bullets start flying." YIKES!---and why I've hesitated. I think we might just hang at the IC for first visit, if when that happens...
If you got into/near the water, what was your take on how clean or swimmable it was?
Merci, again!

Frankly I'm more of a pool than ocean person, so I can only speak from what I saw. While there were many people at the beach, I didn't see that many people in the water, although it looked swimmable from where I was.

Thanks for this great review, we are going here in 2 weeks and have just paid extra for a club room. Sounds totally worth it !!!!

dcutcher - the water is lovely, a great surf surge in the mornings and early evenings - the beach is well groomed by the IC staff and unlike many other beaches on the island and around the region - you will find no one selling you anything! The IC staff will set you up with an Umbrella and chaise lounge and small table and the comp. afternoon fruits often get brought down to the beach as well.
warning - there is a bit of rocky patches as you enter the water but out a few metres its just perfect ...

Adam is spot on about the drug culture - but lets keep in mind that while the Sari NC bombings were in Kuta and targetted the party going / beer swilling / dope smoking westerners ... the most recent attacks were just next to the IC on the stretch of beach btwn IC and the Four Seasons at the fantastic seafood restaurants ...
The places i mentioned such a KuDeTa while popular with tourists are quite different from the Kuta pubs (though correct me if I am wrong - potentially the same owners?) and feature lots and lots of security.
Perhaps the safest bet is to stick to the IC and the compound.

Hi Lucky... totally awesome review, we've booked at IC (club suite) for 10 nights next month; I'm intrigued about this Royal Ambassador business... I, too, believe I was born for that kind of title! Could you send me an email?

Thanks v.much, pilks.

pilkster, an email has been sent. 🙂

That's a great report. I have a two night stay booked next month, and now I'm sorely tempted to change it to club rooms. Was there a reason why there was no hard liquor in the mini-bar? The IC in Jakarta has a moderate supply in their mini-bar.

Good question Jaimito, I'm really not sure, sorry.

I checked about changing to a club room, but all room seem to be sold out (at least on the IC website) for that night. I wonder what arrival service they offer to RA's, if any?

As far as I know, nothing really. I think you can pay for an airport transfer, but other than Ambassador check-in I can't think of anything else.

Great info, lucky! Thanks.

Could you also please email me the RA info?

Cheers -

Great review/pictures Lucky. Mr. Useless and I are booked on CX for September (DPS,HKG,PEK) on great BA awards deal. I have been agonizing over Komaneka at Tanggayuda and the IC.
Thanks to your report, I'm enrolled in Ambassador Club, and getting a referral for RA. Thanks for your input and a lot of the other info that you share.
Can't think of a better way to spend our 35th anniversary. Any ideas for PEK? (1 week)

Thanks for the kind words, useless! 🙂 That sounds like a lot of fun, I'm sure you'll really enjoy the hotel. I really would love to go back, but the challenge is finding the time to do so.

Beijing is one of my favorite cities, with a never ending list of things to do. Depending on your loyalty there are plenty of good hotel options. The InterContinental Beijing, for example, has a fantastic club lounge, and as a Royal Ambassador you'd be upgraded to the club level.

lucky, what a great report you've created. We're totally convinced by this report to actually changed our mind at the very last minute for our wedding arrangement. We've been communicating with another hotel in Bali to arrange a simple wedding ceremony but they've been "counting nickels and dimes" with us. After reading your report and receiving an instant welcome e-mail from IC Bali after making an reservation (another two nights after the wedding date), we decided to request a proposal from IC for a possible full stay at IC.

Anyway, would you please e-mail me the details regarding the "Royal Ambassador" status? It sounds fantastic and attractive. Thanks a bunch!!!

@ cEci -- I'm happy my report helped you make a decision. You most definitely won't be disappointed with the InterContinental, and on a much greater scale Indonesian hospitality. Unfortunately Royal Ambassador is a bit more challenging than in the past (to say the least), but I would suggest signing up for Ambassador either way:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/c/2/content/dec/pc/0/en/ambassador.html

With Ambassador you get a free weekend night certificate (great for Bali), 5,000 points, a room upgrade, late check-out, a welcome gift, etc. For only $150 it's the best value out there.

Congrats on the wedding!

Great post lucky...I read this through the link from your most recent stay in 2012. I, too, would like an email about the RA info. Mine might be expiring soon, I believe.

Also, what is your opinion (views) on this hotel being gay friendly? My husband and I are planning a few days stopover here on our around the world ticket next summer. Should I expect any hassles?

ps...you don't have to post the info, you can email or whichever is easier.

Thanks!

@ Aeroman -- Unfortunately the RA "trick" no longer works, sorry!

There are lots of gay couples here, so I'm sure you won't have any hassles at all. The people here are great. Enjoy your stay and let me know if you have any other questions!

Would they make you change rooms or remove the return airport transfer if you were to book first night in the Club room and other nights on award stay?

@ E -- My guess is that they'd make you change rooms, though you'd probably still get the airport transfer.