Holiday Inn Baruna Bali Review

Looking for a hotel just 10 minutes’ drive from Bali airport, on the beach and walkable into Kuta. The Holiday Inn at Tuban, Bali might be the hotel for you.

There was a time when every Holiday Inn was the same and the original concept was just that. Not the Holiday Inn in Bali which has blended modern and traditional Balinese architecture. All recently renovated and gives the hotel a very clean and fresh look.

We liked the location. A short drive to the airport was much appreciated after a long flight. And just a twenty minute walk to Kuta for the nightlife and shops. The walk is along the beach footpath so no manoeuvring around the endless motorbikes.

Around the hotel are a number of small cheap restaurants, laundries, internet cafes, spas, massage parlours and some shops. Walk along the beach front you will find a number of excellent hotel restaurants and bars. Cocktails are very reasonable in Bali and often sold as part of a Happy Hour deal.

You enter the Holiday Inn Baruna into an open lobby and greeted by very friendly staff with an easy sit down reception. An arrival drink, towels and fast service relax you immediately.

A main feature is the central swimming pool with a sunken bar. Plenty of sun beds mean no fighting for seats. Shaded areas with sun beds are in the gardens some looking out over the beach that fronts the hotel.

The central swimming pool sets the scene

The public beach is not as crowded as the area closer to Kuta. Sun beds and umbrellas are available for lying on the beach.

Rooms, as expected are well prepared, clean and use modern furniture. And all the normal things that you expect with a good TV system, desk, comfortable beds and many towels. Services we tested worked well with an efficient room service and cheap fast laundry which was a plus and not an expensive add on. Water was not so hot.

An annoyance is that you have to pay for the internet but we have heard this might change. Why is that better hotels have to charge this extra and so many others in Bali offer it free to guests. For us at eGuide who rely on the internet we hope more hotels start offering better internet options.

The Envy bar and restaurant overlooks the beach and has all day dining and drinks and some live music in the evenings. Palms, the main restaurant starts the day with an excellent breakfast and offers Asian and Western dishes. In the evening there are themes to suit a range of eating interests.

The Holiday Inn overlooks the beaches and has pleasant gardens

The resort shop had water and essentials and was reasonably priced. And if you want just an ice cream then there is a small ice cream parlour and coffee shop.

Overall we rate the Holiday Inn as a good choice if you want resort style accommodation, a pool, beach front and walkable into Kuta. If you want to be in Kuta itself then this hotel might be too far out but being so close to the airport is a definite bonus.

The hotel is located at Janan Wana Segara 33 Tuban, Bali, Indonesia

Some images of the Holiday Inn