Starwood, Petitenget Hotels

The W Bali provides the same experience you get at the nicer W Hotels across the globe. It is as close to a world class property as you can find in Seminyak. Like most beach resorts in Bali, the pool overlooks the ocean. Designed as an 80 meter lagoon with both plentiful chaises and cabanas with couches, there are several bars and easy access to the restaurants and the hotel itself. Drinks and food are sold at city prices, but they are generally solid. The hotel design is hip and fun. The bathrooms in the rooms are gorgeous, with separate toilet, two full sinks, overhead rain shower and side shower, a big stone-like tub and a sky-light with electronically controlled cover. As the W is expensive by Bali standards, the guests tend to be in their late 20s and up. The staff are very good, but sometimes overly solicitous. They tend to ask if you need anything a bit too often, rather than being trained to judge a guest's mood effectively. They seem to actually enjoy speaking with the guests and are so nice, however, that it is difficult to get too annoyed. The property is only a pleasant 15 minute walk from the center of Seminyak. While there is a high end day spa right on the property, it is, like so many resort spas, very overpriced. If you are looking for massages, foot, hand and hair services, there is a good reasonably-priced day spa called "Body Works" a five minute walk away. I had an excellent manicure and a 1-hr long four-hand massage there for approximately US$