AQ-VA Hotel & Villas

AQ-VA Hotel & Villas opened in 2013 and is housed in an ultra-modern white structure, with suites and villas in two buildings divided by a pathway. Guests enter an open-air lobby with lots of natural light and a contemporary Balinese vibe -- they are immediately greeted with a welcome drink, helping to set the relaxed tone of a stay here. The restaurant, also open-air, is slightly more minimalist, and features a turquoise-colored bar and chair cushions. It's a fresh look that offers a nice alternative to some of the more divey budget and mid-range options in the area. Guests gather around the two swimming pools, one of which is set in a courtyard with palm trees, creeping vines, and a deck with lounge chairs all creating a sexy tropical vibe. Guests frequently gather on the decks, sipping drinks from the lobby bar. With its roomy suites and villas, the hotel is popular with families and couples, who are mostly from Australia. 

AQ-VA Hotel & Villas is centrally located, about halfway between the nightlife of Kuta and the shopping and restaurants of Seminyak. The hotel is off Jalan Legian, the major north-south road running through the center of Legian. With other hotels nearby, the AQ-VA Hotel & Villas is a short walk from souvenir shops, tattoo parlors, restaurants, and bars, and there's a convenience store next door. The nearly 200-year-old Vihara Dharmayana Buddhist temple is a two-minute drive or less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while the Dream Museum Zone 3D trick art museum is about a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk. Jalan Melasti shopping street, lined with boutiques, art, and Balinese handicrafts, is about a 10-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the hotel. Jalan Padma, known for its bead shops, is an eight-minute drive or 10-minute walk away. While the hotel isn't on the beach directly, it's only a 10-minute walk and is lined with beachfront cafes that have particularly nice sunset views. The Rip Curl School of Surf on Double Six Beach is a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the hotel. The closest airport is Ngurah Rai International, which is south of Kuta and a 25-minute drive from from the hotel.

The AQ-VA Hotel & Villas' 27 rooms include spacious suites and villas, with a variety of layouts and beds. Decor is minimalist, with modern light-wood furniture and walls that are left mostly bare. Rooms are mostly white, with turquoise and slate-blue accents. Many include a pop of red, peach, gold, or lime green and embody trends popular in contemporary Scandinavian design. Villas include colorful Balinese art, carvings, and statues, giving them a bit more personality -- though, while some of the art is sharp (like the style in Villa Jejas), the art in other units looks lifted from the tourist markets in town (as in Villa Raffael). It's also worth noting that rooms near the pools and restaurants may pick up a bit of noise.

Suites range from 431 square feet (40 square meters) to 797 square feet (74 square meters), while Villas range from 1,292 square feet (120 square meters) to 3,552 square feet (330 square meters). Some suites are two-bedroom, two-story mezzanine units. All suites and villas have balconies or terraces, and some have pool views. Standard features include sitting areas with sofas, desks, safes, minibars, coffee/tea makers, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, CD players, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players and 65 cable channels. 

Villas and some suites include kitchens with fridges, microwaves, ovens, cookware, and tableware. Dining rooms, turndown service, free fruit baskets, and butler service are all included with villas, and they open onto decks with private swimming pools. Bathrooms are spacious and stylish across the board, and all come with hairdryers and rainfall showerheads. Other details include light marble countertops, retro vessel sinks, and wooden vanities. Villa bathrooms have separate tubs and showers. 

AQ-VA Hotel & Villas doesn't stint on amenities even though it has less than 30 rooms to its name. The property has two swimming pools -- which can feel excessive since all of the villas have their own pool -- and each of these includes a kids' pool and deck with lounge chairs. It's worth noting that the pools do stay in the shade for most of the day, which may disappoint sunbathers. The small full-service spa offers an array of Balinese-style treatments, including signature treatments like milk and flower baths, apple extract scrubs, and papaya and cucumber facials. The AQ-VA restaurant serves a breakfast with items like mi goreng (Indonesian fried noodles), avocado and bacon sandwiches, and yogurt. It's not included with most room rates, and items are ordered from a set menu, not a buffet. The restaurant also serves Asian, Mediterranean, and Western cuisine for lunch and dinner, and features an open kitchen. A wine and cocktail hour is hosted as well. The hotel also has a fitness center, concierge services and tour desk, cooking classes (for a fee), airport transfers (for a fee), and free parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.