Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort

Courtyard Bali Seminyak Resort isn't a typical Courtyard outpost, and has lots of local style, helping to make it stand out among the otherwise bland chain offerings in southern Bali. That impression starts right away, as guests are greeted with a cool towel and welcome drink in the indoor, open-air lobby. The interiors have a minimalist contemporary look, with glass, wood, and stone accents all around. However, this is Bali, and most of the action at this hotel takes place outdoors. Guests gather around the three swimming pools, situated in a landscaped courtyard with shrubs and palm trees. It's worth noting that this layout also means that noise from children and other lively guests travels throughout the property. The Courtyard draws leisure travelers to its beach-ready location, swimming pools, and upscale rooms. It's particularly good for families with children, who benefit from the pools, kids' club, and extensive kids' menu in the restaurant.   

Courtyard Bali Seminyak Resort is located at the southern end of the town, near Legian. The surrounding area is filled with other hotels and resorts as well as numerous beach clubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, massage parlors, shops, and art galleries. Seminyak Beach is a free resort shuttle ride or five-minute walk from the resort. About a 10-minute walk south of Seminyak Beach is Double Six Beach, which is known for surfing. Ku De Ta has great sunset views from Seminyak Beach, and is a a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the Courtyard. Eat Street -- a popular strip of restaurants -- starts near Ku De Ta, and the resort runs a free shuttle there as well. Petitenget Beach and Pura Petitengent temple is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, as is Potato Head Beach Club. Dream Museum Zone museum of 3D trick art is a five-minute drive from the resort. The Courtyard is a little over a 20-minute drive to Ngurah Rai International Airport, south of Kuta.   

Rooms and suites at the Courtyard have an upscale, contemporary aesthetic, with all-white bedding and sharp modern furniture. They feature the right touch of subtle local style, including mural-sized images of local landmarks above the beds. Otherwise, expect beachy accents like wicker light fixtures and seating, sandy and slate blue tones, and blonde wood paneling. Rooms are generally quiet, but some can pick up noise from neighboring rooms or from the pool area. 

All rooms are spacious, with entry-level units starting at 344 square feet (32 square meters) and things only getting bigger from there. Standard features include free bottled water, electric kettles for instant coffee and tea, minibars (with room for cold storage), free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs with a good range of international channels and English channels. Beds have pillowtop mattresses. Each room or suite has a private balcony or terrace, some of which open directly to the pool. Suites have living areas. The spacious and stylish bathrooms include bathrobes and slippers, bidets, lighted make-up mirrors, and rainfall showers. Some rooms have bathtubs.

The hotel packs a number of reliable features in, helping to make it a nice upgrade from other outposts in this brand. The reserved section of Seminyak Beach is a nice perk, and the hotel runs a free shuttle there. Closer to home, the Main Pool is a big freeform pool with shallow end for kids. There are two other pools, and  activities like aqua aerobics and poolside bingo happen on occasion. Keep in mind that the pools can get a little crowded and it's sometimes difficult to find a lounge chair; they also tend to be a little lively. The full-service spa offers a good range of massages and treatments, while the 24-hour fitness center has a range of cardio and weight equipment and offers free fitness classes. 

The resort is known in the area for its excellent breakfast (for a fee), served all day, with both a la carte and buffet items available. Fare includes cooked-to-order eggs and a signature Bloody Mary. Gluten-free options are available. The restaurant serves good-quality Indonesian, Asian, and international fare for lunch and dinner, with an extensive kids' menu. Room service is available around the clock. There's a modified Volkswagen van in the lobby that serves Mexican-Indonesian fusion items. The swim-up bar has a poolside deck and serves light fare and a good range of  non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. The resort also has meeting rooms, a business center, dedicated concierge, table tennis, bicycle rental, child care (for a fee), and kids' club (for a fee) with toys and games for children ages 4 to 12. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and parking is free as well.