L Hotel Seminyak

The L Hotel Seminyak is a boutique property with a tasteful, modern-eclectic vibe. Though generally lacking in space, the hotel creates a sense of leisure through thoughtful decor and attentive staffing. In the hotel's lobby lounge, guests receive a free five-minute welcome massage, catch up on email, or read in plush, silver lounge chairs. The iconic Audrey Hepburn portrait in the corner enhances the pop-culture chic feel, while a living green wall pairs well with rustic, wooden seating. The trendy restaurant and lounge features stylish, eclectic decor, pairing black and white chairs with purple and blue tablecloths and red pendant lamps. In Love Bar, the lighting above the bar counter shimmers with a warm yellow light; pink accent pillows complement black chairs. The hotel's indoor pool sits at one end of the bar, and even has some dining seating around it. Visually, the blue pool of water with a small waterfall (which neatly doubles as a table), is lovely, but the act of swimming in a pool watched by bar patrons is less than ideal, making this a less than functional element of the hotel. Upstairs, the Luna Rooftop Bar offers delicious cocktails and views of the nearby rice paddies. 

Seminyak is known mostly for its beaches, beachside parties, and other nightlife. While the L Hotel Seminyak is not in the center of things, being about a 15-minute walk to the beach and five-minute drive to Seminyak Square, it's not out of the way either. The surrounding area is full of similar properties and hotels as well as several restaurants and shops. For those who prefer not to walk, the hotel provides a free local shuttle around the neighborhood, including to the beach, where the hotel has a private area of its own. The hotel is about a 30-minute drive to the Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

The hotel's stylish suites are small, but tastefully appointed and feature attractive contemporary furnishings. The modern rooms have an open layout, which means there is little distinction between bathrooms and bedrooms (tubs are next to beds in some rooms). With plush white bedding and a six-option pillow menu, the bed is a respite despite the small space, and rooms include free Wi-Fi, LCD TVs with DVD players, iPod docking stations, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and evening turndown service. Bathrooms are modern and luxurious, with walk-in rainfall showers (plus some add soaking tubs), as well as Kiehl's toiletries. In another thoughtful touch, guests traveling solo are given a goldfish to keep them company during their stay. Travelers should note, however, that some rooms might get noise from the bar or the road outside.

The L Hotel Seminyak provides a luxurious hospitality experience, despite its small size and lack of beachfront location. Each guest room has a personal butler accessible 24-hours a day -- and the ease of reaching these staff members is heightened by free mobile phones given to guests upon arrival. The hotel has an indoor pool and two outdoor pools, though one is a short walk away, making it a bit inconvenient, while the other is near the bar, which lowers its appeal for swimming. The spa offers reasonably priced beauty and body treatments, but is one of the less impressively designed areas on-site and could use an update. The gym is tiny with two cardio machines and some weights. The hotel also provides free shuttles to the beach (and other local spots), where it has a private section for L Hotel guests.