Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort

The Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort is expansive, set on over 250-acres of lush grounds on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. Red-shingled, triangle-roofed buildings sprawl out along the grounds with paved and rock passageways between them. Like many properties in Bali, large sections of the resort are composed of open-air pavilions, including the lobby, which features gleaming marble floors beneath a tall, sloping ceiling and bright turquoise seating.

A full-service resort, the Pan Pacific Nirwana draws a mix of families, golf aficionados, and honeymooners, with plenty of activities on offer to satisfy a variety of tastes, from on-site golf or rock climbing to tours of nearby temples. The large pool area is impressive, with a four-tiered lagoon-style pool that has a kids' wading area as well as waterfalls and slides. Beyond the pool, there are beautiful views of the ocean and the nearby Tanah Lot temple. The grounds are kept green and lush, with a mix of palm trees, flowers, lily ponds, and layers of grass, which cultivates a sense of secluded escape.

The Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort is rather remote, situated on expansive grounds overlooking the Indian Ocean. While there are plenty of activities and several eating options within the compound, there is not much in the immediate area. The more populated towns of Seminyak and Kuta can be reached in 45 minutes to an hour, while the drive from the airport will take about the same amount of time. The hotel does provide a morning shuttle service to a few choice locations, including Seminyak and Kuta, but they remain excursions. Visiting the neighboring Tanah Lot temple is easier, as it's just beyond the hotel and creates some of the resort's signature views.

The Pan Pacific Nirwana has an array of rooms to choose from, ranging from 474-square-foot Superior Rooms to spacious Two-Bedroom Villas. There are family rooms that include children's bunk beds, as well as rooms near the golf course, the pool, and with ocean views. Decorations are understated and modern, with light yellow and green accent colors brightening dark wood and beige furniture. Glass doors open on to furnished, private balconies. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, LCD flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, nightly turndown service, as well as such thoughtful details as pillow menus, free bottled water, daily newspapers, and welcome fruit platters. Suites and Villas maintain the same clean, modern style and color scheme as the smaller rooms, but include separate bedrooms and living rooms, plus villas have private plunge pools in lovely gardens. Large, modern bathrooms have separate soaking tubs and walk-in rainfall showers. Guests in Club Rooms get breakfast and evening cocktails, in addition to access to the Club Lounge.

The Pan Pacific Nirwana is a full-service resort. In addition to the large, luxurious pool complex, which is a tiered affair with waterfalls, slides, and enough to satisfy both kids and adults, the hotel has a spa offering an array of treatments, a large fitness center with a wide variety of equipment, and squash courts. The 18-hole golf course is celebrated for its level of challenge as well as its breathtaking views. For children, there's a kids' club that includes activities like climbing the rock wall, painting, swimming, Balinese dancing, and other games; babysitters can be booked for more individual attention. Included on the sprawling grounds are no less than 17 temples, and the resort offers walking tours among them. There are lots of other activities on offer, including turtle releases and cooking classes. Finally, there are six restaurants and bars on-site which provide a variety of choices, from the main restaurant Merica serving modern Indonesian fare, to Mediterranean-inspired Driftwood, to the more casual Tanah Lot Gastro Deli or Golfer's Terrace. For those more focused on drinks than food, there's the Sunset Lounge and Drift Bar for poolside drinks and snacks.