Prama Sanur Beach Bali

The Prama Sanur is a huge resort set on sprawling, tropical grounds abutting one of southern Bali’s nicest beaches. Although it caters to families with a good deal of kid-friendly amenities and services, the vibe is generally quiet, even around the main pool. Big, manicured lawns with winding stone paths are inviting and serene, and the two pools, big beach area, and many restaurants allow for guests to spread out. Nights are a little more lively: the lobby and beachfront promenade are often busy with guests and non-guests on their way to the great evening shows available almost daily on-site. During our visit, the excellent traditional dance performance set in the gardens was popular with couples, while the beachfront Bamboo Restaurant was bustling during and after the great fire show on the beach.

The property first opened in the mid-1980s as the Sanur Beach Bali, but rebranded in the mid-2010s and began a first round of renovations. The management, though, seemed to focus more on a few rooms (labeled Club now) than on common spaces, which has resulted in a combination of old and new that doesn’t always add up. The spacious lobby is well-lit but sparsely decorated, with older wooden furniture and a bland neutral palette, and the cute, traditional Indonesian architecture that guests see at the entrance gives way to a set of big, generic buildings that feel a tad old and tired, especially in regards to the carpet. 

In this price range, the neighboring Kamuela Sanur is a better pick for couples seeking a quiet getaway, offering stylish rooms, a peaceful pool, a great restaurant, and a small spa with massages for two. Travelers wanting something a little bit more upscale may want to consider the Kejora Suites, which has better rooms, a beautiful pool, and a central location on Sanur’s main drag. The Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites is a good pick for families on a tighter budget. It features multi-room suites with full kitchens, daily kid-friendly activities, and two pools. However, it is not within walking distance of the beach. 

The Prama Sanur Beach Bali is located on a somewhat busy street in southern Sanur that's lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels. The back of the hotel abuts a beautiful white-sand beach with waters that are generally clean and calm. The town’s main drag -- known for its many "warungs", shops, and cafes -- is also about five minutes on foot. The ancient temple of Blanjong, one of the town’s main attractions, is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Le Mayeur Museum is a 10-minute drive away, as is the main harbor where tourist boats to islands such as Nusa Lembongan dock. Ngurah Rai International Airport is about a half-hour drive from the hotel. 

Rooms at the Prama Sanur are a mixed bag, as only some of them have been renovated since the hotel rebranded in the mid-2010s. Renovated units (known as Club Rooms here) have stylish, contemporary decor that combines a chocolate-brown palette with clean lines, generic dark-wood furniture, and huge lattice screens above the bed. Non-renovated rooms, including Superior and Deluxe, are dated and worn, with old-fashioned bamboo-style furniture, burgundy accents, and small wall lamps with golden finishes. Wooden floors and crown moldings add some elegance, but the overall feel is that these rooms are well past their prime. Also note that there have been occasional reports of cleanliness issues in some rooms. 

Regardless of their decor style, all rooms have the same amenities, consisting of free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, stocked minibars, and flat-screen TVs with international channels. Bathrooms also vary between rooms: non-renovated ones feel a tad worn, with brown tiles throughout, and basic showers, sinks, and hairdryers; Club Rooms have fresher bathrooms with white and black tiles, glass showers with big rainfall showerheads, and square sinks over wooden vanities with black counters. Most of these bathrooms also have a window with frosted glass overlooking the room. 

Villas are housed in stand-alone cottages set in spacious gardens with big private pools and loungers. They have big kitchens equipped with gas stoves, full fridges, and coffeemakers, along with airy dining and seating areas with garden views. Bathrooms in villas are huge and upscale, with big jetted tubs and separate glass-enclosed rain showers. 

Dining options are varied at the Prama Sanur, and range between beach-casual and romantic. The most popular of all is Bamboo, located right on the beach and drawing guests and non-guests alike. Its menu offers an array of international options such as quesadillas, chicken wings, calamari, and pasta (try the pizzas!), and the vibe is laid-back and friendly. Adjacent is Basilico, serving Italian cuisine in a thatched-ceiling dining room with plenty of outdoor seating. Traditional Indonesian cuisine is available at Lada, which is also the hotel's most formal restaurant. Breakfast (not included in the most basic rate) is served at Tirta, which is housed in an open pavilion by the pool. Room service is available 24/7.

The pools are a highlight here. They are both large and pleasant and have kiddy sections, but the vibes at each are different: while the main pool has a swim-up bar and is quiet, the Splash Pool is more geared towards families than couples, with slides and other water features for children. Tucked away in the gardens, the spa offers an excellent array of body treatments and salon services, including Balinese and Thai massages. The fitness center isn’t the most modern around, but it has a decent array of cardio and strength-training machines, as well as a movement studio with Pilates balls and yoga mats. The hotel also features a bright kids’ club with TVs, video games, a foosball table, an arts and crafts area, and daily activities.