Swiss-Belhotel Segara Resort & Spa

Tucked away behind a large driveway and thick tropical greenery, the Swiss-Belhotel Segara Resort & Spa feels immediately serene. The lobby is spacious and airy, with lots of seating and an open plan that brings in the outdoors. Running fountains and instrumental music add to the peaceful atmosphere, and exposed stone accent walls and green plants give the space a slightly exotic feel. Outside, lush grounds offer ample space to relax, with spacious decks around both pools, and lots of palm trees for shade. The hotel gets a good share of the many Chinese groups visiting Bali these days. A good deal of them leave the hotel after breakfast to explore the island, and although we saw a few families splashing about in the main pool, the atmosphere was overall low-key. This isn’t the kind of place that calls for romantic candlelit dinners, but couples seemed to enjoy the hotel’s quiet vibe, adult-only pool, and spa. 

The Swiss-Belhotel Segara opened in 2011 and has updated some areas since -- including the restaurant and the lobby lounge -- but the overall feel is that the property is somewhat past its prime. The couches in the lobby are worn and have '80s-style striped upholstery, and the main pool deck is also looking tired. Still, the resort is a good pick for those more interested in relaxing in the sun than on luxury and style. Travelers seeking something a touch more upscale and contemporary in this price range may want to consider Le Grande Bali, but location in the heart of a golf course is even more isolated than the Swiss-Belhotel’s. The Grand Whiz Hotel Nusa Dua is another good upper-middle-range pick for those looking to stay within walking distance of the beach. Families wanting more luxury may prefer the Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort, complete with a kids’ club, four restaurants, elegant rooms, and a daily entertainment program.

The hotel is located on a quiet street in a lush, mostly residential area south of Nusa Dua. There are a few other hotels and a number of local homes around, but little else can be found within easy walking distance. The Bali National Golf Club is just a five-minute drive away, and restaurants and shops in central Nusa Dua can be reached in about 10 minutes. The hotel offers free shuttle service to Geger Beach and Bali Collection, a famous shopping and dining area that's a 10-minute drive from the Swiss-Belhotel Segara. Those looking for a livelier atmosphere may want to take a cab to Seminyak, 35 minutes north of the property. The hotel is about 15 minutes from the striking Water Blow, and Uluwatu Temple can be reached in 35 minutes. Ngurah Rai Airport is a 25-minute drive away. Airport transfers are available for a fee. 

The hotel has 154 rooms spread over five floors in a long L-shaped building. All are decorated in a simple style that combines polished off-white tile floors with generic dark-wood furniture and earth tones throughout. Caramel or salmon-colored accent walls adorned with either large color photos of tropical plants or stone reliefs with traditional Indonesian motifs add some style. Rooms start at a spacious 377 square feet, and feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to furnished balconies offering pool and/or garden views. Adult-only Laguna Rooms offer direct access to the main pool via an intimate plunge pool partly covered by plants. Note that balcony doors offer good soundproofing, but some guests have complained about poor noise insulation between rooms. 

Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with international channels, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, and safes. Minibars are stocked with a handful of sodas and beers in all but Superior Rooms, which feature empty mini-fridges instead. Cribs are available free of charge. Bathrooms are clad in textured stone-like tiles, and have either walk-in rain showers or big shower/tub combos. Laguna Rooms have separate showers and tubs, and bathrooms in Premiere Rooms have big windows overlooking the room (complete with shades for privacy). Though most bathrooms have been renovated, some seem to have drainage issues, which can result in unpleasant smells. 

Although there is no entertainment program at the Swiss-Belhotel Segara, there are a number of on-site amenities to keep guests of all ages busy during the day. The pools are a highlight here -- they’re big, clean, and pleasant, with spacious decks dotted with padded loungers, and lots of plants and palm trees around them. The main pool has a shallow area for children, but there is no railing separating it from the deeper end. Only adults are allowed at the other pool, which is almost as big as the family pool and has drink and food service, as well as two hot tubs. The main pool has no bar, though, and guests wanting to have a bite or a drink must go to the Lobby Lounge. The other dining option at the Swiss-Belhotel is the main restaurant, which features an international menu with a number of Indonesian dishes. Food gets decent reviews and prices are reasonable for Nusa Dua. There is also 24-hour room service.

The spa is small but pleasant, with soft music and a faint incense smell, and six massage cabins. Two cute pavilions, including one for couples, offer massages in the gardens, and there is also a salon where guests can get an array of nail and hair services, as well as foot massages. The gym is small and has just four machines, and the hotel offers weekly yoga classes for a fee. Families may be disappointed that there's no kids' club.

Also on-site are two meeting rooms, each for up to 100 guests, and a ballroom with big windows offering pool views. Full audiovisual equipment is available for rent.