Away Bali Legian Camakila

The well-landscaped grounds have a well-kept, manicured feel that helps make this a quiet alternative to the bustling area -- in fact, the atmosphere exudes an almost Zen-like calm. Paths wind past wings of guest rooms and through dense foliage and flowering shrubs. A reflecting pool and koi pond with small Balinese pillars is a particularly serene spot. Guests gather around the two swimming pools, one a lagoon-shaped pool and the other a small infinity-edged pool with views of the beach from its deck. The main pool can get shaded in the afternoon, which provides relief from the heat but isn't great for sunbathers. It's also sometimes difficult to get a sunbed. Most of the interiors have a contemporary, somewhat spare look, with dashes of color and Balinese art. The beach and sunset-facing rooftop bar is a particularly stylish space to hang out and mingle. Like most Bali hotels, The Camakila draws lots of Australians and the atmosphere around the pools is often crowded and quite social, though the atmosphere isn't hectic. The guest list skews towards couples. With its relative lack of specific children's facilities like a kids' club and playground, the hotel is not as good as other area properties for families. 

The Camakila is situated in central Legian on Legian Beach, just south of Double Six Beach and Seminyak. The road to the hotel is fairly small and can get congested with traffic, but generally it's a quiet area. Numerous shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are a short walk from the hotel. Legian Beach and Double Six Beach are both known for their white sand, beach soccer, surfing, and sunsets. Many visitors to Legian enjoy shopping for Balinese beads, and Jalan Padma street at a 10-minute walk is a good place to find them. Dream Museum Zone (DMZ) Bali features large 3D murals for visitors to interact with -- it's a 10-minute drive. The Ground Zero Monument to the victims of the 2002 Sari Club bombing is a little over a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Ngurah Rai International Airport will take about 25 minutes to reach by car.

Rooms and suites at The Camakila Legian Bali have a pleasant, contemporary look. There are a few pieces of Balinese art here and there, but the aesthetic is fairly simple, with lots of white, gray, beige, and brown tones plus dashes of blue in the soft furnishings. Modern twill furniture, light tile floors, and bodhi-leaf art on the walls give everything a nice bit of polish. Rooms are spacious, ranging from 388 square feet (36 square meters) to 1,076 square feet (100 square meters). 

All 117 rooms come with sofa beds, electric kettles, minibars (with room for cold storage), two free daily bottles of mineral water, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with satellite and English-speaking channels. Occasionally there are issues with Wi-Fi reliability, and the TVs lack Australian channels for their many Australian guests. Air-conditioning can also be subpar on occasion. All rooms have balconies or terraces, some with views of the main lagoon pool. Some rooms open to the pool, which is convenient for pool access but doesn't provide as much privacy since guests can see into rooms when curtains are open. 

Bathrooms have ample counter space, and all come with make-up mirrors and hairdryers. All have showers or shower/tub combos, and some have separate showers and tubs. We did spot some grout that could use a deep scrub in the bathrooms. The hotel has only one elevator, so many rooms require a walk up stairs to access. 

The highlight feature of a stay at The Camakila Legian Bali is its proximity to Legian Beach, which is just across a small pedestrian street and is safe for swimming. It's also a good spot to learn surfing. The hotel offers two very good swimming pools. The main lagoon pool is quite large, with a long narrow section leading to a freeform section where most guests congregate. The infinity-edged Tao Pool is a smaller rectangular pool with a deck that offers a glimpse of the beach and ocean through the trees on the property. 

This same view is on offer from the hotel's secondary restaurant and rooftop bar. The restaurant serves a range of Asian fare, including Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Japanese, while the bar specializes in inventive cocktails and Asian-style tapas. The open-air main restaurant overlooks the pool and serves international and western cuisine. It also provides poolside drink and snack service. Both restaurants have theme nights and regular live entertainment, including Balinese dancing. Room service is available around the clock. The lobby-level bar has an outdoor terrace with sunset and beach views. 

The spa offers a good range of treatments, including traditional Balinese massages and green tea and honey body scrubs. The sauna is free for guests to use, and the hotel also offers a small but well-equipped fitness center with a good range of cardio and weight machines and free weights. The Camakila also hosts a once-weekly free yoga class, egg painting, and Indonesian lessons. The hotel provides pool toys for kids but lacks elaborate children's amenities like a kids' club, child-only pool, and playground. A 24-hour business center, meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi, and free parking are also on site.