The Jimbaran View

The Jimbaran View is a large, utilitarian, family-friendly hotel with two six-story wings overlooking a central pool and sundeck. The view from the busy street is not inviting, with lots of busy signage and overhanging wires; there are a few big Balinese statues at the lobby entrance, but this is the extent of the local flavor. Interiors are modern and chain-like -- the property used to be part of the Harris hotel chain, and decor and branded details still reflect this. Even the elevator doors are used as ad space, while the spa feels urban and inexpensive thanks to the jarring orange and pistachio green color scheme. Still, the spaces are nonetheless sleek, with bright whites and neutral hues contrasted by orange accents.

There are two restaurants here: a casual cafe that serves a buffet breakfast in a spacious dining room lined with light wood tables, as well as a rooftop terrace restaurant that serves dinner only and doubles as a nightclub in the evenings. From the roof, guests can relax on a Balinese sunbed and watch the sunset over the distant bay. The Jimbaran View frequently hosts large groups, which can make for boisterous crowds by the pool. Beachgoers looking for a home base will likely be fine with this hotel, but the Jimbaran View doesn't reflect Balinese culture or the island's lush, jungle feel.

The Jimbaran View is located on a hilltop in the town of Ungasan, on a busy, noisy street; it occupies a more urban setting than most local hotels. There are few shops or restaurants in the immediate area, but there is a mini-mart across the street that sells snacks and necessities. The hotel has distant views of Jimbaran Bay and the Bali Sea, and there are plenty of beautiful beaches within a short drive, including Dreamland Beach about 15 minutes away. The hotel also operates a free shuttle to Pandawa Beach, which is about a 15-minute drive from the property. The culture park at Garuda Wisnu Kencana is a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the hotel. The cliff-hanging temple at Uluwatu is a 15- to 20-minute drive. Guests interested in the club and bar scene will need to drive around 30 minutes to Kuta or Seminyak. Ngurah Rai International Airport is about a 20- to 25-minute drive from here.

The 245 rooms at The Jimbaran View are modern and bright, outfitted in a white-and-orange color scheme that lacks Balinese charm. Even the black-and-white photographs behind the beds include pops of bright orange. All come with unfurnished private balconies, many overlooking the central pool and facing the hotel's other wing. Bay view rooms are available, but the views are distant. Sleek bathrooms are fairly small but come with showers, toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, tea- and coffee-making facilities, safes, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Suites also have sitting areas adjacent to breakfast bars, plus tubs in the bathrooms. Rooms do not have double-paned windows, so noise issues from the rooftop bar or the busy street are possible. Connecting rooms are available upon request.

The Jimbaran View features a central pool with a narrow sundeck lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas. There is a fitness center with a variety of cardio machines and a few pieces of weight equipment. The hotel spa offers a variety of services, including reflexology, aromatherapy, Ayurvedic treatments, massages, and other body treatments; reservations are required. A popular spot is the rooftop bar and lounge, which offers a panoramic view of the town below and sunsets over the bay, plus there is a DJ in the evenings. The hotel serves dinner in a rooftop dining room, and a buffet breakfast (not included) and dinner in the street-level cafe. Additionally, there is a kids' club with babysitting services available for a fee. For working travelers, there is a business center with computers and a meeting room. The hotel also has a rooftop wedding chapel, and wedding services are available upon request.