The Oasis Lagoon Sanur

The Oasis Lagoon Sanur, part of an Indonesian-owned hospitality group, makes a fine first impression. Vines shroud the lobby from the busy road outside, while hardwood ceilings soar overhead and guests are ushered to clusters of seating to check in. A cold towel and excellent spiced fruit drink is offered, helping to set the relaxed tone of a stay here. Given its setting right on Jalan Danau Tamblingan, it's not the most secluded property, and guests are constantly coming and going throughout the day. Even so, you're just as likely to find those who are staying here here posted up next to the lagoon pool all day long as you are to find them sipping Bintangs and Indonesian teas in the trendy restaurant. The hotel has a buzzy vibe overall, though it's by no means hectic or busy. Instead, the cool, design-led layout, wealth of common areas, and younger crowd give it an energy that you won't find in the more tame beachfront hotels across the road. Most guests here are couples and friends from Australia and Europe. Families do pass through as well. What's more? Rates are often far lower than at competing properties throughout town.

Is this hotel right on the beach? No, it's not. But the shore is only a seven-minute walk away and there's a free shuttle there throughout the day. However, for far lower rates, the trade-off is worth the lack of direct beach frontage. Otherwise, The Oasis is the definition of centra. Popular Hardy's department store is next door, and nearly every one of Sanur's most popular restaurants, bars, and cafes within a one- to 15-minute walk in either direction. It's certainly a busy part of town, and Jalan Danau Tamblingan is busy with traffic well into the night. Most rooms are away from the road, though, so street noise is only an issue in the restaurant (as is the case throughout town). It's a 15-minute walk or five-minute taxi ride to the Sindhu Night Market for cheap, authentic, local cuisine. Budget at least 45 minutes to reach Kuta or Seminyak by taxi, and at least 90 minutes by car to Tanah Lot for the sunset. A trip to the airport should take less than 30 minutes, but traffic can be bad in southern Bali, so plan accordingly. 

Rooms here are quite spacious and are tricked out in a fresh, contemporary, and minimalist style. It's a smart design choice that means maintenance and upkeep are easy, and everything looked well-kept and clean during our 2017 visit. Expect to see white, slate gray, and natural wood details throughout, and few decorative flourishes. White linens dress firm beds, and some rooms have additional lofted sleeping areas with living areas downstairs. Sliding bamboo panels act as effective black-out shades over the windows. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, electric kettles, free bottled water, mini-fridges, and safes. While all rooms have balconies overlooking the pools, they're done in a traditional lesehan style, with low, on-the-floor seating that's not particularly comfortable. Rooms on the ground floor have spacious furnished patios that open directly onto the pool. Bathrooms are dark, but the hotel can provide additional lighting on request. Toiletries and towels are provided, and bathrooms include generously sized stall showers with rainfall showerheads. Otherwise, the bathroom layouts are compact. There are glass panels from the showers into the rooms, but these can be closed off with blinds. Noise wasn't an issue during our stay, either from traffic or other guests.

There aren't a ton of features here, and the hotel works best as a reliable and stylish base from which to explore the area, or for hanging out poolside all day. The restaurant was a delightful surprise, and while the menu has typical international fare, its lunch and diner Indonesian specialties are particularly awesome. These include teas like bajigur, which you're unlikely to find in many other hotels, as well as great desserts and main courses. A breakfast buffet is served every morning and includes typical hot-and-cold fare plus an egg-cooking station and Indonesian fare (healthy options were noticeably in lesser supply during our stay). It's included with most rates. Acoustic music happens on select nights in the restaurant. The pool is equally popular, with its lagoon style layout. Guests post up poolside all day long and the area gets a decent amount of sun (though there aren't a ton of lounge chairs). Palm trees and greenery give it a tropical, garden-like vibe, despite the hotel's overall tiny footprint and lack of extra leisure space. There is a fitness room with cardio equipment, though it's limited, and massages can be arranged. A free shuttle runs to the beach, and bikes area available to rent. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.