Paradisus by Meliá Bali — Hotel in Kuta Selatan

Last year in June I stayed for 5 days in Melia Bali for the second time. The first time I was there on 2019 before Corona time. Due to impressive service from the Melia team on 2019, we decided to back again on 2023 to experience the hospitality and the good service they deliver. Unfortunately, we were so disappointed with our second visit till the point that we might not consider to come back again to this Hotel. The reason I write this review to make a contribution to make the service in Melia much better.

The things that make us so hooked on Melia Bali are: The location in Nusa Dua area is wonderful. Might be the most exclusive location you can get in Bali. Front beach area with low tide and high tide area gives us good engagement with the beach nature in Bali. Great service from the Melia team (2019), they are so reliable and helpful. Very delicious and various food in breakfast and restaurants. Beautiful gardens and very nice traditional music in the garden.

The very personal and memorable experience that we had in 2019 invites us back to this hotel on June 2023.

Nevertheless, things changed and we have to endure these unpleasant experiences: On arrival, we did not get welcome drink by default until we asked for it (minus point). On 2019 we got welcome drink and wet towel upon arrival after check in without a need to ask for it. We booked Junior Sweet room, very surprising there was a cockroach in our bathroom, I think it is so disgusting. It was in the early morning after we woke up, luckily the hotel service came very fast to take out the cockroach from our room. Traditional music in Hotel Garden was not playing regularly like we got used to before, I told this to the officer on front desk. On the Sateria Beachfront Restaurant, I ordered a burger without bacon. It took ages till my order come, and sadly it was with a bacon in it. This disappointed me so much since I don't eat bacon. Then I asked the service lady to take it back and give me a new one without bacon as I ordered before. Suddenly, within one minute, my ordered burger was ready. The lady said, it was freshly made burger not the same burger served before with removed bacon. It was highly suspicious that my burger was not freshly prepared, they might just removed the bacon from the previous burger and served it back to me, who knows? The most annoying part on our stay was, I need to ask for a small spoon to accompany my cup of coffee during breakfast for 5 days long. I used to have a small spoon to stir my cup of coffee in the morning. Sadly enough, I have to ask this small spoon every time I was in breakfast hall. I don't understand that this luxury hotel does not provide a small spoon as a breakfast set on the table. I tell them that small spoon is a not complicated thing to be provided and it is a standard set on the breakfast table. But every hotel workers there gave me different answer when I complained and confronted them about this. Moreover, this small spoon is needed to scoop Yoghurt, since the yoghurt comes in a cute tiny glass. The only way to enjoy it by using the small spoon that the guests can not find it anywhere and need to ask the personal in the hall every time they need.

At one moment, I shared our unpleasant experiences in Melia to the hotel manager on the front desk. They admitted that many things changed after Corona, mostly the hotel personal there are new people. I was just shocked with the current situation in Melia and our second visit to this luxury hotel was not as beautiful as we hope. I wish, that the Melia team now gets better with their service. But for us, we only can give 3 Stars review for Melia. It does not deserve more!

Another good things that I want to highlight from Melia, they have really good Spa program. Better for the Hotel guests to enjoy Spa in Melia hotel with very delicate treatment and professional masseur, then to try Spa program from...

Don’t stay here, there are much better places to stay for the money you pay.

Overview: This hotel cannot handle full occupancy. We checked in over Easter and booked 5 nights in family suite, with breakfast only included. The resort was absolutely jam packed. There were people everywhere you turned, no pool beds, kids club looked like a pig pen, lines out the door for the breakfast buffet.

Gardens and atmosphere: The resort presents really well, there is always music being played and the gardens are well maintained.

Room: The family suite is so dated and it has a musty smell. The bathroom has mouldy wood trims and the bathtub is rusted. It’s a bath/shower combo which was not pleasant. The door to the balcony was swollen and you had to slam it close. This is not a 5 star resort. Housekeeping was hit and miss and would not replace any of the cups you used in the room. The resort gives you 330ml bottles of water per person each day. I definitely drink more than that. There are no other water options at the hotel. I think there should be a water cooler at reception where you can refill your bottles, seeing as you can’t drink the tap water. You could buy water at the restaurants but at $7Aud for a bottle it would cripple your finances.

Kids club: The program seemed great and they had a lot of activities but there was I inadequate supervision. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my kids there as they would have gotten lost amongst the sea of other kids. It was a disorganised mess. More staff are required.

Food: The food quality at Sorrento and a Sakura was really nice, however when we tried to make a booking we were told it was fully booked for the next 2 days! When I’m on holiday I don’t like to plan my days so far in advance. The food at Sateria is average and pricey for what you get. The kids menu never changes and it’s the same across all restaurants. Not a veggie in sight, all pizza, nuggets, burgers etc. We dined at the Mulia one night and it was the best meal of our trip. The buffet breakfast is a shambles, kids sneezing and coughing over the food, no sanitizer in sight, there is an egg station but everyday we were told to eat the ready made omelette. There is table service tea and coffee, but that never comes when you request it. The variety never changes. Don’t recommend. If you want to eat breakfast after 9am, be prepared to stand on a line of 20 people before you get let in.

Babysitting: I emailed several months in advance to check on the notice for babysitting. I was told 24 hours. Upon checking in we were told there was no availability for 3 days. We were only staying for 5.

Pool: There is only one pool for families which is not big enough. Unless you “reserve” a pool bed at 7am good luck finding one later on.

Service: All staff were really nice and the service is quick but i don’t think they can keep up with the amount of guests. Reception was not very helpful, when we checked in it felt very rushed and upon check out we weren’t asked how our stay was. I do have to thank the guest concierge who organised late check for us, after reception told us it wasn’t possible. It made a real difference to the end of our stay.

Price: This place is the biggest rip off! $7.20AUD for a cappuccino. That is extortion! Not even in a 5 star hotel in Sydney would you be charged $7.20 for a coffee. The water was another gripe, $7AUD for a bottle and you’d like a side of steamed white rice? That’s $6.50 AUD. Absolutely ridiculous. Again, you don’t even pay that much in Australia. There is a mini mart at the resort but this doesn’t sell water.

Activities: there are loads of additional activities such as tennis, go carts, Paddle boards and badminton but you get charged for every single activity. This place takes every opportunity to...

Visiting Bali is an experience that feels like stepping into a living postcard, with its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. My trip to Bali was a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion.

Arriving in Denpasar, the island's capital, I was greeted by the warm tropical air and the welcoming smiles of the locals. The drive to my hotel in Ubud took me through picturesque scenery—lush rice terraces, dense forests, and quaint villages. Ubud, known as Bali's cultural heart, was a perfect base for my explorations.

My accommodation was a charming boutique hotel nestled amidst the rice paddies. Each morning, I woke up to the sound of birdsong and the sight of mist rising over the fields. The tranquility of the setting immediately put me at ease.

One of the highlights of my stay in Ubud was visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Wandering through the ancient forest, with its moss-covered temples and playful monkeys, felt like stepping into another world. The mischievous macaques provided endless entertainment, and the serene atmosphere of the forest was deeply calming.

Ubud is also famous for its arts and crafts. A visit to the Ubud Art Market was a feast for the senses, with vibrant textiles, intricate wood carvings, and beautiful paintings on display. I enjoyed interacting with the artisans and learning about their crafts, and I couldn't resist purchasing a few souvenirs to take home.

A day trip to the Tegallalang Rice Terraces was another unforgettable experience. The terraced fields, with their intricate irrigation systems, are a testament to the ingenuity of Balinese farmers. Walking along the narrow paths, surrounded by emerald-green rice paddies, was both peaceful and awe-inspiring. I also tried my hand at traditional farming techniques, guided by a friendly local farmer.

One evening, I attended a traditional Kecak dance performance at a temple. The rhythmic chanting of the dancers, the dramatic storytelling, and the flickering firelight created an enchanting atmosphere. It was a mesmerizing display of Bali's rich cultural heritage.

No trip to Bali would be complete without exploring its stunning beaches. A visit to Seminyak offered a different kind of beauty, with its golden sands, vibrant beach clubs, and breathtaking sunsets. I spent a leisurely day lounging on the beach, swimming in the clear blue waters, and enjoying delicious seafood at a beachfront restaurant.

For adventure, I went scuba diving in Amed, on the eastern coast of Bali. The underwater world was a revelation, with colorful coral reefs, diverse marine life, and even a shipwreck to explore. Diving in the warm, clear waters of Bali was an exhilarating experience that left me eager for more.

Balinese cuisine was another highlight of the trip. From spicy sambal to fragrant nasi goreng, every meal was a delight. I particularly enjoyed a cooking class in Ubud, where I learned to prepare traditional dishes using fresh, local ingredients. The flavors were vibrant and unique, reflecting the island's rich culinary traditions.

As my trip came to an end, I felt a deep sense of contentment and gratitude. Bali had offered me a perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and cultural enrichment. The island's natural beauty, combined with the warmth and friendliness of its people, made for an unforgettable travel experience. Bali's magic had woven its way into my heart, and I knew I would carry the memories of this trip with me for...