The Ritz-Carlton, Bali — Hotel in Kuta Selatan

When reviewing a hotel stay, I like to equate the different elements to a flight: you have the ground experience (i.e. the pre-stay experience), the hard product (the room and property itself), and the soft product (the service and amenities).

So that's how I'm going to approach this review.

Pre-stay experience: My booking was a bit complicated, as I actually booked multiple consecutive stays using different Amex cards to use the $200 benefit on each card shortly before they were going to expire. That all worked out fine and I received confirmation emails for each booking. A few months prior to the stay itself, I received what most likely was an automatic, albeit personalized email that referenced just the first booking and contained a few specific questions regarding transportation to the hotel and any dietary requirements. I responded to this email yet never received any response to my reply. This then happened multiple times in the weeks leading up to the stay, and I responded a total of 4 times to these emails, yet did not receive any response whatsoever. For a five-star hotel I found this fairly unprofessional.

Room and property: The overall grounds themselves are absolutely gorgeous, see the photos and videos. Extremely green and natural, no noise from roads or anything that might prevent you from relaxing and enjoying your vacation. Compared to any old random hotel, this is pure luxury! However, since we are dealing with a five-star hotel that commands a certain price point, it makes sense to compare it to others in the same category. And it isn't without its drawbacks. Room review below.

The beach area was honestly a bit of a let-down. The view is obviously spectacular, but the lounge chairs and bali beds are all at the top of a small incline, meaning to get down to the ocean you need to walk down this small hill. The sand is also extremely porous, so you sink in about a foot with each step, making this walk somewhat challenging. The swimming area itself is also extremely shallow and the ground is rocky and/or covered in plants. All in all not the greatest beach experience, which is why most people that wanted to swim were in the pool. I just hung out on a lounger and every now and then trekked down to the ocean, cooled off with a quick dip, and got out again. Obviously this is nitpicking and it isn't the hotel's fault, but still worth mentioning.

On the plus side, the fitness room is excellent for a hotel gym, with a number of chest, back, and leg machines including a Smith machine, as well as a good selection of free weights up to 20 kg. I worked out daily and managed to get some good workouts in.

The spa area was okay, it's gender-specific so you won't be able to sauna or relax in the warm pool with your partner of the opposite sex. The men's spa features one Finnish sauna that's on the smallish side, one steam room, and a cold plunge as well as a warm pool. Overall the area is fairly small and it's in a basement so there's no view of any kind. The good thing is that is was more or less empty the entire time I was there.

Service and amenities: I decided to save the best for last, and this is where the Ritz truly shines! The employees are absolutely fantastic, literally every single person I encountered, from the front desk to the restaurant staff to the spa, was warm and friendly and did all they could to make sure I had everything I needed or wanted.

In this context, I would like to especially mention Arnada, Pande Rik, Dinata, and Bagus, who all went above and beyond the otherwise outstanding level of service to make my stay truly exceptional. Since I'm vegan I did need to figure out what my options were, and all of them were patient with me and took their time to ensure that I was well-fed. During breakfast, Arnada, the chef at Senses, took care of me personally with a specially prepared meal that exceeded even my own wildest expectations. Everything I ate during my stay was absolutely phenomenal, If you enjoy eating as much as I do then you will certainly be happy here!...

The Ritz-Carlton in Bali Nusa Dua is a five-star masterpiece that redefines luxury hospitality, blending stunning surroundings, impeccable service, and memorable experiences into an unforgettable Bali escape. From its captivating setting to its tailored dining and engaging activities, this resort caters to every traveler, elevated by a team whose dedication transforms every moment into something extraordinary. Staff and Service The staff are the heartbeat of the resort, delivering service that is both polished and deeply genuine. The front office team was phenomenal, orchestrating seamless check-ins, arranging transportation effortlessly, and handling every request with warmth and efficiency. No ask was ever too much, met with an enthusiasm that made every interaction feel uniquely personal. Their professionalism and insight set an unparalleled standard for hospitality. Rooms and Housekeeping The rooms are exceptional—spacious, elegantly designed, and appointed with luxurious details that exude comfort and sophistication. Maintained by an extraordinary housekeeping team, they were refreshed at least twice daily, always left in pristine condition with every detail meticulously attended to. The housekeeping staff’s world-class precision ensured every item was thoughtfully arranged, creating a consistently tidy and welcoming sanctuary. Daily touches like fresh fruit, sweets, or treats added a warm, personal charm, making each return to the room a moment of delight. Concierge Expertise The concierge team is a standout, wielding remarkable knowledge and an uncanny ability to make anything happen. Their expertise in Bali’s culture, attractions, and hidden gems was encyclopedic, allowing them to craft personalized recommendations with pinpoint accuracy. From securing exclusive reservations at top restaurants to arranging private tours of Ubud’s rice terraces or last-minute boat trips, their suggestions were always impeccable. No request was too complex—whether sourcing unique gifts, coordinating intricate itineraries, or fulfilling special requests like a private stargazing session, they delivered with flawless execution and warmth. Their proactive anticipation of needs and ability to turn ideas into reality made them less like staff and more like trusted guides, elevating the entire experience to extraordinary heights. Culinary Offerings The resort’s dining is a delight, offering a variety of options to suit every palate. Guests can savor authentic Balinese dishes rich with local spices, fresh seafood, or international fare, all crafted with care. Highlights include an all-day dining venue with global flavors and an Indonesian restaurant showcasing local cuisine. The breakfast buffet impresses with tropical fruits, pastries, and made-to-order dishes, while private beachfront dinners add a romantic touch. Attentive service ensures every meal feels special, rivaling Bali’s best. Cooking Course The cooking course is a gem, likely the best in Bali. Led by a private chef from one of the island’s top restaurants, it’s an immersive dive into Balinese flavors, blending hands-on learning with indulgent enjoyment. The staff went above and beyond, accommodating extra requests and providing thoughtful souvenirs to mark the occasion—a gesture that turned a great class into a cherished memory. Activities for All The resort offers activities for every guest, from relaxing spa treatments and beach yoga to snorkeling and pool lounging. Families enjoy a kids’ club with crafts, while cultural workshops connect guests with Bali’s heritage. Evenings feature live music or fire dances, blending vibrancy and calm. Overall Experience The Ritz-Carlton Bali Nusa Dua delivers a luxurious escape with captivating views, delightful dining, and activities for all. Housekeeping’s meticulous care, front office efficiency, and concierge expertise create a flawless, indulgent experience that exceeds every...

Applying 1 Nightly Upgrade Award and my room was upgraded to the highest room that could be applied by NUA, The Sky, 2 Bedroom Villa Ocean View Top Floor with private pool. Upon arrival at the hotel we were given a welcome drink and cold towel, while enjoying the view in the lobby for a moment. We were immediately invited to do the check-in process in the room. Towards our room we were escorted by buggy, the room is on the top floor itself, the living room is very spacious there is a bar table, sofa and chairs for the dining table, sofa in the living room to watch TV, pantry with refrigerator, zink, microwave. On the left side of the room there is a powder room and dressing table. Welcome amenities include fruit platter, batik chocolate, and chocolate pudding. Entering the room it is immediately cool, fragrant, and the interior is luxurious, like the roof design. In the pantry there is capsule coffee and tea using Dilmah. The interior is predominantly a combination of light brown and dark brown, it feels comfortable. The balcony has a cabana, sunbed and private pool with a beautiful ocean view. There are 2 bedrooms, one king bed room, one room with 2 double beds, occupied by the 3 of us only. In fact, if you want to put in a group of more than 10 people, it can be because there are many comfortable sofas. The interior is not too special because it is dominated by wallpaper but the mattress is really comfortable, making it beautiful. In the room there is a television, 2 chairs and a casual table. There are hats and bags in each room that can be taken home. For the windows, use electric curtain covers, just press next to the mattress and it can go up and down even though it is a bit noisy.

Each room is equipped with a walk-in closet with luggage rack, 2 washbasins, a heated toilet, bathtub, shower and rain shower. The amenities are complete and use dyptique. There are loofahs and bathsalt, unfortunately there is no TV for the bathtub. The bathtub fills up quickly.

The facilities are complete, there is access to the beach, buggy for mobility, various specialty restaurants, a swimming pool (although the size is quite small compared to the size of the resort), gym, spa and kids club. The kids club is good, spacious, many staff accompany the children to play, there is an outdoor playground and kids pool with slides. Of course, the most signature of the Ritz Carlton Bali is the chapel and I took the opportunity to take pictures there. There is also an aquatherapy pool. In the evening there is a bonfire near the main pool with marshmallows and cookies. Because I am a villa resident, I am also entitled to get drinks served in the villa, I chose 2 whole coconuts and 1 iced sweet tea.

For breakfast, at 06.30 in the morning it is already very crowded. For the a-la carte menu there is an egg menu, avocado toast, and tofu scramble, while the other menus are served buffet. It tastes very good and makes your appetite increase, especially the yong tau fu which feels like eating in Singapore. Even though there is no menu we can request any fresh juice on display and it will be made in the kitchen The menu: Pancakes, croffles, crepes, waffles, French toast, pastry, cake, bread, donuts, muffins, Various whole and cut fruits, yogurt, compote, smoothies, salad Cereal, nuts, cheese, chutney, milk, fresh juice, mixed juice Cold cut, oatmeal, bean, sausage, tomato, potato, mushroom, baby carrot, bacon, Egg station, gluten free, Indian food, tipat tahu catok, Balinese rice, sushi Miso, soto betawi, chicken rendang, fried rice with Medan anchovies, lodeh, grilled fish gulai Teriyaki chicken, fried kwetiau, omelet, ca mustard greens, market snacks, yong tau fu and noodle station Before checking out, our butler gave us a large ritz...