One of Bali’s most enduring properties, the InterContinental Bali resort, opened in October 1993 and was the first luxury hotel to be built on the shores of Jimbaran Bay. In this part of Bali, the sand is white, the beach is long and the area has retained its local community feel in addition to welcoming tourists. Jimbaran is our favourite area in Bali and the InterContinental Bali is one of our favourite hotels. Here are 10 reasons to check into the InterContinental Bali, whether you are travelling as a couple or with your family, and some insider tips to help you make the most of your stay here.
InterContinental Bali location
What was once a simple fishing village has evolved into a popular tourist destination but unlike some parts of Bali, Jimbaran Bay has retained its charm. While there is a market catering to Westerners, give the touristy stalls a miss in favour of an early morning trip to the fish markets where locals buy the catch of the day and choose the vegetables for their evening meal. Even though you probably won’t come home with a souvenir, you will leave with many wonderful memories of chatting with the stall holders and learn a lot about life in Bali. Perhaps the best thing of all is that Jimbaran is only a 20 minute taxi ride from the airport, even in peak hour. If you have come off a long flight this is worth celebrating.
InterContinental Bali kid’s club
This isn’t one of those awful kids clubs where the children are allowed to play video games all day. There are loads of fun activities such as Balinese dance lessons, kite flying, mask making and fish feeding. Planet Trekkers includes lunch and dinner for children in the program which is great as it saves their parents having to buy it. Kids (or their parents) can choose from a menu that looks so good you’ll be wishing you could order something off it for yourself. Along with the usual children’s favourites such as spaghetti bolognaise there are also traditional Balinese options such as nasi goreng (fried rice) and our son’s favourite, chicken satays (or chicken sticks as he used to call them when he was little).
InterContinental Bali sunset
Jimbaran Bay is famous for its sunsets but perhaps the nicest thing about watching the sun go down here is the scene that goes along with it. Locals, expats and tourists stroll along the beach while Balinese kids kick balls around on the sand as the sun sinks slowly towards the horizon. Stick around long enough to watch all of the colours change to get the best photos. The InterContinental Bali has plenty of deck chairs overlooking the beach so you can relax and enjoy the sunset in comfort.
Club InterContinental
While it is always nice to enjoy a little extra luxury, it makes sense to book a Club InterContinental room purely from a value-for-money perspective if you’re debating whether you should spoil yourself. Club InterContinental guests get a swag of extra benefits that are worth a lot more than what it costs to upgrade. There is a lavish Club Lounge with fine linen napkins, sparkling chandeliers and equally sparkling service and a complimentary evening cocktail hour with canapés, wine and high end spirits. Club InterContinental guests also get complimentary breakfast at the Club or one of the other resort breakfast venues, all day refreshments and a beautiful afternoon tea.
InterContinental Bali Sunset Beach Bar
Cocktails are a must-do, even if you don’t have them included in your rate as a Club InterContinental guest. The best spot is the Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, an open-air beachfront bar overlooking the sweeping curve of Jimbaran Bay. Get in early to score one of the large daybeds which are ideal for a relaxing drink or two. If hunger strikes you can order tasty snacks to enjoy with your drinks. There is also (very good) live music here most nights.
InterContinental Bali service
We watched guests who had obviously visited the hotel many times before giving and getting hugs from the staff who treated them like old friends. At the end of our stay which was only three nights, we could understand why. The staff were so warm and friendly and made us feel like family. It was one of many highlights of our visit and we noticed everyone received the same special service that we got.
InterContinental Bali spa
Spa Uluwatu has private male and female sections, each with their own steam room and sauna, and jacuzzi, locker rooms and showers. Guests can use the steam room, sauna and jacuzzi at no charge, even if they haven’t booked a treatment. However, you should definitely book a massage if you are staying at the resort as the therapists are excellent. Don’t leave it too late though as the word is out about how good it is and the spa can book out at busy times.
InterContinental Bali activities
Do you fancy some free fun? If you want to do more than lie by the pool there is a complimentary daily activities program consisting of options such as yoga classes, music lessons using traditional Balinese instruments, fruit and flower arranging, and more. There are also paid activities like a purification ceremony that will connect you to Bali’s culture and traditions.
Plenty of room to move
InterContinental Bali was the first luxury property of its kind to be built at Jimbaran. Back then, prices were low and space was readily available so the hotel developer bought a huge piece of land. This means that accommodation is spread throughout the resort rather than being crammed around a central wing. There are multiple pools and relaxation areas and over 14 hectares of beautiful landscaped gardens to enjoy. Even when the resort is almost full, it seems quiet as guests have the space to spread out and find their own piece of paradise.
InterContinental Bali dining
Jimbaran Bay is famous for its seafood grill restaurants but we ate solely at the hotel on this visit. The shot below was taken at the InterContinental Club Lounge which offers an a la carte breakfast or you can have breakfast at Taman Gita, the resort’s main breakfast venue, or Jimbaran Gardens near the pool. We also had a fabulous Italian dinner at Bella Cucina, the resort’s Italian restaurant. Ask for an outside table here so you can hear the waves and listen to the band playing at the resort’s Beach Bar.
The InterContinental Bali at Jimbaran Bay is the ideal destination for travellers seeking a more ‘grown up’ and authentic Bali escape, with no hawkers on the beach and a refreshing absence of ‘party animals’ roaming the hotel corridors. It offers an affordable and luxurious Bali holiday that connects you with life in Bali in a destination that still has a local vibe and hasn’t been fully taken over by tourism.
Disclosure: The writer stayed as a guest of InterContinental Bali. She would not hesitate to stay at this hotel again at her own expense.
We’ve got plenty of hints and tips for travelling in Bali and also some great hotel and resort suggestions. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, we’ve reviewed the Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort, Peppers Seminyak Resort, Apurva Kempinski Bali, Bulgari Resort Bali, Aria Villas Ubud, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, The Mulia Bali, Merusaka Nusa Dua, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, Anantara Seminyak Bali, the InterContinental Bali and we’ve also written a special review for parents visiting the InterContinental Bali with kids. We’ve compared the Singaraja and Club rooms at the InterContinental Bali and found the best luxury family hotels in Bali and the best honeymoon hotels in Bali.
