The Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort is almost 10 years old but you would never know it. Thanks to an extensive renovation project completed during Bali’s COVID shutdown, the resort is looking better than ever. I checked into the Sofitel at Nusa Dua not long after the renovations were completed and could immediately see the many changes that had been made since my previous visit six years ago. As I was guided to my room, it felt like the resort had discarded its rather restrained attire for brighter, more stylish and sexier beach apparel. And it looked great.

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort renovation

The expansive renovations included all 415 rooms, 22 suites and 18 private pool villas with changes that included replacing the dark wooden floors (which made the rooms look a little gloomy) with fresh white tiles and additional lighting to make the rooms look brighter and more stylish. Overall, there’s a more open, brighter feel to the resort and the pool areas and beach section have also been refreshed with new deck chairs with bright blue cushions and the always popular pool bales with their flowing white privacy drapes.

The resort was looking noticeably fresher and more sophisticated and so was my Pool Access room which is one of the hotel’s signatures. This style of room offers guests direct access to the extensive pool network that includes 4 pools and an impressive 400-meter-long lane linking all the pool suites. Unfortunately, the one thing that hadn’t changed as part of the renovation is the lack of a fully frosted toilet door on the rooms. A large decal covers a large part of the door but we would have preferred more privacy. All rooms offer a choice of king or twin beds and large bathrooms that include rain showers and a separate bathtub. A fridge that doubles as a mini bar plus tea and coffee-making facilities are offered, but be warned that the coffee pods are not free and are included in the mini bar price list. We skipped these in favour of a freshly made barista coffee at Club Millesime.

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Club Millesime benefits

We loved the Club Millésime lounge which is open to guests staying in Luxury Room Club Millésime Rooms, Suites and Villas plus Silver, Diamond and Platinum Le Club Accor members. The Sofitel Nusa Dua club benefits include a reception for private check-in and check-out plus an complimentary daily breakfast including an a la carte hot selection featuring the likes of pancakes and eggs benedict. An elegant afternoon tea and evening cocktail hour including beers, wines and freshly mixed signature cocktails such as the pretty Pink Ocean plus all the classics. The staff at the lounge were exceptional and offered very personal service, remembering everyone’s names and their favourite coffee and preferred drink choice each evening.

A dedicated butler service, welcome fruits in room, pressing of two garments per stay, complimentary local land-line calls and a late check-out until 4pm is also available (dependent on availability). Club Millesime is available for two adults and two children below 12 years old, but fear not as children are not allowed into the club for evening drinks so maximum romance is assured. Club Millesime rooms cost a little more but offer exceptional value. We would not hesitate to stay in one of a room with Club Millesime access again as it really added to our stay at the hotel.

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua restaurants

Sadly, we only stayed at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort for two nights due to flight changes but we still managed to make the most of the resort’s extensive list of facilities and most importantly, its dining options. And dining is something the Sofitel Bali does well and with gusto, thanks to its impressive Kwee Zeen Restaurant which has no fewer than 10 live cooking stations at breakfast which goes until 11am. With breakfast food choices that offer a true global experience, with everything from Korean soups to an extensive salad bar, (excellent) croissants, Indian curries, a juice bar and everything in between, there’s almost too much choice.

Perhaps the most significant makeover we noticed was the resort’s signature Cucina restaurant which has a new, extensive Italian menu and new five-star styling that would not look out of place on the French Riviera. With white linen-draped table clothes and all the fine dining extras, Cucina offers both poolside and airconditioned seating options that are guaranteed to impress. Just be sure to book ahead as this restaurant is always popular and frequently books out. More dining options include the Toya Beach Bar & Grill located – you guessed it – on the beach with a menu of international the local favourites from burgers to nasi goreng.

For guests after some chillout tunes and a cool down, the L’OH Pool Bar is the place to be as it has an extended 3 hour cocktail hour with buy-one-get-one-free deals, plus some very cool music. For those who would prefer to stay dry, there’s the Manarai Beach House, a stylish beach club an open-air dining space that’s set around sun decks with private cabanas and sofas where you can enjoy cocktails and light bites. Two spacious freshwater pools are also available here if you feel like a change from the hotel pools.

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort with kids

A huge plus at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort is the excellent Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua kids club and the hotel’s family friendly offer where one child (aged 11 and under) stays and eats free. This is why the resort is so popular with families and multi-generational groups as extended families can stay, play and dine together with ease. Kids (and their parents) get excited about the Kids Club as it offers loads of entertainment options with a great indoor and outdoor play area plus a private water park that is guaranteed to impress the fussiest of kids when they visit with their parents.

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort things to do

More facilities and things to do include not one but two spa areas, the Sofitel Bali SoSPA and a beach bale massage area where you can enjoy a relaxing massage with a refreshing ocean breeze. Keep an eye out for spa specials as we noticed a 50% off afternoon deal while we were at the resort. The extensive SoFIT gym is available night and day and if you want a challenge, there is also the option for personal training and a boot camp as well. For something more relaxing, there are free bikes so you can cruise along the vast length of the Nusa Dua boardwalk, taking in the other beachside resorts and beach cafes and bars along the way. For finding your zen, there’s a free morning yoga class held daily by the beach at the Sofitel to get the perfect holiday vibe going. More yoga and meditation options are also available for a fee.  

After our two-night stay, we were very reluctant to leave and felt that five nights at this resort would be just about right or maybe even seven if you added a day trip or two. Overall, the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort is perfect for just about any holiday escape with everyone from honeymooners to multigenerational family groups catered for equally well. This is a Bali resort we would love to return to for a longer stay as two nights was terrific but it definitely wasn’t long enough. 

Disclosure: The writer stayed as a guest of the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort and would not hesitate to return to this stylish Bali resort.

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 for couples and those travelling 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.