Holiday Inn Baruna Resort, Bali
Travelling to Bali at least once a year with our family, we are lucky to have tried and tested many resorts and different locations – but the Holiday Inn Baruna is the only one we have returned to more than once. There is something about this resort that has a hold on us – perhaps it’s the amazing family accommodation, the relaxed vibe around the pool, or the friendly staff that adore the kids. There are just so many reasons why we love this property and why I recommend it to all my clients which I will share below!
THE LOCATION
The Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is situated in South Kuta near the Denpasar International airport, and a short distance walk into the action of Kuta. It is a quiet location with a lovely stretch of beach right at the hotels doorstep, making it ideal for families, couples or honeymooners. If we wanted to head out of the resort for dinner, we just walked along the beach to the Discovery Mall and had dinner at one of the restaurants there. There is a few mini marts a small walk out of the hotel when you need to stock up on water or snacks, aswell as a few markets and shops.
THE ROOMS
One of the things that always brings us back to the Holiday Inn properties is their family accommodation – they always have rooms that accommodate families of five which is a huge winner! We stayed in a Studio Garden Access room which had a separate kids bunk bed and xbox, double sofa bed and a king bed. It was perfect for our family of five and Alysse was so happy to have her own bed and space away from her brothers.
The room also had a nice little outdoor courtyard leading onto a large grass area, which is perfect for kids to run around and have a play while you relax on the daybed!
DINING
The best part about Holiday Inn Properties is that kids stay and eat free. If you plan on spending a lot of time at the resort and eating at the restaurants, then it can make a huge difference! Palms Restaurant is where to head for the kids eat free deals, which is by the pool and has a great selection of meals (Jay has recommened the mini kids burgers – apparently they are the best in Bali).
Envy Restaurant is one of our favourite restaurants in the whole of Bali, and even if we aren’t staying at the resort we always come here for a dinner. There is a grass area for the kids to play on and the live entertainment they have makes for a beautiful ambience. If you like Thai food, the Thai Green curry is my go to meal here, it is delicious 🙂
The buffet breakfast is my kids favourite part of the resort – they LOVE a good variety of food and freshly made pancakes, and the Holiday Inn Baruna provides both. They even have a dedicated kids buffet and dining table which is super cute! If your kids stay at the Kids Club for lunch the staff bring them down to the restaurant for lunch, I loved seeing all the kids sitting around the kids table chatting and making friends!
POOLS
There is one large pool at the hotel, along with a separate kids pool with shade over top which is great for the toddler age. The main pool has a basketball hoop, floating beanbags and a swim up pool bar, where you can enjoy happy hour from 4-6pm with 2 for 1 selected cocktails and beers.
There are various gazebos dotted around the pool which make the perfect spot to spend the day reading a book and relaxing (or in my case, working!) and surprisingly we have never had a problem finding one available.
KIDS CLUB & FACILITIES
The kids club is situated downstairs near the pool area, and is open from 9am to 9pm . The staff told us the kids club is just a temporary location and in the process of being renovated, but we were told similar a few years ago when they originally moved it so I am not sure exactly what their plans are for the kids club. But while it is more suited towards the younger kids, it is in a great location and my boys were happy to sit and play the playstation situated just outside the kids club.
Children under 4 do need a to be accompanied by an adult to stay, but you can arrange a nanny through the hotel should you want to head out for a child free dinner or day out. They provide you a with a mobile phone so rest assured if for any reason you need to come back and attend to your children, you will get a call.
There is also a fantastic kids playground situated just near the kids pool and large grass area, which my boys enjoyed playing on after breakfast – before the heat hit.
SPA
The spa here at the Holiday Inn Baruna is absolutely beautiful – set in its own separate pagoda facing the ocean and surrounded by fish ponds and lush gardens, you can choose to enjoy your massage at an indoor treatment room or outdoors under one of the bales by the beach.
We were generously treated to a family spa treatment package, meaning the boys experienced their first ever massage – and while they weren’t initially enthusiastic, a few minutes in and they were hooked! I think Jay may have even fallen asleep and both came out extremely relaxed and asking when they could go back again. Alysse and I also enjoyed a beautiful full body massage and manicure, and we highly recommend treating yourself to a treatment at the Tea Tree Spa!
This property really is something special – it isn’t huge, doesn’t have 5 pools and waterslides – but what it lacks in size it makes up for in everything else. We always enjoy our time here and will defnitley be back!
Thank you to the staff at Holiday Inn Baruna for hosting us – our opinions are 100% true.