Many people would choose to stay in a villa when they visit Seminyak in Bali, but 2 months ago in May, I chose to stay at IZE Hotel Seminyak instead, booking two Deluxe rooms with some of my family members. How was it? Read below and find out!
This will be what you see when your driver drops you off at the little driveway. How lovely!
IZE is a beautifully designed hotel, from its architecture to the room theme. I noted the little design details and cohesive color scheme applied throughout. The trip was a family trip so I had more family members staying at a villa elsewhere, but coming back to the hotel every night was a comforting thought (#IntrovertProblems).
Great features about IZE Hotel Seminyak
Architecture
From the road, you’ll see this chic facade. Doesn’t it look very edgy? With so many of those blue edges? 😂 I love those panels though.
That restaurant is also where guests take breakfast (there’s indoor seating). None-hotel-guests are welcome as paying customers.
Light-filled Room & Amenities
Deluxe rooms are sized 40sqm each. I took a room without the jacuzzi whereas my family had the jacuzzi bathtub. The room is very clean and spacious enough. We had twin beds – each one comes with 2 fluffy pillows and the bed quality ensured I slept well through the night. There’s also a comfortable daybed/couch near the windows where you could sit, relax, watch tv, meditate, anything! I sat there and replied some emails. Or you can always use the desk to do work at!
Room comes with a mini-fridge, mineral water bottles replaced everyday, TV, safebox and an open hanging rack for clothes.
Hotel Facilities
All hotel guests are welcome to use the pool at the roof-top, which looked pretty! I didn’t swim because I’ll be headed to my family’s villa pool. At IZE, the additional pool at the basement is limited to the seven Deluxe Pool rooms beside that pool (the rooms are more expensive). There’s also a gym at the basement. WIFI is available within the hotel grounds too.
Good Security
How would I miss taking note of this especially when I travel solo sometimes? 😉
I went back on my own at 11pm after having a massage session (which was just across the hotel actually). At the entrance of the hotel, there’s always a security guard. The reception counter is right before the lift lobby too, so you’ll always pass by staff before you go to the rooms. Room doors are controlled by access cards.
Awesome Location
IZE Hotel Seminyak is located along Eat Street, in the city centre in Seminyak, along a main road that’s always buzzing with traffic. Just to not confuse you, or confuse you regardless, this road is also called Jalan Laksamana, also called Jln Kayu Aya, also called Oberoi, lol.
The hotel’s location gives you easy access to everything.
And I mean every place in Seminyak.
Food: There’s plenty of cafes and restaurants along the road. We had lunch at Trattoria Oberoi (not recommended), Chandi (fusion cuisine) and dinner at Rumours (wonderful food!), all minutes’ walk from the hotel, and there’s just so many more eateries to try.
Shopping: The entire stretch is full of shops and also convenience stores and pharmacy (Circle K, Guardian). From the entrance, if you turn left, it brings you towards Seminyak Square (and also the beach). If you turn right, it’s shopping.
Balinese Massage: Just a few shops away from the hotel, I tried and highly recommend Kimberly Spa (turn left when you leave hotel). The therapists are well-trained and prices are very reasonable too. I had 5 massage sessions in all 4 days – BLISS! On my last night in Bali, I had a massage right before the salon closed shop for the day, and simply strolled back to the hotel to shower and pack. I heard Kimberly Spa will be moving down the road though!
If you’re not walking, you can flag a cab anytime along the road – they’re readily available.
I also walked to a yoga home studio (Olop Iyengar Yoga) for a morning session.
Airport transfer
IZE Hotel is about half an hour by car from Bali’s airport.
The hotel quoted IDR 250,000 per car per trip. Some of my family arriving later took this option while my bro & I took the airport taxi (at same price too). Considering the very normal taxi (somewhat dirty, honestly) vs the SUV car my family arrived in, I would have booked with the hotel had our initial driver not played punk by not appearing at the airport.
If you’re travelling with young kids or the elderly and do not have a trusted driver in Bali, I’ll recommend you arrange for airport transfer with IZE hotel.
What would have made IZE better
Better breakfast food
The spread was not bad. There’s Indo cuisine with mee goreng, fried rice, sauteed veggies; egg station; coffee, juices, pastries and even special menu food which you can order from. However, I wished the food tasted better. I reflected this to the hotel via TripAdvisor and they’re looking to improve the standards.
Reduction in music level from the surrounding bars
Firstly, Seminyak’s main streets are considered party scenes for foreigners. Which means the bars play music every night, including weekdays. Considering IZE’s close vicinity to many restaurants/bars, it means you will hear the faint thumping of music late into the night. The music won’t cease till 1+am. To counter this, ear-plugs would be useful!
IZE Hotel provides modern comfort for the city person.
Despite the breakfast and bar noise, the positive aspects + excellent customer service from the staff made up for it. I would still opt for the modern hotel over the traditionally-designed Balinese villas, my personal choice!
Do you enjoy this review? Share your experiences of Bali accommodations with me!
More Bali posts
• Why I’ll never hike Mt Batur again
• How to DIY a yoga retreat in Bali
• Easy hiking at the photogenic Campuhan Ridge Walk
Stayed: late-May 2017
Address: Jl. Kayu Aya, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
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I stayed as a paying guest. All opinions are my own, always.
Image credits: Hotel facade with pink sky, and rooftop pool photos were from IZE Hotel’s Facebook Page, used with hotel’s permission. All other photos were taken and editted by me.
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