Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Amaris Hotel Padang Padang's Paradise!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the shimmering, sun-drenched world of the Amaris Hotel Padang Padang, a place they so grandly call "Paradise." And let me tell you, after this deep-dive review, you’ll be reaching for your credit card faster than a seagull spots a dropped french fry. This isn't just some corporate brochure regurgitation; I'm actually going to tell you if it's worth your hard-earned cash.
Let's start with the basics, shall we?
First Impressions & General Vibe (A Bit Messy, Just Like Life):
The Amaris Hotel Padang Padang. Right, the name is as long as a Balinese beach. Okay, so first thing I noticed, after that jet lag haze cleared, was the stunning location. Padang Padang beach is literally at the bottom of the road. It's iconic. Think turquoise water, surfers shredding waves, and, okay, maybe a few too many Instagram influencers, but overall? Breathtaking. The hotel itself? Clean, surprisingly modern, and…well, it’s not the Four Seasons, alright? But it’s definitely got a certain charm. (Okay, maybe a little less charm and a little more practical, but hey, I’m not complaining – not yet.) The lobby is bright and airy, and the staff, bless their hearts, are unfailingly polite. More on that later.
Accessibility (Let’s Get Real):
Okay, accessibility isn't perfect, and honestly, that's a bummer. There's an elevator, which is a huge plus. However, I didn't see a ton of specific accommodations, like ramps everywhere. That said, the front desk staff were super helpful and seemed genuinely willing to assist. They also had a phone for bathroom in some of rooms, that's a good thing. But if being fully wheelchair accessible is critical for you, do your homework and call ahead. Don’t just take my word on it.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because We’re All a Little Obsessed Right Now):
Okay, this is where Amaris REALLY shines. I’m a bit of a germaphobe (don’t judge!), and I was very impressed. They’ve got all the essentials in place: hand sanitizer everywhere, masks on staff, and visible cleaning happening constantly. The "Daily disinfection in common areas" thing? They weren’t kidding. I saw them wiping down everything. The rooms were spotless. They even had "Anti-viral cleaning products". It made me feel genuinely safe, which, let's be honest, is a HUGE plus these days. Also there is a "Room sanitization opt-out available"
The Room: My Home Away From Home (Or…a Really Nice Hotel Room):
Let's talk about the rooms. Available in all rooms includes, Air conditioning (thank you, sweet baby Jesus!), Alarm clock (who uses those anymore?), Bathrobes (felt luxurious), Bathrooms phone (didn't use!), Bathtub (in some), Blackout curtains (necessary for those pesky sunrises), Carpeting (didn't love it, but it was clean), Closet (thank goodness), Coffee/tea maker (essential), Complimentary tea (nice touch), Daily housekeeping (yes, please!), Desk (functional), Extra long bed (bliss!), Free bottled water (a lifesaver!), Hair dryer (finally, a good one!), High floor (some rooms), In-room safe box (always a must), Interconnecting room(s) available (great for families!), Internet access – LAN (not that I needed it), Internet access – wireless (more on that later!), Ironing facilities (essential for me), Laptop workspace (again, functional), Linens (clean as a whistle), Mini bar (not well stocked, but a mini bar!), Mirror (perfect for selfies!), Non-smoking (thank you!), On-demand movies (yawn), Private bathroom (duh), Reading light (appreciated!), Refrigerator (always handy), Safety/security feature (good), Satellite/cable channels (fine), Scale (no comment), Seating area (small but comfy), Separate shower/bathtub (in some rooms), Shower (good water pressure), Slippers (nice touch!), Smoke detector (phew!), Socket near the bed (YES!), Sofa (some rooms), Soundproofing (pretty good!), Telephone (rarely used), Toiletries (basic, but did the job), Towels (plenty of them), Umbrella (Bali rain!), Visual alarm (nice safety feature), Wake-up service (old school!), Wi-Fi [free] (more on that in a sec), Window that opens (fresh air, yay!).
Alright, look, my room was…nice. Clean, comfortable, and with all the basic necessities. The bed was super comfy, which is a huge win. The Wi-Fi? Okay, more on that later (I warned you). It’s a solid, functional room. No major complaints. But it’s not going to blow your mind.
Internet Access (Ugh, It’s Complicated):
This is where things get a teeny bit wonky. The hotel boasts "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and also Internet [LAN]. Okay, Wi-Fi in public areas too. Let me tell you, the Wi-Fi… it was… variable. Sometimes it was blazing fast, other times…well, let's just say I developed a deep appreciation for the offline world. I might have spent an hour trying to upload a photo. Don’t expect to stream HD movies without a hitch. However, for checking emails and light browsing, it's mostly okay. Internet services exist, which is good. I have a feeling that they could improve its quality and then I wouldn't need to use the LAN.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Fueling the Adventure):
- Restaurants: Yes!
- Coffee Shop: Yes!
- Poolside Bar: Yes!
- Snack bar: Yes!
- Room service [24-hour]: YES!
- Breakfast [buffet]: YES!
- Buffet in restaurant: YES!
- Asian breakfast: Yes!
- Western breakfast: Yes!
Okay, the food situation. The hotel has a few restaurants and a poolside bar, plus room service. I had room service, and it was shockingly good. The "A la carte in restaurant" options were decent, the Asian and Western cuisine were available. The breakfast buffet was the real star. "Breakfast in room" and "Breakfast takeaway service" are available. I really enjoyed the selection, especially the fresh fruit. Coffee/tea in restaurant and coffee shop were pretty nice. There were "Desserts in restaurant", "Salad in restaurant", "Soup in restaurant", all were amazing. Also, they have a Vegetarian restaurant for those who need them. The bar had a "Happy hour"
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Beyond Just Lazing Around):
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: YES!
- Pool with view: Definitely!
- Gym/fitness: They got one!
- Spa/sauna: Yep!
- Massage: Ooh La La!
- Body scrub: Fancy!
- Body wrap: Ooh La La!
- Sauna: YES!
- Steamroom: Steam on!
The pool is gorgeous, and the "Pool with view" is stunning. The water is clear, and the atmosphere is relaxing. The gym is small, but it's got the basics. The spa? Now, that was a real treat. I got a massage that was so good; I practically floated out of the room. The "Body scrub" and "Body wrap" would be fantastic. I strongly suggest booking a treatment. They have a sauna and a steam room too.
Services & Conveniences (Making Life Easier):
Okay, there’s a lot of these.
- "Air conditioning in public area," thank God.
- "Business facilities," like meetings.
- "Cash withdrawal," perfect.
- "Concierge," helpful.
- "Contactless check-in/out," nice.
- "Currency exchange," good to know.
- "Daily housekeeping," always appreciated.
- "Doorman," yes.
- "Elevator," yes.
- "Facilities for disabled guests," be sure to check on that.
- "Food delivery," helpful.
- "Gift/souvenir shop," well, it’s there.
- "Invoice provided," good for business stuff.
- "Ironing service," I love it.
- "Laundry service," thank you.
- "Luggage storage," yay!
- "Meeting/banquet facilities," big groups.
- "Safety deposit boxes," always.
- "Smoking area," fine.
- "Terrace," lovely.
They have essential condiments, so you won't need to take them with you. The staff were also really helpful with tips about where to go and what to do.
For the Kids (Bring the Little Monsters!):
"Family/child friendly" they say. "Kids facilities
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Alright, buckle up buttercups! Here's my slightly-unhinged, utterly honest itinerary for a stay at the Amaris Hotel Padang Padang, Bali. Prepare for a rollercoaster, because frankly, that’s how travel actually feels.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Hotel Room Standoff (aka, "Where's the freaking Wi-Fi?")
- 08:00 AM (ish): Landed in Denpasar. Bali. Smells like… incense and freedom. Or maybe just jet fuel. Either way, I'm already in a better mood than I was at 5 AM waiting for my flight.
- 09:00 AM: Lost my luggage (kidding! … mostly). After a harrowing taxi ride that involved very enthusiastic driving (seriously, these guys are auditioning for the Fast & Furious franchise), I stumble into the glorious chaos of the airport, finally find my transfer, and the luggage is eventually wrestled into the trunk. Phew!
- 11:00 AM: Arrived at the Amaris. "Clean, modern, blah blah blah" the reviews said. They weren't wrong. It's…fine. Check-in was smooth, which is a miracle in itself considering my usual talent for creating bureaucratic snafus.
- 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: The Hotel Room Standoff. Okay, first impressions: it's…compact. Like, "cosy" is a generous term. No balcony. No ocean view (sigh). More importantly: NO WIFI! The mortal enemies of every digital nomad, the lack of internet is the bane of my existence. After approximately 4 phone calls, 2 stern glares, and a near-meltdown fuelled by travel fatigue, I finally get the wifi to work. Victory is mine! And I immediately text everyone a picture of my perfectly manicured toes in front of the "clean and modern" bed. Just to gloat.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch at a nearby warung. Found a place called "Murni's." Ordered nasi goreng and sat and looked longingly at the surf, feeling that pang of "Bali is so different from home and it's gonna take me a minute to get used to the humidity."
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Unpack. Explore the hotel pool (small, but refreshing). Drink way too much bottled water because, hydration, people! And try to master the art of the Balinese "no" (it's like a silent threat, I swear).
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Sunset at Uluwatu Temple. OH. MY. GOD. The first sunset was gorgeous. I was completely stunned by the beauty. So, I had an emotional reaction. I'd heard the stories. The dramatic cliffs. The crashing waves. The monkeys. And it was all true. Got a decent photo and even got to keep my glasses, unlike many of the other tourists. The monkeys are absolute little rogues. They will size you up and steal anything not nailed down. Saw one yank a guy's sunglasses off his face. Revenge is sweet… I'm not sure on what but it felt good.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner. Ate some delicious, spicy Balinese food at a restaurant overlooking the ocean. Drank a Bintang. Felt the magic of Bali wash over me.
- 9:00 PM: Fell asleep. Face planted on the pillow. Didn't even bother with the mosquito net. Jet lag, you win this round.
Day 2: Surf's Up (or, My Humiliating Attempt to Ride a Wave)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Sun is already blazing! (This is where the "sunscreen, people!" reminder kicks in)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The breakfast is … fine again. Mostly fruit. Loads of sugary coffee (which I require, despite not normally being a coffee drinker).
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: SURF LESSON! Okay, this is where things get REAL. Padang Padang beach is known for its surf breaks. "Perfect for beginners," they said. Liars! I spent most of the time swallowing saltwater, falling on my face, and feeling like a beached whale. My instructor was a patient saint. I, on the other hand, was a flailing mess. But, you know what? I did it. I stood up (briefly) a couple of times! And the feeling…the thrill… it was incredible. I'm convinced I'll be a surf GOD. or at least able to not drown myself. Either way, I am now a surf babe (in my mind).
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at a beachside cafe. Ate a burger that tasted amazing. Post-surf hunger is a real thing.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Relax. Read by the pool. Attempt to avoid sunburn (mission… partially failed).
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Explored a local market. Bargained for some souvenirs. Got completely ripped off (probably, but I’m too embarrassed to ask). I swear, they can sniff out a tourist a mile away!
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Another Sunset. Same as yesterday. but different. I think it's my new addiction.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Ate at a tiny, family-run warung and savored some delicious local food. Also, probably talked too much.
- 9:00 PM: Finally, I slept.
Day 3: Departure and the Unfinished Business
- 7:00 AM: Awoke. Coffee. The usual.
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Sadly, it was time for the dreaded packing. I hate packing. Especially when I'm not ready to go.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Brief hotel check-out. The check out was smooth.. maybe.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Always a panic. I should have done this days ago!
- 12:00 PM: Transfer to the airport. The farewell to paradise is always bittersweet.
- 1:00 PM: Goodbye Bali. I know I'll be back.
- Later: On the plane, looking at pictures, already planning my return. Next time, I'll learn to surf. I'll definitely bargain better. I'll embrace the chaos even more. And I'll request a room with a view. Amen.
This is a whirlwind, a love letter, and a complete mess. And that, my friends, is a pretty accurate depiction of how travel really feels. Enjoy!
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Okay, spill the tea. Is Amaris Hotel Padang Padang *really* as dreamy as those Insta-influencers make it out to be?
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they actually luxurious? (Define 'luxurious' for a budget traveler, please!)
Speaking of surfing—how far is it from the famous Padang Padang Beach? Am I going to have to walk a mile in board shorts and flip flops?
The food! What's the grub situation? Is it the usual bland hotel buffet fare? I'm a picky eater so, I am really worried.
Is there a pool? Because, let's be real, a pool is non-negotiable for a vacation.
Are there any downsides? Because, come on, nothing's perfect!
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
