The Andaz Bali Opens In A Week, Here’s A Preview

by Gary Leff

The Andaz Bali was originally slated to open in 2016. It’s finally on the cusp of becoming available to guests – in just a week. Right next to the Hyatt Regency, it’s a smaller and more boutique property. The hotel features low rise buildings, as is common in Bali, meaning ocean views are somewhat obscured. The main pool is an infinity pool facing the beach.

Plenty of photos have been made available by those that have toured the property. It looks gorgeous.

The challenge for this property is that there are so many great hotels in Bali, even so many accessible through Hyatt – such as the Alila Villas Uluwatu and Viceroy Bali (an SLH hotel). However ‘new’ hotels are exciting. And it’s a great option in Sanur, about half an hour from the airport, and something great that’s not in antiseptic resort area Nusa Dua (like the Grand Hyatt).

Noentheless Sanur is one of three ‘green zones’ along with Ubud and Nusa Dua where vaccination is being prioritized in order to speed re-opening of tourism with a target of July. I have a trip booked to visit the country later in the year. We’ll see what the actual opening is, but there’s hopeful progress.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. Hey Gary,

    Timely post. I just planned a replacement trip to Bali for late September. I realize that I probably won’t be able to visit as I’m not sure they will welcome tourists yet. I’m hopeful though. I’m staying at Alila Uluwatu, Alila Seminyak, Viceroy and my last night before we fly out to Bangkok I booked this new Andaz Bali.

    I really really hope I can go.

  2. I stayed at the hyatt regency. The property was nice but I found the area to be rather dull. Not to mention the stray dogs on the beach that will growl at you if you try to view the sunrise. Luckily staff came along and took care of it, but they shouldn’t have had stray dogs out there to begin with especially ones that seemed dangerous.

  4. My wife and I stayed next door at the Hyatt Regency in late 2019 and have return plans late this year. The location is good, with lots of tourist-friendly stuff within walking distance and nice beaches. Due to the very nice club lounge at the Hyatt, I’d choose there again over the Andaz.

    Uluwatu is pretty but boring. There really is no beach and the area is unswimmable due to cliffs and waves, so the Sanur area with the Hyatt Regency and Andaz has a lot more going for it on that front.

    You mention that low rise buildings tend to prevail in Bali and that’s right because the law says that a building cannot be built taller than a palm tree. There was one notable cheat (a Hilton I think) but that’s their law.

  5. @Christian

    The Balinese building code says you cannot build a building higher than a palm tree (i.e. 15 meters) as measured from the lobby/reception area. So, the Hilton is technically OK because they’re build DOWN the cliffside where the lobby/reception area is on top of the cliff. This arrangement is common with cliffside properties in Bali. See the Ritz Carlton Bali and the Apurva Kempinski Bali which are the Hilton’s next door neighbors.

  6. @Bill. Yes, because how dare other living creatures that are part of every area in SE Asia and other regions dare to impede on your beach sunrise. Seriously? That was your complaint? Perhaps consider Florida next time.

  7. @Bill – Just as there are cats in Athens there are dogs in Bali. There used to be a problem with rabies among the dogs but that’s largely a thing of the past. If you leave the dogs alone they’ll ignore you as well.

  8. The Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency are 8K per night versus the Andaz at 15K/night. Resort is not that impressive. Rooms seem nice, great for honeymooners. But there are better values for Hyatt in Bali.

  9. Currently, the Grand Hyatt in Bali is a shell of its former self. It’s so quiet it feels kinda scary walking around this huge property. Dining outlet is severely limited too. On the other hand, the Andaz feels much more lively. The vibes is definitely better at the Andaz nowadays.

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