Review of the Mulia Resort Bali: a week-end of gastronomy and wellness

This is a luxury travel guide for the Mulia Hotel in Nusa Dua. I did a mini-wellness trip at the Mulia Resort in Bali. The focus was on wellness, dining, and relaxation, and the resort didn’t disappoint. Read on for my review of the resort, the food, and the activities.

Review of the Mulia Resort Bali

The Mulia Resort is one of the most prominent hotels in Bali. The Mulia complex is actually composed of three hotels. With 526 rooms in the Mulia Resort, 111 suites in The Mulia, and 108 Mulia Villas, it offers over 700 rooms!

It will not win any architectural awards. But it has been designed for comfort. Beyond super comfortable rooms and excellent service, it also boasts nicely landscaped pools. The one thing I missed at the Mulia Hotel in Bali was a “Bali touch.” Most of the art in the hotel seemed to be from China or other regions, with very few artifacts from Bali that nevertheless has incredible artists.

The pools at the Mulia Resort Bali

The courtyard pool and the children’s pool are in the middle of the resort. It is one of the nicest kids’ pools I have seen in a hotel. The kids’ club offers activities throughout the day, making the Mulia Hotel in Bali an excellent hotel for families.

The best pool is the beachfront one. The lounge chairs are separated by plants for privacy.

I really enjoyed the lounge chairs inside the pool, but as they had no umbrellas, I would use them towards the end of the day when the sun was not so intense. The pool is almost 100 meters long, and I enjoyed doing a few long laps.

During the day, I relaxed on a lounge chair on the beach. They are super comfortable with thick cushions. The umbrellas are bigger than in most hotels, so you don’t need to move your seat so often to find shade as the sun moves.

Review of the beach at the Mulia Resort Bali

The beach is a lovely white sand beach extending for over one kilometer. It is easy to swim as Nusa Dua is protected by a reef. Very few fish and corals were in the water near the Mulia Bali beach resort, so the place is probably not suitable for snorkeling. A footpath goes along the beach for kilometers, which is great for joggers or if you simply want to stroll around the beach and check out the other hotels in Nusa Dua.

Review of the service at the Mulia resort

The service at the Mulia resort is truly outstanding and one of the strengths of the Mulia Bali beach resort.

Despite the size of the hotel, the staff managed to make the service personable and would often address me by name. The waiters on the beach and in the restaurants were super attentive and would proactively check on me to see if I needed anything.

The room and the rest of the resort are impeccably clean.

As I was there before Christmas, they installed gorgeous Christmas decorations throughout the hotel.

Review of the Royal Suite at The Mulia Resort

Review of the bedroom

I stayed in Royal Suite number 1653, located around the middle of the left wing. It faced the courtyard pool, but if you sat on the edge of the balcony, you could glimpse the sea between the two wings.

The suite is large, with over 80 sqm, but it only has one main room.

The room has a modern ambiance, light-colored walls, and stylish marble floors. The suite also has a comfortable yet classic living area with a sofa set and coffee table. You can enjoy your favorite movies on the 46” smart TV screen, and there is a small, separate walk-in closet.

The suite at the Mulia Hotel in Bali is equipped with a King-size bed. The bed is incredibly plush and comfortable. I don’t know how they managed to make it look so plush, but the 400-thread-count linen probably helped. It not only looked lovely but also felt wonderful, and I slept like a baby.

It also helps that the room’s soundproofing is impressive. I never heard any noise from the rooms nearby during my stay.

The room has a large glass window that opens up completely, giving you an outdoor vibe. I wish the air-conditioning would stop when the door is open, as in many hotels. I didn’t figure out how to turn off the air-conditioning in the room, which made me feel bad for the planet. I hope that they will install technologies to reduce energy use and carbon footprint.

The patio terrace is large and very pleasant. I enjoyed relaxing on the comfortable lounge chairs after dinner. I could not see the sea as it was dark, but I could hear the waves!

The Wi-Fi was generally good throughout the hotel and very good in the room.

Review of the bathroom at the Mulia resort

The bathroom looks very inviting, with a double sink and a window-front oversized bathtub. The bathtub is super comfy, and the water pressure is strong enough that it can be filled in a few minutes.

Tip: The window in front of the bathtub is NOT tinted or one-way glass, which means people from outside can see you. Make sure you close the curtain before using the bathroom!

Besides the bathtub at the Bali beach resort, there is an oversized shower with massage jets and a rain shower faucet. I struggled a bit adjusting the shower water temperature and worked hard to get it just right.

The toilet is one of those high-tech apparatus. It opens, closes, flushes, and probably even more automatically.

The amenities provided are complete. I really liked the lavender-perfumed body lotion and shampoos.

There is no weight scale in the suite, which is probably a good thing, given how tasty the food is and how much I ate 🙂

The Mulia vs Mulia Resort vs Mulia Villas: What’s the Difference?

In short: the Mulia Resort (reviewed here) is the biggest and most affordable of the three hotels in the compound; The Mulia is the all-suite beachfront hotel with the famous oceanfront pool; and the Mulia Villas are private-pool villas with butler service. All three share the beach, the restaurants, and the grounds — the differences are room size, pool access, and price.

Before staying there, I had not realized that there were three different Mulia hotels within the Mulia compound in Nusa Dua.

The Mulia Resort, which is the object of this review, is the biggest and the most “basic” of the three, with 526 rooms. It is still a luxury hotel in its own right, but it has smaller rooms and fewer beachfront rooms.

The Mulia is the all-suite beachfront building. It has 111 suites that are much larger than the Mulia Resort rooms and are all beachfront. Another advantage is that they have access to The Mulia’s oceanfront swimming pool — the dramatic pool with the statues that you see on Instagram. Guests of The Mulia can also use the Mulia Resort pools, but Mulia Resort guests are not allowed into The Mulia’s pool.

The Mulia Villas are luxury one- or two-bedroom units with private pools (108 of them). They are not beachfront, but they do have access to The Mulia’s larger pool and are an excellent option for families or people who value their privacy.

Another advantage of The Mulia’s suites and the villas is that they provide butler service.

Review of the food at Mulia Bali

The Mulia has a whopping 9 restaurants and offers some of the best cuisines in Bali. During my stay, two of them were hosting all the dining: located near the beach, Soleil hosted the lunches and the Sunday Brunch, and located near the Lobby, The Café hosted the buffet breakfast and the buffet dinners. All nine venues — including the fine-dining Table8 (Chinese) and Edogin (Japanese) — are running normally today, so you will have even more choice than I did.

Review of the Sunday brunch at Mulia Bali’s Soleil restaurant

The Sunday brunch at the Mulia is a grand affair and is one of the most talked-about brunches in Bali, and I was curious to try it.

During my visit, the brunch was served à la carte — which might even help with the quality of the food. It has since returned to its famous grand-spread format, so check the current setup when you book.

The brunch was so popular that I was surprised by the relatively small size of the room. It is much more intimate than other brunches, like the W. The room also feels more formal. It is indoors with strong AC. The room has a high ceiling and a light marble floor. The cream, wood, and gold tones make it very peaceful and comforting.

Which package to choose for the Mulia Bali Brunch?

You can choose between the non-alcoholic package and the alcohol package.

The non-alcoholic package is currently around IDR 889,000 ++ and includes soft drinks, water, fresh juices, non-alcoholic cocktails, coffee, and tea. The signature drink is a whole watermelon with lime and mint. Delicious!

The alcohol package costs roughly 70% more and includes wine and cocktails.

You can also order your alcoholic drinks à la carte, so the alcohol package price makes sense only if you drink a lot.

Review of the service at the Mulia Hotel in Bali Sunday brunch

I was a bit worried about the brunch being à la carte as it could be a recipe for a languid meal. I shouldn’t have been. The service was impeccable, with the staff often anticipating my needs. Dishes were usually brought out within 5 minutes. It is a miracle that they can prepare food of this quality so quickly!

Review of the food at the Mulia Bali Sunday brunch

The food at the Mulia brunch was delicious and of high quality.

The salmon sushi was delicious (except for the crab American roll that was processed surimi. I would have hoped for real crab).

The bread rolls were served warm and, combined with the fresh butter, were mouthwatering. The Angus beef was high quality. Raviolis were freshly made and perfectly cooked.

One drink was a whole watermelon filled with a mocktail of watermelon, lime, and honey. Delicious!

I found the desserts a bit too sweet.

My only other complaint is that I could not try it all. With over 70 dishes on the brunch menu, the Mulia Sunday brunch creates a fear of missing out.

Tip: Book your brunch well ahead. Even in the quietest seasons, the brunch is fully booked.

Review of the evening buffet at Café Mulia

If I were very impressed by the Mulia brunch, I was even more impressed by their evening buffet. During my stay, they had gathered the chefs of the specialty restaurants in The Café to offer their most popular dishes. The buffet at Café Mulia is a considerable spread with Korean, Chinese, Indian, and Japanese stations. It has everything from Korean barbecue to glazed duck or Indian curries.

I have been to many buffets before, and it is remarkable to find food so consistently delectable. The Kobe beef grilled on the barbecue was delicious. The Indian dhal was full of flavor. The sushi and sashimi can rival some of the best restaurants in the world. The dessert room (yes, they have a room just for desserts…) was the cherry on the cake, with over 20 desserts to choose from and an ice cream bar!!

Needless to say, I ate way too much again, which, after lunch at Soleil, was a challenging feat! If you want to lose weight, the brunch and buffet might not be the place for you. The food is so good that it would be criminal not to try as many dishes as you fancy!

Fortunately, the Mulia sports facilities are outstanding, and I had a chance to work it off!

The breakfast was similarly sumptuous, with a huge buffet and anything you could wish for. And if you could not find it on the buffet, you could even ask for it (for example, cheese).

During the day, Soleil restaurant is open for lunch. I tried their burgers and it was good. It is conveniently located near the pool.

How Much Does the Mulia Bali Cost?

Mulia Resort rooms typically start around US$360 per night, with suites like my Royal Suite above that, The Mulia’s beachfront suites a clear step up again, and the private-pool villas at the top. Add the brunch (around IDR 889,000 ++ per person) and the evening buffet if you come for the food — and you should, because the dining is the reason to choose the Mulia over its neighbors. Remember, Indonesian “++” pricing adds 21% tax and service to everything. For what you get — the island’s best buffets, gym, and one of its best pools — the Mulia Resort tier is genuinely strong value in high-end Nusa Dua.

Compare rates across the three Mulias →

Review of the sports facilities at Mulia Bali

I planned this weekend as a mini wellness retreat.

Yoga at the Mulia Bali

I started with a private Kundalini Yoga meditation class at 7 am. The class takes place in an outdoor pavilion surrounded by large grassy areas and water features.

It is very peaceful as it is a bit away from the main resort. The yoga teacher, Surya, was very knowledgeable and attentive. He led me through a moving meditation, focusing on the 7 chakras. When the class finished, and I looked at my watch, it was already 8:30! Wow, time flew, which shows how relaxed I felt throughout the whole class.

The gym at the Mulia Bali

I had to work off my excessive brunch and dinner buffet from the night before, so I went to the gym afterward, and wow! The gym is spectacular. It is big and has all the equipment you could wish for. They even have two power plates! I started exercising, and a trainer came to help me. He was super knowledgeable and kept pushing me to do more and try new machines. So, I ended up doing a perfect workout that lasted for 90 minutes.

Surfing at Geger Beach

Almost by accident, I discovered that one of the prettiest beaches in Bali is a short walk from the Mulia. If you walk along the beach to the right, cross the little bridge and follow the road to the temple, you walk for a minute and feel you’re in the real Bali with small farmers’ huts and raw landscapes.

The temple is scenic, perched on a dramatic cliff over the ocean. It was closed when I was there, but if it is open and you want to look inside, you might want to bring a sarong.

From there, you will see the beach on the other side. Geger is a famous surfing spot in Bali. There are about 10 little restaurants (warungs) on the cliff tops where surfers eat and drink. The place has a great vibe. The walk down to the beach is short and easy, so don’t miss it. It is as lovely as some of the prettiest beaches of Nusa Penida and is a mere 10-minute walk from the Mulia!

Just before the bridge, there is a restaurant. I am surprised that the Mulia doesn’t promote its proximity to the surf spot more, as it makes the Mulia Bali an excellent hotel for surfers who want to stay in luxury yet be a 10-minute walk from some really good surfing waves.

Best activities beyond the Mulia Bali

There is a lot to explore in Bali. Here is a suggestion for some awesome day trips you can take from the hotel:

• Swim with Manta Rays, Nusa Penida: These are islands to the south of Bali. If you are lucky, you might even get to snorkel with manta rays. For more info and booking, check here.

Tip: The sea is the strongest on full moon and 1 or 2 days after the full moon so if you get seasick, time your trip to avoid those days.

• Uluwatu Kecak & Fire Dance Show: This is located about 30 minutes from the hotel. You can book it here.
• Bali Instagram Tour: Take a full-day tour of Bali and see the most Instagram-friendly spots. This tour gets great reviews and you can book it here.

I have also written guides about visiting East Bali, visiting central Bali, and the best restaurants in Ubud.

And if you have more time and want to escape for a few days, check out North Bali. Few tourists make it to North Bali, but it is delightful, where waterfalls, volcanoes, and dolphins await the more adventurous travelers. You can find beachfront private pool villas like Villa Seaview or Samastiti Villa in Lovina, and they offer great value for money. This is one of the best-kept secrets in Bali.

FAQ: The Mulia Bali

What is the difference between The Mulia and the Mulia Resort?

They are two of three hotels in one Nusa Dua compound. The Mulia Resort is the largest and most affordable (526 rooms); The Mulia is the all-suite beachfront hotel with exclusive access to the famous oceanfront pool; and the Mulia Villas add private pools and butler service. They share the beach, restaurants, and grounds.

Is the Mulia Bali all-inclusive?

No — the Mulia is room-based with à la carte dining, though breakfast is bundled with most rates. Given that the restaurants are the resort’s biggest strength, most guests are happy paying per meal; budget especially for the Sunday brunch and evening buffet.

How much is the Sunday brunch at the Mulia?

The non-alcohol package is currently around IDR 889,000 ++ per person, with the alcohol package roughly 70% more. It books out a week or more in advance year-round, so reserve when you book your room.

Is the Mulia good for families?

Yes — the children’s pool is one of the best I have seen at any hotel; there is a kids’ club with all-day activities, and the reef-protected beach is calm and swimmable. Families wanting more space should look at the Mulia Villas.

Is there anything within walking distance of the Mulia?

Not shops or a street scene — the Mulia is a self-contained resort. But the lovely Geger surf beach with its clifftop warungs is a 10-minute walk along the sand, and the Nusa Dua beach path runs for kilometers in both directions.

Conclusion of my review of the Mulia Resort Bali

The Mulia Bali is a huge resort that offers super comfortable rooms, outstanding food buffets, excellent service, and the best gym in Bali. It is the perfect choice for an indulgent beach holiday or a wellness break. I really enjoyed my weekend there and might have gained a few kilos.

For booking, check below.

Check Mulia Bali availability →

High-season dates and the Sunday brunch book out early — reserve both together.

For more hotels in Bali, read my reviews of the Sofitel Nusa Dua (my comparison of the two is in that review), the Six Senses Bali, and the Four Seasons Jimbaran.