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Sofitel Nusa Dua, Bali: A perfect beach resort for kids
I spent three days at the Sofitel Nusa Dua in Bali Indonesia. It was a relaxing beach holiday. Are you preparing for a trip to Bali? Read on to find out if this is the best hotel in Bali for your next holiday.
Review of the resort facilities at Sofitel Nusa Dua Bali
The Sofitel Nusa Dua in Bali Indonesia is a vast resort located right on the beach. With over 400 rooms, it could feel crowded. However, the hotel has been very well landscaped. The highlight of the Sofitel Nusa Dua is its massive pool in the center of the garden.
The main pool is connected to many ground-floor rooms via a swimming lagoon. I stayed in one of the lagoon access rooms, and it was fun to swim directly from your room to the main pool. And if you are in the mood, there is even a bar/restaurant in the pool, so you can eat without having to walk!
The pool area has a playful vibe as music is playing throughout the day. Those wanting a more peaceful vibe can head over to one of the many lounge chairs on the beach.
I love swimming in the morning. Here, in the Sofitel Nusa Dua luxury room, my morning swim was not only about doing a few laps, but it turned into a full exploration tour of the hotel 😊. There are over 400 meters of swimming lagoons to explore!
TIP: Put on mosquito repellent before you go swimming. Mosquitos were active in the morning, and I got a few bites on my neck and head while in the pool.
Complimentary flavoured drinking water is provided by the pool
The Sofitel Nusa Dua resort in Bali Indonesia is facing East, so it is excellent for sunrise. But do check out the beach around 6 pm. We couldn’t see the sunset, but the sky turned pink and orange, and it was a gorgeous moment.
Review of the beach at the Sofitel Nusa Dua
The main reason most people stay at the Sofitel is to relax on the beach. There are no pools by the beach, so you need to choose if you are in a ‘pool mood’ or a ‘ beach mood’. The Sofitel Nusa Dua beach in Bali Indonesia doesn’t disappoint. It is over 200 meters of gold sand. The beach in front of the hotel is broad and pleasant. It is one of the few beaches in Bali that is good for kids as the waves are very gentle.
Many beaches in Nusa Dua are getting smaller due to erosion, especially south of the Sofitel, so beware when choosing which hotel to stay at. I am happy to report that the beach at the Sofitel is still spacious, even at high tide. This is a picture of the beach being eroded in front of another hotel further south of the Sofitel and you would not want to stay there…
I spent hours on the lounge chairs listening to the sound of the waves. Comfortable pillows cover the lounge chairs.
A few local people will accost you on the beach to sell you beachwear and Balinese art. About four people accosted me within five minutes of lying down. I was, therefore, worried about being able to relax peacefully on the beach. I should not have worried; after talking to me for a few minutes and understanding that I was not interested in buying souvenirs, they left me in peace for the rest of the day.
TIP: I sometimes see tourists getting upset at the beach vendor’s interruptions. Please remember that they are just neighbours of the hotel trying to make a living. Most are very polite and will leave you alone after asking you a few questions, so don’t panic and treat them with respect.
A pathway runs along the beach, making it easy to walk or jog. One morning, I went for a two-hour walk. The beach is adorned with many resorts and a few restaurants that are nice to explore.
The Sofitel Nusa Dua: An excellent option for families
Obviously, this resort has been designed for families, as the kids club and the kids’ pool occupies the center of the resort near the beach.
During my stay, many guests at the resort seemed to be families with kids, and they seemed to really enjoy playing in the water slides and water fountains.
The is a kids club with activities throughout the day. Kids are also sure to like the water slides.
Post Covid condition of the Sofitel Nusa Dua resort
Many hotels in Bali Indonesia have been empty for almost two years due to the Covid pandemic and the travel ban. Asking whether the hotel has been maintained is, therefore, a legitimate question.
I am happy to report that the Sofitel Nusa Dua has been perfectly maintained. It looks like they have used the downtime to improve the facilities. Everything in my bedroom was in perfect condition. The pools and garden were also sparkling.
Review of the rooms at Sofitel Nusa Dua.
The 400 rooms are arranged in five buildings in a U shape in the large garden. The buildings have four floors, and many of the ground floor rooms have direct access to the swimming lagoon. A few of the rooms face the beach. The higher floor will have a better view as the vegetation will block the views of the rooms on the first two floors.
Tip: The rooms closest to the beach are in block 6000. I would try and avoid the rooms directly near the lobby as the proximity to the main buffet restaurant could be noisy.
I stayed in room 5180 with lagoon access. The room is relatively large.
The Bedroom:
The bedroom here offers a modern ambiance, along with the best possible comfort you seek after a long tiring day. The architecture of the bedroom is contemporary. The room has aesthetic lighting and complements the color of the room as well.
The room is equipped with the comfiest bed, couch, and a corner sofa. The room has a wooden floor, and the wall color is kept classic white, combined with a touch of modern-day shades of nude and brown to enhance the outlook of the room.
It has been very well-thought-through. They have hidden many charging points through the room to make it easy to recharge your gadgets.
A safety box, coffee, and tea facilities, and even a weight scale are provided.
The Bathroom:
The room has an open style and a well-lit attached bathroom. The bathroom has a separate space for the toilet and a rain shower. Along with this, a bathtub is also available for those who want to enjoy a relaxing bubble bath after a long flight. The bathroom is equipped with all the necessary toiletries and accessories. You also get your personal towels and bathrobe. It also has a generous size wall mirror and perfect lighting.
The pool lagoon access terrace
The poolside terrace offers an aesthetic and serene ambiance. You can just relax here with your partner or friends after a long day of traveling. Amongst ornamental stone walls, the sitting arrangement is well-thought-through. I really enjoyed resting in the hanging chair. The layout of the pool access and the use of plants in front of the terrace gives somewhat privacy while on the terrace. The pool is covered with dozens of exotic plants, which simply enhance its beauty and vibe.
There is also a towel stand placed near the pool, which is convenient t dry your swimming suits
TIP: The climate in Bali is very humid, and swimming suits take a long time to dry. Bring three or four swimming suits for your holiday so that you always have a dry one to put on.
Review of the Food at Sofitel Nusa Dua
Three restaurants were open during my stay.
Kwee Zeen is the main restaurant and is the place to go to for breakfast.
The restaurant is huge. The buffet is huge. There are about 10 live cooking stations with anything you might want. The choice was truly phenomenal. Many Asian options were available. The eggs stations were active, and the choice of bread and pastries was almost overwhelming!
I particularly enjoyed the juice station. You could choose your favourite fruits and vegetables, and they would juice it live for you, making sure you get a fresh juice full of vitamins.
La Cucina is the second restaurant. It is located near the main swimming pool. It serves Italian cuisine, but due to Covid, it was serving a restricted food menu that was the same at La Toya beach grill and the room service menu.
La Toya beach grill is an enviable location right on the beach. It serves simple western food like burgers, salads, pizza, and pasta.
In the evening, they also organize a barbecue. I tried it one evening. The setting right on the beach is delightful.
All the food is grilled. It started with corn cobbler and sweet potatoes. All kinds of meats are provided, ranging from sausages to prawns or fish. Potatoes and three types of vegetables accompanied it. It was so much food that I ended up eating less than half of it.
TIP: Bring mosquito repellent.
The Gym at the Sofitel Nusa Dua
The Sofitel Nusa Dua has a 5-star gym with plenty of weight machines and cardio machines. I loved the indoor pool by the cardio machines.
If you want to move, sports classes are offered throughout the day. You can see activities on offer and the schedule below.
The Spa at the Sofitel Nusa Dua
The spa was closed during my stay, so I tried a massage in one beachfront Bale. I am usually not a fan of massage in a public area as I find it hard to relax with people passing nearby. The massage therapist was, however, very talented. She got me so relaxed that I almost fell asleep.
Best activities beyond the Sofitel Nusa Dua
There is a lot to explore in Bali. Here is a suggestion for some awesome day trips you can take from the hotel:
- Snorkel with manta Rays in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. There 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
- Visit the Uluwatu temple and attend a Kecak fire dance. This is located about 30 minutes from the hotel. You can book it here
- 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, volcanos, 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.
Conclusion of my review of the Sofitel Nusa Dua.
The Sofitel Nusa Dua is a grand hotel for a beach holiday. The staff is unanimously delightful, the hotel is in pristine condition, and the rooms are spacious and very well-designed. The enormous pool at the center of the resort will delight families and avid swimmers. For more information and booking, check the Sofitel Nusa Dua website.
If you are traveling to Bali, also read my articles about the Six Senses Uluwatu resort, the Mulia resort Bali and the Four Seasons Jimbaran