Bali Intercontinental - Jimbaran Bay

[Pushka]

So we have had the pleasure of (once again) staying at the Intercontinental Bali on Jimbaran Bay. Last time was five years ago but just as a stopover on our way to UK, which we found was a cheap way to book Qatar DPS - Doha - LHR. This time we had the pleasure of flying Qantas from Adelaide.

After comparing prices we ended up booking direct with the ICH group and then I rejoined Ambassador club for $200USD before AUD tanked. Which gives upgrades and other nice things. We also booked the Club Continental Room and were upgraded to a Duplex we kept an eye on prices and noticed one day the price had dropped $1000USD? So I quickly cancelled amd rebooked and wasnt charged the one day deposit we were supposed to lose on the first booking. Winner.

We've stayed here multiple times, sometimes in the Club, sometimes not. For us the extras you get - breakfast with excellent service in the club, plus other options, afternoon tea, and canapés and alcohol (including French champagne but not a usual brand one), and tea and coffee all day plus milkshakes and soft drinks etc either in the club or in the Club pool which is huge.

The location is just south of the airport and you can watch the planes flying in and out all day but no noise. The beach is wonderful. No hawkers here. The BBQ restaurants are just a quick walk south. Legian and Kuta are well on the other side of the airport and we don't bother going back there, we did all that when we had the kids.

Thankfully the room charges were in IDR which had not changed against our quote so even though the AUD tanked a little, this doesn't impact our price.

So, we organised a driver from the hotel to meet us, for equivalent of $35Aud. We are using a baseline of 100,000 to $10 which isn't totally right but near enough.

We spotted the rep from ICH immediately in the throng of waiting drivers as we knew the uniform. On our way just 40 minutes after early 9.30 pm arrival.

Check In - this was done in the Club, a nice lounge with comfortable chairs. Weirdly at 10.15pm it was packed with beautifully dressed Indonesian ladies. Very unusual. Then suddenly as one, they all stood up and faced the centre of the room. Turns out there was a private dinner for either the head of the political party run by Megawati, or the Head of Indonesian Military. Maybe they are the same person? . And then we noticed all these people in black outfits carrying small bags in the public areas running around the place. And out the back - so many police cars. They were here for three nights.

The Room

We were upgraded to a duplex. These are huge but consist of a set of stairs, which in reality we'd prefer the one level. We have the lounge, 'kitchen' and second bathroom down here.

On entry.






Plenty of storage downstairs. The lounges can be set up as two extra beds.

 

[Pushka]

Upstairs is the huge bed, and attached walk in robe then separate shower, toilet, bath areas and sinks. Very nice and newly refurbished.









And the BEST and simplest shower control. Press one button for rain shower. One button for wall shower. Press tiny button on dial, turn right for cool, left for heat. Turn off by clicking whichever shower head you clicked first time.

 

[Pushka]

The gardens. The gardens are wonderful and so well maintained. A huge emphasis on water features.




Looking down from the Lobby to one of the Breakfast places, Taman Gita. It gets seriously busy and apparently a full house for next few days so lucky we have other options in the club.

 

[Pushka]

The Lilies at this time of the year are spectacular. They start to open in the very early morning but are all closed up by lunchtime.









Lunchtime same flowers.

 

[Pushka]

Taman Gita Restaurant. This spot is only open for Breakfast and Kecak performance on Saturday night. We went there the first three mornings, the last one was so busy and we prefer to eat outside. Which is where the gamelans are, our memory of Bali noise I wanted to hear. The buffet is spectacular.

This photo was taken in 2010 and I showed it to them, they loved it, the same two people but both now are wearing glasses and well, 13 years older.

 

[Pushka]

We've had dinner in the Sunset Bar. Can't beat the scenery. You used to be able to take the Club drinks here too but that's been stopped.




The Fish Barbeques firing up. We go there at least once.

 

[Pushka]

Last night it was the Teppanyaki Grill. We'd done this many years ago and enjoyed the showmanship. This time, still fun we, having had breakfast, Light lunch and a couple of nibbles in the Club we clearly had eaten more than we needed to prior. We had the Ko Special.




For me the main flavourful dish was the steak, MrP had the chicken and found it lacking in flavour so he constantly dipped it in soy. The Barra was also good but Mr P had chosen Tuna.






This was an egg that was eventually chopped into tiny pieces.



I realise I didn't get a picture of the vegetables nor the garlic rice.

 

[Pushka]

Had to take this at a weird angle trying to avoid the couple at the end who were always on the phone. But, as you can see I still got them and yes'm they were still on the phones. Not sure what they ate but they left very early.

 

[VPS]

All that yummy fish

 

[drron]

Looks like we are in for 3 lovely days next March.
Arranging a meet up with folks from cruise critic on the Silversea World Cruise. Also 2 of our favourite crew are going to be on board the Shadow when it calls into Bali on the 16/3. We are on the Muse departing !8/3.

 

[Pushka]

Looks like we are in for 3 lovely days next March.
Arranging a meet up with folks from cruise critic on the Silversea World Cruise. Also 2 of our favourite crew are going to be on board the Shadow when it calls into Bali on the 16/3. We are on the Muse departing !8/3.

And the WC facilities in the restaurants and public areas are Japanese! Very nice although the heated seat somewhat unnecessary.

The Club Lounge is located down from the main lobby. It is open from 6.30 for breakfast until 10.30am, open for tea coffee and soft drinks all day, then afternoon tea then canapés at 5pm. There is a pianist during the canape time. He is a lovely pianist but in the last couple of nights he's taken to singing and well, he shouldn't.

Weve had breakfast here the last few days as the main breakfast area is too busy.

 

[Pushka]

Our room is the large balcony with an upstairs loft in the ceiling space.

 

[Pushka]

Last night we had drinks at the club then to the sunset bar for sunset. Doh. We were then going back into the Jimbaran restaurant for a light meal but had to retreat when we saw it was a Full Moon Buffet. While it looked good we didn't want a buffet. We we retreated back to the sunset bar area - where there is a fantastic female vocalist and band, all are locals - does anyone watch Emily in Paris? If so, she has the same voice as Emily's vocalist friend.

We passed by the deserted Italian restaurant and thought we'd have a light pasta dish. So empty we had front seats on the lawn and could hear the band as we ate. It was an excellent idea.

Sunset.



Full Moon.


Sunset Bar. The Band

 

[Austman]

Weve had breakfast here the last few days as the main breakfast area is too busy.

I've stayed at that IC quite many times. Usually at Club level with the same room you have.

It *used* to also be possible, if a Club guest, to order a room service breakfast at no additional cost. You could order anything at all off the room service breakfast menu. I did it a couple of times and thought it was pretty good.

But it might not still be offered.

 

[Gold Member]

Great review Pushka.

I recently completed a stay at the IC Bali as an IHG Diamond Ambassador. I was given the usual upgrade to a duplex suite which I declined due to the awkward and impractical layout over two floors. This prompted them to offer 10K points which I gladly accepted along with a nice regular room overlooking the large ponds and gardens.

The rooms are really showing their age in some parts. The beach is not as nice as some parts of Nusa Dua but nice enough. Overall though, the property is lovely. I am in two minds whether or not to return, especially at current prices.

 

[Pushka]

Great review Pushka.

I recently completed a stay at the IC Bali as an IHG Diamond Ambassador. I was given the usual upgrade to a duplex suite which I declined due to the awkward and impractical layout over two floors. This prompted them to offer 10K points which I gladly accepted along with a nice regular room overlooking the large ponds and gardens.

The rooms are really showing their age in some parts. The beach is not as nice as some parts of Nusa Dua but nice enough. Overall though, the property is lovely. I am in two minds whether or not to return, especially at current prices.

Plus that balustrade sure kicks up a storm during earthquakes.