How did I miss this place? I have been coming to Bali 2-3 times per year for many, many years now. And yet – I never tried this hotel – until now. First, the Good: First impressions mean everything. The driver from the hotel was at the airport as booked. Finally found him after doing the rounds – twice – of the dozens of name cards being held up by other drivers. Hmmm, there has to be a better way, especially when already tired from the flight and lugging luggage around. Nevertheless, we made it to the hotel. So that was good! Reception was delightful. The young man who checked me in was cheerful and efficient. I had arrived later in the evening so was glad to get to my room and go to sleep. My first night was in a Superior Room on the 3rd Floor. (There is a lift) 😊I didn’t mind the view of the driveway, the foliage and the street lights. It was quite nice! The room was immaculate, the bed and pillows just right (as Goldilocks would say), and I had a good night’s sleep. The following day I moved to the Deluxe Room on the Ground Floor, as requested when I booked (my first night was in the Superior Room because the Deluxe Rooms were fully booked for that night). Reception rang me as soon as fhe Ground Floor room was ready and helped me move. The rooms are all the same, as far as I can tell. The exception is that Superior Rooms have a view of the front drive and street and trees and Deluxe Rooms have a view of the gardens, the various ponds, quaint little bridges and foliage. May I add that the gardens at this hotel are mature, lush, gorgeous and well-kept. I have not stayed in a hotel in Bali yet with comparable gardens. But I wasn’t happy on the Ground Floor. Why? When sitting outside on the patio, the noise from the breakfast room’s outside airconditioner was not conducive to zenning out. (I have since discovered that all the rooms have the aircon noise on their balconies or patios outside and one just has to get used to it – maybe meditate on sound?) LOL There was no privacy when sitting on the Ground Floor patio as other guests walked along the pathways leading to either the pools or restaurant and of course, had to have a gander at people sitting on their patios. But what really disturbed me were the elephants in the room above me. I make no apologies for that term as I do not know who was in the room above me but the loud stomping at night, when I was trying to go to sleep, reminded me of my teenage years when we did “The Stomp” – a dance where one deliberately stamps their feet on the floor. That was then, and in my more mature years, I find it disturbing! And so I asked to be moved. Well, the hotel couldn’t be more obliging, in every way. I moved up to the top floor in the Deluxe section, with no guests above me, except maybe a squirrel or resident rat (they are all over Bali, and have a right to be here! 😊) I LOVE this room! As I mentioned before, the layout is the same. Lots of mirrors, lots of lights, the aircon. is deliciously cool, there is a special tray with a jug, tea, coffee, sugar and creamer, and cups and saucers. This tray plugs into an electrical socket on the wall. It is all neatly contained. There is also a socket for Australian plugs, so no need to bring an adaptor (unless you wish to charge more than one device at the same time). The view is lovely – gardens, trees, ponds, a little bridge. Clothes drying racks are provided on every patio or balcony. (Unlike one particular hotel in Sanur, upmarket, where I had to beg for a clothes rack and finally got one after a week because they didn’t have enough). The chairs here are made from either rattan or a very good substitute. My main concern is comfort for an aching back, and the ability to slide the chairs back easily when getting up from them. Let’s talk bathrooms. Being more mature in age, I opt for hotels with a walk-in shower. Not easy to clamber over a bath-tub to have a shower. The Bali Garden Beach Resort has walk-in showers. Not only that, but there is a rainshower head as well as a handheld shower head. Plus, the hotel provides shampoo (smells very nice!) and body wash. A nice touch is that there are NO notices in the bathroom stating that guests will be charged for any make-up or mascara on their washcloths or towels. Very considerate, seeing as mascara is very difficult to remove completely from one’s eyelashes. The Room Cleaner is friendly, professional, almost humble when apologising for cleaning in the afternoon (not his fault, when guests vacate their room, they have to be cleaned first for the next guests). A most obliging person who saw to my requests immediately. I thank him for his wonderful towel creations! The staff here are very well-trained. The hotel is run most professionally yet still retains the Balinese friendliness and attention to making the tourist feel special. I had to draw attention to a couple of minor details that I experienced, being new to this hotel and probably noticing what long-time returnees no longer notice. Those minor details were seen to without delay. Very impressive! The staff at the Boardwalk Restaurant need special mention. From their crisp, white uniforms to their spotless footwear, their attention to their guests is second to none. I have dined there several times. The food is of the highest quality, both in taste and presentation. One morning, I arrived before it officially opened. Yet the Chef prepared Nachos for me anyway! That is what makes a guest feel like they matter. Their understanding of Aussie slang is delightful! I ordered dessert and just told the Waitress I would like a “Pav”. She knew exactly what I meant and I was served a delicious Pavlova! The wait-staff is very attentive. No matter how busy they get, they never leave a guest sitting waiting unattended. The restaurants on the street on either side of the hotel provide a choice of different cuisines: Mexican (Havana), Indonesian (Warung Damar), KaBar (if you hanker for Bangers & Mash), Kopi & Kue (nice coffee, although I’d like to see more actual cakes there) – you don’t have to venture far from the hotel at all. I do believe I saw an Indian Restaurant being prepared next to KaBar. That would round out the choices nicely. The hotel is situated perfectly. It is almost next door to the Discovery Kartika Plaza shopping mall. And opposite Waterbom Park. There are three pools at this hotel: an Adults Only pool (yay! No bombies!) a Main Pool for general use and an Infinity Pool which overlooks the beach. Plenty of loungers, plenty of shade. So, having espoused all the Positives, I feel that I would like to make a suggestion or two for absolute perfection: 1. People who choose to work in the hospitality industry need to remain constantly aware that it is they – who make a guest feel welcome. So, a smile goes a long way. And no matter what mood you may be in, and let’s face it – we all have our days, please don’t be cool towards a guest, or almost dismissive. No matter how long you have worked there. 2. The egg cooking lady is a legend! But – if for some reason she is not able to be at the egg-station when the restaurant opens at six due to her services being required in preparing Room Service breakfasts, may I suggest a stand-in cook for that little while at the egg station? Reason – some guests must have breakfast at six and leave for the Airport at 6:30 to catch their flights. This only gives them a half-hour window in which to eat breakfast. The hotel does recommend, after all, that guests try to have breakfast earlier than the “rush hour”. I think that is all I have to say for now. Regretfully, I leave tomorrow. But I will be back!