Review: Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach

Walking up to our villa, bleary-eyed from some 26 hours of travel, our butler stopped us in front of an ornate golden gate featuring a vine-like design of intertwined flowers that was positively glowing in the late-afternoon sun. Suddenly, I was wide awake.

My fiance and I had just arrived at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach (part of IHG Hotels & Resorts) — and I could tell that things were about to get very good for us. Passing through the golden gate, our butler explained that the property’s private villas were modeled after traditional Balinese houses, featuring the “Tri Mandala” spatial concept, which describes three separate “realms.” In practice, this translates to three distinct areas for each villa: a greenery-rich outdoor entryway from the gate into the residence; an expansive outdoor area with a huge daybed, two comfy loungers, a private pool and an outdoor shower; and the villa itself, a large, standalone accommodation with floor-to-ceiling windows on nearly every side.

After giving us the rundown (and drawing our attention to the two pool floaties he had oh-so-helpfully already inflated for us), our butler left us to luxuriate in our new surroundings. We quickly explored our One-Bedroom Pool Villa, delighted to find it was outfitted with a plush, king-size bed; a lounge area with a couch; and an enormous bathroom complete with a dressing area, multiple closets, a huge tub and a spacious shower with a door leading out to the pool.

In addition to the pool floaties, we came across other special touches, including a slew of bath products, two beach bags outfitted with a pool towel and mini sunscreen, a Nespresso machine with a milk warmer and a Bluetooth sound system — not to mention the on-call butler services.

Our curiosity satisfied, we hopped into our private pool and agreed that we had officially arrived in paradise.

Hotel Features and Amenities

Hotel Indigo Bali debuted in 2017 as the brand’s first non-urban, resort-style property. Bright colors and an eclectic design aesthetic in the lobby create a “modern Bali” vibe that extends to other public spaces and accommodations.

In addition to its 19 one- and two-bedroom villas, the property offers 270 guestrooms and suites (although if clients are ever going to splurge for a villa, I’d recommend doing it here, as the rates are a steal compared to similar products in many other destinations). There’s also a small renovation in progress to add a few additional suites to the hotel’s inventory in the coming months.

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Hotel Indigo’s grounds are abundant with tropical foliage, creating the feeling of a peaceful jungle oasis. This is especially true at the secondary pool, which is tucked away in what feels like a hidden corner of the resort and surrounded almost entirely by lush plants; it quickly became one of my favorite spots on the property. I appreciated that it offered various sizes of comfortable loungers, plus covered cabanas — all of which are free to use and require no reservation. It’s an especially peaceful area, as the resort recommends that only adults frequent this pool (its stone features and tight spaces are more suited for grown-ups than little ones).

That said, the main pool area is a wide expanse perfect for all ages, surrounded by grassy lawns and looking out toward the beach. Here, the Cave Pool Lounge serves quick bites and drinks, including thirst-quenching whole chilled coconuts. It’s also exceptionally easy for guests to hit the public beach that’s just a few short steps across the way from the hotel.

Wellness-minded clients should also be sure to visit the excellent Sava Spa. Upon checking in for our couples’ massage, my fiance and I chose our preferred scented oil before being led to a large private treatment room with two separate areas: One space had a private changing area and bathroom (complete with a shower), while the outer area was set up for our Balinese massages. After donning our robes and slippers, our treatment began with a foot bath and welcome drink, followed by excellent massages. Afterwards, we relaxed and sipped tea in a shaded outdoor lounge area facing a stunning water feature. 

On-Site Restaurants

When it came to dining, on-site meals at Hotel Indigo Bali were delightful all throughout the day. There are two main restaurants on the property: SugarSand, a Japanese-themed eatery that overlooks the beachfront, and Makase, which celebrates a mix of Southeast Asian cuisine. 

At Makase’s daily breakfast buffet, guests will find a variety of Asian-leaning dishes (including dim sum), plus freshly baked pastries, fruit and a selection of Indonesian sweets. At two fresh-preparation stations, diners can order egg dishes or choose their own ingredients for fried rice before the dishes are cooked and brought directly to the table. All manner of hot and cold coffee drinks are delivered to the restaurant from the nearby coffee shop, which can be visited separately for a la carte caffeine fixes throughout the day. But my favorite touch was a station set up at the entrance to the restaurant, where a staff member serves jamu, a traditional (and delicious) Indonesian drink said to aid digestion with ingredients such as ginger, turmeric, lemongrass and more.

Come dinner, I was even more impressed with Makase’s offerings. Highlights included rice crackers with a trio of sambals (flavorful Indonesian condiments); crispy soft-shell crab with green mango and chili sauce; an elegant skewer of chicken satay bathed in “coconut gravy;” ikan bakar, a local style of marinated fish (served with two more delicious sambals); and addictively crispy pork ribs. It was all so tasty that my fiance and I talked about the meal for the rest of the trip. 

The two of us also enjoyed our lunch at SugarSand, which included a perfectly cooked Japanese-style fried chicken sandwich and an order of yakitori that, to our delight, was presented over still-hot coals, paying homage to the traditional cooking style of the dish and surrounding us with its mouthwatering scent. The cocktails here were another treat, each served with a playful presentation and a card describing the drink’s inspiration and flavor profile. 

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Finally, Tree Bar is worth a stop for its menu of unique local cocktails. Anchored by a beautiful pule tree (used in Balinese mask-making), the open-air bar serves drinks featuring arak, a local liquor of social and cultural significance on the island. 

Neighborhood and Activities

In fact, local life and Balinese flavor are an overarching focus for Hotel Indigo Bali, which actively encourages guests to get out and explore the neighborhood. 

Clients who want to head off property can easily walk around Seminyak, where narrow streets lead to small, family-owned restaurants called “warungs,” plus other shops and businesses. The beachfront, meanwhile, is lined with restaurants and beach clubs that are set up along the sand and attract a trendy crowd of young travelers both day and night. 

Guests can also take part in hotel activities that offer a taste of the local scene. We opted for a surf lesson (a must in Bali), during which an experienced instructor helped us catch wave after wave just across from the hotel. Surfing, as well as cooking and cocktail classes, are available for an extra (yet affordable) charge, though there is also a range of complimentary offerings. The lineup during our visit included bike tours of the neighborhood, a Balinese dance lesson, art and craft sessions and more.

Whatever experiences and activities clients opt for during their visit, they’re sure to enjoy one of the best parts of a Hotel Indigo Bali stay: the genuine warmth of the staff and the local people, who deliver hospitality of the highest level at every turn and made me eager to return at the earliest opportunity.