Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Bali (Regency Suite) - Good Food Around the Property with a Fantastic Regency Club
Most people think of Seminyak, Ubud, and Canggu when you mention Bali but the island destination has so much more to offer. While I have been to Bali at least twenty times in the last ten years, I have never been to Sanur. In fact, I did not even realise that Sanur was actually the birthplace of tourism that drew tourists in at the very beginning. Unlike Seminyak or Canggu, Sanur is a lot quieter (but not as quiet as Nusa Dua) which is great for those looking to unwind by a beachside resort while still having some dining options around the area. Ever since I have been a Globalist in the World of Hyatt program, I have been staying at the Alila Seminyak a lot - while the property is beautiful, and the location is pretty fantastic, the surrounding area is starting to lose its appeal a little for me personally. I wanted to look for an alternative area that I have not been and it was only then that I found Sanur through the Hyatt Regency Bali.
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Interiors
Regency Club - Hyatt Regency Bali
Hyatt Regency Bali is located along Jalan Danau Tamblingan which is lined with great restaurants, cafes, as well as independent shops and boutiques. Some of you may not already know this but Hyatt’s very first property in Bali is Bali Hyatt which opened back in 1973 and was once considered the most luxurious hotel on the island. The hotel was closed for five years for extensive renovation and it finally reopened as the Hyatt Regency Bali in late 2018. I arrived at the property at approximately 12:00 PM and was told that my room was not yet ready (which is understandable since the official check-in time of the property is 3:00 PM) but I was welcome to spend time in the Regency Club if I would like to since I had access to it as a Globalist member. I really love the overall vibes of the Regency Club and honestly, I did not come all the way to Bali to sit in an air-conditioned room, so this was definitely a huge plus point in my books. While I did have to wait slightly over an hour for my room to be ready, the Regency Club was a great space to get some work done, and my drinks were topped up without having to request it.
Living Room
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
At approximately 2:00 PM, I was informed that my room was ready and the key cards were handed over to me at the Regency Club before being escorted to the room by one of the friendly lounge staff. When I entered the room however, I noticed that I have been accorded the Regency Suite for the stay - a nice surprise since I was not expecting it and I did not actually see availability for this when I looked up my dates of stay prior to arrival. World of Hyatt Globalist members are treated very well and this is the very same reason why I dedicate at least 60 nights to the program each year - while Hyatt does not have a very large presence in the region, it does offer fantastic treatment to top-tier members which is a lot more than I can say for competing programs like Hilton Honors.
Living Room
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
Depending on which Regency Suite you are assigned to, it may range from 54sqm to 78sqm in size - some of them have a much larger balcony area which is fantastic if you plan on spending time outside. The Regency Suite that I stayed in on this stay looked out to the ocean, and it also had a large outdoor area that can easily accommodate your friends and family members who are visiting. While the structure of the building remains intact from what it used to be as Bali Hyatt, the interiors have been given an overhaul and it looks pretty modern while exuding rustic Balinese charm.
Living Room
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
The massive living room comes with ample seating for a handful of adults and a large 65-inch LCD TV with a selection of satellite, local, and cable channels. There were also floor-to-ceiling glass doors on both sides of the living room which makes the space look really bright in the day. Instead of a typical sofa, the Regency Suite offers a daybed-like sofa which makes it the perfect spot for lounging throughout the day. Obviously, the glass sliding doors can also be opened up for you to enjoy the natural breeze and fresh air if that is something that you prefer during your stay. For everyone else, the air-conditioning in the suite works without a hitch - something that I typically watch out for when staying in renovated properties.
Living Room
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
As mentioned earlier, not all the Regency Suites at the Hyatt Regency Bali have the same configuration or size. Some of the suites have a large enough area to fit a dining table outside but mine only had a narrow-enough space to fit a small chair. With that said, I am definitely not complaining since this is not only a complimentary suite upgrade as part of my Globalist perks, but also it faces the beach where you will be able to see the early morning strollers, plenty of dogs, and of course, enjoy the sounds from having the ocean at your doorstep.
View from Living Room
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
Since the Hyatt Regency Bali faces the East, you will have to get up early if you are planning to watch the sunrise. The weather during my stay was pretty gloomy and on the days that I did bother trying, I did not see anything but light rain, and plenty of early morning walkers. While you do get the occasional beach walkers outside the Alila Seminyak, there were considerably a lot more people going out for a walk here at 6:00 AM - I guess people just wake up earlier in Sanur! There are quite a number of restaurants that are within a 5-minute walking distance and while they may not be as polished as the newest ones from Canggu or Seminyak, they offer pretty good food and amazing value.
Balcony
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
I love large outdoor living spaces whenever I am in Bali so the Regency Suite definitely delivered on this front - the sofa fits at least five adults comfortably and the additional living space makes it not only possible but desirable to have some friends over. This might also be a great area for small solemnisation if you are planning a wedding party at the Hyatt Regency Bali. You might also notice that most parts of the balcony look out to the lush gardens instead of the ocean which is on the perpendicular side.
Powder Room
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
One of the things that I have grown to appreciate a lot about suites is the existence of a powder room, or a half bathroom outside. This is particularly great if you are sharing the room with a friend, or your partner, as it just makes it a lot more convenient during ‘peak hours’. The powder room of the Regency Suite is actually a full bathroom (minus a bathtub) as it comes with its own separate shower area and toilet. This guest bathroom is located near the entrance of the suite which makes it perfect if you have friends visiting and do not want them to walk through the bedroom. While the water pressure is great, I did find it difficult to get the water down to the right temperature in the guest bathroom. For whatever reason, it was always scorching hot (even after fiddling with the temperature control dial) so I never once used it during my stay.
Welcome Amenities
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
I received a small plate of tropical fruits and a handwritten card as a Globalist member - honestly, these welcome amenities run a little light but it is still a nice gesture for a Hyatt Regency (especially since I have only gotten two green apples on subsequent visits at the Hyatt Place Bangkok Sukhumvit as a Globalist).
Drinking Water
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
Complimentary drinking water is provided here at the Hyatt Regency Bali and obviously, you may always request for more if you require them - I have not had any bad experiences with tap water here. While I do not consume water from the tap directly, I do use it for showering and brushing my teeth. The water seems to be fairly clean here and it always runs clear at all times - the tap water from the Alila Seminyak on my last stay was brown and I actually suffered from a Bali Belly on most trips when I stay at that property (but obviously, I cannot confirm whether or not this was caused by the water). The Hyatt Regency Bali had none of these problems and clean water is readily available throughout the hotel anyway. Something that you might want to take note of is the absence of a coffee machine in the rooms and suites here - if you wish to stay in Sanur, the Andaz Bali (located just a short stroll away) has a Nespresso coffee machine in all the rooms but it is typically priced two, or three times higher. With that being said, getting coffee from the Regency Club was not a huge struggle but it did require me to leave the room from time to time - a small inconvenience, but something worth noting if you drink 3-4 cups of coffee a day like I do.
Teabags
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
Teabags are provided by Savis Tea which is sourced locally by a domestic company. Even though you will not find a coffee machine in any of the rooms or suites here at the Hyatt Regency Bali, freeze-dried coffee sachets are provided but I did not personally like the taste of them - just go to the Regency Club for coffee if you have access but otherwise, there are plenty of cafes in the vicinity (or you may also order them via GoFood or GrabFood easily).
Walk-in Closet
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
The location of the walk-in wardrobe inside the Regency Suite is in a little of an awkward position. A small area in between the living room and the bedroom has been carved out to create this private space where you can hang your clothes up, and leave your luggage on the table underneath it. Strangely, the walk-in wardrobe is actually located outside of the bedroom which means you will not be able to get changed directly if you were to take a shower unless you brought what you need into the bathroom beforehand. In some ways, it makes the bedroom look a lot tidier but I am just not sure what the initial thought process was.
Bedroom
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
The bedroom and bathroom are my favourite areas of the Regency Suite - I love the usage of wood and how the warm palette makes the room a whole lot cosier. The bathroom can be partitioned off from the bedroom by closing the wooden sliding doors but do note that there is no locking function on these doors. Despite keeping the original structure of the building, the air-conditioning have all been replaced as part of the renovation so everything related to that works well.
Bedroom
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
There is another 65-inch LCD TV in the bedroom and it also comes with direct access to the balcony. In fact, the balcony of the bedroom and the living room are connected on one side but you may choose to lock the wooden door outside for added privacy. The sliding wooden doors also come with internal wooden shutters which makes it great for those wanting some natural daylight, but still enjoy reasonable privacy in the comfort of their own bedrooms. There is also no lack of universal power outlets and USB charging ports throughout the bedroom and the suite so keeping your mobile devices juiced while staying at the property will not be an issue at all.
Bathroom
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
The master bathroom is beautiful and it comes with double vanity sinks complete with everything you may need - additional personal amenities can also be requested via the Hyatt app or by picking-up the phone but most travellers bring their own anyway. You might have noticed it in the living room but the presence of fresh flowers and plants is a nice touch. While I am not sure whether this is present in all guest rooms or only the suites, this is certainly something that I appreciate a lot and truth to be told, it is something that you will typically find at ultra-luxurious properties in this part of the world.
Bathroom
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
The main bathroom comes with a separate shower area, a toilet, as well as a deep-soaking bathtub on the side. Some of the guest rooms here at the hotel also come with a bathtub so you do not actually need to secure a suite if this is something that is of value to you. Alternatively, the Andaz Bali (which also shares the same gym and spa as the Hyatt Regency Bali) located next door has bathtubs in all their rooms and suites - I will check this property out at some point as I do have a Category 1-4 free night award (from hitting 30 nights) to utilise this year.
Bath Amenities
Regency Suite - Hyatt Regency Bali
The Hyatt Regency Bali offers bulk-size bath amenities which is created in collaboration with Pharmacopia, featuring Argan Oil as one of its main ingredients. If I am not mistaken, this is the same brand of bath amenity that is offered throughout different Hyatt Regency properties as I remember it from my recent travels to Hanoi, Kuantan, and Phuket.
Entrance
Regency Club - Hyatt Regency Bali
If you plan on staying-in a lot, booking a room with access to the Regency Club can save you quite a bit of money (especially if you enjoy a drink or two in the evening). As a Globalist member, I have access to the club while staying at the property but even if you do not have any status in the World of Hyatt program, it is definitely worth rationalising the price difference between a base room and a club room as it will come with all-day lounge access, breakfast, as well as evening cocktails and canapés.
Rindik Performance
Regency Club - Hyatt Regency Bali
There are two main meal presentations at the Regency Club - breakfast and evening cocktails. The latter runs from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM each night and it is seriously quite a nice experience and you will get to enjoy a decent spread of cold and hot dishes (including a live station), bread, desserts, as well as free-flowing drinks for the whole duration. There is also a live performance on the rindik (a traditional Balinese music instrument) every evening which is a nice touch.
Evening Cocktails and Canapés
Regency Club - Hyatt Regency Bali
Throughout my four-night stay at the hotel, the hot food selection at the Regency Club was different in the evening. The quality of food is really decent and it can substitute as dinner if you do not wish to venture out of the hotel - I get really hungry after drinking so ordering food via GoFood and Grab is a no-brainer for me but do note that you will have to pick it up from the lobby directly as they are not allowed to send the food to your room, or to you directly.
Evening Cocktails and Canapés
Regency Club - Hyatt Regency Bali
There is a good selection of spirits and wines available at the Regency Club too - I enjoyed at least five to six glasses of sparkling wine every night. The Tunjung Brut (which is surprisingly drinkable) is from Hatten and it comes with a fruity and crisp finish. Hatten was founded in Bali back in 1994 and different grape varieties are grown in vineyards along the North Coast of Bali where it is cooler.
As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from around the Hyatt Regency Bali, and if you do not want to venture out of the hotel, the Pizzaria (which is located within the hotel) serves up delicious pizzas and kinds of pasta. Even if you are planning to just have a drink at the restaurant, you will notice that the prices are a lot lower than what the average is in Seminyak. Typically, food within hotels is not bad but they never really blow your mind enough to make you want to return (as a non-staying guest). In the case of Pizzaria however, I would gladly return for a meal even when I am not staying at the hotel. In fact, I will be staying in Sanur again soon (but not in a Hyatt property since the rates have gone up so much) and I will definitely drop by for a pizza during my time in Bali. I have also heard good things about the Fisherman’s Club in Andaz Bali but I did not get the opportunity to try it on this visit.
Looking for a restaurant out of the hotel? Warung Kecil is probably my favourite restaurant in the area if you are craving something local - the price might be higher than a typical warung-style restaurant but the premium you are paying goes towards a cleaner environment, the use of better ingredients, and a comfortable dining area for all guests. La Playa Cafe is also pretty good if you are looking for just a no-frills spot to chill with some finger food and drinks. Jalapeno is also fantastic in the area if you would like some Mexican food (and tequila) but there are seriously just so many great restaurants that are within walking distance from the hotel.
Pool View
Omang Omang - Hyatt Regency Bali
Guests staying on a breakfast-inclusive rate can enjoy a full buffet breakfast at Omang Omang which is located near the beach, by the main swimming pools. It did get pretty busy on one of the mornings that I visited, and while the selection of food is greater, I did find the whole experience to be rather unpleasant as you had to wait for almost everything. Perhaps it was the timing that I visited that very morning, and maybe coming a little bit earlier would be better but I personally settled back into the Regency Club for breakfast every other day following that.
Breakfast
Omang Omang - Hyatt Regency Bali
Most of the dishes that you find at Omang Omang can be found at the Regency Club but obviously since this restaurant is much larger and caters to more hotel guests, you can expect certain items here (like having sambal matah at breakfast) that you will not find the club.
The Hyatt Regency Bali used to be a Category 1 property but it has been ‘upgraded’ to Category 2 since 28 March 2023 - this means that you will now require at least 6,500 points (as opposed to 3,500 points previously) for a free night here. Hyatt runs a number of point purchase promotions throughout the year and the latest offered a 25% discount - this works out to just 1.8 US cents per point. While it may no longer be as lucrative to purchase Hyatt points for the redemption of award nights at this property, it might still make sense if you are planning on gifting a stay to a friend or family member under the Globalist Guest of Honor benefit as the person that you are making the reservation for will get to enjoy all your perks during their stay (e.g. space-available suite upgrade and lounge access). I did not think that I would like Sanur and the Hyatt Regency Bali as much as I did but it is quite possibly my favourite area to stay in right now as there are fewer tourists, much lesser traffic, and most of what I like can be reached on foot. I have also found a yoga studio that is just a short stroll away from the hotel, and the area outside has plenty of great food as well as affordable massages - just everything I go to Bali for personally!
Hyatt Regency Bali
Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.89, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228, Indonesia
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Planning a beach day can seem simple, but unexpected issues often arise. Mornington Peninsula’s beaches are popular, which means dealing with potential crowds, fluctuating weather, and poor preparation can easily ruin your outing. Arriving late might lead to parking challenges, and picking the wrong beach can limit your planned activities. Many forget important items that could make or break their beach experience, leading to stress and missed opportunities for relaxation.