Puri Santrian

We stayed 3 nights in a bungalow. The charm of this hotel is the proximity to the beach and pools with plenty of sun loungers, beach side “pods” and cabanas to choose for lazing around. The beach is stunning, shallow warm water just a step away from the hotel. The location is perfect alongside the beachside promenade with multiple restaurants and shops close by. We loved the evenings roaming around. The gardens are beautiful, particularly when lit at night. There’s a little fish pond with a resident turtle too!

The swim up bar is also lovely making the time pass with gentle relaxation.

We are from the pool bar twice, good was tasty, reasonably priced and prompt service.

There have been several comments about the breakfast. It’s not the same quality as we experienced in Java and Ubud but we had no complaints. The choice was plentiful with themed days too where we had sushi one day and dim sum the other. The “only one coffee” thing is a bit odd but as we’re ok with filter coffee it was fine. Service is prompt and attentive and we enjoyed it.

Now for the room which was a let down and not in keeping with the standards overall at the hotel. We stayed in a bungalow which at best is basic. It was clean and spacious but also sparse. There are literally no power points!! We had to unplug our bedside lamps to charge our phones overnight. There’s a kettle but we had to move it to a side table so we could get to a power point. In the bathroom there is one power point for out toothbrush. There is only one hook behind the door and no where to even hang a hand towel for convenience. I had to improvise, wedging the hand towel in a drawer!!

The towels are poor quality, thin and grey as opposed to white and fluffy.

There is no full length mirror and only one mirror in the bathroom. A mirror in the bedroom would have been helpful.

The hairdryer is like a toy!! It’s tiny and absolutely pointless which was an issue as I have long hair. They do provide dressing gowns and cain slippers and the shower is powerful and clean. The little terrace area is nice.

There is a clothes line over the bath but clothes don’t dry properly. I asked for a clothes dryer as saw them outside other rooms: we were added to a waiting list (!) but nothing…it’s annoying when everyone will have swimming costumes to dry.

We practically rearranged the whole room to make it work for us but for 3 nights this was ok as we thoroughly enjoyed the beach, pools and Sanur vibe.

Small changes to the rooms would be helpful. I dread to think what the rooms are like at the levels below a bungalow.

This was our second time staying at Puri Santrian in Bali, visiting exactly 10 years after our first trip, and it continues to be our absolute favorite escape. If you are looking for a beautiful destination to completely disconnect from the world, unwind, and recharge your soul, this resort never disappoints. The ocean waters right by the property are always so calm and warm, making it an absolute paradise for swimming.

On this trip, we also tried The Spa at Puri Santrian, and it was absolutely amazing! The serene setting and skilled practitioners completely melted our stress away, making it a must-do highlight of the stay.

As returning guests, our biggest insider tip is that the VIP area (the Santrian Club wing) is well worth the upgrade! It adds a whole new level of exclusivity and peace to the vacation. Make sure to explicitly ask for one of their ground-floor rooms right by the pool. Stepping straight from your room into the water gives you the full, luxury villa experience that makes the trip feel incredibly special.

Our only piece of advice—even for a resort we love this much—is to skip the themed lobster dinner evening hosted at the hotel. While the resort itself is fantastic, you can easily find much better pricing, larger portions, and far more seafood variety outside the property. Instead, take a trip over to Jimbaran Bay for a beachfront seafood feast. We absolutely love it there—the atmosphere is unmatched, and the food is unforgettable.

Overall, it was another phenomenal stay with amazing hospitality. Even after a decade, it remains a true piece of paradise. We will absolutely be back for a third visit!