Today I rode down Jalan Laksmana, also known as Jalan Oberoi to the Oberoi hotel located on the beach next to Ku De Ta restaurant.
This hotel was the first resort type hotel in Seminyak and actually opened in 1974 as the Kayu Aya and was bought by Oberoi on 1978.
My purpose for visiting was to write a review and to educate myself as to what facilities the hotel offers.
With 500 meters of beach front property the first thing you’ll notice is the blue ocean and the waves crashing behind the reception area. The lobby is under a large bamboo and alang-alang roof and has a very relaxed open air feel. The rooms are in a series of cottages which are very comfortable, some with own pool. This place was designed with relaxing and romance in mind. Some of the rooms have their own ‘bale’ for dining outside by their pool.
A spa and workout facility is featured too.
I wandered around the place and snapped photos of the pool, the rooms and the view. On my way out to the parking lot I bumped into Gerry Williams from BaliEats.com who told me the Oberoi used to be the finest restaurant in Bali and is one of the best looked after resort hotels in Bali. He told me they’ve tried to keep their standards high but the customer traffic really doesn’t warrant it, there is such a choice of places to eat now in Seminyak that the numbers for dinner are just not what they used to be.
I asked one of the managers, Lisa what the selling points of the hotel were and she said 1) Beach front location, 2) Quiet location in Seminyak.
I agree and it’s so nice to see a hotel that hasn’t got that ‘Waikiki stack’ look that some places combine with bungalows.
Close to the lobby I spotted a fellow making some kind of artwork. His name is Nyoman and his family makes painted eggs. He told me it takes 2 days to paint an egg that he sells for $10.
This hotel would be great for a honeymoon couple of anyone wanting a lower key resort scene with easy access to the beach and great nightlife close by.
On another issue I am often amused by the people trying to sell me stuff. Couple of weeks ago I was sitting on my motorbike parked at the side of the road and a taxi driver asked me 3 times if I wanted a taxi.
The other day I went to Monkey Planet hairdressers in Seminyak and the hairdresser, a fellow from Sulawesi asked me the usual list of questions then said “so do you have a ’special friend?”. I was worried and said “You mean girlfriend?”. He said yes and I told him I didn’t. “You like to meet lady from Sulawesi, they very nice.” he said. ” I said I didn’t know there were many ladies from Sulawesi here in Bali and he said “No I can introduce you to nice lady when you come to Sulawesi.” Anyway he kept on the whole time about it, I just wanted to pay and go.
Yesterday at AJ Hackett’s one of the hangers on followed me inside and as I was unpacking my camera said “Hello Boss, you like tennis?” I said “Sure sometimes.” He said “I take you to play, very good place and I provide rackets.” I had to shake him off too.
I hand it to these guys they always seem optimistic but their success rate with me is 0%. Living here in Bali is like and exercise in business.
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The Oberoi is one of those Hotel’s I only ever wish I could stay in…. Thanks for showing me what I miss out on!!!! 
Come on Nick, buy something!!!!
Hey Nick,
I heard you caught up with Gede at “Heart Beats Leather shop” last night.
Gede said he has a Ceremony today, but is going to catch up with you on the Beach later…
He has his interview in 4 weeks & 6 days!!!!! hee hee
Hey, Barrie… when do you return to PARADISE????
I wish I could get over there soon!!!
Man news travels fast! I meet up with Gede on tiny street in Bali for 5 minutes and the world knows about it by breakfast time.
I’ll catch up with him today and listen to some music at the beach concert.
Nick!!!!
I get about 30 SMS’s daily from Gede!!!!
So I hear about everything….!
Have fun!
The Oberoi is beautifully constructed, clean and ideally located. But the crowd is generally well to do and calm.
The prices are outlandish. Having reconnoitered considerably from Jimbaran to Seminyak I’ll just say you can have a lot more fun, equal service and good food for much less money; be it in a hotel or semi-private villa. For me, the Oberoi is too insulated from the most charming aspects of Bali; the simple people, processions, markets, sellers, noises and bargains. On the other hand the Ku Dé Ta, although it also wields European prices, is not only esthetic but friendly to surfers and others who just want to chill to the cool music and spend the day.
The Oberoi is beautifully constructed, clean and ideally located. But the crowd is generally well to do and calm.
The prices are outlandish. Having reconnoitered considerably from Jimbaran to Seminyak I’ll just say you can have a lot more fun, equal service and good food for much less money; be it in a hotel or semi-private villa. For me, the Oberoi is too insulated from the most charming aspects of Bali; the simple people, processions, markets, sellers, noises and bargains. On the other hand the Ku Dé Ta, although it also wields European prices, is not only esthetic but friendly to surfers and others who just want to chill to the cool music and spend the day.
I never knew that Oberoi had spread its wings as far as Bali. And Nick, am I glad I dont have to try and sell you anything. zero success rate, now that is not too good for the ego of the Bali salespersons.