Bali's Kesari Glory: Paradise Found (Luxury Hotel Escape!)
Bali's Kesari Glory: Paradise Found (Luxury Hotel Escape!)
Bali's Kesari Glory: Paradise Found (Luxury Hotel Escape!) - A Review… with a Side of Real Life
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Bali, and let me tell you, I'm still unpacking the mental baggage (and the actual luggage, which contains approximately 10,000 photos of sunsets). We stayed at Kesari Glory, the aptly named "Paradise Found," and I'm here to give you the honest-to-goodness, no-sugar-coating review you deserve.
First off, SEO-wise, yes, I'm gonna hit all the keywords. But more importantly, I'm gonna tell you what it actually feels like.
Accessibility & Getting Around… With a Few Hiccups
Let's dive in with the practical stuff. Accessibility: They say facilities for disabled guests are in place. (keyword: Facilities for disabled guests). Now, I don't have any mobility issues, so I can't personally vouch, but I did notice a few ramps and elevators. But honestly? Bali isn't exactly known for its pristine accessible infrastructure. The vibe is more… charmingly haphazard. I'd recommend contacting them directly beforehand to confirm specific needs and expectations, especially regarding the Wheelchair accessible aspects. (keyword: Wheelchair accessible)
Getting Around: Airport transfer (keyword: Airport transfer) was smooth as butter, a welcome relief after the long flight. They had a Car park [free of charge] (keyword: Car park [free of charge]), which is always a win, especially when you’re used to the crazy parking situations in my city. Car park [on-site] (keyword: Car park [on-site]) is also there if the free parking is full. They offer Taxi service (keyword: Taxi service), which is readily available. However, navigating Bali itself can be a bit… adventurous. Traffic is a thing. Factor that in when you're planning your daily excursions.
Rooms: My Oasis (Mostly)
Okay, let's be real. I'm a sucker for a luxurious hotel room. And Kesari Glory delivered. The Non-smoking rooms (keyword: Non-smoking rooms) were a huge plus for me. We went for a Deluxe something-or-other, and it was glorious. Here’s a bullet-point breakdown in a way that reflects how a human thinks:
- Air conditioning: Thank GOD. Crucial in Bali's tropical climate (keyword: Air conditioning).
- Free Wi-Fi (keyword: Wi-Fi [free]): Worked like a charm most of the time. They also have Internet [LAN] and Internet services (keyword: Internet [LAN], Internet services), but let's be honest, who actually plugs in a LAN cable anymore?
- Blackout curtains: Life-savers. Seriously, the sleep I got was phenomenal. They had Bathrobes (keyword: Bathrobes), Slippers (keyword: Slippers), and all the usual suspects.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for that morning caffeine fix (keyword: Coffee/tea maker). The complimentary tea was nice, but I needed a real coffee to get going.
- Mini bar: Fully stocked, but, okay, maybe a little pricey. (keyword: Mini bar)
- Seating area: Perfect for lounging after a day of exploring. (keyword: Seating area)
- Safety/security feature: This is a huge plus. (keyword: Safety/security feature)
- Soundproofing: Did a decent job blocking out the occasional scooters and geckos at night. (keyword: Soundproofing)
- Bathroom: The shower was fantastic, spacious, with Separate shower/bathtub available (keyword: Separate shower/bathtub). Towels (keyword: Towels), and the Toiletries (keyword: Toiletries) were nice.
- Wake-up service: Used it! Worked perfectly.(keyword: Wake-up service)
Minor imperfections?
- The Alarm clock (keyword: Alarm clock) was a bit fiddly to set (I’m technologically challenged).
- The Desk (keyword: Desk) was alright, but it was a bit cramped. If you're planning on doing a lot of work, it might be tight.
- Additional toilet Was there when needed. (keyword: Additional toilet)
- Extra long bed was nice to have enough space, but I did not use it. (keyword: Extra long bed)
- Linens were good. (keyword: Linens)
- Mirror, was there. (keyword: Mirror)
- On-demand movies, was there, but I wasn't really watching (keyword: On-demand movies)
- Refrigerator, was there for drinks.(keyword: Refrigerator)
- Smoke detector was there (keyword: Smoke detector)
- Socket near the bed was appreciated (keyword: Socket near the bed)
- Telephone was there when needed (keyword: Telephone)
- Umbrella was there, not used. (keyword: Umbrella)
- Window that opens was nice. (keyword: Window that opens)
Okay, the ONE Thing that Blew My Mind and Made My Trip
Now, I'm going to delve into an area where Kesari Glory truly shone: the SPA. (keyword: Spa) Specifically, their massage. I'm not exaggerating. It was borderline religious.
Let me paint you a picture: I was stressed. Plane delays, lost luggage stress, "my phone is always dying!" stress. I was a tangled knot of tension. I booked an hour-long Balinese massage, and it was the most sublime experience of my life. Picture the scene: dimly lit room, fragrant oils, the gentle sound of gamelan music (or something equally zen), and then…magic. My masseuse, a tiny woman with hands of steel, worked out every single knot. I'm not typically one for hyperbole, but I floated out of that spa. I felt like I'd been reborn. The Body scrub (keyword: Body scrub) and Body wrap (keyword: Body wrap) options were also available, which I unfortunately did not experience. (next time!) They had a Sauna and Steamroom in the spa (keyword: Sauna, Steamroom) if that's your vibe.
Wellness and Relaxation: Beyond the Massage
Other ways to unwind? They have a Swimming pool (keyword: Swimming pool), and it's a beauty. Pool with view (keyword: Pool with view), just a stunning visual. The Fitness center (keyword: Fitness center) looked well-equipped, though I confess I spent more time eating than working out. They also offer a Foot bath (keyword: Foot bath), which I didn’t try this time, but sounds heavenly.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Food Glorious Food
Alright, let's talk about the grub. Kesari Glory offers a wide array of options, and some of them were amazing.
- Restaurants: They have a couple of restaurants, with A la carte in restaurant (keyword: A la carte in restaurant), plus Buffet in restaurant (keyword: Buffet in restaurant) options.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast buffet (keyword: Breakfast [buffet]) was generally good. Asian breakfast (keyword: Asian breakfast) and Western breakfast (keyword: Western breakfast) options were available. Loads of fresh fruit, pastries, and eggs cooked to order. (keyword: Breakfast service) Definitely a solid start to the day.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant (keyword: Asian cuisine in restaurant) was the star of the show.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant (keyword: Coffee/tea in restaurant), essential.
- I loved the Poolside bar (keyword: Poolside bar) for a cocktail or two at sunset.
- Happy hour (keyword: Happy hour) was a bonus!
- Room service [24-hour] (keyword: Room service [24-hour]) was super convenient with a quick menu.
- They had a Coffee shop (keyword: Coffee shop) that was great for picking up a quick coffee.
- Desserts in restaurant (keyword: Desserts in restaurant) were also a good option.
- Salad in restaurant (keyword: Salad in restaurant) was a plus.
- Snack bar (keyword: Snack bar) for quick snacks.
- They had an Alternative meal arrangement (keyword: Alternative meal arrangement), which came in handy.
Kesari Glory Hotel Bali: Our Chaotic, Glorious, and Slightly Over-Planned Adventure (So Far)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Bag Debacle
- 8:00 AM (ish): Woke up in a state of mild panic. The alarm, as predicted, failed. Husband (let's call him "The Planner") started pacing. I, naturally, blamed him for not setting the backup alarm. We're already off to a fantastic start.
- 9:30 AM: Finally out the door, fueled by instant coffee and a vague prayer to the travel gods. Taxi to the airport. Airport chaos: endless queues! The Planner’s blood pressure is rising (again).
- 12:00 PM: Landed in Denpasar! The air is thick, humid, and smells faintly of… temples? I love it.
- 1:00 PM: The Bag Debacle: Found our luggage! Triumph! But… One of the bags is apparently missing a wheel. Sigh. The Planner, surprisingly, is handling this with grace (mostly). I'm convinced he's secretly thrilled to have something to "fix." We'll never find the wheel though, will we?
- 1:30 PM: Taxi to the Kesari Glory Hotel. The driver weaves through the traffic like a caffeinated spider monkey. I'm gripping the seat, laughing hysterically, and The Planner is white-knuckling it. This is Bali, baby!
- 2:30 PM: CHECK-IN! The lobby is beautiful. Those Balinese carvings, the intricate details… I’m already in love. The staff are ridiculously friendly. Check-in was a breeze, thank goodness.
- 3:00 PM: Our room! It's gorgeous. Balcony overlooking a lush garden. The bed looks like a cloud. Dropped our bags haphazardly. The one with the wheel? Leaning against the wall looking pathetic.
- 3:30 - 5:00 PM: Unpacking (sort of). The Planner is meticulously organizing his clothes. I'm just rummaging, declaring "I don't know where anything is!" Several minor arguments ensue about who packed what. The wheel-less bag sits, forgotten.
- 5:00 PM: Poolside relaxation. Finally. The water is wonderfully cool. Ordered a Bintang and a fruit platter. Pure bliss. Briefly considered staying here forever.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Food was good, nothing spectacular (maybe I'm spoiled). The live music, though… a bit much. The singer was, bless her heart, giving it her all, but The Planner and I kept exchanging glances that said, "Is this real life?"
- 8:00 PM: Back in the room, already plotting our next day. The guidebook is open. The Planner is, again, outlining the day with military precision. I'm scrolling through Instagram, looking for the "real" Bali and wondering if anyone else's holiday life is this hilariously messy.
Day 2: Temples, Tuk-Tuks, and a Terrifying Monkey Encounter
- 7:00 AM: Awake! The Planner is already up, poring over maps. He's already had his coffee. I am not a morning person. Especially not on holidays.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Amazing Nasi Goreng. Fueling up for the day!
- 9:00 AM: Hired a driver (through the hotel, obviously) to take us to Tanah Lot Temple.
- 10:00 AM: Tanah Lot. Wow. Just… wow. The temple itself is stunning, perched on that rocky outcrop. The waves crashing against the rocks… I was speechless. The Planner, of course, took about fifty photos.
- 11:00 AM: The crowds! Oh, the crowds! We shuffled along with a sea of selfie sticks. Lost The Planner briefly. Found him again, looking vaguely panicked.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a small warung (local cafe) near the temple. Best Gado-Gado I've ever had. Simple, delicious, and cheap!
- 1:00 PM: Back in the car, heading towards Ubud. The driver is chatty. I love it. He's regaling us with Balinese legends.
- 3:00 PM: Monkey Forest, Ubud. Anticipation and trepidation. I am a self-proclaimed animal lover, The Planner is… less so. He's basically terrified of monkeys. The forest is gorgeous, but… the monkeys are everywhere.
- 3:15 PM: THE GREAT MONKEY ENCOUNTER: Okay, so this is where it gets real. A monkey, a relatively large one, snatched my sunglasses. The Planner, in a display of surprising bravery, charged at it, yelling. The monkey, unfazed, just sat on a tree, chewing on my sunglasses. I offered it a banana. It took the banana and then, get this, pooped on my foot. I’m traumatized. The Planner is now convinced he can handle anything, even the wheel-less bag.
- 4:00 PM: Escaped the Monkey Forest. We are both shaken but alive. Bought a replacement pair of sunglasses to replace what was taken from the Monkey.
- 5:00 PM: Wandered the Ubud art market. So much stuff! So many vendors! Haggling ensued. I’m getting the hang of it. The Planner is still recovering from the monkey incident.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner in Ubud. Found a lovely restaurant tucked away from the main road. Ordered way too much food. The Planner is now relaxed. The monkey ordeal has somehow bonded us.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Exhausted but exhilarated. The pool is calling!
- 8:00 PM: Pool. This time, with a cocktail in hand. The stars are out. My foot is still slightly monkey-poo adjacent and the pool's chlorine burns.
Day 3: Beach Bliss (and a Potential Volcano Eruption)
- 8:00 AM: Slept in (miracle! ). No frantic planning.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast, and it's a repeat of Day 2. I'm not complaining, it's delicious.
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to Seminyak beach!
- 10:30 AM: Beach day! The sand is soft and warm. The waves are… well, they’re waves. I’m not a strong swimmer. The Planner is already in the ocean, surfing.
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Sunbathing, swimming (sort of), people-watching. Bali is full of people. The beach is crowded, but lovely. I nearly drowned. The Planner rescued me.
- 2:30 PM: Lunch at a beachside cafe. Fresh seafood, Bintangs, perfect.
- 3:00 PM: Started to feel uneasy. Everyone is talking about the volcano. Mt. Agung. It's rumbling. News reports. The Planner, naturally, starts googling every detail. My anxiety levels are rising.
- 4:00 PM: Decided to head back to the hotel. The volcano is weighing on us.
- 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel. We feel safe. We booked a massage. We're pretending everything is normal, the massage is lovely.
- 6:00 PM: The Planner is glued to the news. I'm trying to stay positive.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel, again. A bit more subdued tonight. The atmosphere is different. We order comfort food.
- 8:00 PM: Packing. Just in case. The Planner is meticulously packing. I am throwing things in a suitcase. The wheel-less bag sits, still in the same spot.
Day 4: (TBD - Waiting for the Volcano!)
This is where it gets interesting. We're watching and waiting. Maybe a day trip to somewhere less volcano-adjacent? Maybe we'll just stay glued to the pool. Maybe we'll be evacuated. Who knows! I'll keep you updated.
Overall Thoughts (So Far)
Bali is… intense. It’s beautiful, chaotic, frustrating, and magical all at once. The Kesari Glory Hotel is a haven, a surprisingly comfortable base for our adventures (and potential volcano escape). The food is amazing, the staff are wonderful, and I think I'm slowly getting used to "The Planner's" planning. The wheel-less bag? Still a problem. The monkey? Never forget. But, despite all the mess, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Bali, you are something else.
Cape Town Sea Escape: Unbelievable Ocean Views Await!
Alright, alright, let’s get this luxury hotel thing squared away. Kesari Glory, you say? Paradise Found? More like...Paradise *Eventually* Found. Let's see if this pretentious label is gonna follow through.
1. Okay, so the elephant in the lagoon-sized room: Is it *actually* as luxurious as they say?
Ugh. Yes. And no. Look, the *rooms*? Ridiculously luxurious. Like, I felt genuinely guilty for, you know, *existing* in them. The bed? Cloud-like. The bathroom? Bigger than my first apartment. Now, the *service*? That's where the cracks started to show. One day, I swear I was waiting for a replacement for my broken hairdryer for what felt like forever, while the sun was setting on Mount Agung. Okay, I get it, Bali time, but some things just need to be done, and quickly. Also, the little mini bar was stocked with things I would never eat or drink, so this was a waste of storage.
2. The pool! The ocean! The Instagram photos! Are they as stunning in real life? Spill.
Okay, confession time. The pool? Absolutely glorious. Infinity edge, overlooking the ocean... I mean, COME ON. Instagram did not do it justice. I spent a solid three hours just staring at the damn thing the first day. The ocean? Beautiful. But...and this is a big but... the beach itself wasn’t *quite* the pristine white sand I was expecting. It was more like...sand and some seaweed. Perfectly fine, just, you know, Instagram lies. And be prepared for the occasional (very persistent) vendor trying to sell you a sarong. "No, thank you...no, no, thank you..." sound on rotation.
3. Let's talk about the food. Michelin star worthy? Or tourist trap price with average flavor?
Ah, the food. Okay, here's the down-low. The breakfast buffet? Phenomenal. Seriously. A little *too* phenomenal, if you ask me. I got into a seriously unhealthy habit of eating *everything*. Seriously. From fresh-pressed juices to like, four different kinds of pastries. My waistline? Not thrilled. The dinner situation? Hit or miss to be honest. Some dishes were absolute masterpieces (the seafood curry! Oh, sweet baby Buddha...). Others felt a little...blah. And overpriced. You're paying for the ambiance, people! And let's not talk about those "specialty" restaurants; they don't live up to their hype most of the time.
4. Spa time! Is it worth the splurge for a massage? I'm a cheapskate, so talk me into it (or out of it).
Look, I'm with you on the cheapskate thing. I *cringed* at the spa prices. But... (and this is a big but, again) I *caved*. And you know what? The Balinese massage was worth every penny. I walked in stressed, knotted, and probably radiating bad vibes. I walked out feeling like a limp noodle, in the best possible way. The aromatherapy, the atmosphere, the skill of the masseuse... it was pure bliss. Just remember, it's a luxury. If you’re pinching pennies, maybe skip the daily massages and get one or two to really unwind. You will be glad about it. Seriously, don’t skip the spa day. You'll thank me later.
5. Okay, what about the excursions? Did you do any? What's the REAL deal from a non-brochure perspective?
Yes! I did a couple. One to the rice terraces (beautiful, but HOT. Bring water, people!). And a temple visit (absolutely stunning, but incredibly crowded). The hotel offered them, but also local agencies that are cheaper, so you are free to pick which one suits you. BUT, let's talk about Mount Batur. I naively thought, "Oh, sunrise hike? Scenic, rewarding!" NOPE. Let me tell you about Mount Batur. First, the 2AM wake-up call. Brutal. Then, the throngs of tourists. We were practically a conga line up the mountain. And yes, the sunrise was pretty. But honestly? I was so exhausted and annoyed, I barely appreciated it. Plus, it’s chilly at the summit! So, bring layers. And maybe a caffeine drip. My takeaway? Do your research. Don't believe the hype. Some experiences are better than others. It is not all rainbows and butterflies.
6. The staff! Are they genuinely friendly, or just trained to be? (The truth, please!)
Honestly? A mixed bag. The general staff, the gardeners, the cleaners, were incredibly friendly and attentive. Always smiling, always helpful, always making you feel welcome. The more senior staff... well, sometimes felt a bit... robotic. Like, "Yes, madam, everything is perfect." And then you'd find a slightly stained pillowcase. But overall? The staff were polite and helpful. But, remember, you can buy politeness and kindness at any price. It doesn't always translate into true connection, you know?
7. Okay, spill the tea. What was the *worst* part of the experience? Be brutal.
Ugh. This is where I unleash my inner Karen. The *music*. At the main pool. ALL. DAY. LONG. It was this elevator-y, vaguely "world music" playlist that got stuck on repeat. Honestly it was enough to drive me insane. After a couple of days, I was seriously contemplating staging a protest, or demanding they let me curate my own playlist. Or, maybe just screaming. I was so close to a total meltdown. That, and the aforementioned broken hairdryer, but that's a minor detail, really. The music. The music was a crime against my ears."
8. Did you actually *enjoy* yourself? Would you go back?
Yes! Overall, I did. Yes. It was beautiful, luxurious, and mostly relaxing. Despite the minor imperfections, the music, the slightly off-kilter service... I mean, the place is stunning. Would I go back? Maybe. If someone else was paying. And if they promised to change the damn playlist at the pool. Maybe when they fix the sound system again.
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