Hotel Sofitel Seminyak Bali

The Sofitel is located in the centre of Seminyak, neat the Oberoi and avilla, about 3 mi from Kuta, 9 mi from Denpasar and about 6 mi from the airport, which isa 20-minute drive away. Kuta is an hour's walk along the beach.

Many activities other than those usually availableare offered at the Sofitel: an energetic walk along the beach,neck and shoulder massage demonstrations, lessons in surfing and diving,traditional instruments (Canang and Gebongan), cookery and Balinesedance (Hanuman), fresh fruit sculpture, flower arranging,yoga and meditation, tennis, kiting, etc. The business centre is open24 hours a day. There are only children at the hotel for 3 weeks of the year, in July, which is why the club has no special club for them. A free shuttle serviceto Kuta operates 5 times a day. A family oflizard-like reptiles has taken up residence in the hotel, the largest measuring 5.75 ft.

Built in 1993, this "Leading of the World" became aSofitel in 2004. 145 bedrooms including 17 villas with swimming pool and jacuzzi arelocated at the heart of the 11-acre grounds. 40 people are employed hereto maintain the various biotopes. 3 lifts make gettingaround easy. Guests have 3 swimming pools to choose from, includingone which is set aside for relaxation and another for activities. Each has ajacuzzi. Wooden deckchairs are dotted around and raised bed frames lined up next toeach other take up one whole side. Unique point: guests can listen tomusic under the water (following the Sofitel, the Ritz Carlton nowoffers the same service). The trees around the various level and infinityswimming pools provide some shade. The floor consists of wooden stripsand white stones. The impeccable, softly-light is going to be movedto the hotel's garden, around the Traveller's Palm.

The hotel has 129 bedrooms, with balcony or terrace, housed in a long3-storey building overlooking the gardens. The contrast between thesuperb bedrooms and the antiquated bathrooms is striking. This iswhy all the bathrooms are due to be renovated by 2009.They will open onto the ever spacious bedrooms with ribbedlight wooden flooring. The facilities are identical in standard and"deluxe" rooms - only the size changes. Cream on the walls, black for themany storage units and orange for the fabrics: these are the threecolours featured in the modern rooms. The "My Bed" king-size bedding isideal for curling up as it is so comfortable. Even the lighting isnoticeable thanks to the long, stylish wall lights. All the facilities you wouldexpect are there: wide screen television (42 channels), free safe deposit box,discrete individual air-conditioning, mini-bar with tea and coffee-making facilities,direct-dial telephone, Internet connection and 24-hour room service. In thebathroom you will find a bathtub, a make-up mirror, a hair-dryer,bathrobes, slippers, and beautiful Sofitel and Escential hospitalityproducts. Set back and closer to the sea, all 16 villas have beendesigned in the style of a small Balinese village. The walls and porchesare high and the villas are surrounded by vegetation. Butlers are assigned to theluxurious, spacious, stylish villas, decorated in both bright and relaxingcolours. There is no partition between the sleeping area and thebathroom. In the garden, the swimming pool takes up a large partof the area covered in white stones and wooden strips.

A French chef is at the helm of the Sofitel Seminyak's 3 pleasant restaurantsin addition to which there are 3 bars. Outside, the chefs of theTeppanyaki create Japanese and Indonesian dishes in front of theguests. Pizzas, sandwiches and pasta dishes are also available for thosewho would prefer this. The wine list offers 11 French wines, as well as some fromChile, Argentina and Australia. In front of the restaurant set aside forbreakfast (under the lobby), the 11 lizard-like reptiles from the pond come to look forsomething to eat from the children: this is a continuous spectacle! From 6amuntil 11am, guests are served the only buffet of the day. Large, appealing andtasty, there is plenty of choice. The menu is available for thosestaying in villas and for others (for a supplement) at the"Capris" overlooking the sea. This charming Mediterranean restaurant, set back inpleasant surroundings is ideal for holding private events outside. Everything is nicely positioned with wrought iron tables andchairs, rattan-covered light bulbs hanging from the frangipani treesand the small swimming pool. Meals are served at the Sofitel between 11am and11pm. The more romantic among you may, on request, have 250 candles positionedaround a raised bed frame on the beach. Three themed evenings with entertainment areorganised every week.

between 3 and 4 mi of public beach unfold in front of you. The clean and lively seafront is very long and wide and suitable for playing volleyball or football, which both holiday-makers and the Balinese enjoy. On the other hand, swimming in the blue waves is very dangerous. At chest height the currents can unbalance swimmers and sweep them off towards Kuta. You really do need to be careful! Two lifeguards constantly scan the rough, wavy sea between 9am and 7pm. A flag sometimes indicates that swimming is strictly prohibited. Obviously, no water sports, apart from surfing, are practised here. There is, however, a school, located 10 minutes from the hotel, which puts on demonstrations in the swimming pool 2 to 3 times a week. The shades of the dark, velvety sand, dotted with quartz particles, change depending on the tide. The Sofitel area is limited: on the sand, the wooden boards and the lawn, the superb deckchairs and beds provide obvious comfort. Parasols and trees offer some protection from the sun.