Staying at the Movenpick Resort & Spa, Jimbaran Bay, Bali

Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali. Photo / Supplied

Michelle Weir checks into the Movenpick Resort & Spa, Jimbaran Bay, Bali

Getting there: From the time we landed at Denpasar Airport, collected our luggage and sat in that chaotic Bali traffic, it was 2 hours until we reached our hotel (otherwise a 15-min drive from the airport).

Check-in experience: Check-in was seamless, and we were given a cold towel and refreshing iced ginger tea while we sat and went through the check-in process. They do ask for a one million rupiah ($100) per night's stay as a bond, so after realising it was only a few hundred dollars and not "millions" we were on our way to the room.

Room: We had a Classic King Room, and it was beautiful. The bed was huge and very comfortable, the bathroom was a full bathroom with a bath, shower with rain head as well as normal, and great lighting.

Price: $384 per night including breakfast.

What's so good about this place: The breakfast was hands down one of the best buffet breakfasts either of us have ever had. The pool area is great, very comfortable loungers, and they provide each table/lounger with a menu (food and drink) and a buzzer that alerts staff. The pricing of poolside food and beverages was very reasonable too. Just outside the hotel complex is a village of shops and restaurants, which makes alternative dining options super accessible, and a general store for when you need after-sun gel.

And the bad: Get to breakfast early, and reserve a lounger by the pool before breakfast. It gets busy.

What's in the neighbourhood: The famous Rock Bar at the Ayana Hotel is only 10 minutes' drive away, and closer to the hotel are more restaurants and a general store, as well as all the roadside stalls you would expect in Bali.

Toiletries: Toothbrush and razors as well as the normal shampoo, conditioner, etc. Impressed.

Food and drink: Poolside lunches were the best! Fresh vegetarian spring rolls with satay dipping sauce, mozzarella balls and a pizza with a bintang, and strawberry daiquiris are what my partner and I shared most days. Delicious and less than $40 for the both of us.

The bed: Unbelievably comfortable! King-sized and pillows that you could lose yourself in. My partner is 6'5" and his feet definitely weren't hanging off the end!

A room with a view: we looked out to the pool area, and the gardens below. Seeing the stunning sunrise each morning as we pulled the curtains back became a morning ritual.

Bathroom: A full-sized bathroom, with bath tub, shower with rain head, and a toilet with a bidet.

Free Wi-Fi: Yes. Was great as could upload cheesy holiday snaps to Facebook and Instagram while we were laying by the pool.

Noise: Just the faint sound of people walking down below.

Value for money: Yes. I wish we had stayed for longer. Was well worth every cent we paid.

Exercise facilities: We walked past the gym ... on the way to the breakfast buffet. Looked good, but eating and being by the pool was more of a priority.

Perfect for: Couples, families