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Courtyard By Marriott Hotels / Hotel Openings / Budget Hotels / Bali Hotels / → All Tags

They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Courtyard by Marriott in Bali

Where: Kawasan Pariwisata Lot SW1, Bali, Indonesia, 80363

We have nothing against Courtyard By Marriott Hotels. In fact, we quite like these places as they now sport stylish lobbies (some with media pods) with tasty cafe fare and the internet is free in the public space. But if we're going to make the trek to an exotic place like Bali, we're not so sure we'd want to stay at Courtyard. Yet, the option is there.

The newest Courtyard has opened in Bali Nusa Dua and features 250 guestrooms with 32-inch LCD, your choice of rainshowers or deep soaking tubs in the bathrooms, a private balcony or terrace and even robes and slippers.

The hotel is not on the beach but the website promises the waters of the Indian Ocean are just a 10-minute stroll from the hotel. Should you want some immediate hydration, the hotel has its own lagoon swimming pool.

And as for those cafes we love so much? They get a different twist here:

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Conrad Hotels / Bali Hotels / Sweet Suites / → All Tags

Conrad Bali Unveils Sweet New Suites

Where: Jalan Pratama 168, Bali, Indonesia, 80363

What's better than a trip to Bali? Well, if we had to say, maybe a spacious and secluded suite stocked with a personal assistant. Is that so much to ask?

Apparently not, according to the Conrad Bali. Starting October 1, the lush hotel will open 55 new suites, each boasting at least 360 square feet--which is, ahem, awfully close to the size of a studio apartment in some cities stateside--and surrounded by what sounds like a veritable tropical paradise (think gardens and reflecting ponds).

In addition to access to a personal assistant, each suite will have a separate living and dining room (though let's be honest, they must be tiny) as well as a private terrace equipped with a dining table and daybed (mmm...sunbathing in Bali, how tony indeed). Plus--get this--suites will also include a soaking tub accompanied by a TV. For when sunbathing gets too tiresome, we presume.

No word on whether that personal assistant can fetch you a bride or groom for the Conrad's sweet wedding chapel, but dream big, we say.

Hotel News / Hotel Openings / Hotel Weddings / Bali Hotels / Beach Hotels / St. Regis Hotels / → All Tags

You're Going to the Chapel at The St. Regis Bali and You're Gonna Get Married

Is anyone getting married soon? If so, might we gently (firmly, unequivocally) suggest you look into a destination wedding at the St. Regis Bali? You may not have heard about it yet since it just opened yesterday and all, but if you want to go ahead and book your nuptials here and invite us, the gesture would be much-appreciated.

The location is good: it's in Nusa Dua on an "elite beach enclave" on the Southern tip of the island. The resort has 79 suites, 42 private villas and two residences -- so, you know, plenty of room for us. There are two restaurants, a bar and a gourmet deli-type restaurant -- so we can keep ourselves nice and busy while you celebrate your wedding with your real family and friends, too.

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Hotel Weddings / Hotel News / → All Tags

Express Check-Out: Going to the Chapel in Bali

Where: Jalan Pratama 168, Bali, Indonesia, 80363

This Flickr shot from en.en of the wedding chapel at the Conrad Bali has us wishing we could go to the chapel all over again. En.en writes:

Weddings are usually held here, small party, 60 guests top, but you can have reception outside in the open. this is an amazing chapel. i would love to get married here one day...

Well technically we can't get married again (right now, heh) but we can check into the place which has rooms for only $170 a night in April. Now, we gotta work on getting over there.

In other news:
· Marriott gets geeky video-conferencing tools [Baltimore Sun]
· Travelodge UK will open 44 new hotels in Britain this year. Expect more wacky promotions and amenities from the eccentric brand. [Reuters]
· Similarly, Best Western wants to dominate Japan [Hotel News Resource]
· Even Mickey Mouse gets in on the eco-trend as DoubleTree Suites in Orlando goes green [Orlando Sentinel]

Bali Hotels / Hotel Openings / → All Tags

New to Bali: Novotel Nusa Dua Hotel and Residences

Where: Jl Pantai Mengiat, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, 80363

While Bali's still recovering from the a few scary terrorist incidents, that hasn't stopped the Accor group from opening up a new hotel there--in fact, the first they've built there from the ground up. It's a Novotel in Nusa Dua, built in the middle of a golf course and 30 minutes away from Bali's international airport. As of March 15, the Novotel Nusa Dua Bali has been officially open for business, and opening rates have a few bargains if you meet their minimum stay requirements, getting down as cheap as $53 a night on a Deluxe room.

There are also apartments at the Novotel Nusa Dua complex, apparently in "modern Balinese style" with the bonus of a plunge pool for every ground floor apartment. There's even a wellness center for all called "My Spa" (although obviously it should be "Our Spa" if we have to share it with the other guests). Management is sure that travelers are regaining their confidence in Bali and expect to see a big surge in guests in the next six months. There are good deals to be had and as yet, no major teething problems with the new hotel.

[Photo: Chantiklook]

Related Stories:
· Novotel Nusa Dua Bali reviews [TripAdvisor]
· New Novotel Nusa Dua Bali forum [TripAdvisor]
· Accor To Open Novotel Nusa Dua Hotel and Residences [AsiaTravelTips]