This was my first time staying in a large resort and to be honest I didn’t know what to expect. Within moments of checking into the Grand Mirage I was blown away – this was a very large hotel with a lot to offer. The lobby overlooked a beautiful man-made waterfall and as soon as Ben spotted it he was over taking photos.
It was obvious that the Grand Mirage is designed to ensure a relaxing holiday. In the foyer downstairs there are daily itineraries posted, so you can make use of the number of activities and tours available. There are ample chairs and recliners lining the beach so there is never any competition if you want to grab a book and soak up some serious sunshine.
The Grand Mirage Experience
We were taken to our bedroom and the first thing I noticed when I walked in was our gorgeous sea views. Throughout our stay I left the sliding doors open to ensure a constant, cool breeze in our room. There’s so much on offer at the Grand Mirage that you could quite easily keep yourself entertained there for a week or two. From kayaking and speed boating, to the very induldgent spa (THALASSO SPA), there’s something for everyone. It’s important to note that this property backs out onto a private beach, which means you can sunbathe and swim to your heart’s content without being harassed by touts – a rarity in Bali.
It is worth mentioning that I got the impression during my visit to the Grand Mirage all inclusive resort in Bali that this would be an ideal destination with children. Not only are there ample activities to keep them entertained, and a comprehensive gaming area, there are also a number of very kid friendly pools. It’s somewhere I’ll definitely keep in mind for the future, if I have children.
To Be All-Inclusive Or Not
There are two options when staying at the Grand Mirage – All Inclusive and not. We hadn’t researched all inclusive much and so opted to not go all inclusive. In hindsight, this was probably a mistake as the all inclusive option offers outstanding value, allowing you to order at any of the restaurants and from the room service menu for a flat rate. Ben and I found the hotel so relaxing that we barely left, so I think the all inclusive option would have given us a bit more peace of mind and the comfort of knowing we could order whatever we wanted with no additional charge.
The Room
Our room had beautiful ocean views and the largest, most comfortable bed we had seen on our travels in Asia. There was a small desk which was perfect for me to write a blog post or two at while listening to the ocean waves crash against the shore. While the bathroom had relatively modern fixtures, I did find that it showed a little bit of age in here. The room itself was quite spacious and had more than enough room for both Ben and I to sprawl our bags out and feel at home. I thought that the hotel was in very good condition for its age, however it is more of a traditionally decorated hotel (which is not a bad thing) than s leek, modern hotel. For those of you who enjoy classic, but comfortable design this will suit you perfectly.
Thalasso Spa
If you have been following my blog or my Facebook news feed, you will be well aware that I am a fan of Balinese massages. I can’t even count how many I’ve had on this trip! During my stay at The Grand Mirage I took a look around the spa and fell in love. There are so many beautifully themed rooms, that if I had more time I would have made it my conquest to visit them all. From a room that’s dark with little LED stars everywhere, to more traditional couple’s massage rooms – this spa has it all. I tried an outdoor, beachside massage which was very relaxing. The following day Ben and I tried out the AquaMedia pool which was basically a pool with different jets that massaged your body – it was as good as a massage. Both spa treatments were very high quality and the spa bathrooms were well appointed to ensure a wonderful overall spa experience.
Book this hotel if… you want to relax without being bored. The variety of activities on offer at The Grand Mirage and the comprehensive spa menu ensure that there’s never a dull moment here. We spent three days here and felt like we didn’t even touch the surface of activities on offer. This hotel is a great fit for a family holiday, a romantic holiday, or even for a group of friends wanting to have some fun in the sun.
Have you ever stayed at an all-inclusive hotel? What was your experience like? I’d love to hear about it!
I’ve been to Bali but never at an all inclusive place which in certain circumstances makes sense to me, and considering how chaotic the scene could be along the beach resort areas I would probably opt for that deal also. Looks like a great place to visit.
It was really lovely and I liked how much stuff was on offer – there was so much you could easily spend a few weeks here without getting bored. I am yet to try all inclusive but I think I’ll opt for it the next time I’m somewhere that offers it. I’m just worried about going a bit overboard with the food!!!! thanks for dropping by, Noel 🙂
Looks lovely. I have stayed at a few all inclusives – some are definitely better than others as far as food…but when you find a good one, it is definitely worth it! The spa sounds lovely – I can see why you would have wanted to experience all the rooms!
I guess that’s the thing with all inclusive – it’s a bit of a gamble. I really like reading Tripadvisor reviews to see what people say about the food. Haha 🙂
Looks like a great mix of activity and relaxation, Izy. Wouldn’t mind one of those beach-side massages! Sounds heavenly!
I am ALL about the Balinese massages, I’ve almost had one a day since I’ve been here (almost a month!). It was really nice with the waves crashing down.
This hotel is on my must visit list when Im next in Bali – SO NICE!!
You’ll love it and your kids too! Heaps for them to do 🙂
Sounds like a relaxing place to stay if you just want to stay and relax around the beach, and the massage sounds nice. We have not really stayed in an all-inclusive place but we’ve done a cruise that was much like that. What is the price difference to add the all-inclusive package to the room rate?
The location doesn’t get any better than this. It is really nice to chill out, especially after a lot of transit.