Kuta was once the apple of Bali’s eye and a place that drew holidaymakers from all over the globe with enthusiasm.
Things have changed a bit recently, and Canggu and Seminyak are more popular destinations, and Kuta Beach has seen catastrophic erosion in the last year.
So, with this in mind, is the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, a 5-star hotel in Kuta, still worth it? Our team went to investigate, and this is what they uncovered.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel
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Hotel Type: Luxury
Area of Bali: Kuta
Star Rating: 5-Stars
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 2,000,000 IDR (approx. $120 USD or $200 AUD per night) with the proviso that rates vary by room and by season
Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel Address: Jl. Kartika Plaza, Kuta, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel Website: Discovery Kartika
Room Types: Deluxe Garden View, Deluxe Pool View, Deluxe Garden Access, Deluxe Ocean View, Grand Deluxe Oceanfront, Junior Suite, Family Suite, Discovery Suite, Presidential Suite, 2-Bedroom Beachfront Villa
Facilities: The Pond Restaurant, El Jardin Steakhouse, Sokube Restaurant & Bar, Lobby Bar, Kul Kul Pool Bar, Sunset Bar & Lounge, Tupai Bar, Meeting Rooms, Dome, Discovery Spa & Wellness Centre, Kids’ Playground, 2 x Swimming Pools, Sun Terrace, BBQ Faciliies, Patio, Balcony, Garden, Bike Rental, Bingo, Live Music, Cooking Classes, Cultural Tours, Walking Tours, Tennis Equipment, DJ, Cycling, Babysitting, Kid-Friendly Buffet, Kids’ Menu, Squash, Kids’ Pool, Indoor Play Area, Games Room, Billiards, Table Teniis, Fitness Centre, Sauna, Beauty Parlour, Hair Dresser, Yoga Classes, Personal Trainer
This resort appears in our round-up of the best hotels in Kuta.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
The cleaners do a wonderful job here, and despite our best efforts to catch them out, we couldn’t, and there’s no dust or cobwebs to be discovered.
The maintenance team, however, is cursed with an aging hotel, and there’s no doubt that the rooms and bathrooms feel a bit dated, now.
Sleep Quality
They really ought to have a big warning sign on the website regarding noise in this hotel. Up until 10 p.m. at night, there is entertainment at the poolside, and this can be heard in the rooms.
Otherwise, the beds are very comfortable, the ventilation in the room is good, and you can get a good night’s sleep after 10.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
For a large hotel, they never lose the personal touch or that wonderful Balinese warmth that keeps people coming back to the island again and again, year after year.
We’d also note that they have an excellent security presence, which, given the nature of the area, is much appreciated.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
Check-in and check-out are just fine, but this is a large hotel and getting to your rooms can be a bit of an effort depending on where you are sleeping.
Overall, it’s not a big deal, but we think it would be best if they helped signpost things a little more.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathrooms really need a refresh. There’s nothing wrong with them per se, but they look old and well-used, and really, they are a bit disappointing for a 5-star resort.
However, the toiletries and towels are good, and you won’t have any problems getting clean here.
Value For Money
Sure, this resort isn’t perfect, but at the price per night for a 5-star hotel? It’s still great value for money.
None of the problems, at this resort, are dealbreakers, either; they won’t ruin your holiday, you may just wish in a fleeting moment that they were a bit better.
Food And Beverage Execution
We absolutely loved the buffet breakfast here, and we think it’s one of the key moments of a 5-star hotel experience, with a good blend of local and Western food on offer.
We also felt that the overall dining experience was very good, and while not quite fine dining, it was more than good enough that we’d come back to eat here without booking a room.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
Kuta is a bit of a problematic area; the beach, which was once fabulous, is now a ruin. There is a lot of good, cheap nightlife here, but this also brings some unsavoury characters late at night (always take a cab rather than walking).
However, there is still plenty of good shopping and a lot of interesting things to do nearby, and if you want a good beach, you can always head to Jimbaran, Canggu, Legian or Seminyak for a day trip.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
There is a wealth of facilities available at this resort, and we felt that they were mainly in good working order and worth using.
Overall, this resort will suit a family that wants a place where they can just hang out, as well as explore the island from.
Overall “Personality”
This is quite an attractive hotel, and the location right next to the Discovery Mall adds a lot of flexibility to your holiday (Waterbom, Southeast Asia’s biggest waterpark, is also next door).
Overall, while it’s not in the top tier of hotels here, you will remember your stay here in the years to come with fond memories.
Summary: Our Overview Of Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel
We very much enjoyed our stay at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel and would be happy to recommend it to anyone who wanted to stay there.
The big issue is the beach erosion and there’s not much that the hotel can do about that, but otherwise this is a nice 5-star family hotel with an ocean view for not very much money, you can’t argue with that.
Grading: Very Good
Other great resorts in this area include Amnaya Resort Kuta and Bali Dynasty Resort.
FAQs
Is Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel Family Friendly?
Yes, children are welcome with their parents and guardians throughout this hotel. Children are not considered “adults” for billing until the age of 18, which is very generous.
They can provide extra beds at 850,000 IDR per night (that’s about $55 USD or $85 AUD), which is on the steep side. There are no cots available.
There are some good kids’ facilities here, including a paid babysitting service, but there is no kids’ club.
Overall, for the price, this is a good choice for a family holiday in Bali.
Final Thoughts On Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel
Yes, the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel is worth it. Sure, it’s on the older side now, and there are some minor maintenance issues, but overall, it’s a solid 5-star hotel.
The lack of a decent beach in Kuta will put some people off, but if you like to spend your holiday by the pool, you won’t even notice it.
Overall, if you can put up with the lack of beach, this is a good choice for a family holiday in Bali for a very fair price.
