Padma Resort Legian Reviews – a Family Friendly Bali Hotel
I was trying to put my head in the sand. My big five O was looming. But I didn’t want a big party. What I really wanted was to escape to some far-flung place with my husband and our son.
My wish is granted, and we take flight aiming for relaxed luxury in a family-friendly resort in Bali. This, is exactly what we find, as you will see in this Padma Resort Legian reviews.
In this Padma Resort Review You Will Learn About:
- New Deluxe Chalet
- The eight Padma restaurants
- The five Padma pools
- Wolly’s Kids Club
- Additional Padma facilities
- The gym, spa and activities
- More information about Padma
- Location
- Currency
- How to book
- Nearby facilities
- What to pack for Bali
- More Bali attractions
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My Padma Legian Reviews
Arrival
I have to say right at the get-go I am really impressed with the Padma staff. We arrived on a late Air Asia flight at midnight. To be perfectly honest, I don’t know what is going on at Bali airport, but it takes us three hours to get through customs and I don’t really expect our hotel driver to still be waiting for us. But sure enough there he is!
With few cars on the road, we make quick time to Legian. At 3am the hotel staff are still smiling and welcome us with a drink and hand towels as they sort through our paperwork, show the location of various resort amenities on the Padma Resort Legian map and explain how to log onto the complimentary resort WiFi.
The concierge then guides us to our room – the New Deluxe Chalet.
Top Trip Tip: I know you want to save the environment, but for ease and unnecessary upsets print out your travel documents before you leave home.
New Deluxe Chalet Padma Legian
The deluxe chalets are two-story clusters of rooms nestled in well-established gardens, as opposed to the main building that houses the standard rooms and the Padma Bali family rooms. The reason that they are categorised as NEW deluxe chalets is that they have all been recently renovated and with that include’s a new layout. Having seen photos of the old version I must say that this new chalet layout is a much better use of space – perfect to use as a Padma family room if you have a small family like us.
The room includes:
- King bed
- Side tables with reading lamps built into the ambient lit timber headrest
- A water bottle is on each side table and replaced daily
- Sofa bed
- A full-size single bed, long enough for an adult
- Mini-bar
- Nespresso machine
- Kettle
- Tea, coffee and crema sachets for Nespresso and kettle
- Bar fridge
- 2 bottles of water that are topped up daily
- TV on swivel support so can be viewed from the King bed
- Large walk-in wardrobe
- A large amount of hanging space
- Four drawers
- Luggage rack
- Safe
- Overhead storage
- Full-length mirror
- Large bathroom
- Long vanity with a shelf below
- With a hairdryer, spare towels and bathroom amenities including soap, moisturizer, toothbrush, cotton wool and buds.
- Large soaking tub
- Toilet
- Super large standing shower
- With shampoo, conditioner and shower gel
- Long vanity with a shelf below
- Desk and chair with mirror
- Balcony
- 2 chairs
- Coffee table
- Clothes horse
Top Trip Tip: The bathroom door is made of frosted glass, to prevent light from coming through when someone goes to the bathroom in the middle of the night we hang the bed foot runner over the door
The Restaurants
There are eight Padma restaurants:
- DONBIU
This is the buffet open for breakfast and dinner. Each morning we are greeted in the open-aired thatched-roof building, our room ticked off, guided to a table, and then offered tea or coffee (including cappuccinos and lattes). The buffet offers the standard fare of juices, cereals, cold cuts, yoghurt, bakery items, hot food including Asian, Japanese and Indian. What I really like is the changing dishes each day. There are different varieties of sausages, potato dishes, Asian rice dishes and Indian each day.
Each evening there is a themed buffet meal. Be prepared during breakfast the PR staff are about pushing for you to book for dinner.
- K.A.I. Beach Club
S.K.A.I. includes an infinity pool that is also open to the general public and is the perfect place to watch the sunset during happy hour.
- The Deli
Located near the lobby the Deli offers an alternative to eating poolside.
- Tenkai Japanese Restaurant
Overlooking the main pool the Japanese restaurant is open for two sittings in the evenings with kid’s menus. One at 6pm and the next at 8:15pm. Or a Japanese buffet from 6-9pm.
- The Barong Pool Bar and Café
We have lunch by the pool here a couple of times and the food is good, actually one of the best chicken satays ever. The menu comprises of burgers, pizza, Asian dishes and salads. There is also a kids’ menu.
Just be mindful that while they have symbols notating pork, gluten and vegetarian there is no note of spicy chilli – so just remember to ask.
- The Barong Juice Bar
Located near the kids’ pool and kids club they have a captive market offering fresh juices and ice-creams.
- Seruni Sunken Pool Bar
This pool bar offers the same menu as the Barong Pool Bar.
- In-room dining
The room service menu seems to offer a large selection from all the restaurants within the resort.
Top Trip Tip: If like me, you don’t eat chilli, just double-check with the wait staff about all the dishes. My husband ordered a burger and the patty had chilli (OK for him but not for me). The staff is also very helpful with your ordering dishes that can be made “Not Spicy.”
The Pools
One of the things my family loves to do in Bali is to spend a lot of time by the pool. It is one of the things that I research before I book accommodation. And the Padma Legian pools don’t disappoint – there is something for everyone.
There are a total of five pool areas
- The Main Pool
The main pool is a large 45x25m rectangular pool with depths down to 1.75m. Adjacent to this pool is a smaller 18.5x4m pool that is 60cm deep for young kids. This is the main activity pool and the harsh rectangular edges are softened by the surrounding date palms and water spouts.
- Lagoon Pool
It is almost in stark contrast to the Lagoon pool that meanders along for 104m by side of the multi-storey resort rooms offering lots of lush shaded spots to lay on lounges. The pool is also only 1.45m deep. At the end of the pool is a circular children’s pool with a water fountain and bubble jets.
- Family Pool
The kid’s pool options at the main pool and lagoon pool are not to be confused with this dedicated family pool zone.
Entering the area a colourful toddler pool is in full view with mushroom waterfalls, bubbling water jets and a mini water slide.
To the left is the deeper Padma Resort Legian waterslides for all ages (including us adults), one a wide steep slide and the other a longer twisting waterslide splashing into a one-metre deep pool. Both lots of fun, I tried them out to ensure they were good.
- Infinity Pool
If you want to find somewhere to escape all the kids and or noise this is the place to come – the adults-only Infinity Pool.
It’s tranquil and calm laying on the lounges looking out to sea.
- K.A.I Infinity Pool
A little less tranquil is the S.K.A.I infinity pool attached to the S.K.A.I bar. This pool is open to the general public (at a cost) for those in need of sipping on a cocktail by an infinity pool overlooking the sea.
Top Trip Tip: Tuck up your knees, as you slip down the Padma waterslide, as the pool is only 1m deep
Wolly Kids Club and Games Centre
The Padma’s Wolly Kids Club is open 9am-9pm for kids aged 4-12 years. You will have to sign your child in every day. If your child is older like my then Mr10 (and you are happy with this scenario), then you can tick the box so that your child can come and go as they please. If not then you will have to return to sign your child out.
For bubs and tots
But don’t despair if you have littlies, they are still welcome in the club however you will have to stay to supervise. Your tots will love the outdoor play equipment and the range of toys inside.
For kids
There are plenty of toys, games and crafts to keep the all kids occupied. During the weekdays there are also scheduled craft and cooking classes at a cost.
For tweens
For older kids, there is a separate gaming centre. They can also play a few rounds on kid’s sized game tables of foosball soccer, air hockey and pool.
In addition to the yoga sessions, there are also water aerobics, bingo games and water volleyball scheduled throughout the week. When you check-in you will receive a list of activities and times.
In addition, there are scheduled activities at the pool, for example, water volleyball and outdoors such as mini soccer that teenagers and energetic parents can join in.
Top Trip Tip: Check out the activity board by the front door for the day’s activities
Other Facilities
The Spa
Like all good resorts, the Padma offers a day spa. What’s really cool is that they also offer options for the kids.
The Gym/Wellness
The fitness centre includes a fully equipped gym, sauna, steam room and tennis courts. You can also book a personal trainer or personal yoga sessions.
We all participated in the sunset yoga. It is held in an open-aired pavilion near the Infinity Pool overlooking the sea. I thought it would be a bit too hot at that hour to enjoy yoga, but I was wrong. A lovely breeze wafted in as we followed the yoga instructor for an hour.
Sports and Activities
Top Trip Tip: If you are only staying a short time, pre-book any of the activities, for example, the sunset yoga before your arrival – just to ensure you don’t miss out
Departure
We know we have achieved our goal of an enjoyable and relaxing stay to celebrate my birthday, and the Padma has been instrumental in achieving this goal. Even for departure.
The day before we leave we are prompted to visit reception to organise our inclusive transfer. We are leaving very earlier in the morning and are offered a breakfast box.
In the wee hours the following morning we check out, complete our paperwork and pay our final bill. The breakfast boxes are filled with bacon and egg sandwiches, yoghurt, doughnuts and fruit. We each also receive a hot drink (cappuccino, latte and hot chocolate) to enjoy on our trip back to the airport with the friendly helpful driver who picked us up three days earlier.
Top Trip Tip: When paying your bill, the staff will ask if you would like the amount in your home currency or Indonesian Rupiah. Opt for your home currency for a better exchange rate
What You Need To Know – the Padma Resort Legian
Website
We made our Padma Legian booking directly through the hotel website. They have all sorts of deals available including saving 25-35% if you book early.
Location
The Padma resort location is on Legian Beach on the Indonesian island of Bali. A 26-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Depending on the package that you purchase transfers may be included. If not after making your way through arrivals and outside, turn right and find the taxi stand. The taxi stand will offer you the best set rates available; don’t be tempted to go with any of the private drivers touting for business.
Currency
To pay for the taxi you will need local currency (Indonesian Rupiah). There is an exchange booth just outside the arrivals hall – and the rate is reasonable.
Once you arrive at the Padma Legian there is an exchange booth and enclosed ATM just down the road on the same side as the resort. Their exchange rate is also fair.
The Indonesian exchange rate is approximately
- 9674 IDR for 1 AUD
- 14012 IDR for 1 USD
For today’s rate visit Currency Exchange
Nearby Facilities
There are lots of amenities all within an easy stroll from the resort.
- Bus stop
- If you would like to catch the local buses there is a bus stop in the Padma driveway – timetables are also located on the bus stop
- Laundry/Washing
- Across the road, at Sally Spa, they also offer washing, 1kg for 25 000 IDR
- Snacks and essentials
- Directly across the road is a small minimart with water, soft drinks, snacks, ice-creams and a few essentials
- Shopping
- If you are after some bargain barter shopping there are literally loads of stores if you turn left down the street from the Padma
- If you are after more upmarket shopping you can walk down to Kuta (it will take about 15-20 mins to walk) or up to Seminyak (a similar time frame)
- Day Spas and tattoo parlours
- There are day spas and tattoo parlours everywhere!
- Taxis
- Out the front of the resort, there are a number of private drivers touting for business. But in Bali, it is better to go with the Blue taxis. You will find them lined up on the Legian beach road in front of the Bali Mandira Resort.
- Restaurants
- There are loads of restaurants on the beach road and the main street, our favourite was right out the front of the hotel called Makan Place
Booking
Accommodation
We booked our stay directly through the hotel’s website, as I mentioned before they offer some specials. Alternatively, you could use a travel agent to put together a package or book directly through an online booking system*.
If you are interested in other family-friendly resorts in Bali, we have stayed at:
and visited the Bali Dynasty Resort.
Flights
There are so many options for flying to Bali International Airport. This trip we flew with Air Asia, previously we have flown with Virgin Australia and Garuda Indonesia – my favourite.
Find the latest prices for all these airlines and more with AviaSales*.
Travel Insurance
Once you’ve booked your flights and accommodation, don’t forget to organise your travel insurance – we use Cover-More*.
Things to do in Legian and Bali
Bali is a destination where you can just relax poolside and do nothing at all. Possibly venture out to the local surroundings, there are lots of things to do in Legian, you can do a bit of shopping, pop into one of the local day spas or splurge a little on one like Jari Menari and visit some of the local tourist attractions and theme parks.
Discover all about Bali HERE (accommodation and attractions) including these articles::
- Taking a Bali cycling bike tour
- Hire a driver to explore the Balinese cultural and natural attractions near Ubud
- Or book a tour*
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Learn more about Bali by reading one of these travel guides*.
What to Pack for a Stay at Padma Legian
The Padma resort has quite a relaxed feel. You don’t need to dress up, but then again as it is one of the more upmarket Bali hotels you can’t be too much of a slob. There’s none of this wearing a bikini to breakfast business. The bikini is for by the pool and down at the beach.
However, shorts and a t-shirt or light little summery dresses are perfect for getting about day or night.
So with all that in mind pack:
- Swimmers
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Insect repellent
- Shorts
- Tops
- Dresses
- Comfortable shoes (the roads and footpaths can be a little unstable)
For more detailed packing lists check out the following (and they all come with free printable PDF’s)
- The Ultimate Trip Packing List
- Packing for a Baby or Toddler
- Packing for Tweens
- Travel Games and Toys
Get the entire…
Discover What to Do During Your Bali Holiday
- Explore the real Bali on a cycling tour
- Find things to do in Legian
- Plan a day trip to Ubud
- Learn what you need to know for a day at Waterbom Bali
- Eat at the best Sanur restaurants
- Pack for your Bali holiday with this checklist
The Padma Legian Verdict
After staying and doing this Padma Bali reviews I have to say that this resort is immaculate. The grounds are lush and well-manicured, the food delicious and the Padma facilities excellent. It is a place that suits either couples or families – it is one of the better family-friendly resorts in Bali and was the perfect way to celebrate my 50th birthday.
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