The Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort & Spa

We’ve stayed at The Jayakarta several times over the past 25 years — not exclusively, but we always seem to find ourselves returning because it suits our needs. The hotel itself is definitely older style Bali. It’s not flash, modern or spotless, but it has a quiet charm about it and feels like a little haven amongst the chaos outside. The location is one of its biggest strengths, sitting beachfront while also opening straight onto a busy shopping street, so you get the best of both worlds. The rooms are quite dated, dark and honestly a little cramped and uninviting. The lighting is poor which can be frustrating when you’re trying to get dressed or ready to head out. The beds also weren’t particularly comfortable. That said, for us the room is really only somewhere to shower, change and sleep because we spend most of our time enjoying the resort facilities, pools, beachfront, bars and surrounding shopping. The buffet breakfast is much the same as always — if you don’t like something, choose something else. There’s enough variety to keep most people happy. The staff are friendly, the drinks are cheap and the food prices are very reasonable. We actually find the older, more traditional Indonesian-style hotels like this often offer far better value overall compared to the newer, flashier resorts where suddenly everything is priced in top Aussie dollars. If you’re looking for luxury, modern finishes and pristine perfection, this probably isn’t your place. But if you want a fantastic location, good pools for the kids, cheap food and drinks, beachfront access and an affordable family holiday base, then The Jayakarta still delivers.

This was our first time at Jayakarta and we were excited to get there. The arrival was good with a welcome drink whilst we confirmed our rooms. The staff were great allowing us to review where the rooms were as we all wanted to be near each other. The rooms were clean and were situated in an executive room overlooking one of the pools. The rooms are a little bit outdated but overall very comfortable with the basic necessities that you would expect. The location is great and it opens you up to other areas of Legian. You will be surprised how close it is to all the main areas. Food was great, plenty of pools and across the road from he main beach.

We booked our stay at Jayakarta about six months in advance for the April QLD school holidays. After reading some of the reviews, we were a bit concerned and even considered cancelling a few times. I’m glad we didn’t. For context, we’ve stayed at higher-end places like Padma and villas over $1,000 AUD per night, and we’ve been to Bali 7–8 times. Jayakarta exceeded our expectations. The location is excellent, the grounds are beautiful, and the staff especially around the pool bar are outstanding (10/10). The rooms aren’t luxury or “Padma level,” but they were cleaned well every day, and the small touches like towel animals for the kids made a big difference. Yes, some rooms have a slight smell and the water can too but that’s fairly typical in Bali and didn’t impact our stay. The breakfast included in our rate (around $80 per night total) was great value and exceeded expectations. There’s also a really nice coffee shop right at the front gate. If you’re after a full 5-star luxury experience, then Padma is probably more your style but you’ll pay significantly more per night for that. If you want a fantastic location, great pool, relaxed vibes, and a classic Bali experience at a reasonable price, Jayakarta is a great choice. We’ll definitely be back. Only downside: The rooms and beds could use a bit of an update but overall, everything else was excellent.

Having visited Bali more times than I can count, I’ve always heard mixed reviews about The Jayakarta. However, after finding a very reasonable rate, I finally decided to see it for myself. While I can understand why guests paying top dollar might feel let down, if you secure a good deal, the location is absolutely unbeatable. Location & Grounds The location is easily the best part of this hotel and is arguably the best in all of Legian. Direct beachfront access makes catching the sunsets a breeze, while the driveway leads straight to Jalan Padma Utara. This puts endless massage parlours, restaurants, money changers, and convenience stores just a short walk away. Additionally, the hotel is sprawling and features beautifully maintained, lush green gardens that provide a tropical escape from the bustle outside. Rooms The standard room was surprisingly large with plenty of storage for suitcases and gear. However, the rooms are definitely dated and are in desperate need of a renovation. For a family-oriented hotel, the TV setup is quite poor as it only offers six Indonesian channels, though luckily the Wi-Fi remained strong throughout the stay. Pool Life & Atmosphere The pool area has a great, vibrant energy complete with music, an ice cream shop, and a swim-up bar. There are three pools of varying depths available; two are located in the heart of the action near the beach, while the third is a short walk away and offers a much quieter vibe. The facilities include pool towels and a basketball hoop in the water, and the water temperature was perfect. While it was quiet during my stay, keep in mind that these chairs go fast during peak periods. Breakfast The breakfast buffet covers all the essentials, including an egg station, pancakes, bacon, pastries, yogurt, and hot dishes. I expected a slightly larger spread, but there were still enough options to enjoy a solid meal every morning. One thing to remember is that the hotel uses an old-school system where you must bring a physical breakfast card to be marked off each day, so be sure not to leave it in your room. Overall The Jayakarta is incredibly family-friendly and attracts a lot of Australians, making it a great place for kids to find playmates. The staff are friendly and helpful, which adds to the welcoming atmosphere. I would absolutely return if the price is right because you simply can't beat the convenience and the family-friendly pools. However, if the rates were high, I would likely look at other options in the Legian area.