After reading some of the reviews here...
After reading some of the reviews here and on other sites, I was not too sure what to expect from The Grand Mirage Resort. However, I had cycled past this hotel in my previous trip (stayed at Inna Putri Bali last year) and was impressed.
Happily, having spent 2 nights here, I am able to report that this hotel is very, very good value for money indeed.
Location: It's in Tanjong Benoa. I've stayed at both Nusa Dua and Tanjong Benoa (just 2-3 km down the beach). Having stayed at both Nusa Dua and Tanjong Benoa, I prefer Tanjong Benoa.
This hotel is most suitable for vacationers. Not a business hotel as it's located away from town and I didn't see a business centre (there might be one, I just didn't look for it).
Plenty of convenience stores and restaurants located just across the street.
Taxis are readily available outside the hotel.
Beach was excellent! Unlike Nusa Dua, where you have 2-3 hotels sharing one little plot of beach, the Grand Mirage has a very wide beach frontage (those on-site photos are accurate).
Service: Excellent. Staff are all friendly and diligent.
Room: Room was fantastic. Although I did not opt for the more scenic ocean view rooms, the garden view is not too shabby either! Bed was comfy and very clean, TV had 50+ channels (including live EPL!!!!), everything that you'd expect of a 5-star hotel is available, with the exception of in-room internet access (it's Bali, you don't need internet anyway!!!).
The only reason I'm giving the room 4 stars instead of 5 stars is that on the 2nd night, the ageing air-conditioning system malfunctioned for a few hours. It was fixed, though.
Food: Excellent. Generally USD25 for a very nice buffet dinner + all-nite long performance. That's cheaper than what I paid for my dinner at Jimbaran beach, more comfortable, and more appetizing too! All day menus are not too shabby either.
Conclusion: You get a 4 1/2 star hotel for 3-star price. Just be wise to the alternative sources of services and you'll find this is very affordable indeed.
Tip 1: Don't bother with the hotel's water activities booth. They'll just take a 150% commission and bring you to the indie operator a few hundred feet down the beach. Paid USD25 for Snorkeling + Turtle Island... found out later that it's only USD10 direct from the operator.
Tip 2: Ignore the taxi service in the hotel. Just flag one down from the roadside (there're plenty of taxis) and save yourself 20-30% cost.
