It was my first time exploring Sanur. This sunrise beach at the Southern part of Bali has its unique charm. I got to experience what Sanur has to offer during my stay at Mercure Bali Sanur. It is beautiful and lush tropical resort by Sanur beach, and it spans across 5 hectares. As a guest, you will be staying in rooms housed in traditional Balinese cottages. And if you’re a Le Club AccorHotels member, you’ll be in for a treat here at Mercure Bali Sanur as they have recently relaunched their MyResorts program which is exclusive to their club members. It’s also one of the AccorHotels which has adopted many of the initiatives under the Planet 21 sustainable programme.
Hotel Lobby
We reached the hotel in the evening, and the reception was busy. It could be due to the fact the airport in Bali was closed on that day and many of the guests there were trying to make alternative flight arrangements to fly back to their home country. But their staff were attentive, and we didn’t have to wait long before we were being attended to. We were also further reassured by the precautionary measures they have taken if Mount Agung was to erupt and ash clouds to be formed all over Bali. They had protective masks on standby for guests especially for those who have respiratory or breathing problems.
Refreshing Welcome Drink
Rooms
We stayed in their Deluxe room for two nights. The rooms have a touch of contemporary décor and Balinese accent to create a restful and homely ambience for guests. The Deluxe room extends to 42m², and it comes with a little private balcony or terrace overlooking the tropical gardens. We did not check out the balcony area as it was raining and there were a lot of insects trying sneak into our room.
The interiors are furnished with individual air-conditioner, 32″ Flat Screen TV and bathroom. It is interesting that the bathroom has a mini walk-in wardrobe as well. The coffee/tea-making facilities and mini fridge are stationed right next to the wardrobe in the bathroom.
When we entered the room, there was this huge platter of tropical fruits and desserts on the table. It comes with a welcome postcard too.
I am not a fan of watching TV but my partner, Sam is. You would be happy to know that they do provide numerous International Channels here like CNN and FOX. Sam was watching his favourite movie happily through midnight while I try to catch some sleep in their comfy bed.
Coffee/Tea-Making Facilities
Bathroom Amenities
Shampoo and shower gel were all provided for except hair conditioner. Body lotion, soap, shower cap and vanity kit were also given. Toothbrushes, on the other hand, were not provided. You could purchase toiletries from Hardy’s Supermarket by taking the complimentary shuttle provided by Mercure Bali Sanur.
There are recycling bins placed in each room. Their recycling bins have informative labels which informed us what the things that are recyclable or non-recyclable are.
Pandawa Restaurant
We were famished by the time we reached the hotel and to check-in our rooms. Our room was practically next to their restaurant by the pool, and I remembered that there was a traditional Balinese dance going on that evening at the restaurant. It was lovely watching the cultural dance performance as we have our dinner there.
There was also a Balinese-style themed buffet going on that evening, but both of us are not into buffets, so we selected dishes from their Ala-carte menu. There is a great mix of western and local dishes with some small bites. They’ve also got an extensive selection of wines as well. Sam ordered their pork ribs which were quite good while I ordered their turmeric fish that comes with a plate of white steamed rice.
It was raining quite heavily that evening, but by the next morning, the skies were clear again. The restaurant overlooks Sanur beach and the sea.
The breakfast buffet selection was quite good, but the food gets swept up quickly as there were a lot of guests staying at Mercure Bai Sanur then. Mercure Bali Sanur proves to be quite a popular resort in Sanur as it probably has been around for many years.
MyResorts Program
We had a light breakfast because right after breakfast we will be attending a cooking class conducted by their in-house chef! This activity is part of AccorHotel’s MyResorts Program where Le Club AccorHotels loyalty members can enjoy the various hotel offerings such as MyGlass, My Kids, MyConnect, MyRewards, etc. Some of these benefits are complimentary while others require a nominal fee. At Mercure Bali Sanur, for instance, you can enjoy an unlimited flow of local beer and selection of cocktails from 4 pm to 6 pm with MyGlass by the swimming pool.
How to be a member of Le Club AccorHotels to enjoy such benefits? You can sign up for this membership for free online via this website. If you’re a frequent traveller, this membership will bring you several benefits when you stay at one of the hotels under the AccorHotels Group.
With MyRewards, you can enjoy complimentary activities such as yoga, a surfing lesson, a healthy cooking class and bike rides at Mercure Bali Sanur. I attended their cooking class where we learnt how to cook Balinese-style schnitzel using Balinese herbs and spices.
MyRewards – Cooking Class
The cooking class was conducted outdoor beside the swimming pool. The team set up a dining table with flowers so that we can have a romantic lunch facing the sea.
The chef was patient, and he prepared all the ingredients so that we didn’t have to spend much time cutting and chopping the ingredients. He taught us how to make the Balinese spicy paste, and we do have a hands-on session of marinating the meat with the spicy paste and frying it.
Most of the herbs and vegetables were obtained from their sustainable garden within the resort. Yes, they grow their own ginger, chilli, vegetables and even mushroom! So everything is fresh.
After the schnitzel is completely cooked, we topped it off with oyster mushroom, pineapple chunks and cheese slices. It was left to be baked in the oven for about five to ten minutes before it is ready to be served.
We also made some fresh salad as a side dish.
Mission accomplished! How thoughtful of them to help us set up this beautiful table setting!
There were more activities to be completed that day as we visited their spa for a relaxing massage.
MySpa
It happened to be one of their staff, Eka’s birthday and the team was throwing a surprise birthday celebration for her. They even offered us a slice of the birthday cake. The staff there were kind and welcoming!
There are two floors of the spa with six indoor treatment rooms and two outdoor rooms. They offer traditional and aromatherapy massages, foot reflexology, hair spa, facials, manicures and pedicures. Each of us did a 60-minute relaxing Balinese-style massage using massage oil.
The spa rooms are very clean and tidy. The room decor is kept simple and basic. But what’s most important is the skills of the masseuse. I had an experienced masseuse who exerts the right amount of pressure to loosen up all the tight knots in my body.
After the massage, the massage oil is left on your skin for it to be absorbed but if you don’t like having the oil resting for too long on your skin surface, you could request for their staff to wipe it off.
If you fancy outdoor spa, you could opt for your massage to be done in this outdoor spa room.
Planet 21
Another feature worth mentioning is the hotel’s involvement in AccorHotel’s Planet 21 sustainability program. I am impressed by the sustainable efforts and initiatives adopted by the hotel staff. They even hire their gardener who would help check on the plants. They also have this beautiful vertical plant wall structure that as the sign ‘Planet 21’ placed right above it. On the right, you will see this little blue door. Guess where this door leads to?
It leads to their mushroom house! Yes, it looks like a hobbit’s house at first glance but no. The inhabitants of this little house are the mushroom! It used to be their pump room, but now it has been converted into a fully operational organic mushroom house. Currently, they are cultivating oyster mushrooms which take about one and a half months for it to grow. The room is kept dark and humid as this type of fungi requires such conditions to grow. The harvested mushrooms will be washed and brought straight to Pandawa restaurant!
Check out those beautiful oyster mushrooms! Can you spot them?
Because plants and trees are abundant at Mercure Bali Sanur, you might spot animals like squirrels and birds who are inhabitants of this place as well. The biodiversity within the gardens is indeed thriving as we spotted several cute squirrels scurrying up the trees.
I have visited hotels which housed their herb garden, but there’s nothing quite like the gardens here in Mercure as they do have fruit trees and vegetables growing throughout their 5-hectare plot of land. Look at those juicy jackfruits! The reason why they have to be wrapped up in a bag is to prevent insects and animals from eating them. It is an organic farming method to keep the fruits fresh and intact. Otherwise, pesticides would have to be sprayed on these fruits.
These plants were grown organically, and because the soil is very fertile, they grow quite quickly!
Plants, plants, everywhere.
I joined in the fun by helping the gardener to transplant these chilli seedlings to the soil. It is no easy work as I have to loosen up the soil with a plough and transfer the seeling from the bags to the soil.
This planting activity is kinda fun, and kids would love it too. Wouldn’t it be great if they organise a planting session or workshop at Mercure Bali Sanur? It is only through such activities that you would develop a sense of gratitude towards the earth and a deep connectedness to our mother earth.Literally-speaking, our food is made from the dust of the earth.
Exploring Sanur with MyResorts
One of the MyResorts programmes is a biking tour around Sanur. Since I couldn’t ride a bike, we explored Sanur by car with the Mercure Team. That day, we had Putera and Eka who double up as tour guides as we explored the temples and night market. Do check out the gelato shops in Sanur as they offer yummy gelato! We tried the ones at Gelato Secrets, and we love it! There’s one outlet just right outside Hardy’s supermarket.
They even brought us to this secret gem called Dream island. Only the locals know about this new establishment because we were probably the only tourists there.
There’s a restaurant where they would invite live bands to perform in the evenings.
Next to it is a row of spa villas where you can enjoy a spa treatment within these traditional huts overlooking the sea.
You can even go for a camel ride along the beach for RP100,000. I never knew Bali has camels too.
We even have some time to check out this famous night market in Sanur called Pasar Malam Sindu. They have a lot of local food stalls set up there, and you can have a taste of the local Balinese street food there.
Before leaving the market, I wanted to get this handmade round rattan bag from one of the shops along the roadside. As it was our last night there in Bali, I wanted to purchase it before heading back to Singapore. Ibu Eka from Mercure was kind enough to help me look around for shops selling this rattan bag. Both Putera and Eka extended us with the warmest hospitality during the tour, and we were so thankful to be able to join them for the tour.
She even helped me to bargain with the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper had kindly agreed to the price we bargained for and for that, his shop deserved to be featured on my blog too! You can purchase beautifully handcrafted rattan handbags from this honest man.
On that note, that marks our memorable stay at Sanur with Mercure Bali Sanur resort. They provided us with such unique experience that we’ll never forget!
Jl. Mertasari, Denpasar, 80228 Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 (0) 361 288 833 – FAX: +62 (0) 361 287 303
