Novotel Bali Benoa: Who Is It For, and What Are the Downsides?

Novotel Bali Benoa, at Jl. Pratama No. 70 in Tanjung Benoa, suits families with young children and guests who want to be close to the watersports hub. It is a weaker choice if you want a swimming beach or rooms that feel new. On Kayak, rates for 13-14 October 2026 ranged from US$58 to US$311 per night (checked 11 October 2026), depending on room type and sales channel.

What you get

OTA listings mention 187 units split between hotel rooms, beach cabanas and private pool villas. Facilities include three pools including a children's pool, a swim-up bar, a free kids club, tennis courts, a gym, In Balance Spa, Cocos Beach Restaurant and a beach bar. Ngurah Rai Airport is about 6 km away, or 20-30 minutes by car depending on traffic at the Nusa Dua junction.

Who it suits

• Families with young kids. There is a kids club, a children's pool, a playground, plus 7 family rooms with bunk beds and 18 connecting rooms according to OTA listings.
• Watersports fans. Tanjung Benoa is the centre for parasailing, banana boats and jet skis, with operators lined up along the beach.
• Price hunters. On Kayak, the cheapest average rates fall in February (around US$85) and the highest in July (around US$130).

Recurring complaints in reviews

Novotel Bali Benoa rates 8.2 on Kayak from almost 1,500 reviews, but a few complaints keep coming back:

• The property feels dated. Guests say rooms need maintenance, including worn towels and linen. The last announced renovation, which included the kids club, was due to finish in December 2022.
• A musty smell from the air conditioning and bathrooms in some rooms.
• Mosquitoes, especially in garden-view rooms.
• The resort is split by a road. Some rooms sit on the side away from the beach, so you cross the street to reach the sea.
• The beach is not ideal for swimming. Tanjung Benoa's water is shallow at low tide and busy with watersport boats during the day.

Compared with nearby options

If swimming in calmer sea is your priority, beaches in the ITDC Nusa Dua enclave such as Mengiat or Geger fit better, usually at higher hotel rates. If a big pool, a kids club and easy access to places like Bumbu Bali or Sakala Beach Club are enough, Novotel Benoa offers reasonable value for its class.

Before you book

• Location: Jl. Pratama No. 70, Tanjung Benoa. View on Google Maps
• Ask for a beach-side room if you don't want to cross the road, and ask whether your room has been renovated.
• Booking: via Accor's official site or an OTA. Also compare against Tanjung Benoa and Nusa Dua hotel vouchers on AccessiaPass before you pay.
• Instagram: search on Instagram

Check a tide table before planning a sea swim: at low tide the water in front of the resort can be too shallow.