Griya Santrian asks you to pay nearly twice what you’d spend at many nearby Sanur hotels, at $250 per night. The question is: what exactly do you get for that premium? As Sanur regulars, we have stayed at hotels, homestays and apartments in Sanur. We spent three nights at this well-known beachfront resort to find out if it truly delivers enough extra value to justify splurging.
The short answer? It depends entirely on how you plan your Bali holiday. For certain types of travellers, this upmarket resort is worth every rupiah. For others, it’s an over-the-top expense. Here’s a breakdown of our stay to help you decide which camp you’re in.
The rooms at Griya Santrian Hotel Bali
Let’s talk specific value. A garden room with partial pool view (where we stayed) runs about $ 250- 300 AUD per night. In comparison, similarly sized rooms at nearby hotels like Watu Jimbar Resort go for $90-120.
What Impressed Us:
- Prime location: Just steps from Sanur Beach
- Lots of storage space
- Robes, slippers, and bathroom soaps
- Good Wi-Fi
- comfort of the bed and pillow options
What Didn’t:
- Basic amenities (AC, TV, fridge) are identical to mid-range hotels.
- Some rooms, especially garden view, need updating.
Room Categories and Price Points:
- Standard Room: 35m², garden views
- Deluxe: Pool access, updated interiors
- Beach Wing: Ocean views, premium location
- Suite: Best views, separate living area
- Santrian Suite: Ultimate luxury, 70m²
We have stayed at Prama Beach Resort, The Parigata Resort and Spa, The Palm Garden, Hotel Jati and more. Griya’s rooms are not noticeably bigger, but stand out with better lighting, more pillow options and bigger in-room TVs. All in all, Griya Santrian beach resort rooms are only marginally superior to mid-range competitors.
@sanureastbali Staying at the amazing Griya Santrian hotel in Sanur Bali #sanur #baliholiday #bali #sanurbali #baliindonesia #baliresort #beachresort #sanurresort #sanurbeach #placestostay #baliisland #landinginbali #balifun #beach #beachresort ♬ Get Ready – SUPER-Hi & NEEKA
Facilities at Griya Santrian
This is where Griya starts to stand out from other hotels in Sanur. The facilities are starting to justify the higher price point, particularly the impressive pool setup. Here’s how it compares to other Sanur resorts:
The Pool Experience ($$$$ Worth It)
- Three different pools vs. a typical single pool at standard hotels
- Infinity pool with swim-up bar (rare in Sanur)
- Two quieter garden pools,
- Premium loungers and umbrellas (no fighting for seats)
- Full pool service with drinks and food delivery
- Dedicated pool towel service (vs. bring-your-own at budget hotels)
Other Amenities
- Gym: Small and basic (⚠️ Similar to cheaper hotels)
- Spa: Premium prices ($50-80 treatments) but excellent quality
- Beachfront: Direct access with free loungers (major advantage)
- Free Equipment:• Kayaks (saves $20/hour rental)• Premium bikes (saves $5/day vs. basic rentals)
Bottom Line: These facilities add real value if you use the pools daily and appreciate beachfront access. Budget travelers or even travelers like us who do not want to spend the whole day at the hotel might not get their money’s worth. This was a feeling we had.
What extra services can I find at the Griya Santrian?
Like all upper-class resorts, Santrian offers several paid experiences that can be a bonus for people looking to learn more and experience Balinese culture.
You can participate in cooking classes, traditional dance classes, and even organised day tours. Santrian is the resort where you can land, stay, and enjoy the best of Bali from your accommodation.
Considering renting a scooter for your adventure in Bali? We have a guide on renting a scooter in Sanur.
Dining options Griya Santrian
The main restaurant (The Wantilan Restaurant) sits right on the beach path, and you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner with fantastic views of Sanur Beach.
Your room includes a buffet breakfast, which each morning offers a mix of Indonesian foods, pastries, breads, fruits, cereals, and an egg station that cooks eggs however you like them.
Bali Checklist
- Have you searched and booked flights to Bali yet?
- Do you have your travel insurance? Cover-More is an excellent option.
- Have you booked accommodation with Agoda or Luxury Escapes?
- Have you booked an airport transfer to your accommodation?
- Have you booked day tours through Klook?
- Have you got your Visa on Arrival? Book through the official website here.
- Make sure you pay your tourist Tax. You can pay for it here.
- Have you downloaded your customs declaration app?
Griya Beach Corner offers Italian and Japanese food alongside Asian and Western dishes in a beachside setting.
Attached to the restaurant is the Starfish Beach Lounge, which sits right on the sand. Here, you can enjoy a drink or a bite to eat while enjoying the cool breeze coming off the beach.
The resort is located centrally in Sanur, and many great dining options are available on the beach path and the main street of Jalan Danau Tamblingan.
On Tamblingan, you will find the wildly popular Wicked Parrot, Warung Rib Steak, and the Forketta Italian and Pizza Restaurant. We have eaten at all of these and highly recommend them.
On the Sanur Beach path, you can find places to eat at the new Icon Mall, The Byrd House Beach Club, and surrounding hotels such as Villa Shanti and Arena Seaside. These are great for a quick snack. Sanur has all types of food, from Italian and Japanese food to beach barbecues and more.
Value Tip: Unless you’re committed to dining exclusively at the resort, you can find better value at local restaurants.
Exploring Sanur from Griya Santrian
The location in the middle of Sanur means you can explore all the Danau Tamblingan offers, including restaurants, shopping, and more.
If you are looking to do some shopping while in Sanur, the Sindhu Beach and Baruna Beach markets are only a 10-minute walk along the beach path.
The shopping in these markets includes fixed-price shopping and bartering. You will find popular brand take-offs of many of today’s popular accessories at the market shops, such as handbags and sunglasses.
Hungry and looking for the best restaurants in Sanur? All you need to know about Sanur food and drink
Activities and entertainment near the Griya Santrian
Further away, you can organise a driver or order a Grab to take you to places such as Big Garden Corner, the Ubud Monkey Forest, the shopping streets such as Garlic Lane in Legian, cultural experiences such as the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu, and waterfalls such as Teganungan.
The free parking makes it super easy for pickups and drop-offs if you hire a Bali driver for the day.
While on the nearby sandy beachfront, you can go fishing, jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, kite surfing, and banana boat rides.
The front desk staff can suggest nearby activities, or you can book tours and attractions through websites such as Klook before you arrive in Bali.
The Hotel Beach Resort Griya Santrian often offers live entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere with stunning ocean views. You can grab a refreshing cocktail at any time of the day, but keep an eye out for happy hour specials daily.
The resort is conveniently located just 15 km from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and guests can reach it using various transportation options, such as taxis, private transfers, or shuttle services.
Related post: More Sanur accommodation options? 11 hotels near Sanur beach
Our overall experience at the Griya Santrian
Griya is a lovely hotel and a fantastic place to stay in Sanur. It has touches of Balinese architecture, with standout gates into different areas of the resort that make it feel traditional. A charming garden setting and palm trees make it feel like a tropical paradise.
Pros of staying at Griya Santrian Sanur:
- Plan to spend most days at the resort.
- Value direct beach access and multiple pools.
- Prefer organized resort activities.
- Want guaranteed comfort without research?
- Appreciate traditional Balinese architecture.
- Are you celebrating a special occasion?
Cons of the Griya Santrian accommodation:
- Explore Sanur on most days.
- Primarily eat at local restaurants.
- Book your activities and tours.
- Are you comfortable with mid-range amenities?
- Travel on a value-conscious.
- I want a lively, younger atmosphere.
Griya Santrian charges premium prices for upper-mid-range quality at $250-300 AUD per night. While it’s a lovely property with standout pools and beautiful grounds, most amenities are only marginally better than those at hotels costing half the price.
Our Recommendation
If you’re a resort-focused traveler who’ll fully utilize the facilities, book Griya Santrian. For everyone else, consider nearby alternatives like Parigata Resort and Spa ($100) or The Palm Garden ($70). They offer 80% of the experience at 50% of the cost.
Disclaimer: This review is based on my experience and opinions during my stay at Griya Santrian. The hotel’s amenities and offerings may change.
Thank You for Reading!
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Things to do in Sanur
Things to do in Sanur and its content is created by two Australians Mark & Bec who have been to Sanur many times. We have enjoyed food and drink on the beach, we have sipped coffee on Jalan Danau Tamblingan. We have stayed in homestays and hotels in Sanur and made day trips to see the best of Bali. Not only that, but we aim to keep the information fresh by continuing to visit Sanur and getting first-hand information off our Balinese friends.