Holiday Inn Express BARUNA BALI by IHG

1. Free airport pick-up! The driver was super proactive, greeting me and confirming my name, and even helped with my luggage into the car. (I'd read on Xiaohongshu about Bali's tipping culture, but the driver didn't hint at a tip at all, and I didn't offer one since I had no small change right after landing. I didn't pay any extra fees throughout my stay, full marks!) 2. The room was clean and tidy, and the facilities weren't outdated. (The outlets directly fit Chinese plugs, no adapter needed, though two-prong Chinese plugs were a bit loose and would fall out. Luckily, I brought a three-prong power strip, which worked perfectly – excellent!) 3. Dinner was delicious (it was à la carte from a menu). The stir-fried rice noodles were incredibly fragrant, even better than in China 😋. Breakfast was a buffet and also very tasty, full marks. 4. The hotel service was absolutely incredible, and this is the most important reason I'm giving this hotel full marks. The genuine warmth and hospitality, with absolutely no discrimination against Chinese guests, made for a fantastic experience. So comfortable! In summary, budget travelers can stay here with confidence – it's great value for money. If you only stay in luxury hotels, then don't come here to nitpick; you can't expect a premium experience for a few hundred bucks.

The location is fantastic, super close to the airport, just a 10-minute drive. It's perfect whether you need a place to stay before an early flight or after a late arrival. Plus, the food is really good!

The room had a slight musty smell, and the AC didn't feel fresh. I was too tired to change rooms since I arrived so late, which I really regret. It's very close to the airport and the beach though.