Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Review: Late-Night Airport Stay
Arriving late in Bali? Read my honest review of Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport, a peaceful transit oasis located just a 5-minute walk from the terminal.
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Arriving late in Bali? Read my honest review of Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport, a peaceful transit oasis located just a 5-minute walk from the terminal.
Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport
The perfect choice if you are looking for a hotel near Denpasar Airport
Directly connected to Bali's airport terminal,
Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport Hotel is a complete game-changer.
If you are arriving on a late-night red-eye flight like I did,
this hotel allows you to kick off your Bali adventure seamlessly
without the stress of late-night transfers or exhausting commutes.
In fact, I walked straight to the hotel from arrivals,
and being able to jump straight into bed was absolutely priceless.
From clearing immigration and grabbing my bags to hitting the ATM
and checking into my room, the whole process took only about 45 minutes.
If you are weighing your options for a late-night arrival
or looking for a comfortable 0.5-night stay in Bali,
here is why you should definitely check this place out :)
Table of Contents |
1. Why I Chose Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai |
2. How to Get There from the Airport Terminal |
3. Honest Room Condition Review |
4. Is It Worth It for Late-Night Arrivals? |
Post-work getaway to Bali
Words and Photos by Gyoni Pick
When planning my first night in Bali,
I knew I wanted to stay close to the airport,
and my absolute top priority was airport accessibility.
While saving energy after a long flight was a major factor,
safety was also key.
Traveling as a duo of female friends, we didn't want to deal with
negotiating with taxi drivers late at night,
so we immediately ruled out any accommodation that required a car ride.
That is when we discovered the Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Hotel.
Not only is it just a 5-minute walk from the terminal,
but you also don't even have to step outside into the heat—
you can walk entirely through the indoor airport corridors.
This convenience sealed the deal for us.
I booked my stay through
and got a great deal at around ~$66 per night.
Even though it is advertised as a 5-minute walk,
I was worried we might get lost in the sprawling airport.
But even if you have zero sense of direction, there is no need to worry.
Just follow the clear signs, and you will arrive effortlessly.
To give you an exact timeline:
We walked out of the terminal doors at 12:22 AM,
and we stepped into the hotel lobby at 12:29 AM.
(It took exactly 7 minutes!)
Once you clear customs and grab your bags,
simply head left toward the Domestic Terminal.
After walking for about 2 minutes, you will see a sign indicating the domestic terminal is 12 minutes away.
Look to your left, and you will spot the Novotel sign.
Follow the path through the parking garage area,
and the hotel entrance is right there.
Even arriving past midnight, the front desk check-in was seamless and quick.
There was no need to hail a taxi or wander around searching for a driver;
we were able to unwind and rest immediately.
Between flight delays and a grueling 7-hour flight,
we were far more exhausted than we anticipated.
The moment we sank into the bed, we both agreed that booking this hotel
was the absolute best decision we made! haha.
📍 Room Type Booked:
Twin Room (2 Single Beds)
To be honest, I booked the Novotel purely for its proximity to the terminal, but the room itself exceeded my expectations.
Since the hotel is physically attached to the airport,
I was slightly worried about runway noise,
but it was incredibly quiet—I didn't hear a single plane all night.
The room was remarkably clean and tidy.
The staff had pre-cooled the room with the AC, so it was wonderfully refreshing
the moment we walked in, and the linens were crisp and dry.
Also, the pillows were unbelievably comfortable!
The room layout felt quite spacious.
The TV had smart features so we could stream Netflix and YouTube,
and standard amenities like a hairdryer and iron were fully provided.
While many modern hotels are phasing out disposable toothbrushes,
it was a nice touch to find them fully stocked here.
The bathroom layout is modern with a glass wall, which was slightly surprising at first,
but there is a privacy blind you can easily lower.
The shower stall and toilet are completely separated,
making it highly functional for two people sharing the room.
If I had to nitpick, the room has carpeted floors,
but it was exceptionally well-maintained and free of dust.
Arriving in the pitch dark meant we couldn't see much,
but when we checked out the next morning, the outdoor pool looked incredible!
There were already plenty of guests lounging by the water
enjoying the tropical morning sun.
We had to head out to Ubud right away,
so we didn't get to swim, but if your schedule is a bit more relaxed,
I highly recommend taking some time to enjoy the pool area.
Given how unmatched the location is,
I didn't expect much from the amenities,
but it is more than just a 0.5-night crash pad—it is a fantastic hotel
for a comfortable full-day stay.
🔗View Detailed Room Conditions
Personally, staying right next to the airport on our first night
was the best travel decision we made.
We initially debated heading straight to Ubud upon arrival,
but after dealing with flight delays and a 7-hour flight,
we were absolutely drained...
If we had to sit in a car for another hour and a half to Ubud in that state,
it would have been an exhausting start to the trip! ^^;;;
Because Novotel is directly connected to the terminal,
we avoided the hassle of hailing a ride or coordinating with drivers.
Being able to check in immediately was the ultimate luxury.
It took us only about 7 minutes to get from the terminal to the hotel,
and we were showered and tucked into bed in no time.
Thanks to that, we woke up with our batteries 100% recharged
and ready for our journey to Ubud.
For our transfer to Ubud the next day,
we booked a private airport pickup service in advance.
Usually, they meet you at the airport arrivals zone, but when I mentioned we were staying at the hotel,
the driver was happy to pick us up directly from the Novotel lobby.
This meant we didn't have to drag our heavy suitcases back to the terminal after checking out.
We simply hopped in the car and left!
Looking back, choosing Novotel for our first night was a total stroke of genius.
Rooms tend to book out quickly for peak travel dates in 2026,
so if you have a late-night arrival coming up,
it is highly recommended to secure your room early.
🔥Check Real-Time Room Availability
After clearing immigration, walk to the left towards the domestic terminal for about 2 minutes, and you will find the Novotel sign. Follow the sign past the parking lot to reach the hotel. It takes about 5 to 7 minutes on foot using the airport's internal walkway.
If you book through Agoda, you can stay for around ~$66 per night. It is perfect for a short half-night stay if you arrive early in the morning.
The rooms are equipped with a hairdryer, an iron, and disposable toothbrushes, and you can watch Netflix and YouTube on the TV. Even though the hotel is connected to the airport, you won't hear any airplane noise while sleeping, allowing you to rest comfortably.
If you book an airport pickup in advance and inform the driver that you are staying at the hotel, the vehicle will come directly to the front of Novotel. You can depart right from the hotel after checkout without needing to go back to the airport pickup zone.
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