Sitting down to breakfast at Street 32 at Mamaka by Ovolo, I get a whiff of something spicy and delicious coming off the grill. This boutique hotel on vibrant Kuta beach has a way of evoking joy and surprising you in the best way. My short stay made me fall in love with Kuta all over again. But I digress!
Mamaka is all about good vibrations. The soundtrack of the iconic Beach Boys hit could have been written for this feel-good hotel on the Kuta Beach strip. Holidays are for happy memories, and Mamaka by Ovolo on Kuta beach nails the brief.
It also manages to highlight all the positives about Bali’s most famous beach, too often overshadowed by stories of cheap drinks and bad behaviour. If you were to plan a beach holiday that landed you with spectacular views, in the epicentre of a famous surf holiday destination, Mamaka is a great choice. Surf memorabilia inspires the rooms – they’re bright, stylish and packed with goodies.
On street level, the bistro and bar Street 32 welcomes guests. The lobby is festooned with surf memorabilia and smiling staff in casual wear. A gym, spa, yoga studio and a kids’ play area all mushroom off the ground floor space. The soundtrack brings a smile, and the beach opposite is alive with surfers, skaters and holidaymakers.
Expect the unexpected, Mamaka knows what you want.
Replacing the standard cold hibiscus tea offered as a welcome drink, Mamaka declares its difference when a bar trolley with a mixologist knocks on my door soon after arrival. He offers to whip me up a cocktail with tequila and citrus or mocktails that sound like summer in a glass. Even though it’s only 2 pm, I can’t resist this guy, the whole thing is so cute. My short stay made me smile in so many ways, and it’s no accident!
My room on the 4th floor offers great views of the beach. Surfers float on the smooth waves in my window, beach sellers trade under colourful umbrellas, and sun lounges await sun-kissed tourists. My Swagger suite is colourful in a tasteful way; blue and muted yellow cover the moulded sofa tossed with pillows. It feels warm and welcoming with it’s mini kitchen, colourful art and objects of interest scattered about. The bed mirrors the couch. A large TV and a mixologist’s kitchen inspire you to start channelling your inner bartender, a sure sign that your holiday has begun.
Street food with flair at Street 32.
On the night we stayed Street 32 was hosting a kitchen takeover with a cool Hong Kong eatery known for its kati and not-so-traditional Indian favourites. The smell was heaven, and we feasted on delicious plates of chicken tikka, charred lamb cutlets, marinated barbecued prawns, and crispy naan washed down with icy Indian lagers and fruity cocktails. The atmosphere was pure Kuta.
By now, the kitchen takeover is over, but I quickly discovered that Indian food is a highlight on all the menus at Mamaka. The hotel welcomed its newest culinary rockstar, Chef Anuj, last November and authentic Indian dishes feature at breakfast, lunch, dinner and on the popular snack menu. Kuta Social Club on the roof is Kuta Beach’s best rooftop bar and has a great restaurant. Alongside its famous grills, there’s now a level of spice that totally works here.
Kuta Beach finds its groove.
Kuta Beach was Bali’s first tourist destination, made famous by surfers who discovered these waves early and still play here. It’s still one of the island’s best beaches. For swimming, surfing, sunset beers and promenading. It may have been eclipsed by the cool of Canggu, the vistas of Uluwatu and the magic of Ubud – mostly all inventions of charming marketing people – but spending time here makes you realise, Kuta is cooler than ever!
Kuta Social Club raises the bar for sunset, cocktails, great food and fun-filled parties.
Head upstairs to the rooftop of Mamaka to find Kuta Social Club, a rooftop pool with incredible views stretching from Canggu to Uluwatu. Chef Ben Harrington, who worked with Gordon Ramsay, put his stamp on the menu upstairs and established it as one of Kuta’s best places to eat. Ben’s departure makes way for a new chef who will work with Chef Anuj and the brilliant team to create new menus, and we’re looking forward to seeing what happens next.
With the Ovolo international group of hotels’ reputation for being a little bit street and very cool, no doubt the next chef moving in will be big news for Mamaka and for Bali. Mamaka may be located in Kuta, which has a reputation as a budget destination, but Mamaka is all about the experience. Good vibes, moreish menus, and stylish accommodation are cleverly designed to make their guests happy.
Good vibes and so much to do.
Kuta is transforming and bringing a new wave of cool to this Bali destination. With BeachWalk shopping mall offering high-end brands, hotel names like Sheraton, Pullman, and Hard Rock are 5-star additions to the strip, alongside cool boutique hotels and increasingly better restaurants. Kuta Beach has found its groove again, and Mamaka is right at the centre of it all.
In case you find yourself with downtime, Mamaka will sort that with their activities desk, offering a range of things to do that will satisfy new and returning visitors. Take a surf lesson, walk the beach, hit the promenade and explore neighbouring Seminyak, Legian and Tuban. Catch a film, take a class, hit Waterbom for a day out or book an excursion to see Bali unspoiled. If you want to be busy, this is the place to be.
Come to play, to chill, eat, drink and party. There is something every age group will love, from families to retirees, and I’ll be recommending this to my friends and family; it’s stylish, friendly and a lot of fun.
Check out the best rates now.
