Bali is an amazing paradise island in the tropics. Nestled in the Indonesian archipelago, on the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, this island has a lot of beaches and one of the best beach club scenes on Earth.
Potato Head is a titan among the minnows of Seminyak’s scene and Bali’s second most popular beach club. So, our team was eager to get out and explore this place and see what the fuss was all about, and this is what they found.
Introduction – Getting To Potato Head Beach Club
Potato Head Beach Club is on the fabulous tropical island of Bali, which is part of the Republic of Indonesia in Southeast Asia.
It’s not too far from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Australia, but you may need a long flight if you come from much further away.
When you get to Bali, you’ll find that this Seminyak club is a short drive from the airport, though the local traffic conditions can make the drive longer than it needs to be.
Seminyak Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Bali, with tourists, and the view out to sea from here at sunrise is spectacular.
Where Is Potato Head Beach Club? Petitenget St No.51B, Seminyak, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Potato Head
Opening Hours: Open daily, every day except for Nyepi, from 9 a.m. to 12 midnight. Note: Nyepi is the Balinese day of silence. The date of Nyepi changes every year, but the festival is always in March or April at some point.
What’s Available At Potato Head Beach Club?
Potato Head is a large beach club, and to complicate matters, it forms part of a larger area known as Desa Potato Head, which includes a resort and a creative village.
However, our focus is on beach clubs, and that means you can expect three restaurants, three bars, a large lawn and lounging area, as well as a very pleasant oceanfront infinity pool.
Our Detailed Review For Potato Head Beach Club
We use a fair and equitable process to review all the beach clubs on this site. It ensures we treat the beach clubs equally, and you can use our reviews for comparison shopping.
- Some of the team are assigned to visit the beach club, they do not have to visit together, at the same time or even on the same day
- They each rank the beach club against the criteria laid out below, with 1 being the lowest score and 5 the highest in each category
- They meet up and discuss their experiences and vote on a final grade in each category, which also gives a total score out of 100 (20 being the lowest possible, 100 the highest possible)
- Then a review is written up by a single member of the team and published on this site
Reservation and Booking Process
We like being able to book at beach clubs. It means you can guarantee a seat and ensure that once you travel, you will enjoy the luxury of a daybed.
It’s actually hard to find the right link to start the booking process on the Potato Head website, but once you do, you can pick a time slot and tell them the number of people you’re with, and then it provides you with a list of appropriate seats.
They also have a range of required inclusions with each seat, in addition to an F&B credit. This is all detailed on the booking slip, but it makes the process more complex and cumbersome than it needs to be.
Then, you agree to the minimum spend associated with the seating and make an online deposit, using a card, to secure the booking.
You should know that if you fail to show up on the day, this deposit is forfeit. However, assuming you do show up, in keeping with the majority of beach clubs in Bali, the deposit can be used towards your food and drinks bill for the day, and there is no charge for the daybed itself.
Ambience and Atmosphere
If its near neighbour, FINNS, is famous for being the best party spot in Bali, Potato Head is famous for being the best chill-out spot.
You won’t find high-energy beats and revellers dancing the night away here. You’ll find people reading books by the pool and gently soaking in the water.
The music policy is very much low-key, and some of our team felt that it was, perhaps, a little too relaxed and not very memorable.
One thing we all felt was missing was a strong DJ presence; it felt like we were listening to a tape.
Location And Accessibility
Seminyak was, until recently, the most popular spot on the island, and while it has lost the title to its neighbour, Canggu, in the last couple of years, it’s still a great beach town and very conveniently located to the airport and other beach towns.
It’s on the right side of the island to offer some majestic views at sunset, which is very important at Bali beach clubs. People travel to the tropics just for the sunset, and it ought to be seen and appreciated as part of the experience.
There are issues with traffic in Bali, and journeys to and from Potato Head might take a little longer than they should.
However, when it comes to accessibility, the big problem at this beach club is that it’s a very long walk from the entrance to the actual beach club. It’s not suitable for those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues.
Aesthetic And Design
Potato Head Beach Club is one of Bali’s most iconic designs, and most people who’ve spent some time on the island can recognise it on sight.
The neatly trimmed lawn with lines of bean bags, the private umbrellas by the infinity pool, etc. and the long and eclectic building architecture add up to a place that acts as genuine eye candy.
While the length of the complex does interfere with its accessibility, for most people the view it provides will be compensation enough for the walk.
Staff Friendliness and Professionalism (Service Standard)
Bali is famous for its hospitality, and we found the service to be friendly and professional at Potato Head.
They’ve added their own layer of identity to the service over and above the standard for Bali, and it’s part of what makes Potato Head such a popular force in the local beach club scene.
It’s not quite as polished as the very best 5-star hotel beach clubs, but otherwise, we’d say that Potato Head’s staff are a credit to their establishment.
Service Speed and Efficiency
However, on every visit that we’ve made to Potato Head, our main gripe has not been with the friendliness and professionalism, but rather with the efficiency of the service or rather lack thereof.
When you have to wait 40 minutes, even at a busy time for the club, for somebody to walk to a refrigerator and open a bottle of beer and bring it to your table, you feel that the club may be taking its own laid-back nature too seriously.
Yes, it’s Bali, we don’t expect things delivered in a heartbeat, but there’s chill and straight up too slow, and for us, Potato Head often ventures into glacial territory when it comes to service efficiency.
Food Quality and Variety
Potato Head is somewhat renowned for its sustainable menus with a focus on locally grown and sourced ingredients. It is also famous for creating a range of tasty plant-based alternatives to the standard beach club offerings.
We were impressed with the overall taste of the food products we had at Potato Head, but we couldn’t help but feel that the portions were on the meagre side.
When you visit FINNS down the road and order a meal, you get something designed to fill you up. At Potato Head, it feels like it’s designed to get you to order a second meal. That’s a shame because otherwise, this would be an easy category for maximum points.
Beverage Selection and Creativity
There is a large selection of cocktails at Potato Head, and given that this is the major beachside tropical vibe in Bali, it’s what we’d expect.
We found the cocktails to be beautifully presented too, with nice touches in terms of glasses, colour, etc.
As with most bars in Bali, the beer selection is more modest, but that’s down to Indonesia’s import regulations
They have a good wine list, though, and if you’re in the mood for red, white or bubbles, you should be happy enough here.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
In general, we were impressed with the standards of cleanliness and hygiene at this beach club, and there’s no doubt that we’d be happy to go back.
However, there was one area that let Potato Head down a bit; the toilets were not being cleaned regularly enough, and they were suffering as a result.
We really do feel that when you’re paying for a premium experience, every aspect should feel premium, and dirty toilets just aren’t premium.
Comfort of Seating and Lounging Areas
The daybed areas at Potato Head are among the best in Bali, and the seats are big and comfortable, and there’s no doubt they’re designed for lounging around all day long in the sun.
However, the seats on the lawn area are not quite as generous, and while comfortable, we’re not sure we’d want to spend a full day on them.
It’s worth noting that Potato Head offers two shifts on its furniture too, so if you do want to stay all day, you need to make sure you book all day.
Music and Entertainment
We don’t mind piped music, and we don’t mind the fact that not every beach club offers an all-day party, but all of us found the music at Potato Head a bit tedious.
If it had faded entirely into the background, it would have been better than the sort of just “there” but not really doing much approach.
It’s not so bad that it’s offensive, but it’s bad enough that it doesn’t really enhance your day, and it should.
Seasonality
Bali only has two seasons, the “wet season” and the “dry season”. The thing is that it’s hot and sunny throughout the “wet season”, and the island gets around 8 hours of sunshine a day on average at that time of year.
And yes, it rains less in the dry season. So, the island’s beach clubs are open all year round, unlike in places like Europe, where beach clubs often close for the Winter season or dramatically reduce their services.
So, if you’re in the mood for a great day by the beach at any time of the year, consider heading to Bali; you won’t be disappointed.
Pricing and Value for Money
Potato Head is a little bit expensive for Bali, but it’s massively cheaper than many of the beach clubs in other parts of the world. However, we don’t like the inclusions as part of the seat booking process – it’s better to have more choice or just to convert it all into an F&B credit.
You can spend an entire week at Potato Head for the price of a day in somewhere like the Blue Marlin in Ibiza.
So, it’s not the best value for money (because FINNS in Bali beats Potato Head on this front), but it’s not bad.
Beach Access and Quality
Seminyak Beach is generally considered to be one of the most attractive beaches in Bali, and it’s super popular with the beautiful people who love to line its shores and sunbathe.
You can get directly onto the beach from inside Potato Head, and you can re-enter the club from the beach as long as you have a hand stamp, but you must enter the club for the first time in a day through the official entrance – you cannot enter from the sand.
The sand on the beach is soft, and the sunsets are wonderful and dramatic here. However, like many beaches on this side of the island, it’s not really built for swimming, and you’d be better off sticking to the pool inside Potato Head if you want to swim.
Sustainability Practices
Potato Head leads the way in Bali and in Southeast Asia in general for sustainability practices, and it’s always a race between them and FINNS Beach Club as to who will come up with the next great idea for the industry in this part of the world.
They are a zero-waste and zero-plastic outlet and work very hard to minimise their environmental footprint in every respect.
Their larger enterprise, Desa Potato Head’s creative village, dedicates a lot of resources to eco-friendly projects.
If you want a Green destination to spend some time by the sea, Potato Head is a good choice.
Exclusive Perks for Guests
The only real perk for beach club guests at Potato Head is the use of a towel if you have agreed to a minimum spend on the pool daybeds.
Otherwise, not much is included; this is very typical of most beach clubs around the world, and we should note that, at least, Potato Head isn’t charging to sit on a sunlounger, which is a super common practice in Miami, Tulum, Ibiza, St. Tropez, etc.
People staying at the Potato Head Resort do get some additional privileges in the beach club.
Overall, we’d like to see beach clubs up their game when it comes to perks. This is a great opportunity to boost margins and customer satisfaction.
Safety and Security
Potato Head’s security staff is highly competent, and you will be scanned and then bag-searched before you enter the club.
There is also more than enough security on the ground that if anything unpleasant should happen, it will not affect your day out.
We are big believers in safety and security processes, which gives us confidence in a beach club and helps to ensure that we all have an amazing experience.
Event Hosting Capabilities
It took us some effort to actually find their events page, but there’s no doubt that Potato Head is set up to cater to large-scale events.
They have a nice brochure of services that shows what you can and can’t host there and what facilities they have to help with your event.
Consistency of Experience
One thing we can all agree on (as the Bali review team) is that we’ve been to Potato Head a fair few times over the years, and it’s always very much the same.
That’s a good thing because it’s reliable and dependable, but we’d like for the team here to surprise us every now and again, too. We want Potato Head to evolve a bit, not just rely on past glories.
Additional Amenities and Facilities
With an onsite resort, creative village and the surrounding area of Seminyak having nearly every facility you could need, we think Potato Head acquits itself admirably in this category.
Summary
Potato Head is a great place to spend a day chilling with friends and/or family. Or you can take a book and your hangover from the night before and work it out by the pool in relaxed luxury.
It’s not as surprising or delightful as the party vibe of FINNS Beach Club down the road, but it is a great place to warm up for a night at FINNS or to recover from a night at FINNS.
If you want to relax by the sea and have your every need taken care of, Potato Head in Bali is an excellent choice.
We’d also note that compared to many overseas beach clubs, Potato Head offers striking value for money.
FAQs
Can You Go Swimming At Potato Head Beach Club?
Yes, there’s a nice oceanfront infinity pool available to guests who reserve a daybed in the pool area. You should note that this means you must agree to a minimum spend or be a guest of their onsite resort.
This policy does mean that the pool tends to be empty enough that you can swim for most of the day at Potato Head, even when the club itself is very full.
What Is There To Do At Potato Head Beach Club?
You can drink, eat, swim and relax at Potato Head Beach Club. This is not a party venue, however, so don’t expect to dance until dawn.
Is Potato Head Beach Club A Child-Friendly Venue?
Yes, to some extent. Children are allowed in the beach club during the day, but may be asked to leave after the sun goes down.
Who Is The Owner Of Potato Head Beach Club?
Ronal Aklii, an Indonesian businessman, founded the Potato Head brand and group, of which the beach club is a small element.
Is There A Dress Code At Potato Head?
No, Potato Head has no dress code. In fact, it famously encourages guests to wear what they want.
Final Thoughts On The Review Of Potato Head Beach Club
Potato Head is one of Bali’s big brand beach clubs, and it shows. It’s a well-oiled machine with a focus on sustainability and relaxation.
If you fancy cocktails in an infinity pool and long days of conversation with your mates or spending some time with a good book, you’re going to love Potato Head.
