Bali

[heisthegaffer]

Dear All, I am going to Bali in April for a few days and would to hear peoples' experiences so I judge where to go. Happy to go to a couple of different places.

The first night due to our arrival time we're staying in Sanur but we'd like to go to the north of the island for a couple of nights and do some diving then travel along the coast over the other 3 days back towards the airport.

Anyone recomend places to stay and anywhere to go.

We'll be doing some diving (that WW2 yank wreck for starters) and on the last couple of days we'd like a really relaxing places so any ideas would be grateful!!

Thanks all

[Zod]

Depends on budget!

I'd go to the East coast to Candi Dasa and stay at Amankila if feeling flush and otherwise at the Alila (used to be the Serai).

[heisthegaffer]

Thanks mate

[havoc]

Zod said:

...the Alila

Oh

Honeymooned there. Great food, great spa, cool bathrooms, T'ai Chi on the lawn. Beautiful location, and rather a lot of wildlife...


Just watch out for gecko's in your room if you've a ground-floor one - we woke up at midnight on our first night because there was something in our room making a VERY loud noise and rustling something plastic. Cue two people sharing the middle 10% of the bed!!! And Becs saying "turn the light on. No...don't turn the light on!". Turned light on to see this little fella scurry out from under the foot of the bed (we'd put shoes on carrier bags under the pedestal at the foot of the bed) and straight-under the patio doors!

[oldschoolnick]

I stayed in Kuta in 2007 and ended up being there for nearly a month because of STA travel messing my flights up! I found Kuta a little too intense (people selling stuff etc). Did a few excellent day trips, rafting, temples and stuff and enjoyed relaxing on the beach and doing a spot of surfing. Cant really give much advice as spent alot of time not doing much as was trying to same my money for Oz. Hope you have a great time though!

[Nobby Diesel]

Been absolutely years since I was there, but I found Kuta unbearable.
It was like Loret de Mar for Aussies.
We stayed over at Sanur, which was a lot more relaxed back then.
I found Ubud worth a visit. i understand that it's got pretty pricey there now though.
It was a lovely place than and I'm sure it's still as enjoyable now, if you find the right spot.

[EK993]

I was there in November. Stayed in Nusa Dua which was lovely. Go to Jimbaran to watch the sunset (can get a table for dinner on the beach if you want). Eat at Ku Da Ta if you are feeling flush.

[heisthegaffer]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I'll let you know how I get on!!

[Zod]

havoc said:

Zod said:

...the Alila

Oh

Honeymooned there. Great food, great spa, cool bathrooms, T'ai Chi on the lawn. Beautiful location, and rather a lot of wildlife...


Just watch out for gecko's in your room if you've a ground-floor one - we woke up at midnight on our first night because there was something in our room making a VERY loud noise and rustling something plastic. Cue two people sharing the middle 10% of the bed!!! And Becs saying "turn the light on. No...don't turn the light on!". Turned light on to see this little fella scurry out from under the foot of the bed (we'd put shoes on carrier bags under the pedestal at the foot of the bed) and straight-under the patio doors!

The food when we went there (a long time ago, but reports suggest it hasn't changed) was fabulous.

[bint]

EK993 said:

I was there in November. Stayed in Nusa Dua which was lovely. Go to Jimbaran to watch the sunset (can get a table for dinner on the beach if you want). Eat at Ku Da Ta if you are feeling flush.

Ditto - I stayed in the Sheraton, about 9 years ago - and it was fabulous, redeveloping the pool and gardens at the time (6 months after the bomb and they were pulling out the stops to bring back the tourists) but didn't affect our stay at all.

Again, recommendation for Jimbaran Bay and the tables on the beach for restaurants - fish sold by weight so you can have a big pick n mix of what you want, served with simple veg and a big coconut to wash it down. Nom, I want to go back!

Visit the Monkey Forest and the temples - we had a driver who took us around, it's not expensive, but actually the traffic wasn't as bad as I had expected.

[JuniorD]

bint said:

EK993 said:

I was there in November. Stayed in Nusa Dua which was lovely. Go to Jimbaran to watch the sunset (can get a table for dinner on the beach if you want). Eat at Ku Da Ta if you are feeling flush.

Ditto - I stayed in the Sheraton, about 9 years ago - and it was fabulous, redeveloping the pool and gardens at the time (6 months after the bomb and they were pulling out the stops to bring back the tourists) but didn't affect our stay at all.

Again, recommendation for Jimbaran Bay and the tables on the beach for restaurants - fish sold by weight so you can have a big pick n mix of what you want, served with simple veg and a big coconut to wash it down. Nom, I want to go back!

Visit the Monkey Forest and the temples - we had a driver who took us around, it's not expensive, but actually the traffic wasn't as bad as I had expected.

The Sheraton in Nusa Dua is now the Laguna Resort and Spa. I stayed there last year and having called in at all the other hotels along the beach in Nusa Dua I would say it's about the best. Beautiful surroundings, fantastic pools and the food is amazing, if a little pricey. Beer and Wine is about $10 too, par for the course in the area. They have afternoon tea which is free and which many people don't bother going to so if you stuff your face with the lovely cakes and pastries on offer then you can probably do without lunch.