epsteisr

The price for the Legian in the second half of July is $550 (plus 21% tax) for a studio room. At that price, it's almost comparable to staying at the Amankila. I've read that the Amankila is one of the best resorts in the world. The Legian is also a favorite among Fodorites. I have three nights and am trying to decide whether to spent them at the Legian or the Amankila. Is the Legian worth $550 a night? Is there enough to see in East Bali for three nights? We are also spending three nights at Amanjiwo and four nights in Ubud.

Ericka

I am a huge fan of Amankila, but have not been to the Legion. I have a very detailed trip report on this forum from a few years ago if you care to use the search feature.

As for activities, ask Amankila to email you their long list of wonderful possibilities. Same goes for Amanjiwo, which I am also a huge fan of. Both sets of activities offer a wonderful glimpse into Indonesian culture.

Mitch04

Amankila is one of those incomparable places. The Legian is on an ordinary beach in an ordinary area and surrounded by ordinariness! Amankila is set on a cliff overlooking the sea. The Beach Club down below is to die for. The views are wondrous, and the staff highly attentive.

epsteisr

Amankila sounds amazing, but would definitely be a splurge. Are the activities and food extremely expensive? It's not clear from the website whether the activities are included. I will need to take these into the total price consideration if I'm going to go for Amankila! Thanks for the responses!

marmot

epsteisr, this is a tough one. I go to Bali quite frequently and stay at the Legian 2 out of 3 times so it's difficult for me to appraise it with "fresh eyes." As a resident expat I don't pay full rate, but evenso $550++ sounds crazy high for a studio room. Things must really be heating up in the resort biz!

The Legian is refined and serene, but the overall ambience is active. The area of beach where the Legian is located is like Florida or California -- lively, well traveled, with many options for restaurants, spas, shops, clubs. On the beach people are walking, running, surfing, hawking -- lots to wath. You're right on the beach; the surf is big and crashing and the sunsets divine. The building plan consists of several four storey blocks. You go through the garden or the lobby and up the elevator to your room.

The Amankila is down a long road on a relatively isolated promontory. The beach is a sandy cove accessible by many, many steps, or they'll drive you in one of those little carts. The water is calm. The beach which is scorching hot and most often deserted. The rooms are cantilevered on the cliffside and are accessed by an ingenious system of walkways. Each has spacious private areas overlooking the sea. It's east facing so splendid for sunrise. The food and service are impeccable (Well, sometimes a little sleepy. It's so quiet!) but to leave the resort you really have to leave the resort. The Alila is close by but other than that it's a trek. The overall ambience is profoundly beautiful isolation.

epsteisr

The Legian just emailed me back and they are already sold of out the studio rooms. I don't think I want to spend $600+ for the one bedroom suite at the Legian. It sounds like a great place, but not sure it's worth that much!

marmot

epsteisr, the most frustrating part of rates in Bali is that the earlier you book the more you pay. Rates fall closer to the date of occupancy. It's like flying business class: every seat is paying a different fare.

I'm afraid of overselling and can't comment any further on the Legian. It serves my needs -- all of them -- but it's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and for $600++ I can understand that perfect would be in order.

It's difficult to draw a direct comparison between Amankila and Legian. One is a retreat, one is a launching pad. Different focus.

The extras at any Aman really, really add up. Not for those with faint hearted bank accounts.

As alternatives I might suggest you look at the Sofitel in Seminyak and the Alila Manggis in East Bali. Not as sublime but still good values, especially if you intent to be out and about as opposed to holed up at the resort.

opxzaw

I think marmot covers it well. The hotels are very different as are the locations. In my experience Amankila is unmatched in terms of service, it is amazing how good they are. You should look at the pictures, the architecture is stunning, I spent days just looking at it, it is a destination itself. I also liked the nature walks in the area and the bales are to die. I wrote a report that explains it more.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...;tid=34908056?

I wouldn't be too concerned about costs, granted I calculate in € so my perspective may be different, but I found prices for food and activities pretty moderate and in fact some of the more fancy restaurants in Seminyak are more expensive. For 3 nights you can take the Bali break package which includes breakfast and one activity.

Seminyak is totaly different, you go there if you want to have bars and reastaurants in walking distance, it is great for people watching, also the Legian will be much more crowded. In terms of value it is just not comparable, though I know that the Legian does substantial discounts through travel agents here in Germany, it costs about half of Amankila, imho it is not worth the official rates, also you have an unlimited choice of other hotels and villas in Seminyak, if location at the beach is key, take a look at the Samaya.

Anyway, I don't know your priorities, but combining Amanjiwo and Amankila is what we did in 06 and I think it is absolutely unbeatable.

Becalm

You needn't book your activities through your resort. The Amans have a pretty steep markup although I feel you get your money's worth if you can afford it due to the very high quality. To save some $ hire one the highly recommended drivers on this site (e.g. www.balifriend.net) and do/book the activities on your own.

Three nights in East Bali is no problem. Visit Amed, Tirta Gaggna, Tenganan, Gunung Agung, Besakih, Sidemen plus time on the beach and snorkling or diving.

epsteisr

We decided to go for it and splurge on Amankila. We're going to try to hire Putu for a day to take us to some of the sites nearby as suggested. Now, if only Putu would get back to me! Thanks again for the help.