Jogyakarta & - Bali?

Old Oct 10th, 2014, 12:50 PM
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Jogyakarta & - Bali?

Hi there, I am planning to go to Yogyakarta next August. It looks like most flights go through Jakarta or Bali. As I am not really interested in Jakarta, I thought we'd combine some time in Bali. My question is - what area would compliment Yogyakarta? Or is there enough to do there that we could stay the whole time? This is not a long trip for us, so two weeks or so is all the time we have.

We have points with Marriott and Starwood and I'd like to use those, so that keeps us in more touristy areas, I know. We don't care about nightlife. I like the beach, but it's not a requirement for this trip. We like to shop, visit temples, and eat good local food.

Any advice would be great! Thanks.
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Old Oct 10th, 2014, 01:10 PM
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Hi Sealstep. I asked the mods to delete one of your posts so you will get all your replies in one place.

Two weeks would work for a central Java/Bali trip. You could also opt for an all - Java trip. You might find my trip report from an all-Java trip helpful: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...n-to-jogja.cfm

I don't believe there are any Marriott or Starwood properties near Jogjakarta, though there is a Hyatt. We stayed at the Phoenix, which was lovely. Hotels are very reasonably priced on Java. We opted for suites everywhere!

There are both Marriott and Starwood properties on Bali. Generally, I recommend staying in or near Ubud for the cultural aspects of Bali, but you won't find those hotels there. The Marriott and Starwood properties are likely on or near Nusa Dua which is my least favorite part of Bali, but it does have nice beaches.

Let me know if there is more information I can provide about our Java trip.
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Old Oct 10th, 2014, 01:26 PM
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If I recall correctly. I arrived in Yogyakarta on a direct Garuda flight from Singapore. If that would add possibilities to your itinerary, you might check it out. If I had to choose between Bali & Jakarta, Bali would certainly win, but if you'd prefer Singapore you might throw it into the mix.
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Old Oct 10th, 2014, 02:08 PM
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AirAsia serves the Singapore to Yogya route too.
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Old Oct 10th, 2014, 02:55 PM
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I'm in Bali at the moment, and fly to Yogyakarta tomorrow morning with Air Asia for a week.
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Old Oct 10th, 2014, 07:07 PM
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How you get to Yogya depends on where you're coming from. As noted, Air Asia from Singapore or Bali is a good option. SilkAir, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also flies from Singapore to Surakarta/Solo which is quite close to Yogya.

There is a Sheraton in Yogya. I haven't been there for years, but as I remember it was somewhat old style (not in a good way.)

Both Starwood and Marriot have several properties in the beach areas of Bali -- Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak-- and one in Lombok in Senggigi. None of them jumps out at me as a great place to stay. By location I'd go with the W in Seminyak, but the ambience is quite flashy.

I'd agree that a week in Central Java (Yogya, Borobudur and the surrounding countryside) plus a week in Bali would be a good combination. In Bali, I'd concentrate on the Ubud area, even though you won't be able to use your hotel points.
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Old Oct 10th, 2014, 09:19 PM
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We were in Bali and Lombok for 2 weeks last month.

We love alam shanti in Ubud, and in fact would only consider stays in Ubud in the future--we have been to bali 4 times...

We loved our days on Lombok at qunci villas... Perhaps the best overall hotel we have ever stayed at. Lombok offers little or nothing to the tourist, IMO.

We stayed at the stones hotel in legian, a marriott property.. We hated the location, hotel was ok itself.

Another time I would consider the new marriott courtyard in seminyak, although we did not see it.
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Old Oct 11th, 2014, 04:12 AM
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Bob. Why did you choose Stones? What was wrong with it?
By stating it wasn't the right choice offers little comfort for anyone looking for a firm recommendation!
So why should the Marriott Courtyard be any better?
Me and the cook are in a 2* close to the airport at the moment, and it's perfect [for us].
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Old Oct 12th, 2014, 04:42 PM
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The location of the Stones in busy Kuta is not relaxing at all. traffic is horrid, and usually a lengthy taxi ride to any decent place to eat because of it. Pool and beach were both over populated. If people think Kuta is what Bali is all about they are missing " the real Bali".
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Old Oct 12th, 2014, 06:18 PM
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LL, Bob said that what was wrong with the Stones was the location. Since it is located in Kuta, I totally understand. I always recommend that people actively avoid Kuta.
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Old Oct 13th, 2014, 03:45 AM
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We got dropped off our Perama shuttle from Ubud on Jl Legian. I thought we'd landed on another planet. Crude's a bit of understatement. Was glad to get a bit further south to Tuban, which was nice and quiet.

That said, we walked along the excellent paved beachfront path a couple of times as far as Poppies 1, along it, on to Jl Legian as far as the Bomb Monument. Quite enjoyed it, but it was during daylight. A lot of the crap on display in the shops is v.crude, but amusing at the same time.
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Old Oct 18th, 2014, 01:56 PM
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Thank you everyone. How far is Ubud from Nusa Dua or Seminyak?

Kathie, I have read your great trip report. How many nights for Yogyakarta - 5? 6?
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Old Oct 18th, 2014, 02:02 PM
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This is the Sheraton in Yogyakarta.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sherat...?propertyID=20
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Old Oct 18th, 2014, 02:46 PM
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I think that where you stay in Yogyakarta depends on what you want to, and how you want to do it.

The Sheraton is out near the airport, and if you plan on spending a lot of your time in the city, then you'll soon get tired of the traffic, it's horrendous.

On the other hand if seeing the sights outside the city are what you'll be doing, then staying on the outskirts is a good idea.

How long you stay depends on your intended programme.

We're in our last couple of hours here, and will be happy to leave. Our 7 nights could easily have just been 3.
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Old Oct 18th, 2014, 02:48 PM
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I couldn't make your link work, but I searched for it on the Sheraton website and found it. I can't really tell where it is in town, despite fiddling with the map for a while. I haven't seen the place, so can't comment on it. Hotels are quite inexpensive in this area - we had a huge suite for under $150 and it included an incredible breakfast.

I'd say 5 or 6 nights would be good. Must-see places: Borobudur and a couple of nearby temples, Dieng Plateau, Prambanam, The Ramayana Ballet at Prambanam, Suhka Temple. There is some excellent crafts shopping in the area as well. Some people want to visit Merapi as well. Do you have the Lonely Planet Guide to Indonesia? They have an extensive write-up on this area.
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Old Oct 18th, 2014, 03:50 PM
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I agree that the length of time you devote to Yogya depends on what you like to do. I would say 3-4 nights if you're not a big temple person, 5-6 if you are.

It really doesn't matter where you stay as Yogya's not a great walking city and the main attractions are spread out in all directions. If I remember correctly the Sheraton is near Prambanan. As hotels go it's just okay, but there's nothing objectionable about it.

I would also recommend that you spend one or two nights near Borobudur. The Manohara is bare bones (and quite inexpensive), but acceptable. It's right on the grounds of the monument. The scenery is beautiful and staying nearby allows you to visit Borobudur at different times of day.

Yogya is a real Asian city. It has a lot of interesting sights, but can be congested and irritating too. The country side around Borobudur, Merapi, the Dieng Plateau is really magmificent.

"Ubud" is used for both the town and the area surrounding the town so travel time depends on where you're going. Roughly from Nusa Dua or Seminyak it's about 1.5 hours, can be 2.0 if you run into traffic pockets.
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Old Oct 18th, 2014, 04:10 PM
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Just wanted to add that August 17 is Indonesian Independence Day and a long weekend on August 15-17. The temples and palaces will be mobbed with holiday makers and Javanese school children. Avoid this weekend in Central Java if you can.
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Old Oct 18th, 2014, 04:20 PM
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The Sheraton is near the airport, on the perimeter of town.

I'm at Yogyakarta airport now. A sea of humanity, but Air Asia check-in was very good, unlike some of the chaos around us!
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Old Oct 25th, 2014, 01:41 PM
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Thanks everyone, this is really great advice. Now for the planning!
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Old Nov 15th, 2014, 03:39 PM
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I'm now looking at flying into Singapore instead, which seems pretty easy both from the states and with flights to Jogya. So,if we wanted to just stay in central Bali, are there any beach resorts near Yogjyakarta that we could get to by car where we could wind down? We might not have enough time to do both Bali and Java, so I could save Bali for a different trip. I feel like I'm going to drag my husband around Jogya sightseeing and shopping and I would love to have a few nights to just relax. We could also spend a couple of nights in Singapore and concentrate on getting really good spicy food. Thoughts?
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