Kayumanis or Four Seasons Ubud?
Aug 11th, 2006, 04:33 PM
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Kayumanis or Four Seasons Ubud?
I'm having the biggest headache trying to decide between these two lovely resorts. It seems difficult to find reviews of Kayumanis. Can anyone comment on the food, service, and villas of both? We want to get a villa with private pool. Does FS provide free transport to Ubud area? Any help is appreciated!
Aug 11th, 2006, 04:54 PM
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If you need to ask about free transport to Ubud from the FS, you probably can't afford to stay there anyway but why don't you e-mail them with that question - I am sure they will respond. Kayumanis is a new resort chain on Bali so you may be able to work a deal with them. Check out www.balidiscovery.com - we had great success with them in securing discounted hotel reservations when negotiating via e-mail.
Aug 11th, 2006, 05:32 PM
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I prefer transportation provided by the hotel rather than having to get a taxi everywhere I go. Kayumanis includes limo service within Ubud area which is nice. If you have stayed at both properties can you please tell me which one you prefer and why?
Aug 11th, 2006, 05:41 PM
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I doubt there is anyone on this forum that has stayed at both properties and I would venture to guess that noone has stayed at Kayumanis but you never know. You might want to check this website also:
www.balitravelforum.com
www.balitravelforum.com
Aug 11th, 2006, 05:56 PM
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Most hotels do provide transportation service in the Ubud area. Usually, but not always, it is free. Kayumanis says it is complimentary on their website. I've seen the Four Seasons cars around town, but their website isn't clear about price. A quick e-mail to them would make it clear. Regardless, the hotel could easily arrange a car and driver for you if you like, so that you would never have to negotiate on your own. There are no taxis in Ubud, but there are offers for transport every time you turn around.
The two properties are pretty close together outside of the village. I haven't heard anything bad about either one. One thing that I do when choosing hotels is e-mail with them and get a feel for how they communicate with potential guests...that can be very telling.
The two properties are pretty close together outside of the village. I haven't heard anything bad about either one. One thing that I do when choosing hotels is e-mail with them and get a feel for how they communicate with potential guests...that can be very telling.
Aug 11th, 2006, 07:43 PM
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travelmug, I haven't actually stayed at either (I'm an Alila diehard) but I've visited the Four Seasons many, many times and Kayumanis several.
The major difference is size. You can check the statistics but I'd guess the 4S has about 40 rooms and the Kayumanis about 12. The 4S has separate villas plus two story attached room complex and a big common building with restaurant etc. To me, the main building is overwhelmingly big like a spaceship landed on the rice paddy.
The grounds are lovely and the views splendid. When my son was younger we ate a lot of pizza at their poolside restaurant down by the river. It's charming but I think the pool is too small for a place of that size.
These are really petty complaints. I've been reading this board for many years and I don't think I've ever heard anyone express dissatisfaction with the FS experience. They have experienced staff and offer a lot of knowledge of the area.
Kayumanis is much much smaller and more intimate. The aesthetic is charming and private: winding pathways with lush vegetation lead to very private villas. The common areas are minimal. There's a nice, but small restaurant, which for some unknown reason serves Thai food (plus other choices) but no big pool, gift shop, spa etc.
It's on the exact same river valley as the FS (and the Alila, the Begawan or whatever it's called now and a host of other resorts) so the views are magnificent. It's high on my list of places to try, but it may be too isolated. I like privacy and value serenity, but I like to people watch as well and I think Kayumanis may be TOO quiet.
I believe the service would be energetic and sincere, but definitely not as professional as the FS. Sometimes this is appealing, sometimes annoying depending on your need.
The major difference is size. You can check the statistics but I'd guess the 4S has about 40 rooms and the Kayumanis about 12. The 4S has separate villas plus two story attached room complex and a big common building with restaurant etc. To me, the main building is overwhelmingly big like a spaceship landed on the rice paddy.
The grounds are lovely and the views splendid. When my son was younger we ate a lot of pizza at their poolside restaurant down by the river. It's charming but I think the pool is too small for a place of that size.
These are really petty complaints. I've been reading this board for many years and I don't think I've ever heard anyone express dissatisfaction with the FS experience. They have experienced staff and offer a lot of knowledge of the area.
Kayumanis is much much smaller and more intimate. The aesthetic is charming and private: winding pathways with lush vegetation lead to very private villas. The common areas are minimal. There's a nice, but small restaurant, which for some unknown reason serves Thai food (plus other choices) but no big pool, gift shop, spa etc.
It's on the exact same river valley as the FS (and the Alila, the Begawan or whatever it's called now and a host of other resorts) so the views are magnificent. It's high on my list of places to try, but it may be too isolated. I like privacy and value serenity, but I like to people watch as well and I think Kayumanis may be TOO quiet.
I believe the service would be energetic and sincere, but definitely not as professional as the FS. Sometimes this is appealing, sometimes annoying depending on your need.
Aug 12th, 2006, 05:52 AM
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I've stayed at FS Sayan, and it is a particularly lovely place.
There is regular shuttle service to/from Ubud (not sure if it's every hour or every 2 hours). However, a taxi from Ubud back to FS was simple and pleasant.
There is regular shuttle service to/from Ubud (not sure if it's every hour or every 2 hours). However, a taxi from Ubud back to FS was simple and pleasant.
Aug 14th, 2006, 07:29 PM
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Thanks for all your replies. I now have a much better idea on how to compare them. Marmot, you are right on about the service. I emailed both hotels and got a quick reply from Four Seasons, but it didn't sound warm or inviting, just polite. Kayumanis didn't reply my email so I had to called them for more info and availability. They replied by email after a couple hours and gave me a special price for the room along with some perks like free minibar, afternoon snacks, and one 30min massage. I had previously emailed The Viceroy Bali and they never replied, which is so not the way to treat potential customers especially when you are a new resort! For now we are leaning towards Kayumanis.
Once again you guys came through with suggestions. I've been mostly alway from home for the past 6 months and haven't contributed much to the forum.
Once again you guys came through with suggestions. I've been mostly alway from home for the past 6 months and haven't contributed much to the forum.
Aug 14th, 2006, 07:49 PM
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I would not judge the FS by the e-mail response, which sometimes comes from the main reservations office in Canada. I found the service there to be phenomenal, even for FS which has IMO the best service of any hotel chain in the world. They really cannot do enough for you, from the nature walks and bike tours, to the maid who takes your wet and muddy hiking boots and magically returns them in 3 hours clean and dry, to the restaurants, to just everything. The food and place are wonderful as well.
As noted above they do have a free shuttle service into town, you can also call them from town and they will come to collect you. I also find it a lot of fun to ride bicycles into town and elsewhere, that is the only way to really see and enjoy the countryside (and get an excellent workout at the same time). I don't know the Kayumanis really so can't comment as a comparison, but I think the service at the FS is quite hard to beat, if that is one of your criteria.
As noted above they do have a free shuttle service into town, you can also call them from town and they will come to collect you. I also find it a lot of fun to ride bicycles into town and elsewhere, that is the only way to really see and enjoy the countryside (and get an excellent workout at the same time). I don't know the Kayumanis really so can't comment as a comparison, but I think the service at the FS is quite hard to beat, if that is one of your criteria.
Apr 12th, 2007, 03:57 PM
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The 4Seasons has complimentary transport for guests moving between the Jimbaran Beach resort and Ubud, but we paid for our transportation from the airport to/from Jimbaran. The complimentary shuttle is to/from Ubud but last one is around 6pm. Taxis from Ubud to the 4S are about $5.
My hsb works for them so you can take my enthusiasm with a grain of salt; that said the service is warm, friendly, as personal as you want it to be. Chat up the staff and you'll learn all about their lives. Act like you want to be left alone and you'll be left alone.
I had my critical glasses on given the Conde Nast best spa hotel in Asia rating. The hotel especially the river villa, more than lived up to my expectations.
I think there's a gal on tripadvisor who has been to Kayumanis -- you might want to try searching that forum.
I would never tell someone if they have to ask about free transport they can't afford to stay somewhere. Wanting exquisite accomodation doesn't mean one is indifferent to what things cost. Probably more to the point, it's a small part of your total tab.
We loved our river villa. Marmot you are so right about the spaceship metaphor for the main building. Those suites are more like apartments.
My hsb works for them so you can take my enthusiasm with a grain of salt; that said the service is warm, friendly, as personal as you want it to be. Chat up the staff and you'll learn all about their lives. Act like you want to be left alone and you'll be left alone.
I had my critical glasses on given the Conde Nast best spa hotel in Asia rating. The hotel especially the river villa, more than lived up to my expectations.
I think there's a gal on tripadvisor who has been to Kayumanis -- you might want to try searching that forum.
I would never tell someone if they have to ask about free transport they can't afford to stay somewhere. Wanting exquisite accomodation doesn't mean one is indifferent to what things cost. Probably more to the point, it's a small part of your total tab.
We loved our river villa. Marmot you are so right about the spaceship metaphor for the main building. Those suites are more like apartments.
