Bali hotel help
May 2nd, 2012, 04:23 AM
#1
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Bali hotel help
Hi, I'm going to Bali in July and have no idea where to stay. I'm thinking of going to seminyak. Can anyone recommend a nice hotel with good pool. This will be the first trip my husband and I are taking without our two young children so I want to stay somewhere relaxing. I would love to stay at the Oberoi but it's too expensive. I don't want to spend more than $200 a night.
Thanks in advance,
Michjv
Thanks in advance,
Michjv
May 2nd, 2012, 06:09 AM
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The Oberoi is very much the hotel to stay in at Seminyak....and, for me, the ONLY hotel in Bali. Its incredibly beautiful, romantic and peaceful; and has what I can only describe as "magic". If you can stretch your budget, its so worth it!
But if you want an older hotel with atmosphere which isnt too expensive, I would heartily recommend the Bali Hyatt at Sanur, not to be confused with the Grand Hyatt in Nusa Dua (which is a 5-star ghetto). Sanur is on the east coast, so you dont get the famous Balinese sunsets....for which you could always go to Seminyak to the Oberoi for a drink, or to the Ku-de-ta bar next door. Book on the Hyatt website, or contact Bali Discovery Tours for hotels and sight-seeing. Its owned by an American called John Daniels and is probably the finest travel-agency in Bali.
Bon Voyage!
But if you want an older hotel with atmosphere which isnt too expensive, I would heartily recommend the Bali Hyatt at Sanur, not to be confused with the Grand Hyatt in Nusa Dua (which is a 5-star ghetto). Sanur is on the east coast, so you dont get the famous Balinese sunsets....for which you could always go to Seminyak to the Oberoi for a drink, or to the Ku-de-ta bar next door. Book on the Hyatt website, or contact Bali Discovery Tours for hotels and sight-seeing. Its owned by an American called John Daniels and is probably the finest travel-agency in Bali.
Bon Voyage!
May 2nd, 2012, 03:06 PM
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$200 in Seminyak is tight, especially in August. I'd recommend The Colony. Not right on the beach but very close. Nice design, good service, well located. An excellent value.
Also look at The Seminyak Beach Resort and the Royal Beach Seminyak. These may be a little higher than your budget, but they're at the low end for "on the beach."
A little further south try The Padma.
There are also several villa groups that offer individual villas in that price range, but they tend to be smallish and further away. Quality varies.
Also look at The Seminyak Beach Resort and the Royal Beach Seminyak. These may be a little higher than your budget, but they're at the low end for "on the beach."
A little further south try The Padma.
There are also several villa groups that offer individual villas in that price range, but they tend to be smallish and further away. Quality varies.
May 2nd, 2012, 03:29 PM
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The Seminyak Beach Resort used to be the old Resor Seminyak and it was AWFUL....dont know what its like after current total make-over but it seems rather pricey....at that kind of money, the Oberoi is far preferable. As for the Royal Beach, thats the old Sofitel and its quite ordinary. Its located on that part of the beach from where it starts getting crowded and grotty as you go further south. As for villas, the "Sekar Taman 2" complex in the same area is decent value and close to the beach.
May 2nd, 2012, 04:01 PM
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The Seminyak Beach Resort has been completely rebuilt. I don't have exact figures but I believe that both the Seminyak Beach Resort and the Royal Beach are considerably less expensive than the Oberoi. [The Royal Beach is actually VERY close to the Oberoi.]
In any case, The Colony would be my first choice in the moderate price range.
In any case, The Colony would be my first choice in the moderate price range.
May 2nd, 2012, 05:54 PM
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I haven't been to Desamuda but this is exactly the kind of place that I was talking about. There are several villa complexes nearby. Maybe a 20 minute walk to the beach, or a short taxi. Not an especially attractive neighborhood, but close to a lot of restaurants, clubs, shops, spas.
Seminyak and Nusa Dua are quite different. Seminyak beach is a bigwave sunset beach. The area is a jumble of villas, restaurants, spas, clubs that has developed in no particular order. It's stylish and lively.
Nusa Dua is a long sandy stretch of beach. Good for swimming though with a very low tide. The area was purposely designed as a resort enclave and has dozens of properties in all price ranges and not much else. Many of the resorts are very nice though. Benoa is just to the north.
Getting from anywhere -- Nusa Dua, Sanur, Jimbaran -- to Seminyak can be a headache these days. So if you want to take advantage of Seminyak, stay in Seminyak.
Seminyak and Nusa Dua are quite different. Seminyak beach is a bigwave sunset beach. The area is a jumble of villas, restaurants, spas, clubs that has developed in no particular order. It's stylish and lively.
Nusa Dua is a long sandy stretch of beach. Good for swimming though with a very low tide. The area was purposely designed as a resort enclave and has dozens of properties in all price ranges and not much else. Many of the resorts are very nice though. Benoa is just to the north.
Getting from anywhere -- Nusa Dua, Sanur, Jimbaran -- to Seminyak can be a headache these days. So if you want to take advantage of Seminyak, stay in Seminyak.
May 2nd, 2012, 06:54 PM
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Marmot - Resor Seminyak was completely torn down. I was driven by there when it was nothing more than a pile of rubble at one point. The new resort is definitely 'new'. Whether it's worth the price is another matter.
I rather liked Putu Bali Villas, which was a walk from the beach, but a good price for what you got.
I rather liked Putu Bali Villas, which was a walk from the beach, but a good price for what you got.
May 2nd, 2012, 07:13 PM
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Michael, I think it was Teddy who challenged the value of the Seminyak Beach Resort. I also watched it rise from the rubble of Resor Seminyak from the vantage point of the Legian next door. Actually, I think the design outcome is fairly pathetic considering the value of the location, but it does function as a (relatively) moderately priced beachside property.
May 3rd, 2012, 03:15 AM
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Thanks for all the advice. I will definitely stay in seminyak, but am having difficulty choosing. I've looked on trip advisor and the reports seem mixed. I've read good and bad reviews on most hotels.
May 3rd, 2012, 11:08 AM
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I guess that settles that. But I'm curious about marmot's statement that the new Seminyak Beach Resort is priced much lower than the Oberoi. I'm on their website as I write this; and the cheapest rate they can offer for a 6-night stay in May (the base-category room isnt available in July) is USD 329...and thats AFTER 30% discount on their published rate of USD 470. July would be much more expensive, well into the Oberoi's range; and that is the hotel of choice.
He's right about the Royal though; it is somewhat cheaper but SO ordinary. Better (and even cheaper!) alternatives abound. Speaking of which, I must check-out The Colony....
He's right about the Royal though; it is somewhat cheaper but SO ordinary. Better (and even cheaper!) alternatives abound. Speaking of which, I must check-out The Colony....
May 3rd, 2012, 02:27 PM
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Bali hotel rates are like airline fares. If you think the person sitting next to you is paying less than you are you're probably right. There are so many deals and discounts and surcharges and adds and subtracts that range at any one time is enormous.
I'm really not a fan of the the Seminyak Beach Resort, but I think the location is among the best in Bali. The resort has several levels of accomodation so it's difficult to do an apples to apples comparison.
mich, I hope you like the Colony. It's small and understated, but loaded with charm, and the location, for a non-beach site, couldn't be better.
I'm really not a fan of the the Seminyak Beach Resort, but I think the location is among the best in Bali. The resort has several levels of accomodation so it's difficult to do an apples to apples comparison.
mich, I hope you like the Colony. It's small and understated, but loaded with charm, and the location, for a non-beach site, couldn't be better.
May 4th, 2012, 04:46 AM
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I booked it as soon as I saw their website and read the reviews on tripadvisor. I love boutique hotels, and it reminds me of the imperial hotel in Delhi. I looked at the Oberoi but 6 nights would cost $3000 and I just can't justify that. Usually in 5 star hotels all the extras cost a fortune too. I used to stay at those expensive resorts but now I just want value for money.
May 4th, 2012, 05:46 AM
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Is it cheaper to book directly with the hotel or with another site like agoda or Expedia. I booked through the hotel but now I think maybe I should have tried one of the other websites.
May 4th, 2012, 03:57 PM
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As to how to book the answer is it depends. My experience based on 3 visits and 5 hotels in Bali has been such that all but once booking directly with the hotel NOT their world-wide headquarters (which can be higher)the rate was the same or less than Agoda.com or Sawadee.com. Expedia was higher in most cases. On my upcoming trip we are staying at The Chedi Club and Agoda had the samde rate as communicating with the hotel but the hotel informed me of a special even in Dec. that for every 3 nights I only paid for 2 and because it was a pool villa we would also get round trip airport transfers and airport expedited service upon entry. If I had used Agoda I would have paid for an extra night (but The Chedi Club is not offering us anything extra for our fourth night) but we save $500+ by going to the hotel directly. Also with Agoda you have to pay up front and going directly with the hotel I only had to guarantee the 4 night reservation with a credit card.
May 4th, 2012, 06:13 PM
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I don't know which venue would give you the cheapest rate, but I agree with Stan: it's always good to forge a direct relationship with the resort. I would give the online booking agencies a try and if they're cheaper, ask the Colony to compensate.
The manager can be reached at [email protected].
Whether you spend top dollar (or rupiah) for a hotel in Bali to me depends a lot on how much you desire a beach front location. There are places to rent chairs and umbrellas -- for a nominal fee -- up and down Seminyak beach, but I can't deny that watching the waves from the confines of your resort grounds or balcony is a superior experience.
The manager can be reached at [email protected].
Whether you spend top dollar (or rupiah) for a hotel in Bali to me depends a lot on how much you desire a beach front location. There are places to rent chairs and umbrellas -- for a nominal fee -- up and down Seminyak beach, but I can't deny that watching the waves from the confines of your resort grounds or balcony is a superior experience.
