Alam Shanti
 

A question to anyone who has stayed at Alam Shanti (so Bob (rhkkmk ) & Andy (gpanda)) I'd greatly appreciate your thoughts ....
There is a new house they have done up as part of Alam Shanti, called Lumbung. On their web site they say this is 190metres from the main reception/pool - so its secluded & peaceful, but on the other hand away from the main area. Any thoughts as to how this would be as you already know how the complex is set out?

Thanks

i will be there in less than 2 weeks and will be reporting on it...

i did see the new building on the website...

it should be fine i think...

there really is no "main area" to their plot....there is the spa as you come down the drive from the street.....then after a short distance you reach the informal lobby area---really just a covered area with a couple of tables and a small office....then from there the gardens begin and the buildings are set back from them towards the rice paddy....

the new pool appears to be in back of the spa and the office, but i am not sure of that...

you can take your breakfast at the office covered area or have it delivered....we always had it delivered to our porch and will do the same this time...

did you also note that the original pool is now a private pool for gangga and yunanna (sp) rooms? this is a real lux treat i think....

this time we will stay 3 days in yunanna and then 2 nights in one of the other units....

while we were there on the property we spent all our time in the rooms or at the pool, so unlike a big resort that has lots of open areas this small settlement has none of that...

its all very private, quiet and peaceful...

the shuttle service is fantastic

Bob, thanks for your thoughts - can I just check on something?
Yes, I'd noticed that Gangga & Yamuna have their own pool & the price is good - but we just need one room. Do you think its ok to book for just one room - I guess this set up is mainly made for friends/family sharing.

How does the shuttle service work?

rhk- when do you arrive in ubud?

You can book either the Gangga or the Yamuna. We are in the Yamuna this time. We like the Gangga better as it is on the second floor and a little better view of the rice fields. Both have lovely front porches to eat breakfast on.

As for the shuttle you call the desk, tell them what time you want to go into town . Sometimes you have to wait 15 min or so if the driver is on another run, but it is a small area. We took a hotel card with us to dinner, had the restuarant or a shop call the hotel and they came and picked us up. Worked very well.

Go ahead and book Gangga. It is a wonderful room. Beth and I satyed there for a few days before Bob and Karen showed up.

Concerning a new building, things are so speard out at the AS that a new building will have little effect

each room in each building is a totally seperate unit with seperate exterior entrances..

if you don't like stairs ask for a first floor unit, but the stairs are not a problem at all really...

we arrive at alam shanti on may 20 and depart on the 24th.. we will have a phone but i don't have the sim card yet

Laartista...I am interested in visiting small silver places in Ubud area that sell to the public...not just a wholesaler. We plan to visit Pra Pen, any others of this ilk? We went to John Hardy last trip...interesting, but pricey.

Hope we can GTG while we are in Ubud.

aw shoot, will just miss u guys! i leave to head back the 19th!

kmk- to be honest i manufacture my own jewelry here now so i really don't look in the stores and am not really familiar, i'll look around though and post back as to who has interesting stuff. Alot of it is standard and not much variation. There are some more unique shops IMO down in Seminyak, which is actually where my expat friend who lives in Ubud shops. And again IMO I think the prices are now lower in Seminyak than in Ubud except at the market here where you must bargain hard because they will come at you with outrageous prices at first. There is another market where more locals shop it's in Sukawati, better prices there.

Thanks for all of your replies.

Bob & Andy, I did nearly get Gangga, but just this morning got an email to say they had unfortunatly misread and the cancellation was for September & not October when we need. So got all excited about that lovely room but looks like it won't be possible, although I have given some other dates (we have a bit of flexibility as going to a wedding in Jakarta).

Bob, Karen, hope you have a great time, and look forward to hearing about your travels in this area. Andy, take care & hope you are getting near to sorting out your next holiday.

Karen, if you see any nice shops (I would like to know about nice silver too)please let me know.

really, all of the rooms at AS are very nice....but those two G & Y are exceptional

kmkrnn,
Check out Seraphim on Monkey forest Rd in Ubud....I got a beautiful handmade pendant with various stones in it...it went with the Hardy type chain I had bought earlier at Prapen. The designer was in shop and did negotiate on the price for cash. I thought it was lovely, unique and a very good price.

Beware if you shop at Biasma, recommended by Luxe, in Seminyak/Kuta. Lovely cotton clothing...however the sundress i bought (which had loose flowing organza 1 " ribbons coming off the bodice) started to unravel the night I wore it (the ribbons weren't hemmed or finished along the sides)....my husband said it felt like he was walking next to cobwebs. When in Ubud, I had the hotel clerk call to see if I could return it because it was falling apart. I was told "that was their design". So shame of me for not inspecting it closer....buyer beware. I was going to stop payment on the credit, but I like the dress so am going to replace all the ribbons in the US....good job for a rainy day! It wasn't cheap though, so this was a very disappointing experience with them.

Hi All,

I'm going to stay at Alam Shanti in 2 weeks time and wanted to get the SARASWATI room initially but they are full. They offered me Lumbung instead. I know it's new but it's 190meters from the pool and I really wonder how far is it really? Janev, have you stayed at Lumbung yet? The place is so new that it's hard to get any review on it.

Clarelim, no we haven't yet been to Ubud (not till October) - but see "RHK's start spring Asia trip, sadly sans Gpanda's " and Bob (rhkkmk) and Karen who were staying there have both commented specifically on Lumbumg from when they were staying at Alam Shanti - I guess you could also search Lumbung.

clare....it is not too far...lets see if you walk a normal pace i think it might take 2-3 minutes between L and new pool... its not far, i am just lazy...

btw, after several weeks in bali i still rate AS as my personal favorite hotel overall...

What's the difference between Alam Shanti vs Alam Sari. IS one better than the other?

not really sure but from pics, some of alam sari looks a bit more western... alam shanti is all bali... alam shanti is small with about 10-12 units, the other seems larger...