bali accomodations
Jul 2nd, 2007, 04:09 PM
#42
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Bob -- -- sorry, this thread for awhile !
I'll second Becalm's recommendation of Prapen -- by far the very best silver jewelry I saw in Bali and a wide range of designs, traditional to modern.
Threads of Life in Ubud is worth visiting if only to see some truly exquisite weaving - prices are not cheap but they have some wonderful things and because they support island weavers in Indonesia, a great deal of knowledge about what they sell.
Jengala Ceramics in Jimbaran has very interesting dishes, vases and dinnerware, they also have some unique teapots and tea cups for smaller, more easily transported souvenirs.
There's a very nice bath products/perfume/incense shop at the bottom of Monkey Forest road called Paras that packages all the traditional scrubs and oils at a fraction of their price at the big resorts. The frangipani incense takes me right back to Bali - and they packaged them with these adorable little ceramic holders.
Those were my favorites -- also bought a good deal of folk art in Sukawati and in another shop on Monkey Forest Road and some pretty beachy Balinese lace edged things at Uluwatu Lace there -- they have shops in other parts of Bali too.
I'm so envious -- I think this year will be Cambodia for us -- it's time to do that before it gets even more developed than it already is.
I'll second Becalm's recommendation of Prapen -- by far the very best silver jewelry I saw in Bali and a wide range of designs, traditional to modern.
Threads of Life in Ubud is worth visiting if only to see some truly exquisite weaving - prices are not cheap but they have some wonderful things and because they support island weavers in Indonesia, a great deal of knowledge about what they sell.
Jengala Ceramics in Jimbaran has very interesting dishes, vases and dinnerware, they also have some unique teapots and tea cups for smaller, more easily transported souvenirs.
There's a very nice bath products/perfume/incense shop at the bottom of Monkey Forest road called Paras that packages all the traditional scrubs and oils at a fraction of their price at the big resorts. The frangipani incense takes me right back to Bali - and they packaged them with these adorable little ceramic holders.
Those were my favorites -- also bought a good deal of folk art in Sukawati and in another shop on Monkey Forest Road and some pretty beachy Balinese lace edged things at Uluwatu Lace there -- they have shops in other parts of Bali too.
I'm so envious -- I think this year will be Cambodia for us -- it's time to do that before it gets even more developed than it already is.
Aug 7th, 2007, 08:15 PM
#47
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so just to update, karen and i are all set with quinci for 3 nites in #5...#8 is already taken for next may...
we also have settled on alum shanti for several nites in the ubud area with the gpandas....it looks fabulous and has an affordable price...i still would prefer DC's villa but think for this year we would not want to be that far from town...
we still have not settled on our final beach destination, but expect it will be sanur as you see from gpanda's seperate post today.....any suggestions for 4 nites for us and more for them??
thanks
bob
we also have settled on alum shanti for several nites in the ubud area with the gpandas....it looks fabulous and has an affordable price...i still would prefer DC's villa but think for this year we would not want to be that far from town...
we still have not settled on our final beach destination, but expect it will be sanur as you see from gpanda's seperate post today.....any suggestions for 4 nites for us and more for them??
thanks
bob
Sep 19th, 2007, 12:26 PM
#48
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Hi there! My fiance and I are looking at Bali for our honeymoon. His parents have a time share which has a property, the Royal beach club at candi dasa. anyone ever stay there or in the area? I cant seem to find a lot of information about it.. any advice would help! thanks!
Sep 19th, 2007, 12:44 PM
#49
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You might find more up to date Bali info at www.balitravelforum.com
Sep 20th, 2007, 07:09 PM
#50
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for our last days on bali we will be sharing the family bungalow with the gpandas at Tandjung Sari on sanur beach......there may never be a boston GTG again....
we are really looking forward to it....
we are really looking forward to it....
Jan 20th, 2008, 10:52 PM
#53
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rhkkmk:
Did I miss your trip report? I'd love to read more details from your actual trip to Bali.
hagelslag:
Can't help noticing you name as hagelslag used to be my favorite sandwich condiment till I discovered nutella.
Did I miss your trip report? I'd love to read more details from your actual trip to Bali.
hagelslag:
Can't help noticing you name as hagelslag used to be my favorite sandwich condiment till I discovered nutella.
Dec 11th, 2008, 04:41 PM
#55
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i did do a full trip report around the first week in july....click on my name to find it...
i keep misspelling qunci villas....its a fantastic place...can't wait to return...
we stayed at alam shanti outside ubud which we found fantastic and cheap (now $150+ per nite)... we also stayed at puri santrain in sanur and tandjung sari also in sanur....the last two are older properties right on the beach, both are well kept up...on another stay i might prefer the club room at PS however....our room was quite dark and old fashioned, but we did enjoy the place...
at TS we had the family bungalow near to the restaurant, pool and beach which was quite fantastic for two couples or a family...
i keep misspelling qunci villas....its a fantastic place...can't wait to return...
we stayed at alam shanti outside ubud which we found fantastic and cheap (now $150+ per nite)... we also stayed at puri santrain in sanur and tandjung sari also in sanur....the last two are older properties right on the beach, both are well kept up...on another stay i might prefer the club room at PS however....our room was quite dark and old fashioned, but we did enjoy the place...
at TS we had the family bungalow near to the restaurant, pool and beach which was quite fantastic for two couples or a family...
Dec 18th, 2008, 11:59 AM
#56
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I noticed that many people on this message board have really good things to say about Alam Shanti. I checked out the reviews for this hotel on TripAdvisor as well, and again the responses were very positive, however I did not the following two reviews. I was wondering if anyone who has stayed there could comment on these reviews specifically. Thanks.
Review 1 from Sep-07
I thought I would just have to write a review of this hotel to offer an 'alternative' view so as to hopefully prevent others from making the same mistake we did in booking a room here.
I booked a rice paddy view room (Gangga) for a short stay in Ubud after reading all the fabulous reviews on this website. I realised that it was 'ultra cheap' but thought that this was simply due to the fact that it was a small, privately owned place - and their website looked beautiful. We love Bali & were looking forward to another great holiday.
After a nice relaxing stay on the coast we transfered to Ubud and got our first sighting of the Alam Shanti. Yes the grounds are lovely and well tended and the 'villas' look delightful but thats where the 'georgeousness' stops!
The bedding was tired and grey and so were the towels (which incidently are extremely small and thin). The mosquito nets around the beds were far from clean (one had what looked remarkably like a blood stain on it) and the bathroom curtains had black mould growing on them. There was an old cigarette butt in the outside shower area which remained for the 3 days that we were there and the 'sanitary' bin in the bathroom wasn't emptied until I deliberately left it open! Yes, there were lots of flowers placed around around the bedroom and bathroom but what is the point of spending time doing that if basic cleaning is neglected??
As for breakfast, I'm sorry but I just don't understand how people can rave about this - mostly inedible - meal. On our first morning we ordered just about everything between us but by our third & last morning we were down to one or two items (& we even left that). My daughter ordered fresh orange juice one morning only to receive very bright orange squash! The event that put the icing on the cake happened on our last morning when our breakfast was delivered and the young girl dropped the chilli sauce bottle on the mat on the floor of the balcony - it sprayed sauce everywhere but she just picked it up, put it on our table, smiled and left us to it!!!
Really sorry folks but this is NOT paradise - we have stayed all over the world in small, medium & large properties & believe me, on the whole, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR & this is a classic example. Remember, it is very cheap so if you want a 'rustic' balinese homestead experience with lovely gardens and don't mind dirty bathrooms, mould, grubby bedrooms, aweful breakfasts etc then this will be for you.
(By the way - we did like the restaurant close by - also owned by members of the family - seemed to be on a different wavelength in terms of cleanliness, service and quality of food. Can also recommend their cooking class - really good.)
Review no 2 from July 2008:
When we first looked at the Alam Shanti on the internet, it looked great, and a real chance to experience Balinese cultures first hand. In fact I loved it when we were first shown our room.
We stayed in the Gangaa room, the largest suite, and at first the intricate Balinese beds and beautiful views off the balcony looked impressive. But on further examination of one of the beds, there was a stain on one of the mosquito nets that looked very much like blood, and the day beds were dirty.
Going into the open air bathroom, and what at first looked like two fun looking outdoor showers later turned out to be a hosepipe through a stone statue, and there was a cigarette butt on the ledge next to the other one. Also the sanitary bin had not been emptied for two days.
The infinity pool overlooked gorgeous wildlife and rice terraces, but the basin at the side of the pool, to collect the overflowing water, was filthy and probably had never been cleaned out. I was also not the only living creature in the pool at many occasions; looking around I saw many alive bugs and insects in the pool; something which a simple cleaning once or twice a day would have looked after.
The staff were very friendly, although what i feel let the place down most was the fact that there was no on site restaurant. Consequently I did not enjoy my limited choice of breakfast foods.
However, on a good note, i would like to reccomend a small restaurant just down the road from the Alam Shanti called Laka Leke; here we ate every night and even took a Balinese cooking class. Laka Leke was a nice escape from the Alam Shanti, but it still retained it's Balinese features, in a cleaner fashion.
Review 1 from Sep-07
I thought I would just have to write a review of this hotel to offer an 'alternative' view so as to hopefully prevent others from making the same mistake we did in booking a room here.
I booked a rice paddy view room (Gangga) for a short stay in Ubud after reading all the fabulous reviews on this website. I realised that it was 'ultra cheap' but thought that this was simply due to the fact that it was a small, privately owned place - and their website looked beautiful. We love Bali & were looking forward to another great holiday.
After a nice relaxing stay on the coast we transfered to Ubud and got our first sighting of the Alam Shanti. Yes the grounds are lovely and well tended and the 'villas' look delightful but thats where the 'georgeousness' stops!
The bedding was tired and grey and so were the towels (which incidently are extremely small and thin). The mosquito nets around the beds were far from clean (one had what looked remarkably like a blood stain on it) and the bathroom curtains had black mould growing on them. There was an old cigarette butt in the outside shower area which remained for the 3 days that we were there and the 'sanitary' bin in the bathroom wasn't emptied until I deliberately left it open! Yes, there were lots of flowers placed around around the bedroom and bathroom but what is the point of spending time doing that if basic cleaning is neglected??
As for breakfast, I'm sorry but I just don't understand how people can rave about this - mostly inedible - meal. On our first morning we ordered just about everything between us but by our third & last morning we were down to one or two items (& we even left that). My daughter ordered fresh orange juice one morning only to receive very bright orange squash! The event that put the icing on the cake happened on our last morning when our breakfast was delivered and the young girl dropped the chilli sauce bottle on the mat on the floor of the balcony - it sprayed sauce everywhere but she just picked it up, put it on our table, smiled and left us to it!!!
Really sorry folks but this is NOT paradise - we have stayed all over the world in small, medium & large properties & believe me, on the whole, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR & this is a classic example. Remember, it is very cheap so if you want a 'rustic' balinese homestead experience with lovely gardens and don't mind dirty bathrooms, mould, grubby bedrooms, aweful breakfasts etc then this will be for you.
(By the way - we did like the restaurant close by - also owned by members of the family - seemed to be on a different wavelength in terms of cleanliness, service and quality of food. Can also recommend their cooking class - really good.)
Review no 2 from July 2008:
When we first looked at the Alam Shanti on the internet, it looked great, and a real chance to experience Balinese cultures first hand. In fact I loved it when we were first shown our room.
We stayed in the Gangaa room, the largest suite, and at first the intricate Balinese beds and beautiful views off the balcony looked impressive. But on further examination of one of the beds, there was a stain on one of the mosquito nets that looked very much like blood, and the day beds were dirty.
Going into the open air bathroom, and what at first looked like two fun looking outdoor showers later turned out to be a hosepipe through a stone statue, and there was a cigarette butt on the ledge next to the other one. Also the sanitary bin had not been emptied for two days.
The infinity pool overlooked gorgeous wildlife and rice terraces, but the basin at the side of the pool, to collect the overflowing water, was filthy and probably had never been cleaned out. I was also not the only living creature in the pool at many occasions; looking around I saw many alive bugs and insects in the pool; something which a simple cleaning once or twice a day would have looked after.
The staff were very friendly, although what i feel let the place down most was the fact that there was no on site restaurant. Consequently I did not enjoy my limited choice of breakfast foods.
However, on a good note, i would like to reccomend a small restaurant just down the road from the Alam Shanti called Laka Leke; here we ate every night and even took a Balinese cooking class. Laka Leke was a nice escape from the Alam Shanti, but it still retained it's Balinese features, in a cleaner fashion.
Dec 18th, 2008, 01:48 PM
#57
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Count us among the positives for the Alam Shanti. We also stayed in the Gaanga room and thought it was great. No elements ofuncleanliness whatsoever. It is not a 5 star with all the amenities, but it is a superb place. We actually really enjoyed the breakfast.
I think:
de gustibus non disputandum est.
I'm sure Don will correct me if I'm wrong.
I think:
de gustibus non disputandum est.
I'm sure Don will correct me if I'm wrong.
Dec 18th, 2008, 02:35 PM
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Apura,
Since you are using points, stay at Laguna or Westin. I have friends that stayed at Westin and Lagua. According to them It it nice and you will have amenities since is a bigger resort. Unless you want something small. It could be me but i prefered resorts that have more selection to chose from such as different restaurants, bigger grounds/lush landscaping and etc. Alam Shanti is a small place and what Bob (rhkkmk) told me not all window shut completely at the room. So is a personal preference. I like peace and quiet while I am trying to sleep
Since you are using points, stay at Laguna or Westin. I have friends that stayed at Westin and Lagua. According to them It it nice and you will have amenities since is a bigger resort. Unless you want something small. It could be me but i prefered resorts that have more selection to chose from such as different restaurants, bigger grounds/lush landscaping and etc. Alam Shanti is a small place and what Bob (rhkkmk) told me not all window shut completely at the room. So is a personal preference. I like peace and quiet while I am trying to sleep
Dec 18th, 2008, 06:22 PM
#59
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this is interesting....does anyone notice how similar the two reports are?? there is no shower curtain in the gangga room....the catch basis below the pool is in a rain forrest area and covered with moss and yes leaves and debris does get into it....that is what a filter is for...
the breakfasts were simply wonderful...not a buffet like at a big hotel but very adequate and delisiously cooked to order for you and beautifully served...
is it the four seasons?? no and does not pretend to be but at 1/4 the price it is a steal... $150 is not cheap, just reasonable...
the windows all close fully but they are on wooden slide tracks and are hard to use....we left the a/c on all the time and had no use for the mosquitos curatins.... coils were lit each evening around the room just outside...
if you did not find the room clean shame on you for not reporting it to the owners who would have cleaned it in minutes!!!
i would go back in a heartbeat!!
the breakfasts were simply wonderful...not a buffet like at a big hotel but very adequate and delisiously cooked to order for you and beautifully served...
is it the four seasons?? no and does not pretend to be but at 1/4 the price it is a steal... $150 is not cheap, just reasonable...
the windows all close fully but they are on wooden slide tracks and are hard to use....we left the a/c on all the time and had no use for the mosquitos curatins.... coils were lit each evening around the room just outside...
if you did not find the room clean shame on you for not reporting it to the owners who would have cleaned it in minutes!!!
i would go back in a heartbeat!!
