Bali Honeymoon. Got 3/4 places decided on, struggling on the last...HELP!
 

Hey everyone! I keep posting here because I am going insane trying to make a decision! Background: Honeymoon for 16 nights Sept/Oct, 29 y/o, from Canada, looking for upscale, romantic, luxury, cultural experiences... I know a lot of activities will be done out of UBUD and I will find my upscale restaurants on the beach in Seminyak but I would like to go somewhere that's different that will offer us things to do and will give us the "magic" of Bali without being overly touristy. Not into snorkelling or scuba diving or intense hikes otherwise we are up for everything. We would like to have something to do at night (other then partying)

This is the plan:
3 Nights in Sanur to recover from Jetlag and relax after wedding
3 Nights: HELP. Candi Dasa (worth it if we don't like fish?), Amed, Gili T, Nusa Lembongan (boring?), Lovina, Uluwatu (probably can just see this while in Seminyak)
6 Nights: UBUD
4 Nights: Seminyak

Please someone help me make this decision! lol I have been researching for weeks and I just cannot decide for the life of me. Will any of these places give a different spin from what I already have?

if you're looking for luxury I would say no to Candi Dasa and Lovina and maybe to Amed. I haven't been to Amed recently so I can't give you a personal recommendation, but it's very popular among my expat friends. The Amankila and Alila Manggis which are in between Candi Dasa and Amed would be good suggestions with access to the culture of east Bali. The beaches aren't great, but the scenery is lovely and there are a lot of nearby cultural attractions.

There are several beautiful resorts in the Uluwatu area, which I might tend to choose for recovering from jetlag and isolated relaxation.

Have you selected your resorts for Sanur, Ubud and Seminyak? If you'd let me know what you've already settled on I could suggest something that would provide a different experience.

Yeah, I think Lovina is probably out. What about Quini Villas in Lombok? Would you say it's too far of a trek for only 3 nights? I do not have them booked but I have some in mind. I booked the Chedi in UBUD which can be canceled for free if you have another option :)

I'm not sure if it helps but instead of looking at the options and getting overwhelmed, there are after all a LOT of hotels in Bali! I'm look at what do you want to do with the 16 days, what are you looking for in the holiday? Divide up the time and then pick the destinations that suit. For example are you looking for destination luxury? E .g.: some hotels are so fabulous it's all about them. It doesn't make where they are only that they are. Are you looking to do some sightseeing, if so pick a destination that is well located for temples, volcano etc. Are you looking for a spa some quiet and time to recover from jet lag, pick a hotel just for this.

There are a lot of honeymoon style hotels in Bali at a lot of different price points. In many ways at the high end the hotel is the destination

In terms of upscale restaurants don't forget Mosaic in Udbud

i haven't been to Qunci Villas myself, but they're generally well liked, and the beaches in that part of Lombok are quite nice.

The Chedi Ubud has beautiful grounds and great facilities. It's a very well run property. I'm kind of lukewarm on the rooms. Also, it doesn't have the wonderful valley views that you get in the resorts along the Ayung River like the 4 Seasons or Como Shambhala.

I'd agree with welltraveledbrit, that you should think about what you're looking for in a resort. If I were you I'd go with three rather than four destinations. Four places in 16 days is, to me at least, too much moving around. My choices would be Lombok, Ubud and Seminyak (but that's just me) and in that order.

That way you could fly right into Lombok and do your relaxing and jetlag recovery on the beach. Then take a fast ferry to Pandang Bai, which isn't too far from Ubud and spend a week exploring culture and nature. And then finish up in vibrant Seminyak, which is also not too far from the airport.

In Lombok Qunci is a good choice. Oberoi, Lombok Lodge and Jeeva Klui are also worth taking a look at.

In Ubud there are many excellent choices: The Chedi, but also Four Seasons, Como Shambhala, the Alila's valley view suites, Kayu Manis and the Samaya come to mind.

In Seminyak I'm a Legian fan (the regular rooms not the villas), though there many beautiful villas that are near, but not right on, the beach.

You guys are actually so helpful. Thank you so much! I feel like I have a better idea of what I would like now.

Love Qunci villas on Lombok... Idyllic place to stay...and the good is amazing....

I vote for qunci villas on Lombok as well... it is fab and a great relaxation point after jet lague. no need to ever leave the property.

I too vote for a max of 3 places

fyi... most all places on bali can be reached by day tripping from a central place like ubud..

make sure to hire a driver like putu for a couple of days of touring..

MyBaliFriend.com

Marmot, would you mind recommending some Villas in Seminyak that would be luxurious and honeymoon worthy?