Bali Honeymoon Help
Oct 28th, 2016, 12:20 PM
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Bali Honeymoon Help
We are planning a 14 day Honeymoon to Bali in August. We want luxury hotels and some with a Balinese feel but are looking for a mix of resorts.
Any thoughts on any of this would be helpful...
Starting in Nusa Dua to recover from the wedding and jet lag staying at the St. Regis? I keep reading that it's a sterile tourist city but we are only going to be here for 3 nights and will be looking to just relax by the pool and beach.
Then moving onto Ubud - staying at the Como Shambhala Estate. Is this hotel apporpriate for honeymooners? Is it worth the price?
Then staying in Seminyak at the Oberoi or Legian? Keep reading reviews that keep swaying my decision?
Should we skio Nusa Dua and do Lombok instead or perhaps go to the Amankilla in Manggis?
Any info would be appreciated. I want to book everything and stop obsessing over everything! Overall, I just want the most amazing honeymoon possible.
Thank you in advance!!
Any thoughts on any of this would be helpful...
Starting in Nusa Dua to recover from the wedding and jet lag staying at the St. Regis? I keep reading that it's a sterile tourist city but we are only going to be here for 3 nights and will be looking to just relax by the pool and beach.
Then moving onto Ubud - staying at the Como Shambhala Estate. Is this hotel apporpriate for honeymooners? Is it worth the price?
Then staying in Seminyak at the Oberoi or Legian? Keep reading reviews that keep swaying my decision?
Should we skio Nusa Dua and do Lombok instead or perhaps go to the Amankilla in Manggis?
Any info would be appreciated. I want to book everything and stop obsessing over everything! Overall, I just want the most amazing honeymoon possible.
Thank you in advance!!
Oct 28th, 2016, 01:39 PM
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I would skip Nusa Dua - a sterile tourist enclave for people who want to say they have been to Bali but don't want to experience being in Indonesia. Choose two locations to stay - one inland near Ubud, one at a beach, Semiyak is the favorite beach location of many (including our resident expert here, marmot, who now lives on Bali). If you wanted to, you could start in Seminyak, move to Ubud, then stay again in Seminyak before you fly out. Marmot often recommends the Como as a honeymoon-worthy place. She also loves The Legian. If I remember correctly, there are two places with similar names (Legian) so make sure which one you are booking.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the places you have mentioned except for Nusa Dua. And while I love Lombok, it takes up a lot of time getting there - most of a day.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the places you have mentioned except for Nusa Dua. And while I love Lombok, it takes up a lot of time getting there - most of a day.
Oct 28th, 2016, 05:16 PM
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I'm quite familiar with all the resorts you're looking at, but I'll have to get back to you on Monday when I have better computer access. For now I'd say my top choices would be the Legian, Como and Amankila. I would also suggest you look at Uma Ubud and private villas in Seminyak. See Elite Haven's website for villas.
Oct 29th, 2016, 03:27 PM
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We used Bali Luxury Villas for our villa in Seminyak. Gorgeous Villa Shambala across the street from Ku Da Ta and the beach. We were a family of 8 so this villa is way too big, but lots of choices for honeymooners. I second Seminyak and Ubud. We did the Komeneka Bisma in Ubud but lots of great choices already suggested. Good luck. It sounds exciting!
Oct 31st, 2016, 01:37 AM
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All of the resorts that you've targeted are excellent choices. I can give you some pluses and minuses, but really, you can't go wrong with any of them
The Legian, Seminyak. This is my favorite beach resort. It's situated right on the beach, and all of the rooms have big balconies or terraces with ocean views. The infinity pool overlooking the sea is big and beautiful and the grounds extensive and serene. Nice spa, good food, excellent service, understated sophisticated design, phenomenal sunsets. Within walking distance of many of Bali's best restaurants, spas, shops and clubs. The ocean here is a big wave surfing beach, at times too rough for swimming. The best rooms are on the upper (third or fourth) levels. Taking an elevator in Bali always seems odd to me, but the ocean views are worth it. They also have separate villas, but these are not on the ocean.
The Oberoi, Seminyak. On same stretch of beach as Legian so same long and wide sandy beach, big surf, sunsets and accessibility to restaurants, shops etc. The rooms, many of which are separate villas, are set among a very large and lush garden, so no direct ocean views from the rooms, but plenty of greenery. One of the oldest resorts in Seminyak. Well maintained but the design (rooms, pool, restaurant) is somewhat dated.
Como Shambhala Ubud. The resort is situated in a huge tropical estate overlooking a gorgeous river valley. One of the prettiest settings you could hope to experience. The rooms grouped in residences of 3 or 4 rooms which. share common areas and a good sized pool. Each residence and individual room is uniquely and wonderfully designed. The public areas, spa, pools, restaurants are equally stunning. Getting to the spectacular riverside spa and pool entails going down -- and up -- a lot of steps. The rest of the resort including the other main pool, restaurants and spa are easily accessible. The resort has a wellness theme and offers lots of health (mental and physical) conscious activities and menus. The location is about 30 to 45 minutes from the center of Ubud town and getting in and out can get tiresome.
Uma Ubud. This resort is part of the same group as Como Shambhala, but is located on the outskirts of Ubud town within walking distance to a lot of activities and a short taxi ride to the town center. Nicely designed rooms with lovely green views, beautiful pool and spa and very good food. A young, hip clientele.
Amankila, East Bali. This is a beautifully designed all-villa resort set on the side of a cliff overlooking the sea. The villas are lovely with stunning ocean and sunrise views and big terraces. The beach is black sand and swimmable, though hot as blazes. Two nice big pools. Like all Amans, impeccable service, good food, lots of activities (all quite pricey though). East Bali has a lot of culture, art and nature oriented appeal. The resort itself is somewhat set apart and to get to outside restaurants or shops requires arranging transport.
Private villas. There are private villas -- both free standing and parts of villa complexes -- all over Bali with hundred in the Seminyak/Canggu area. With a private villa you get complete privacy (though usually not an ocean view) and a staff -- butler, chef, driver, maid -- to wait on you 24/7. Size and luxe level vary but most have private pools and tropical gardens.
St. Regis, Nusa Dua. I haven't been to the St. Regis, but I'm not a great fan of Nusa Dua because it's so far away from everything you might want to do. The long sandy beach is good for swimming except at low tide when it is very shallow. If your objective is to retreat into a luxurious cocoon while you recover from jet lag, I think you could make a case for any of the other resorts as well. They can be as serene and secluded as you wish, while still offering options when you want to venture out.
I haven't spent much time lately in Lombok or the Gilis so I can't give you a comparison. The Oberoi Lombok is a lovely property, but getting there can take up most of a day. I agree, you could easily fill up two weeks in Bali.
The Legian, Seminyak. This is my favorite beach resort. It's situated right on the beach, and all of the rooms have big balconies or terraces with ocean views. The infinity pool overlooking the sea is big and beautiful and the grounds extensive and serene. Nice spa, good food, excellent service, understated sophisticated design, phenomenal sunsets. Within walking distance of many of Bali's best restaurants, spas, shops and clubs. The ocean here is a big wave surfing beach, at times too rough for swimming. The best rooms are on the upper (third or fourth) levels. Taking an elevator in Bali always seems odd to me, but the ocean views are worth it. They also have separate villas, but these are not on the ocean.
The Oberoi, Seminyak. On same stretch of beach as Legian so same long and wide sandy beach, big surf, sunsets and accessibility to restaurants, shops etc. The rooms, many of which are separate villas, are set among a very large and lush garden, so no direct ocean views from the rooms, but plenty of greenery. One of the oldest resorts in Seminyak. Well maintained but the design (rooms, pool, restaurant) is somewhat dated.
Como Shambhala Ubud. The resort is situated in a huge tropical estate overlooking a gorgeous river valley. One of the prettiest settings you could hope to experience. The rooms grouped in residences of 3 or 4 rooms which. share common areas and a good sized pool. Each residence and individual room is uniquely and wonderfully designed. The public areas, spa, pools, restaurants are equally stunning. Getting to the spectacular riverside spa and pool entails going down -- and up -- a lot of steps. The rest of the resort including the other main pool, restaurants and spa are easily accessible. The resort has a wellness theme and offers lots of health (mental and physical) conscious activities and menus. The location is about 30 to 45 minutes from the center of Ubud town and getting in and out can get tiresome.
Uma Ubud. This resort is part of the same group as Como Shambhala, but is located on the outskirts of Ubud town within walking distance to a lot of activities and a short taxi ride to the town center. Nicely designed rooms with lovely green views, beautiful pool and spa and very good food. A young, hip clientele.
Amankila, East Bali. This is a beautifully designed all-villa resort set on the side of a cliff overlooking the sea. The villas are lovely with stunning ocean and sunrise views and big terraces. The beach is black sand and swimmable, though hot as blazes. Two nice big pools. Like all Amans, impeccable service, good food, lots of activities (all quite pricey though). East Bali has a lot of culture, art and nature oriented appeal. The resort itself is somewhat set apart and to get to outside restaurants or shops requires arranging transport.
Private villas. There are private villas -- both free standing and parts of villa complexes -- all over Bali with hundred in the Seminyak/Canggu area. With a private villa you get complete privacy (though usually not an ocean view) and a staff -- butler, chef, driver, maid -- to wait on you 24/7. Size and luxe level vary but most have private pools and tropical gardens.
St. Regis, Nusa Dua. I haven't been to the St. Regis, but I'm not a great fan of Nusa Dua because it's so far away from everything you might want to do. The long sandy beach is good for swimming except at low tide when it is very shallow. If your objective is to retreat into a luxurious cocoon while you recover from jet lag, I think you could make a case for any of the other resorts as well. They can be as serene and secluded as you wish, while still offering options when you want to venture out.
I haven't spent much time lately in Lombok or the Gilis so I can't give you a comparison. The Oberoi Lombok is a lovely property, but getting there can take up most of a day. I agree, you could easily fill up two weeks in Bali.
Nov 2nd, 2016, 11:17 PM
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The Seminyak Beach Resort is right next to the Legian so same beach, same neighborhood. I would say that it's a notch down from the Legian in luxury and quite a bit down in design and ambience. I haven't stayed there myself so can only comment from the outside. If it's considerably less expensive than the Legian it may be a good value just based on the location.
