Lori

Have recently started researching Bali for my first time next year and I'm starting to feel that maybe I'm too late. Posts on balitravelforum.com are from teenagers going go for "cheap stuff" and wanting to know where to get their acrylic nails refilled. (I'm not kidding) Also, posts on this site seem to be from travelers staying in high end hotels looking for a more touristy vacation. Now, I'm not looking to slum aroung Bali on a hostel budget, but can anyone recommend a starting point for a more cultural experience?

Andrea

There are an infinite number of ways one can approach Bali - the three main groups are proabably just as you said: budget backpackers looking for the best deal OR partying, high end tourists staying at $500 US + per night resorts, and, well, the middle group (where we fell).

It's pretty easy to plan a vacation in the middle group. I'd recommend you avoid Kuta (too touristy, too much partying) and Nusa Dua (where we stayed - very quiet and relaxing, but since it's a government created resort area, it's not "real" Bali - pretty removed from the culture).

But don't worry - you can definately plan a vacation on any budget that is cultural in nature. I've generally found this forum to be pretty receptive of people of all budgets - if you post "Recommendations for hotel in X for X per night?" you should get some recommendations.

Mike

I was in Bali in 1998 and stayed at a place called the Casa Padma Hotel which was an exceptional moderately priced hotel (around $40/night). It was clean, comfortable, close to the beach and some nightlife (but far enough away to have a quiets nights rest), a pleasant staff, and had good breakfasts. I recently found them online again as I was condsidering going back to Bali and from the looks of it, it looks like its still about the same. Hope this helps.

Belinda

Lori: Just avoid Kuta which is Bali's party place and stay on Karon or Kata beach.
If you want it more secluded, stay on Bang Tao beach.

sue

Hi,
That's funny,i thought we passed by kata,karen and bang tao while we were in Phuket !!!!!!!
sue

Kathie

I always recommend staying at Sanur. The Bali Hyatt there is my fave. It's surrounded by well-established gardens, and nothing is higher than a palm tree. For US $120 a night you can stay in a Regency Club room and have your breakfast and cocktails & hors d'ouvres in the evening included. For about $80 you can stay in thei least expensive room.

Sanur is convenient to many parts of the island.

Lots of people like staying in Ubud. It's not my favorite, but that's another way to go.

I love Bali. It's a wonderful cultural experience.

Belinda

sue, you're so right!!
It was getting late over here (Europe), when I wrote my message. My bad, so sorry. I tend to mix up the places in Phuket and Bali.
Of course, Kata, Karon and Bang Tao are on Phuket Island.
Ok, Sanur is my favourite spot on Bali. The Bali Hyatt, like Kathie.

Made

Bali does indeed have a wide range of travellers, many if not the majority of them stay in hotels with prices ranging from $10 to $50 per night. Usually these hotels have amenities such as fan or A/C, sometimes pool, and sometimes including breakfast, etc. Hotels in the range of $100 and up are considered 4 or five star and are indeed comfortable and can be pretty luxurious, although not at the top of the range for Bali.

There are so many hotels in all price ranges in Bali, in fact, you don't really need to make your hotel reservations in advance. In areas like Sanur and even Ubud there are wonderful hotels and they almost always have vacaancies. Not only that, if you walk up and look at the rooms yourself you will be able to see if the location and amenities are to your liking and you can usually get a slightly better price.

Ubud is wonderful, especially if you get out of the touristy downtown and walk through the countryside north of Ubud and see the rivers and temples and village life. Of course, if you need to stay at the beach there are many places such as Sanur or Legian or Jimbaran to stay.

For a cultural experience, for my money, you can't beat Ubud. It has been acknowledged as the artistic and cultural heart of Balinese Hindu Bali and the people here are still very traditional and simple.

Tblue

I am researching Bali also & fit into the middle ground where you seem to be. I have found that Lombak & the Gilli island sound like good trips for beaches if I make the trip. They are more isolated & may offer some of what you are looking for. I got a lot of info from lonely planet books. Good Luck.