We are currently staying at the new conrad in bali....it is a magnificent facility...there is a wide range of people here: young, old, families, etc....we have not met any other americans, but have heard some american accents about...

the hotel is really nice...right on the beach, which we do not find to be swimmable...the pools which seems to ring the hotel are very very nice....the staff is the most pleasant we have run into,... the food is good but quite expensive...the rooms my wife says are modern minimalistic...the bed is the best i have slept in for a long time...there are at least 8 choices of pillows....the breakfast is fabulous...the usual large buffet....several restaurants...a few things are not as yet complete, but will be done by july 1...we talked with mike burchett (formerely of the marriott resort and spa in bangkok), who is the GM and he is very excited about the plans for moving forward...

Very glad to hear the great review of the place, Bob. I will be arriving there very late on Tuesday night. How is transportation there, for going out for a reasonably priced meal or to do some sightseeing?

as i posted above it is simply fantastic...

Hi, I'll be there in a couple weeks. Why isn't the beach swimmable? I thought it was a nice area...

sorry i do not remember why...oh yes i do...it was full of sea weed and churned up by the surf...not inviting in compariosn to what we are used to in nantucket

Hmmm... yes I've heard about the seaweed problems... Do you think that is seasonal? What is the best beach in Bali you recommend?
Thanks!

several people on this forum have said that you do not go to bali for the beaches...before i went i thought they were crazy...now that i have been there i sort of agree...it is nice to have the beach in the background but i did not really see it as a good swimming alternative...we stayed at two different beach locations...of course i come from new england where we have fantastic beaches so i do not really need a beach...
there are a number of surfing beaches...i think i was told that the beaches on the north of bali are very nice..

The Conrad is my favorite hotel. I have only been in the Hong Kong Conrad, but I look for Conrads where ever I travel. It does have the best service.

Bali's beaches are not for swimming as you would find in the Caribbean (Bahamas, BVIs, etc.) or even S. Florida. I believe the beaches in Nantucket are beautiful, but I would not consider them in the warm and tropical class. Hawaii has beautiful beaches, but most are not swimmable. Surfable yes.

Going to Bali is for the culture and the pure beauty of the place. The locals are so friendly and the food is fantastic.

Glad to hear the Conrad is nice. Stayed at the Ritz in Jimbaran and loved it. Considering going back and staying at the Conrad. Are the villas done or still under construction?

Thanks!

Bali has endless, wonderful, swimmable beaches... such as around Kuta. The ritzy hotels happen to cluster at shallow beach areas poor for swimming, maybe simply to be away from the scruffier surf oriented hotel areas that predated them.

i believe most of or all of the villas are done...there are no seperate villas...they are just rooms on the lagoon which is the first floor of the building in some sections..