Hi Craig-

I read your great Bali JBR on the other forum. Just wondering, based on your comments, if you would recommend the Damai?
Besides slow dinner service, any other big negatives? The website makes it look sooo gorgeous.
Thanks
Cruisined
BTW, I am also in CT

wow lot of us nutmegers in here. i guess we don't like being in CT for too long.. just kidding.... well actually not for me trully hate the state..

Yes, I would recommend the Damai. It is a gorgeous property in a great setting in the hills of Lovina. The sunsets there are awesome. Keep in mind that the Damai is quite small - only 8 units all relatively close together so less privacy than you might expect. Be sure to reserve one of the 6 "deluxe" units - the other two don't have the open-air and fully private whirlpools ("spas&quot which are pretty cool. You can avoid the slow dinner service by ordering room service which is quite good (also less expensive). I suggest however that if they offer it, you take advantage of the dinner by the pool with entertainment - just don't schedule anything really early (like dolphin watching) the next day. I can see why you might think we did not like it - it was a bit of a comedy of errors when we were there but really no fault of the hotel. Being sick and not being able to sleep on account of the racket of all-night cremation ceremony going on next store plus the long dinners plus the driver that never showed up after the dolphin watching might have made it seem worse than it was.

orgy7 - even worse, I live in the Hartford area. BTW - even Nutmeggers who live here dis CT. Personally, I grew up in metro NYC (New Jersey) and have had to adjust to yankee reserve (still drives me nuts though) and the fact that almost everyone who lives here was born here.

Thanks for your response Craig. I think I am definitely going to add the Damai onto my intinerary. Unfortunately, I only have 7 nights (crazy, right?).
So, I am thinking of doing
2 nights in Sanur (Puri Santrian),
2 nights at the Damai and then
3 nights in Ubud at the Alam Jiwa.

Would love to stay at the Tugu and Maya Ubud, but I'll starting saving to do them next trip!

Three places would be too much for me in a week. However, your stay in Lovina allows you to tour the Lakes District on the way from Sanur and the mountains on the way to Ubud (or vise versa). Are you using Putu Arnawa as your driver?

Hi Craig,

Yes, I do realize that 3 places is a bit much for just 7 days, but I was also thinking of touring the Lakes and Mountains on the way up and back to Lovina, as you suggested. This would then avoid long daytrips from Ubud.

As for a driver, I am definitely planning on contacting Putu. I have read so many nice things about him on the various travel forums.

Oh, and I just read on the Hotel Tugu website that you can get spa treatments even if you aren't staying there. So, I thought we'd drop in for a couples massage and get a little bit of the "Tugu experience".

Thanks again.

GO whalers. I'm born and raised in hartford reside in wethersfield. currently live in bangkok. Ya. the ol yankee reserve. it's hard too explain too others. they just think your an aloof ass. oh well.. OK thats enough of this the thoughts of go no where hartford makes me sick.. lol