First time Bali - please help with recommendations
 

After talking about visiting Bali for SOOOOOO long, I think we may take the plunge in May if I can pull together the details. It's amazing though, how much has changed since the last time I researched Bali, like 10 years ago - a) the price of accommodations, and b) the "quality" of accommodations. I say "quality" because it seems like many places now are owned by large conglomerate hotel groups, and they look very high-line Western Balinese, rather than the more intimate places I saw 10 years ago.

We're thinking of doing 2 weeks (allowing 2 days travel on either end, with 2 full weeks to visit) - a week in Ubud, and a week in Lombok.

I have a questions about accommodations in Ubud:

- We'd like to stay at a smaller, more intimate hotel in Ubud, some place that is authentically Bali. Marble baths and high end spa-type places aren't important. We prefer more rustic. I saw a reference to designer John Hardy in a recent post and then found his new place called Bambu Indah - wow, can anyone recommend or comment? I also like the looks of Alam Shanti, or Kori Ubud. Any other smaller places to look at?

We thought of ending with a few days or a week in Lombok and Qunci Villas looks great.

And a question about the time of year: We're thinking of going mid-May. Any comments or suggestions? Must sees?

Thank you for now. I'm sure I'll be back with lots more questions as the planning progresses.

Lori

Check out the Alam Shanti in Ubud. We loved it. We were there at the end of May and the weather was perfect. Just a thought, but you might find a whole week in Lombok to be too much. Perhaps you could stay in Sanur or Seminyak for a few days.

We'll be there again for the last two weeks of May.

Haven't stayed at the Hardy's villa's yet but have met and spoken with both of them. Both Cynthia and John are very down-to-earth and friendly. The food alone would be enough to get me to stay at their villas - fresh, organically raised/grown and very tasty. Give it a go and report back, haha

i am returning to alam shanti for only 2 nites in mid-May this year....i love the gangga room....its the largest and has a great view over the rice paddies next door and is right next to the pool.... there is a flight of stairs to climb however.....the almost identical room downstairs from it is very nice (gpanda stayed there in fact)....

john hardy's factory conducts a private tour mornings of the facility by prior arrangement....it concludes with a free lunch with the management team....the factory is interesting, the meal is excellent and the staff are top notch...

where are the new villas?

i think a week in lombok would be too much also....5 days would be perfect, unless you plan to stay in two places...

we loved qunci villas (the old part) and #5 was perfect...they have a fantastic restaurant...

I'm sure Bambu Indah would offer a charming and intimate experience but authentic Balinese it ain't. :) The architecture is actually a Javanese import.

Authenticity in Bali is ephemeral. I know what you mean by trying to avoid the marble spa. The universal resort hotel style -- which ironically started in Bali -- has become so commonplace that it's ceased to be special. The boutique resorts are not really authentic either, but they are definitely charming and intimate.

There are plenty of mid-range properties in Ubud now (as well as the multi-nationals). Overall, travelers seem to be pleased with whatever place they choose and the hosts all offer exposure to a wide range of sincere Balinese experiences.

I'd also take a look at Alam Sari, Komeneka and Ketut's Place.

May is a good month. Not too much rain and just before the high tourist season.

Thanks for your input everyone!

rhkkmk: their website says the Hardy's villas, Bambu Indah, are located in Baung, Sayan, 15 minutes south of central Ubud. They really look beautiful, but I have no idea how far away that really is.

For a first trip, would anyone recommend being in town vs. out of town a bit. We like the quiet, and don't mind hiking into town, but is it walkable? I like the looks of Alam Shanti, which I blieve is close to town, but is it on a busy or noisy main road? Any other recommendations before I finalize? Thanks again!