First time Bali - please help with recommendations
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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
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
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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.
We'll be there again for the last two weeks of May.
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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
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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...
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...
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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.
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.
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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!
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!