Help - Bali
 

I am going to be in Bali from July 21-30 (05). This is my first time and its for a honeymoon.

What we were hoping for was 4 nights in a relaxing and ultra-luxurious resort and then 5 nights in an ultra-luxurious resort with beach access.

From what I have read, I think my first place should be FS Sayan in the Riverfront 1 BR Villa. Does everyone agree or is there a better choice?

The room at the FS is going for $575/night, which I'm happy to pay (well, not happy, but willing), but is there a better place at this price (or even a little higher) or have I found a great start to the honeymoon?

For the second part of the trip, I was thinking about the FS Jimbaran Bay, but then recently heard that the Ritz Jimbaran Bay had recently (Dec '04) opened amazing cliff side villas. First off, should I even be thinking about Jimbaran Bay? I don't think I've read anyone singing its praises.

I don't plan to sit on the beach for 5 days and do nothing else, but would like to spend some time on the sand and in the water. Snorkel? Tan? Scuba?

Second, has anyone stayed at the new Ritz Cliff Side Villas? I was thinking about the Ocean Front Cliff Side Villa ($650/night), but wanted to hear some reviews.

If not Jimbaran Bay, then where? Can each person respond with just one location and one resort (in the ultra-luxury category) that they would recommend over the FS or Ritz Jimbaran Bay.

Finally, can anyone give me a sense of what they did for dining options when staying at FS Sayan? Did you have every meal at the resort and if so, how expensive was it? If not, what are other options/costs?

Thanks for all your help. I am looking for this to be a very high end luxury experience for me and my (soon to be) wife.

I'll probably never spend so much money on a vacation again, so please only respond if you are recommending the best of the best in Bali. The people on this site seem very kind to share their experiences and that is the best I have to go off of since I don't really know anyone who has been.

Thanks

IMO the ultimate in luxury in a non beach location in Bali is the Begawan Giri at Ubud. I preferred this property to the FS Sayan which is just down the road primarily coz it is much more intimate. Whether you choose this or the FS Sayan you have options to eat in Ubud which are not very far. The Mosaic restaurant is world acclaimed, fabulos food and setting, just down the road. Further down in the main Ubud market Lamak is also great. In case u do not stay at Begawan their Sunday brunch at Bijis is an experience. Jimbaran is NOT a good beach location IMO. I would consider the Bale - www.sanctuaryresorts.com. If you are willing to consider villa type hotels take a look at Puri Ganesha - www.puriganesha.com. or Linda Garland - www.lindagarland.com - her River House is stunning.

Instead of the Four Seasons Sayan you might want to consider the Begawan Giri. I would highly recommend the master suite at the Wanakasa or "Windsong" residence as the perfect honeymoon suite. The listed price is $995 per night but they normally discount about 40 - 50% if you ask.

For your ref. http://www.begawan.com/indexflash.htm

Chicagoman, Most everyone who stays at the FS Sayan has a good experience. The negatives would be that the main building is a bit overwhelming. I'm also not so fond of either restaurant, one's too big, one's too small. The villas, however, are really nice.

The Amandari and Begawan Giri are other 5 star choices, same ridge, same view, similar luxury level. The Aman is older and the architecture is less obtrusive than the FS. The Begawan is really beautiful, but the villas are a little quirky, with separate sleeping areas and shared common areas. You'd need to make sure that no none else is staying in the same villa.

A new property that is very near the FS is the Kayumanis -- which has really lovely intimate villas with private pools and beautiful landscaping.

Restaurants in the area I'd second Mosaic and Bigi and add the Alila. I didn't much like Lemak.

You'd have a lot more choices on the beach. My personal favorite is the Legian on Seminyak beach, which is well designed, with good service, good food, a beautiful pool and drop dead sunsets. They have a main building which is right on the beach and separate villas across the road. I like the beachfront rooms. The beach at Seminyak goes on for miles (though the surf is a little rough) and the Legian is within walking distance to what I consider Bali's best restaurants -- LaLucciola and Kudeta --and close to a good shopping area.

I've stayed at the FS Jimbaran many times and love the villas. Once I get inside it's like centrifugal force; I never leave. The beach is just soso (and disappearing) though it's good for swimming. There are casual seafood barbeque restaurants nearby.

The Ritz is a bigger and livelier place. It's actually on a cliff overlooking the sea but they provide a shuttle to the beach. It seems a little more commercial to me than the FS.

If you want to snorkle or SCUBA you have to go to the far north or westcoast beaches, which aren't as nice as the south. Tan? You bet! Bring your sunscreen.

Bali has been undergoing a growth and development spurt lately and new villas and boutique resorts are popping up like mushrooms. It's a good idea to get personal recommendations as the quality of construction and service varies widely. They all look good on the their websites, but it's difficult to judge what's nextdoor.

Thanks for the replys so far. I think the Begawan Giri sounds very nice, but if its shared common areas, then I don't think that's what we are looking for. We want to feel secluded on our honeymoon.

I've also searched for Legian online, but haven't been able to find the webiste. Can someone post the link to this resort?

Thanks

P.S. Are the cliff side villas at the Ritz new (since late '04) and has anyone tried them?

Thanks

This is the regular Legain
http://www.ghmhotels.com/thelegian/index.asp
This is the Legian villas
http://www.ghmhotels.com/theclub/index.asp
The regular rooms are in a three story building right on the beach. All rooms have balconies facing the sea. The villas, which they call the Club, are across the road in a separate complex. If you stay at the villas you can use all the resort facilities.

My understanding is that the Ritz-Carlton has the same set up as the Legian. A regular resort and a separate group of villas on the same property.

Maybe you want to consider these....There are Three holiday villa companies you can review Jamahal Private Resort , The Jimbaran Bali and the last is Villa Balquisse.

For your ref
www.jamahal.net
www.thejimbaranbali.com
www.balquisse.com

Check out all the Amans on Bali - Amandari, Amankila, and Amanusa. Amankila would be your perfect beach option - so much better than the FS (I've been to both).

The Amans offer smaller properties in secluded locations that place great value on the culture and offer other-wordly levels of personal service. They would be the perfect once in a lifetime experience for your honeymoon.