Hi - We're planning on going on our honeymoon (mid-September)to Bali with a stop-over in either Hong Kong or Singapore. I'm interested in a package tour, but there is such a large choice of hotels I've gotten completely confused. I've hear Sanur has a wonderful beach and that Nusa Dua is very toursitic. I'm looking for a 5* hotel not too far from civilisation, but beach is very important. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

We just got back last night. We went on the Singapore Airlines package tour and it was FABULOUS! <BR>I have always wanted to go to Hong K0ongf and it was our first stop (they picked us up in a brand new stretch Mercedes limo....WOW!) Hong Kong is a BEAUTIFUL city and I hated the people! Have you seen the movie "Antz"?....It was just like that except ALL the antz had cellphones, even the baby antz! I'm sure Webster's would define Hong Kong as the world's largest shopping mall! If you think you're going to get a bargain there...think again....with those rents no one can afford to give you a bargain. We preferred Singapore...another huge shopping mall city but spotless and we found the people friendlier. I would suggest The Marco Polo. We stayed at the Pan Pacific in the Marina and it was a nice BIG hotel but too far from Orchard Road. We were burned out on shopping malls after Hong Kong so we opted for Singapore's Chinatown (FABULOUS!), Little India (FABULOUS!) and Arab Street (potentially fabulous!) unfortunately closed because we went the day after Ramadan ended (a holiday). <BR>Now, about Bali......PARADISE!!! Everything you could ever imagine a South Pacific Island to be. Tropical with active volcanos, LUSH beyond belief and absolutely LOVELY, POLITE people. I did not want to leave!!! We stayed at Le Meridien (Nirwana Beach & Golf Resort). I can't tell you how fantastic it was. We will return to Bali and although we loved Le Meridien we will stay in one of the "posh" places in Ubud. <BR>Sanur, and the other beach places were too touriusty for me......but there are some knock-out places in the mountains and around Ubud. <BR>We went on the volcano tour and the white water rafting and had a blast. I would suggest if you're determined to be at the beach please consider Lombak or Phuket. But give me a clean pool and lots of people running around to make sure I have enough to drink, need a maasage, want anything else to eat etc and I'm happy as a clam! <BR>This was my first "tour package" and I couldn't be happier! The flight over and back was PURE HELL....and next time I'll upgrade. If you can't upgrade DEFINITELY plan your travel MIDWEEK. We left San Francisco (they fly out of SF, LA & New York)on a Friday night and the flight was PACKED!! DREADFUL! 14 hours to Hong Kong and I felt like I could join a circus with all the contortions my body went through. But, the food was good and the flight attendants cordial and customer oriented. I HIGHLY recommend Singapore Airlines package! If you need further info you can email me.

I couldn't agree more.Bali is PARADISE. <BR>Basically the 3 main areas are;UBUD which is an artistic / creative 'arts'area.Sanur is the beach front but with less pricey hotels.The best one there is Sanur Bali Hyatt.The mostpricey <BR>area is Nusa Dua.You could probably afford it.It is the most glorious accomodation in the Orient.Stay at the AMANDARI ,it is located on a hill that overlooks a wonderful mass of rice terraces.Well it beyond description.Total indulgence and exotic with superb service ,romantism....with your pte jacuzzi/pool in a pte courtyard..If this is fully book,try the AMANDARI.As for beach facilities ,you wont have a problem with either Sanur or Nusa Dua.Enjoy.Cheers

<BR>Many thanks for the information. I'm really looking forward to the trip and will let you know how we get on!

When we went to Bali, the beach was one of our most important criteria. The beaches in Bali are black and murkey from the volcanoes, not lovely white sandy ones that we had envisiaged. Sanur had whiter beaches but were mainly shellgrit. Forget the beaches, the resorts have fantastic pools. Staying close to all the action is really good because in your resort you wouldn't know the outside hustle and bustle existed. Just make sure your resort has been recently refurbished or is new and go for 4 star or above and you won't be disappointed. <BR> <BR>Lastly, when you get to your resort and you find the room not to your standard, don't accept it and insist on a better one. We didn't do this until towards the end of our stay after we were advised by many tourists on a cruise we took that they tend to do this to most people. The Balinese are very superstitious and an unhappy visitor is bad luck for them. They then endeavour to get you a satisfactory room. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your honeymoon. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Just got in from the killer 14 hr flight from Singapore, but must tell you that Bali is everything you will ever find on this earth - literally. It is lush, green, beautiful, touristy Kuta Beach, but the people are the greatest attraction. The moment you step out into "their" world you are just charmingly accosted by hawkers. The girls desperately want lipstick from you. A group of small girls (ages 10-12) offered my boyfriend any form of sex act for 30,000 ruphiah (abt usd2.50-yes you read right!!!!), as well as drugs, every part of my body was touched during the hawking process. Upsetting? After the first 5 minutes of shock, it is almost charming. You can rent an air con car and driver for the day for USD40. Don't even think of renting a car!!!!!!!! You will never in any part of the world (and I've been everywhere) see driving like Bali. Bring an extra suitcase for all of the beautiful, intricate and ridiculously cheap wood carvings, paintings and general doo dads. You can vacation like a king in Bali for relatively little. And you will really feel that you experienced another culture, not at all like going to the Caribbean or Mexico.