Craig

24Lisa - in response to your question - the places you are staying are removed from the crowded tourist areas but not necessarily the "main" tourist areas. Many refer to the entire area Kuta-Legion-Seminyak simply as "Kuta" but things do spread out as you head north from Kuta. The Four Seasons is about 20 minutes outside of Ubud so it is definitely isolated. Ubud is busy but not crowded with people like Kuta - there is very little nightlife. I have not been to Java but I believe Amanjiwo is also isolated in a very rural part of the island. I would definitely go to Bali if I had been planning a trip for so long - if you don't go, the terroists win and the Balinese lose. It is sad that most of the people killed and injured in the latest attack were Indonesians.

ExcitedforPR

My fiance' and I are scheduled to honeymoon in Bali from November 7 - 16. We did not hesitate in the least to continue on with our plans. I work in downtown Chicago about 1/2 mile from the Sears Tower - the largest building in the US - and a threat for the sheer magnitude of carnage that could be caused if a terrorist attack were to occur. We cannot live in fear. We have been planning and looking forward to this honeymoon for months and are so excited to visit Bali. If it is our time to go, at least we will be together. To each his own, but we are determined not to let the terrorists win.
I was worried that the shops and hotels and the island itself would be devoid of tourists, but hearing that so many people have decided to go ahead with their plans make me feel good. We will do all that we can to support the Balinese people with our tourist dollars.

24Lisa

Well, we have decided to go ahead with our plans. Thanks for all your advice and opinions.

24Lisa

Would we be better off changing our hotel at The Legian to another place? I keep reading about possible threats in Seminyak. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

Craig

There are several popular restaurants in Seminyak - most are upscale and not the type of place where a suicide bomber could easily enter unnoticed as opposed to the open air places in Jimbaren. Seminyak is a pretty low key town. There are no guarantees, of course. I wouldn't be surprised if the Legion hasn't already elevated their security beyond what it already was. Chances are, Bali will be empty when you go, unfortunately.

Kathie

Lisa, while you are the only ones who can make the decision, I must say that if it were me, I'd go too. Enjoy your time in Bali, and I'm sure you'll love Borobudor. I hope you'll have time for a trip to Prambanan and to see the Ramayana Ballet in the open air pavillion near Prambanan.

24Lisa

We spend 2 nights at Amanjiwo but we arrive in Java around 630am and don't leave until around 730pm on the third day so we should have plenty of time to do those things. Any other recommedations?

brj8826

We also have a trip planned leaving on the arriving on the 19th and staying through the 4th of November. We talked some friends of ours who had never left the country to go with us as well. They were meeting us the 26th-1st. Due to family pressures they no longer want to go. They also said they would spend the entire trip looking over their shoulder.

Long story short, we are still going from the 19th-25th, then we are going to meet them in Krabi.

This will be our 4th trip to Bali and I can honestly say I am not worried in the least. If it is my time to go, then there isn't a better place to go than Bali!

We were married at the Four Seasons Ubud, you will absolutely LOVE it. It was just rated as the #1 hotel in the world by Travel and Leisure, and for good reason. Service is the best, but the scenery is even better.

We aren't rich by any means and could only splurge on one night there, but if there ever was a hotel worth $400-700 a night that is it.

glorialf

Lisa-- I think you'll have a fabulous trip. Bali is an incredible place with fabulous people, beaches,temples, art, scenery.

Have a wonderful trip and be sure to write a report when you return.

Kathie

Lisa, If you enjoy crafts, Jojga has the finest crafts - even better than Bali IMO. If you want to see more countryside, take a drive to the Dieng Plateau or in the opposite direction to some of the unusual temples beyond Prambanan.

24Lisa

Does it make sense for us to rent a car while in Java or is it better to hire a driver? If hiring a driver is better, can the hotel arrange that for us?

Kathie

Hire a driver. Yes, your hotel can help you with that.

ExcitedforPR

Fiance' and I are staying at the Legian as well as part of our honeymoon. Will be very interested in reading your trip report upon your return.

jdeg

We are still planning on going to Bali in a couple weeks as part of our honeymoon. We are staying in Ubud and the north coast for most of our time, but like Lisa24, our last three nights are currently booked at The Legian Hotel. It looks like an amazing hotel. But I'm a bit worried that Seminyak might be an attractive target with its upscale shops and restaurants.
Does anyone have ideas/thoughts on alternative places we might stay for our last three nights that are in some sense "comparable" to The Legian? Thanks!

PaulS

The Legian is like a gorgeous safe cocoon in an area not nearly as built up as Kuta. It would be hard to slip in past staff and security. I had two weeks there last year and it's my all time favourite hotel. As usual, glorialf is about the most sensible and considered writer on Fodors (Gloria I am your #1 Australian fan)and you should take her advice. I am, and I'm off to Bali again in a fortnight. After the 2002 bomb the wonderful, generous and gracious community in Bali was devastated economically and socially. As others have said, we only ever perceive risk after the event. Every time we travel we are at risk. And sometimes when we stay at home. Happily, Australians like me eventually returned in record numbers and my sincere hope is this latest terrible bomb won't dissuade everyone all over again. I fear it might, and that's a tragedy for the Balinese. If we stop coming, the terrorists have won.

24Lisa

PaulS, where will you be staying in north Bali? Just looking into alternatives to Seminyak. As far as it stands right now, we are not changing any travel plans, but I like to have a back up in mind just in case. Since we leave in 3 weeks, that doesn't give us very much time to replan.

Thanks

glorialf

Years ago I stayed at the Bali Oberoi which is a very small hotel with none of the bells and whistles of the new ones but still deluxe. I would suspect you would be very safe there. It's small enough so they would easily know all the people staying there -- when I was there Mick Jagger and Kissenger were there so they also know about security.

cruisinred

I have also been planning a Bali trip (but for May) and was also considering ending our trip at the Legian. Here are some alternatives I have come across that are a little bit off the beaten bath compared to the Legian.

The Tugu Hotel-www.tuguhotels.com- Fodorite Craig raved about his stay here. It is north of Seminyak

Nusa Lembongan Resort- on a little island a short boat ride across the water from Sanur/Benoa.
www.nusa-lembongan.com/

Tamu Villa Rentals. All of these look wonderful.www.tamugroup.com
KimJapan pointed me to the gorgeous Villa Angkasa, which 2 can rent for around $150, complete with chef, butler,etc. Designed by the same architect as the 4Seasons. Secluded in the hills above Jimbaran. Also look at Tamu Seseh, near Canggu, north of Seminyak.

I am sure what ever you choose will be great!

clonard

Going to Bali next week and have no intention of cancelling .No matter wher you go the same thing could happen and terrorism wins again

Craig

The Tugu Hotel is located in Canggu, which is the next town north of Seminyak. It certainly would be a great alternative to the Legian. It is a very unique, exotic boutique hotel - we totally enjoyed our stay there, probably one of the best hotel experiences we have ever had.