Legian vs Four Seasons, vs Amankila
Apr 1st, 2007, 11:34 AM
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Legian vs Four Seasons, vs Amankila
I know this is a question often discussed on this forum but I really am in a quandary as to what to do. I am travelling to Indonesia in August with my husband, 12 year old daughter and a friend who is really into diving. We will start in Java and spend 3 days at Amanjiwo, then go to a resort called Kura Kura for diving in
the Karimunjawa National Marine Park for 4 days . We then have 5 or 6 days max in Bali before heading onto Northern Sulawesi for more diving. So I would like a little luxury in Bali, and maybe a bit of night life so I am tempted to the Legian and the Four Seasons ( which I've been to before and loved the various pools and beach ) But... I am tempted to make the effort to go to Amankila just for the architecture and the activities, diving and possibly white water rafting. I need to be near the airort on both the day of arrival and departure, money is an issue, the holiday won't be cheap! So any thoughts? Is Amankila a really nique experince? I see some peopple really like the Legian is it better than the Four Seasons? Any input appreciated
the Karimunjawa National Marine Park for 4 days . We then have 5 or 6 days max in Bali before heading onto Northern Sulawesi for more diving. So I would like a little luxury in Bali, and maybe a bit of night life so I am tempted to the Legian and the Four Seasons ( which I've been to before and loved the various pools and beach ) But... I am tempted to make the effort to go to Amankila just for the architecture and the activities, diving and possibly white water rafting. I need to be near the airort on both the day of arrival and departure, money is an issue, the holiday won't be cheap! So any thoughts? Is Amankila a really nique experince? I see some peopple really like the Legian is it better than the Four Seasons? Any input appreciated
Apr 1st, 2007, 05:04 PM
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Yvonne, Sounds like a great trip! I’m looking forward to hearing about Kura Kura, both the diving and the resort.
I hope you looked at Kungkungan Bay Resort in North Sulawesi. It’s an extraordinary place, both for diving and overall ambience. You can snorkel from the beach a few steps from your bungalow and the marine life is extraordinary. The diving is, I think, among the best in the world. They will also arrange rain forest excursions where you can see hornbills and proboscis monkeys.
http://www.kungkungan.com/kbrmainpage.html
As for Bali – I’ve stayed at all three resorts and though I’m an unabashed Legian fan, I also really like the Four Seasons and adore the Amankila. You really can’t make a bad choice here, so I’ll just concentrate on the differences. My opinion would be to spend 2 or 3 nights at the Amankila, then head down to the Legian.
The architecture at Amankila really is worth the visit (if you’re interested in that sort of thing, which we are). When we stay there it’s specifically FOR the seclusion and serenity and you get plenty of that. The views are spectacular from the rooms, the restaurant, the pools. Little cars will take you down to the beach and back (or there are stairs). The beach itself is fine though a little on the scruffy side, with a quiet cove that’s good for swimming. They have bales on the beach but it is blazingly hot.
There’s another big pool at sea level in a lovely cocoanut grove. It is very, VERY quiet. My husband and I love it for that reason; my college age son was stir crazy.
Access to water sports is excellent, but I’d guess that anything arranged through the Aman would be cost prohibitive. A half day’s excursion in their launch, including lunch and snorkeling, was included in one of the packages which was a nice way to get out on the water.
I would think that the rafting places in the Ubud area would be at least a 2 hour drive, maybe more. Same for the cultural excursions, getting there would mean some time spent traveling. If this is your objective you might be better off staying in Ubud. From Ubud your diving friend could either go north to Menjangan or to the East Coast reefs. My son was just at Menjangan last week and though they were snorkeling this time instead of diving, he said the condition of the reefs and the variety of fish was excellent.
Of the three the Aman is definitely the least convenient to the airport. All in all you’d have to plan three hours.
The Legian is right on a long and lively beach. You can walk for miles or just sit on a beach chair and watch the parade. The grounds are shady and serene and they keep the beach clean. The surf is on the aggressive side. My son LOVED it at 12 (and still does at 21) for body boarding and just bouncing in the waves, but you have to be a confident swimmer. The life guards are vigilant.
The pool is wonderful. The regular rooms (not the villas) all have spacious balconies, most with bales, that overlook the ocean. It’s best to be on the top (3rd) floor. The food is good for breakfast and lunch. I really dislike their dinner menu but there are many other good choices within walking distance – La Lucciola and KuDeTa are just a few minutes in either direction. The Legian has seafood barbeques on the beach – kind of an upscale version of Jimbaran – which are very popular. And during the dry season they have jazz at sunset on the weekends.
In comparison to the Four Seasons, I prefer the Legian as I think the beach is superior and the outside world is more accessible when you get enough peace and quiet. Both are equally convenient to the airport.
I’m very food of the villas at the 4S, especially the plunge pools, and I’m impressed by the Amankila, but over the years it’s the Legian that we keep returning to.
I hope you looked at Kungkungan Bay Resort in North Sulawesi. It’s an extraordinary place, both for diving and overall ambience. You can snorkel from the beach a few steps from your bungalow and the marine life is extraordinary. The diving is, I think, among the best in the world. They will also arrange rain forest excursions where you can see hornbills and proboscis monkeys.
http://www.kungkungan.com/kbrmainpage.html
As for Bali – I’ve stayed at all three resorts and though I’m an unabashed Legian fan, I also really like the Four Seasons and adore the Amankila. You really can’t make a bad choice here, so I’ll just concentrate on the differences. My opinion would be to spend 2 or 3 nights at the Amankila, then head down to the Legian.
The architecture at Amankila really is worth the visit (if you’re interested in that sort of thing, which we are). When we stay there it’s specifically FOR the seclusion and serenity and you get plenty of that. The views are spectacular from the rooms, the restaurant, the pools. Little cars will take you down to the beach and back (or there are stairs). The beach itself is fine though a little on the scruffy side, with a quiet cove that’s good for swimming. They have bales on the beach but it is blazingly hot.
There’s another big pool at sea level in a lovely cocoanut grove. It is very, VERY quiet. My husband and I love it for that reason; my college age son was stir crazy.
Access to water sports is excellent, but I’d guess that anything arranged through the Aman would be cost prohibitive. A half day’s excursion in their launch, including lunch and snorkeling, was included in one of the packages which was a nice way to get out on the water.
I would think that the rafting places in the Ubud area would be at least a 2 hour drive, maybe more. Same for the cultural excursions, getting there would mean some time spent traveling. If this is your objective you might be better off staying in Ubud. From Ubud your diving friend could either go north to Menjangan or to the East Coast reefs. My son was just at Menjangan last week and though they were snorkeling this time instead of diving, he said the condition of the reefs and the variety of fish was excellent.
Of the three the Aman is definitely the least convenient to the airport. All in all you’d have to plan three hours.
The Legian is right on a long and lively beach. You can walk for miles or just sit on a beach chair and watch the parade. The grounds are shady and serene and they keep the beach clean. The surf is on the aggressive side. My son LOVED it at 12 (and still does at 21) for body boarding and just bouncing in the waves, but you have to be a confident swimmer. The life guards are vigilant.
The pool is wonderful. The regular rooms (not the villas) all have spacious balconies, most with bales, that overlook the ocean. It’s best to be on the top (3rd) floor. The food is good for breakfast and lunch. I really dislike their dinner menu but there are many other good choices within walking distance – La Lucciola and KuDeTa are just a few minutes in either direction. The Legian has seafood barbeques on the beach – kind of an upscale version of Jimbaran – which are very popular. And during the dry season they have jazz at sunset on the weekends.
In comparison to the Four Seasons, I prefer the Legian as I think the beach is superior and the outside world is more accessible when you get enough peace and quiet. Both are equally convenient to the airport.
I’m very food of the villas at the 4S, especially the plunge pools, and I’m impressed by the Amankila, but over the years it’s the Legian that we keep returning to.
Apr 1st, 2007, 08:43 PM
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Yvonne -- I've been going over my memories of Bali recently and I would agree with marmot that the views from Amankila really are astounding. It is definitely more isolated though which is what struck me when we were there. If I went to Bali often, I would definitely want to stay there at least once tho for the views -- if I went often I'd want the isolation as well as a change of pace.
For what you want (a bit of night life) the Legian sounds best - or split your time so you can be there and closer to the airport when you need that.
I'm an unabashed 4Seasons fan (love the cocoonlike villagey atmostphere of the villas at Jimbaran) but Jimbaran as you know is a cab ride to any other night time choice except the fish restaurants down the beach.
Hope you have a great time !!
For what you want (a bit of night life) the Legian sounds best - or split your time so you can be there and closer to the airport when you need that.
I'm an unabashed 4Seasons fan (love the cocoonlike villagey atmostphere of the villas at Jimbaran) but Jimbaran as you know is a cab ride to any other night time choice except the fish restaurants down the beach.
Hope you have a great time !!
Apr 1st, 2007, 11:59 PM
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Thanks so much for your input, its a really hard decision - made more difficult by the fact I'm the trip planner and everyone just leaves it up to me....I think that might split the time bewteen the Legion, for good dining and shopping and the 4 Seasons for enjoying their pools and eating on the beach. Amankila sounds brilliant but I am dragging everyone across 5 destinations with multiple flights and I suspect plenty of isolation on Kura Kura and Sulawesi, plus its is very expensive! so all in all perhaps another time.
I'm planning to go to a resort called Siladen in Northern Sulawesi in the Bunaken Marine Park, has anyone heard of it or been there? We will end up in Singapore for 2 nights, any thoughts on a nice hotel near the shopping to finish everything off?
I'm planning to go to a resort called Siladen in Northern Sulawesi in the Bunaken Marine Park, has anyone heard of it or been there? We will end up in Singapore for 2 nights, any thoughts on a nice hotel near the shopping to finish everything off?
Apr 2nd, 2007, 04:24 AM
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I thought I would throw out another option. As you have a crowd of 4, how about renting a lux villa with private pool in Seminyak for 4 days, to be near the shops, dining, etc. Then with the money saved by renting a villa (instead of the Legian or 4S) spend the last day or 2 at Amankila?
Apr 2nd, 2007, 05:04 AM
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Gotta chime in here...Amankila, Amankila, Amankila!
Yes, it is really a unique experience and yes it is worthwhile. Much better than both FS IMHO. The scenery, service, staff friendliness...
Isn't there a new road that makes Amankila only an hour from the airport?
Yes, it is really a unique experience and yes it is worthwhile. Much better than both FS IMHO. The scenery, service, staff friendliness...
Isn't there a new road that makes Amankila only an hour from the airport?
Apr 2nd, 2007, 01:27 PM
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Maybe marmot knows about the hour but I find that hard to believe. I was on that "new" road in January and it was so slow and choked with traffic we got off and took back roads. So I wouldn't count on the trip back being quick. That's not to say the lux villa/Amankila idea isn't a great one -- it is.
I was surprised to read Ericka's comment about the service -- we had lunch at Amankila and must have waited ten minutes for someone to notice we were done, another ten minutes after that for the check, and we were the only diners and it was lunch time.
I was surprised to read Ericka's comment about the service -- we had lunch at Amankila and must have waited ten minutes for someone to notice we were done, another ten minutes after that for the check, and we were the only diners and it was lunch time.
Apr 2nd, 2007, 04:41 PM
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Yvonne,
Siladen looks good on its website. I've been to Bunaken, though I stayed on the "mainland." The diving was excellent at Bunaken, but still, Kungkungan is extraordinary and that's the place that I continue to return to.
In Singapore my hotel of choice is the Four Seasons. It's smallish, well designed, well run, convenient to shopping and transportation.
Travel time from the Amankila to the airport if I remember correctly is about 1.5 hours and yes, you can run into traffic at any point. That's why I would say plan 3 hours in total, maybe 3.5.
I have always been satisfied with the service at the Amankila, but then it's always been decidedly empty when we've been there.
Villas are EVERYWHERE in Bali; there are literally hundreds of choices, some good, some not so. You have to be very careful in choosing as it's very difficult to tell from the internet what's next door, how well the staff are trained, the maintenance, the housekeeping. It's best to get a recommendation from someone who's stayed at a specific villa.
In my opinion, for a few days stay I'd stay ON the beach not near the beach.
Siladen looks good on its website. I've been to Bunaken, though I stayed on the "mainland." The diving was excellent at Bunaken, but still, Kungkungan is extraordinary and that's the place that I continue to return to.
In Singapore my hotel of choice is the Four Seasons. It's smallish, well designed, well run, convenient to shopping and transportation.
Travel time from the Amankila to the airport if I remember correctly is about 1.5 hours and yes, you can run into traffic at any point. That's why I would say plan 3 hours in total, maybe 3.5.
I have always been satisfied with the service at the Amankila, but then it's always been decidedly empty when we've been there.
Villas are EVERYWHERE in Bali; there are literally hundreds of choices, some good, some not so. You have to be very careful in choosing as it's very difficult to tell from the internet what's next door, how well the staff are trained, the maintenance, the housekeeping. It's best to get a recommendation from someone who's stayed at a specific villa.
In my opinion, for a few days stay I'd stay ON the beach not near the beach.
Apr 2nd, 2007, 10:25 PM
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I have to weigh in here. We were at Amankila last November. It took us 1h 15min both times, once midday and then early evening and it was very busy. You should go to Amankila, there is nothing like it.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 09:28 AM
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After much soul searching and listening to the wise words of Fodorites.. I'm thinking of spending the first 3 nights at the 4 Seasons (we arrive late) then 2 nights at Amankila and then somewhere cheap in Seminyak as a last ditch money saving moment, so we can eat out and get the plane early the next day, any thoughts anyone?
Marmot I've kinda decided on Siladen because I'm not so into muck diving which I think that part of N Sulawesi is all about.. so I guess I'll have some interesting feedback on the place, fingers crossed. I guess its never too late to change but the place looks nice, gets good reviews and they've been really efficient at answering, why do you rate Kungkungan Bay Resort so well? does it have a nice beach?
Marmot I've kinda decided on Siladen because I'm not so into muck diving which I think that part of N Sulawesi is all about.. so I guess I'll have some interesting feedback on the place, fingers crossed. I guess its never too late to change but the place looks nice, gets good reviews and they've been really efficient at answering, why do you rate Kungkungan Bay Resort so well? does it have a nice beach?
Apr 4th, 2007, 01:26 AM
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Yvonne, for a stylish, moderately priced place on Seminyak beach I'd suggest the Sofitel. It's convenient to all the shops and restaurants.
I can't compare Kungkungan to Siladen since I've never seen Siladen, but compared to any other places that I've stayed or seen in N. Sulawesi Kungkungan really excelled. It's on an incredibly beautiful little bay. The food and service are good. They often have marine biologists or underwater photographers among their guests who give slide shows.
It doesn't have much of a beach per se, but the reef comes right up to the shore so you can wade out and snorkle right from your room. Though they specialize in micro-critter photography, it's definitely not all muck; the coral in the area is splendid.
There are several sites that are all within a few minutes boat ride at varying degrees of difficulty. The marine life is extraordinary.
If I were you I'd e-mail the managers and ask them to give you a comparison between the two resorts.
I can't compare Kungkungan to Siladen since I've never seen Siladen, but compared to any other places that I've stayed or seen in N. Sulawesi Kungkungan really excelled. It's on an incredibly beautiful little bay. The food and service are good. They often have marine biologists or underwater photographers among their guests who give slide shows.
It doesn't have much of a beach per se, but the reef comes right up to the shore so you can wade out and snorkle right from your room. Though they specialize in micro-critter photography, it's definitely not all muck; the coral in the area is splendid.
There are several sites that are all within a few minutes boat ride at varying degrees of difficulty. The marine life is extraordinary.
If I were you I'd e-mail the managers and ask them to give you a comparison between the two resorts.
Apr 5th, 2007, 04:29 AM
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Yvonne,
Can't help with your Bali questions, but I would really appreciate it if you could post a trip report when your retuen home!
I have an October dive trip to North Sulawesi planned - we will be there for 11 nights - and after much research we have decided to split our time 4 nights muck diving on the Lembeh side at the new Kasawari Rssort and 7 nights on the Bunaken side at Siladen.
Siladen looks lovely, but its been hard to find many first hand reviews. The biggest negatives that I've read are that you cannot swim in front of the hotel at low tide and that due to currents, trash from Mandado often accumlates.
We looked into staying at KBR, which has had many mixed reviews of late. Many like Marmot have raved about it, but others, including the dive magazine Undercurrent, have recently panned it for poor food service and indifferent management.
Whatever you choose, hope you have a great time.
Can't help with your Bali questions, but I would really appreciate it if you could post a trip report when your retuen home!
I have an October dive trip to North Sulawesi planned - we will be there for 11 nights - and after much research we have decided to split our time 4 nights muck diving on the Lembeh side at the new Kasawari Rssort and 7 nights on the Bunaken side at Siladen.
Siladen looks lovely, but its been hard to find many first hand reviews. The biggest negatives that I've read are that you cannot swim in front of the hotel at low tide and that due to currents, trash from Mandado often accumlates.
We looked into staying at KBR, which has had many mixed reviews of late. Many like Marmot have raved about it, but others, including the dive magazine Undercurrent, have recently panned it for poor food service and indifferent management.
Whatever you choose, hope you have a great time.
