vacationgal74

Hello---My husband and I are tentatively planning a trip to Bali for August/September 2014. I am just starting to get a handle on things and had a few basic questions to get us started. We are planning on 10 days or so total. We want a relatively relaxing pace, so were thinking of targeting three locales: 1) Nusa Dua (my husband has many hotel points for the Conrad Hilton there), 2) Ubud, and 3) Tulamben (we are avid scuba divers). If we are flying in/out of Denpasar, which order should we visit these three places? What is the most efficient/common way to travel between these three areas? I didn't have a sense of distance. Last but not least, do you have any hotel recommendations for Tulamben or Ubud? My budget isn't unlimited, but this trip is for my 40th birthday, so are looking for high-end level accommodations. Kind thanks for your help!

Kathie

You'll just want a car and driver/taxi to transfer you from one place to another. This is easy (and cheap) to arrange on the spot - no need to book ahead. You will want Nusa Dua to be at the beginning or the end.

If you want a relaxing pace, I'd suggest you restrict yourselves to two places, but it sounds like the stay at Nusa Dua is required. Watch for marmot to recommend places to stay in Ubud and Tulamben.

vacationgal74

Thanks so much for the info. That is really helpful! Also, if there are any divers on the board----I am open to other places besides Tulamben, if it isn't too time-consuming/difficult to get too. My husband and I are PADI Open Water. I would describe us as intermediate divers who look for casual, relaxing diving.

marmot

Depending on how long your flight is, I'd suggest that you start in the Southern beach area and start with pool/beach/spa focused resort. It's hard to argue with a free stay, but Nusa Dua wouldn't be my first choice. The Conrad is a beautiful, fairly new property, but the beach in that area (Benoa) is disappointing.

I'd recommend the Petitenget area (North Seminyak) for nice resorts, shops, restaurants and a wide, big wave beach with spectacular sunsets. The Legian is my favorite resort (luxury priced, however). I also really like The Colony, a charming boutique hotel, not right on the beach but near everything and a good value. [There's also a new Alila being built on Petitenget beach which looks promising. Should be open by the time of your trip.]

All of the Southern beaches are fairly close to the airport (which is actually in Jimbaran).

From the beach to the Ubud area is about an hour. To Amed/Tulamben about three hours from the airport, two from Ubud. Have you resort pick you up at the airport (often included in your room rate) and ask them to arrange transport to your next destination.

I haven't been to Amed lately so can't recommend places to stay, but there's been a lot of recent development (in a good way) in the area. The Alila Manggis is about a hour, maybe less, from the dive sites and is a lovely property.

Menjangan Island which is about three hours from the airport in the other direction -- Northwest -- is also good for diving and there are several resorts in Pemuteran. Ganesha Villas are especially nice, but pricey.

In Ubud you'll have plenty of choices of resorts, both within the town itself and in the surrounding countryside. Outside town I like the Alila Ubud, Kayu Manis, the Samaya. Como Shambhala if you want to splurge. In town, Uma Ubud. (You can see I'm an Alila fan.)

rhkkmk

the conrad is fab and is OUTSIDE of nusa dua in a nice location..

look at alam shanti in ubud---book early... choose gangga or yunna (sp) rooms...

use putu to get around for sightseeing---often spoken of here, or use taxis..

bombayteddy

For a hotel in Seminyak, I would strongly recommend The Oberoi. One of the oldest hotels in Bali, it is one with a real sense of place, history and culture. With only 75 chalets and located directly on the beach, the property has an utterly civilised, peaceful, "magical" quality. Best to book directly on the Oberoi Hotels website, or by emailing the hotel.
As for drivers, sightseeing and help with hotel bookings in Ubud, nobody better than Bali Discovery Tours, run by a jovial American called Jack Daniels (!) who has lived in Bali for 20 years. He has English-speaking drivers and his style of operation is thoroughly professional. He also publishes a free monthly e-newsletter which is a mine of information on Bali.