Mitch04

No argument in my book. The Tanjung Sari is grossly overrated. The Pansea and Jimbaran bay are better. Last time I was in Bali 18 months ago, Sanur was looking tired and not very attractive. Many places (partly because of the lack of tourists) were looking rundown. The Pansea, I understand, has recently been done up. Jimbaran Bay is also a much better beach, although bear in minf that it is a little off the beaten track in terms fo shopping (apart from some local markets). Sanur has more shops.

Mitch04

Just had a thought. I know its a bit remote, but the Alila at Candi Dasa is brilliant. Probably the best food in Bali, quiet, romantic, great pool. The beach is non existent. Yoiu also get reciprocal rights, I believe, to use the facilities at the adjacent Aman Kila, where the beach club is like heaven on a stick.

CFW

Well Pansea Puri Bali will be it, I think. Now, the question is -- should we spring for a beach-front villa? They are quite a bit more $ but I had read that the others do not have a sea view, which is really important to us. (I think I'm answering my own question here...)

Alila at Candi Dasa also looks great & I understand the food is wonderful. Maybe we should spend a couple of days there at the end of our trip instead of Damai Lovina. Are there any interesting things to do/see in the area?

Mitch, any recommendations for Ubud?

KimJapan

In eastern Bali there is the lovely Amed coast which you could get driver to take you to. Tirtagganga is a water palace that we enjoyed one day. There are some Bali Aga villages, one of which is very touristed yet still was enjoyable, and another which saw few tourists which was very nice...names of them I don't have right now but if you stayed at the Alila there they would know and could arrange a driver to take you around. In the northern part of the Amed coastline there is a salt making place which is kind of neat I think. Padang Bai, the port town, is interesting to me for people watching.

I'd go to the Alila Manggis before I went to the Damai....easy choice there for me at least.

There is another Pansea...Ubud Hanging Garden or something like that. What about a super nice room at the Maya...rather than one of the lower bracket rooms at the RPM? For no particular reason, I feel like I prefer the Maya, like it may be more welcoming and friendly. I could be wrong, just the feeling I get. Plus, I think could easialy spend a week there happily without being bored, and not move hotels. It's a happy medium location...not so far out of town, not so in town, too.

Mitch04

Last time I stayed in Ubud was many years ago. It was a gorgeous little stand alone villa with no electricity and no hot water. Sounds awful - but it was bloody wonderful. Kerosene and pressure lamps were laid out each night by the staff, so at night it was so bloody romantic!

The Alila also has a property in Ubud, which used to be called the Chedi, and that's great so I understand (I don't think it has any TV). You might be able to work a deal if you stay at both Alila properties if you contact them direct via the net (I think they do a package that includes Ubud and Manggis/Candi Dasa). Personally, I think Lovina is the asshole of the world compared to the rest of Bali.

The Maya (Ubud) is also good (my daughter has stayed there). I agree with Kim about the Amed coast, but it is a long way to go.

If it was me, I'd probably make my first stop the Alila Candi Dasa (and also spent a day at the Aman Kila's Beach Club because it is heavenly, and is only a 4-5 minute drive using the Alila's courtesy bus), then move to Ubud, and finally, make my last 2 nights or so at Pansea, Jimbaran Bay, because it's only a 10 minute drive to the airport for departure.

CFW

Because we're coming from the US & will be exhausted when we arrive, and also have jet lag, I think we'll start at the Pansea Puri Bali in Jimbaran to relax at the beach, then go to Yogyakarta for a couple of days to see Borobodur, then back to Ubud, and end up at the Alila Manggis in Candi Dasa. We keep looking at so many great places in Ubud, but somehow keep coming back to thinking about a Villa at the Maya Ubud. Mitch, ask you're daughter to write a report! Based on everyone's comments, we've totally ditched the idea of Damai Lovina. What would we do without the great info we get on this website!

marmot

CFW, Sounds like your trip's coming together. I like the Alila Manggis a lot, especially with the added attraction of the Amankila's beach club. The beach is just okay, but it's swimmable and the area is culturally rich.

I'm a fan of the Alila in Ubud as well. I think their "suites" are as good as any room in Bali including those at twice the price.

I'm not familiar with the Pansea in Jimbaran, but in general I'm less enthusiastic about the Jimabaran beach. The constant distraction of planes taking off and landing bothers me and I think the restaurant options are too limited. Seminyak although not perfect remains my favorite.

How are you doing on your Yogya plans?

CFW

Marmot, Someone said that you can see the planes but not hear them. Is that true? Is so, won't bother us. Jet noise however would be a problem.

marmot

CFW, No, I don't remember noise being an issue, just the lights and sights.

I've stayed at the Four Seasons Jimbaran several times and really enjoyed the experience. The beach itself is as I said so-so. Good for swimming but sometimes a bit rocky. Not good for walking. My husband who is a runner had problems with dogs on the beach.

Quite honestly there isn't a perfect beach in Bali, so you always need to make a tradeoff of some kind. For a Big event I'd go with the Legian. The downside there is that the surf is aggressive. Good for bouncing in the waves and body boarding but not a calm swimming beach. To me, however, the other advantages compensate.

piri

CFW We have stayed at the Pansea many times,.Have lost track of the number of times we have been to Bali. Maybe 14 , each visit usually 3-4 weeks.
We always go to about 3 areas in Bali each visit and for a beach stay have always enjoyed Jimbaran. The Pansea has always
been great, particlarly the beach front villas. However, for a MUCH cheaper price, the hotel next door, The Kereaton, is excellent value.
Spacious rooms, nice pool and the same , great swimming beach and wonderful sunsets. What we like about Jimbaran is the late afternoons, watching all the locals come out onto the beach , the children playing and all the fishing boats sailing off. Marvellous !
Sanur is delightful. Has a real village atmosphere. Have stayed from one end to the other. Don't know your budget, but I think Tanjung Jari has seen better days. Have stayed at the Hyatt, Sanur Beach Hotel all too big.
Look at the Santrian Beach Bungalows next to the Besakih. Their better rooms are lovely, they are right on the beach and there is a wonderful broardwalk now that goes for a long way along the beach and in front of the various hotels, built by courtesy of the Japanese Government. The village is lovely to walk through for restaurants, shopping ,spa treatments etc. (a different world from Kuta).
A great find 18 months ago was a wonderful villa in the North of Bali called Villas Agung Bali Nirwana. Superb standard accommadation, only 3 villas on site, the most amazing snorkling at your doorstep. Check their web site. www.agung-bali-nirwana.com . I was sceptical but everything lived up to the web sites promises. We stayed 4 nights and can't wait to return. We drove up after staying in Ubud and on the return south , had a few days in Candi Dasa at the Watergarden Hotel, which is gorgeous . So relaxing and well managed. Check that out too.
Bali is so beautiful. Enjoy your visit and embrace their culture. They welcome you so warmly.

CFW

Well, I am so excited about our trip! And after all of the difficulty in making a choice about Ubud, I just bid on & got a great 4-night package at a pool villa at the Pita Maha through Luxury Link. It looks wonderful & the price was really right - about half the regular rate plus it includes breakfast, taxes & service charge, two hour long massages, a two hour bicycle tour & even dinner one night. How can we go wrong?

Mitch04

Only reason I suggested Candi Dasa first is that you will be excited, and the 2-hour drive will not phase you. But I found the 2-hour drive to the airport on our last day a pain in the ass, especially at night. That's why the Pansea was great for the last few nights. It's just a 5-10 min drive. BTW, you can see the planes, but you can't hear them,. The noise is not an issue.

Robbietravels

I was in Bali in May-June 2005. Lovina was our first stay (2 nights) and Damai Lovina was lovely IMO, very restful, the host/owner most gracious. He told us about a special local celebration and arranged for us to get preferred seating at this major childrens dance event in the town below DL. Many interesting sights en route from DL to central and southern areas of Bali. For cultural completeness the north is important, its the only Muslum region on the island.
Our 5 nights at KayauManis near Ubud were bllissful! Only eight villas (but they were going to add some) with private infinity pool overlooking forest with rushing river below and rice fields in the distance. Setting was stunning, food and service very fine.
I preferred staying in a village 12 minutes from the center of Ubud (free transport day & night)rather than in the hustle and bustle of town. Every a.m. I walked around the village (for photography) and had wonderful experiences being invited to villagers' homes, watchin them make their crafts.
I vote for the Legian/Seminyak over Sanur for a beach stay. The hotel is so beautiful and refined. The beach as delicious as the food. We had an overnight at Tandjung Sari (our cottage on the beach was huge & wonderful) but I found this area too touristy and had a mass market feel to it. Like you, I prefer low rise and intimate places.
I may be an odd duck but Amankila did not suit me (spent 2 nights there). Yes, the room was spectacular, the view lovely, the service attentive, the evening dance performance excellent, the beach very private, pristine & peaceful....but it was all a little too precious for me.
BTW, our guide, thanks to posters on this forum was exceptional....Wayan Sueta([email protected])
Further questions, email me directlly.

Mitch04

I agree about Aman Kila being "too precious". That's why I suggested the nearby Alila, which has food that is just as good, and a far more relaxed atmosphere. But as an Alila guest, you get reciprocal rights to Aman Kila, and a day spent relaxing at its Beach Club is heavenly.

CFW

The smallest room at the Legian - a studio -- is well over $400 per night, which is above our budget, especially if the surf is too rough to swim. How is the Sofitel in Seminyak? How would you compare the Sofitel to the Intercontental in Jimbaran? How is the beach at the Sofitel? Good for swimming? White sand? Since we are staying in a villa in Ubud, my husband is now thinking he would like more of a resort-type hotel for the beach part of our trip.

KimJapan

The Sofitel finished a remodel in the last year and is reportedly very nice. The beach is dark grey sand, not white.

marmot

The Sofitel is right in the middle of the Seminyak beach area. The sand there is as white as you're going to get in Bali. It's not the black volcanic sand of the north, but it's also not the pristine white sand of Thailand. The beach is good for swimming.

I personally like this area better than Jimabaran because you have a longer more accessible beach and more options shopping and eating nearby that don't involve a long taxi ride.

I haven't been to the I-C lately so can't compare, but as Kim said the Sofitel recently had a complete makeover. In its price range it is to me the best option.

It's very popular among Europeans, singles, couples and families. They have both rooms and beachfront (almost) villas.

Honestly, I don't think there is a perfect beach in Bali. You have to think more Santa Monica or Bondi Beach lively than white sand, clear water, deserted island.

Re the Legian, $400 is the rack rate, but I doubt that anyone actually pays it. The "real" price should be around $300 (plus 21%)for what they call a studio, which is a large room with a sitting area, big balcony and an ocean view.

CFW

Thanks, everyone. Still trying to decide between Intercontinental & Sofitel -- anyone else have any views? Maybe I should post another post since we've now done a complete about-turn from our original thoughts. Isn't that the fun of trip-planning & fodors. So many possibilities & great suggestions from everyone. We originally thought Seminyak might be too touristy & nightclubby for our taste, but you've given me a different picture.

sallyho

I loved the Pansea Puri Bali for the first 3 nights of a 3 week stay on Bali. The villas were lovely with a beautiful private garden area. I would not spend the extra on the beachfront since they do not feel as private. The grounds, gardens, and pool area are beautiful. You will feel like you are in Bali.
The beach has white sand and is O.K. for swimming depending on the tide.
Watching the fishing boats go out in the a.m. and return in the P.M. was very scenic. The beach seafood restaurents were wonderful.

I would also include the East coast along with Ubud That is where all the scenic rice terraces are and some charming villages. We did some wonderful morning treks to small villages. We checked out of the Amankila after one night (to stuffy) and stayed at the Manggis. I thought it might feel like a block hotel, but we really enjoyed it.

I agree with all about the Damai. It is a beautiful drive to the north and we did some great snorkeling. I thought the Damai was lovely, but Lovina is not in the same league with other areas in Bali.

twofortheroad

I hesitate to make a suggestion because we were in Bali at the Ritz in 98. One day we took a cab to a beach restaurant next to the IC for lunch, and afterwards strolled the beach up to the 4 Seasons. The beach itself was not exceptional. We walked through the IC from the beach to the lobby to get a cab back to the Ritz. Our overall impression was that it seemed a little dreary and not an inviting place to stay. But this was 8 years ago.