airport transfer to sanur--20 min on average..

pan pacific, while big, is a good west coast hotel..

thanks Bob, although PP is probably not what we are looking for..... 20 mins is good though
i am REALLY having a hard time figuring out which area to stay.... so many lovely places...... (what a great problem to have )

Lancaster, Bear in mind that immigration will include your arrival and departure days in your visa count so you're right at 30. Don't worry though, if you overstay a few days they'll just ask you to pay a fee of about $20 a day when you exit.

Transit time from the airport to Sanur is like everywhere else in Bali unpredictable as traffic jams can pop up anytime, anywhere. My guess would be to plan 40 minutes. Sanur and Seminyak are about the same.

I think the problem with comparing Bali with Lombok is that all of Bali's main (i.e., best) beaches are already claimed, and you won't get many small beachfront properties at the $200 range. You will get charming villas and boutique resorts within walking distance of the beach, both in Sanur and Seminyak.

@marmot<<<Lancaster, Bear in mind that immigration will include your arrival and departure days in your visa count so you're right at 30. Don't worry though, if you overstay a few days they'll just ask you to pay a fee of about $20 a day when you exit.>>>

Thanks. I did a bit of research on the Trip Advisor FAQs about visas...

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTo...eply-Bali.html

After reading replies #1 and #2, I thought I'd play safe.

I fell foul of the visa rules recently in Nepal, by taking out-of-date information off Lonely Planet, and had to make a [could really have done without] visit to the Immigration Office in Pokhara to buy a visa extension.

I'd advise anyone visiting a country for the first time to look at the FAQs on TA. Good Destination Experts will fill the FAQs with all sorts of good information, and often useful stuff that you'd never think about.

Warm greetings again Nicky and congratulations on returning to our fine home of Singapore, and on to beloved Bali. I do wish to thank you for your years of supporting our sweet city-state's economy; well done.

Regarding Bali lodgings, will leave that to the esteemed marmot. Regarding Singapore - Bali flights (if not already sorted), will give the highest praise to some particularly joyous Singapore Airlines sectors (SIN - DPS) we experienced last May: SQ 942/943 J. (My profile page review of the Jimbaran Puri Bali briefly touches on those moments.) Mind you, those SQ flights could very well not fit your schedule/budget; just a suggestion.

[And for some of you contemplating a not-so-near Balinese holiday, a potential Bali resort for you: Earlier this year, I attended a presentation at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, regarding the MO's future Bali resort, currently scheduled for ~ late-2016 opening. Given my recent and most positive MO business travel stays, her Balinese addition should be most acceptable for some. Count me as a happy and current corporate travelling 'fan' of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.]

Very happy for you, Nicky; savour your planning. Excellent chance will be returning to Bali for meetings before your departure; will pass along any pertinent developments. Warm Friday morning and weekend wishes to you and all from Singapore,

robert


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

When we go, we stay in Seminyak, and visit Ubud on overnighters.

That said, the reason we stay in Seminyak is that we have access to a nice villa there and so, it just makes sense to accept a freebee when it's available and not in use. Seminyak (at least parts) are close to a beach. It has a fair choice of dining and shopping. And resorts. It's of course, closer to the sights it's closer to (Tanah Lot, etc... and yes, I did mean to put it that way) while Ubud is closer to what it's closer to.

But otherwise, I don't really feel attached to Seminyak. Doesn't wow me or make me think "Bali", particularly.

But.... we're not "beach people", really. A day visit is plenty for us. And in general we do prefer staying where we get a sense of place. All things considered, if we didn't have a place to stay already, I'd definitely prefer Ubud.

First week booked on Airbnb in Sanur...

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2496595?s=_n_W

And I've bagged an excellent deal on Booking.com for our 2nd week in Ubud...

http://www.baliagungrakaresort.com/

Askoksena, can't wait to be back in SP visiting some of my favourite places ( and some new ones) tell me, have you been to the Tippling club? I think it looks great but K hasn't been so no knowledge of it.

CC - thank you for you observations ref Bali, I am still waiting for my passport to come back ( sigh...) so no flights booked but once it does ( and the flights are booked) I'll get serious about accommodation.....

>>>Askoksena, can't wait to be back in SP visiting some of my favourite places ( and some new ones) tell me, have you been to the Tippling club? I think it looks great but K hasn't been so no knowledge of it.<<<


Warm Friday morning greetings again Smeagol; just catching up with your enquiry. So glad over your September return to our fine home of Singapore; special part of the world.

Regarding that exquisite Tippling Club, I (we) love that venue. I am particularly partial to her rather new location (she started out in the Dempsey Hill neighbourhood). Her present digs consist of some delightfully converted shophouses on Tanjong Pagar Road. Suspect you will appreciate their take on various cocktail and cuisine creations - and pairings. Highly recommend advance reservations. One Thursday evening (post-move), she was pleasantly booked; a later Saturday night, she was truly hopping with more than a few of those globe-trotting, high-end fashionistas and foodies. Should you go Tippling, enjoy (responsibly).

[Will add some potential pre-Singapore travelling reading for you and all: "Singapore Noir", ably edited by the lovely Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan. I had the pleasure of meeting Cheryl at a recent reception; most interesting woman.]

As always, savour your planning Nicky; should be another lovely holiday. Signing off rather early from one of your cherished favourites, Bangkok. Wish I could regale you and all with tales of late-night delights in the City of Angels; sadly, just a few days of meetings and early evenings. (But a Thai weekend does beckon - as well as some rather recent 'high-end' BKK lodging developments to convey in future.) Warm Friday and weekend wishes to you and all,

robert


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Robert that's great, thank you will definitley pre book! May go for the Saturday night........ ( assuming I ever get my passport back!!!!)
Have a fab weekend in my favourite city.
N

Just back from Bali and this is where I stayed in Ubud - http://www.ministryofvillas.com/vill...la-griya-atma/.

Ubud is lovely if you want to experience the rustic countryside that is away from the hustle and bustle.

Hi smeagol, just came across this thread and wanted to add my two cents in! While Seminyak has great villas, Ubud is a more interesting place. Plenty to potter about and explore, you won't be bored and it's worth the drive from the airport. If you're looking for luxury hotels check out the Intercontinental Bali while you're there,we found it's central location very convenient.