Hi! I'm looking to pay Bali a visit with some friends in July. I've never been there myself and so would like some opinions from those who have been...Firstly, is July a good time to go?...secondly, where would you recommend staying? I've heard so much about giving Kuta a miss coz it's gone quite commercial. What about Legian Beach? Is that in Kuta or next to it? Would like to hear from anyone...Thanks!

Try to stay in town, Kuta..., it's commercial but convenient .can't rem the names of the hotels but those around Hard Rock Cafe are quite nice. <BR>June would be a better time to go.

Hi Oriel, <BR>We went last June/July and the weather was great. I read into your letter that you are no looking for a real busy place. If that is the case, I have two suggestions. A great place to stay and be away from the hustle of Kuta/ND is the Le Meridien. It is about 20-25 minutes from Kuta but is over looking Tanah Lot . They have free shuttles but even taking a taxi will cost a few dollars. We likes this place better than the Ritz (Club Level)! There are also other places to stay away from the Kuta area. Try the Serai. Both places have web sites. Good luck.

Nobody answered your question about Legian. It's a short drive from Kuta, 4 - 6 km. I'm reluctant to say more, because I haven't been there since 1979. Things change.

July 1996 we were in Bali. The weather was nice, evenings were a bit cool. We kept asking if that was unusual and all anyone would say is that it was nice! We stayed at the Grand Hyatt and would go back in an instant.

Everywhere is commercialised in Bali. It's for the tourists, after all. Kuta is noisy, or vibrant, depends on how u see it. If u like shopping, windsurfing and people-watching, u should stay at Kuta. Legian is just the next beach to Kuta. I have not been there but someone recommended it to me as a good alternative to Kuta. Like u, i heard that Kuta wasn't good, too sleazy, so when i was there in '97, i stayed at Radisson Sanur. The hotel was fantastic, but Sanur beach wasn't. It was too quiet for us, and the beach was not good. If u have a bigger budget, u can stay at Nusa Dua. The beach is good, and there's lots of 5-star hotels there. But i thought there was no character. Too nicely put together for the tourists. I think u should try Legian. It's "classier" than Kuta, but if u miss the buzz at Kuta, u can always walk or talk a short cab ride over. <BR>