Hi all,
We are going to Bali for a week in May. Its our first OS holiday since ourdaugjter was born almost a year ago. Cant wait!
Any recommendatio s for hotels? I was thinking of booking the cheapest 5 star through Trivago.
Also, any recommendations on activities and when/how to book? How much do people negotiate when buying tours off street vendors?
Thanks in advance.
Westin Nusa Dua. Stayed 4 times in 4 years, came back 2 weeks ago it is simply unrivaled for the current prices.
Many of my friends and colleagues get excited about Bali then book hotels in Kuta and Seminyak, Legian etc. they come back and tell everyone about pollution, hustlers, protitutes and filth. Stay in Nusa Dua and avoid all that while only a 20 min $10 taxi ride away from the trash, filth and Austrian drunks haggling over $4 Bintang singlets.
Stay in Nusa Dua and avoid all that while only a 20 min $10 taxi ride away from the trash, filth and Austrian drunks haggling over $4 Bintang singlets.
I suspect there may actually be a few drunk Austrians in Nusa Dua. Maybe OP is better off going in October when the Austrians have drinking binges closer to home.
Thanks guys Nusa Dua sounds like the go to place.
In terms of activities like waterrafting, elephant park or volcano - whats the approx cost? And how much would people negotiate?
Are you taking your daughter ?
Yes she is coming with us.
Komaneka in Ubud. There is three of them. The rooms are pricey but they are worth it if you just wanna relax for a couple days.
Maybe book your first night's acommodation in advance (so you don't have to stress about organising it while you're still all 'frazzled' from the flight), but for acommodation after that I would wait until you get there to decide on it. In my experience, in Bali you pay way over the odds when you book/pay in advance, 'remotely'… By far the best deals are to be gotten 'on the day'; i.e. you just go to the area you want to stay at, check out a few places, then negotiate a price at the one you like the best… You will definitely not be stuck for options, so don't be afraid to 'play it by ear' after the first night. You will save a lot on acommodation this way.
I'm not sure this is a good idea with a small child on board, not to mention the heat.
It is really what you are after while you are in Bali. I have been living in Bali more than 3 years, just move to Perth recently. If you are taking your daughter, Ubud and Nusa dua are two good spot that you can't miss. Check tegalsari-ubud, it is not 5 star but genuine nice place with genuine people. I have known them since 2001. For Nusa dua, there is plenty of choices. St Regis and Mulia are very recomended, but the price is high. Make sure somebody pick you up at the airport, so you don't need to do bargain. Water Rafting choose Bali advanture, it is operated by Aussie if I am not mistaken. Komaneka at Ubud is good too…Avoid Kuta, Legian during tourist holiday…. If you want to learn to surf, Canggu and Seminyak have a better option..
Hi Robby128, love to hear any suggestions you've got for a query I just posted here for my family visiting Kuta - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/232621
I love Kuta and Legian, a lot of shops, hotels and cafes. But as other have stated, they're very crowded especially during tourist season. Nusa Dua and Ubud are nice. And don't forget to check out Ayana Resort. It is pricey but a very nice resort. And you really should go to the Rock Bar which is located inside the Ayana Resort. It is really gorgeous. Even if you don't stay in Ayana you can still go to Rock Bar, just you need to arrive there earlier as hotel / resort guests are allowed to enter first before non-guest visitors. The Rock Bar opens at 6 pm, I think.
Just got back from Seminyak, stayed in a loft apartment which was fantastic. The range of quality restaurants in Seminyak is amazing and I didn't see one drunk Australian or any other nationality in my 5 days there but I didn't go hunting for them either. I'm sure if your after a 5 star hotel Seminyak would have them and I can't recommend this area high enough.
i stayed in different places to experience a variety if hotels and no backtracking.
nusa dua - ubud - mara rive safari park - kamala
nusa dua great for relaxation n kids club, ubud overlooking rice paddy fields and exploring all the nearby attractions - mara river for 1 night amazing experience! the room looks to the reserve elephants, zebras and so does infinity pool, and kamala beach for proximity to airport and beach. can hire a boat from front of hotel to turtle island (free entry!) and heaps of water sports like parasailing n banana boat.. resort beach frontage.
if staying in one place n doing day tours.. its really long days, lots of driving, traffic and the infrastructure isnt good so lots of one lane roads.
Is there any family friendly locations where can I go to eat Fresh Durian daily close by?
Ubud is nice, central, not near beach but great for relaxation.
Can do great wild water rafting, visit elephant park, see great volcano craters there are restaurants all along the rim).
Suggest to get a good driver, all day for maybe $60 or so.