Posted by hilly on 1/5/2006, 7:08 am
202.173.174.82
Just back from a 10 day holiday with the family. We stayed at the Bali Mandira for the first few days, booked directly with the hotel via the internet, and they were really helpful and efficient. We ended up staying in a deluxe cottage, which has two interconnecting rooms 1 double, one twin. Rooms are great they are not large but are adequate, they have a large bathroom which includes an outdoor shower light and bright. They have room safes and air conditioners that are quiet and effective. Really enjoyed the hotel right on the beach and a close walk to shops and restaurants. Occupancy was low when we arrived but was improving closer to New Year, mainly with domestic tourists.
We then moved to Jimbaran and stayed in the Intercontinental not a place we would normally stay at, but we had a pretty special deal, too good not to use. The hotel is large and has amazing gardens, lobby etc. It is a long hike from the rooms to the pool and the pool is Ok unfortunately chlorinated , not salt water. Food and drinks are at Aussie prices or higher in the hotel. The highlight of this place for us was the fabulous staff, friendly, happy and attentive. There were a large number of Russian tourists in the place and they were not all that respectful to the staff, and they still kept smiling!
The seafood markets are directly next to the hotel, we ate and drank there during the day and evening and they were very quiet. They have added increased security from 6pm each night, when a few tourists were turning up for a meal on the beach.
A couple of restaurants that we used which were memorable were
1. Sana in Legian owned by a WA couple and only recently opened, staff were great food was excellent and prices good . Brian (one of the owners) is at the restaurant most nights and meets and greets.
2. Drops at the Casa Padma in Legian excellent food and prices
A few other thoughts Prices are much as they were when we visited 12 months ago.
There were a number of articles in the Jakarta Post talking of crackdowns on counterfeit clothes and DVDs etc, it will be interesting to see if this happens.
The security was improved at many places although in classic Bali style, if you were European and objected, they would let you through anyway.
Taxi fares have increased, as many have said about 45000 Rph from Legian to Jimbaran. The Bluebird group are upgrading their cars and it is quite a new fleet
Any queries pls let me know
Hilly
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