yo guys..anyone been to bali recently? how's the accomodation over there? anyone got any experience..pls tell me!! which hotel is better..!! not too luxurious pls!! which place IS A MUST TO visit?! would renting a car there be recommended during our stay there?!

still planning on where to go


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Info added by Stimix/Juichuan (As & When Basis):

For easy navigation & locations markers, here're 2 portions of Zoom-out GPS maps of Bali (Courtesy of http://navigasi.net/ )




U can also use wikipedia as a rough guidelines: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=-8.431621&lon=11...=10&l=0&m=m&v=2

Weather in Bali
http://bali.sawadee.com/weather.htm

Compilation of "Must" List of Attractions in Bali (From all LYN forumers that visited Bali):

1. Uluwatu
2. Tanah Lot
3. Bedugul (On the way probably stop at Tmn Ayun complex at Mengwi)
4. Kintamani & Mount Batur. Although the buffet sux. (On the way choose either Tegalalang rice field or Tempak Sireh (Diff road!)
5. Ubud massage and spa! & Taman Ayun Pura & Goa Gajah
6. Shopping at Sukawati. It's damn cheap! And please bargain. I always bargain with 80%. Then you can go on from there.
7. Nusa dua & surrounding beaches (Geger/ Bali Cliff) beaches are incredibly clear.
8. Hire a driver. Don't kena potong. Please search for the standard price in this thread (Min 300K rupiah). Or even rent a car..min 120K Rupiah
9. Eat sate babi at Warung Mayde Kuta(if you are a non-muslim)Eat dirty duck at Ubud. It's nice & Babi Guling.. (ermmm the taste is good but it's not excellent). For Jimbaran seafood choose Lia Cafe at the old Seafood complex...others are expensive
10. Hard Rock Bali. & also window shoppings in Kuta Square, DVD shoppings, Discovery Centro Mall or even Carrefour at Sunset road
11. Stay at ubud. As it'll overlook a paddy field. Nice


Secondary List if Having more times & also $$$

1) Bersakith mother of all temples - Damn far & watch out for those blood suckling temple committee that ask for >US30 for temple visit! Pls bargain kaw-kaw if u intend to go there! - Lotsa bad experiences here
2) Batu Karo Pura 2nd sacred Pura in Bali - Very deserted at the foot of Mt Karo - very far
3) Goa Lawah - Very far too on the way to Padang Bai port (In between nothing else) Do visit the beach opposite - It's pure black volcanic beach!
4) GWK park - Heard it's not even completed yet but $$ entrance fee
5) Dreamland beach - More like surfing beach. So water quality so-so only
6) Tempak Sireh -
7) Kunklung royal Bathing
8) Lovina Singgahsana- Very far
9) Penida & Lembongan island ($$$)
10) Tumbalen & Amed diving (Far/ deserted & $$$)
11) Denpasar - Just a city, u will pass-by anyway on your way North

Don't
1. Hire straight away a driver from airport. They'll think you are desperate and take advantage of u.
2. Eat at jimbaran restaurant that's recommended by your driver. I think the driver will bring you to an expensive place to eat. Go somewhere that's introduced in this forum. I learnt my lesson. Don't go to Damoz! It's blardy expensive.
3. Errr walk at midnite back to hotel at ubud. LOL a lot of dogs running around during midnite at that area. They'll keep on barking at u. Scary! haha
4. Forget to put on your sunblock.
5. Don't buy things from people that are hording you!! They come in a pack!
6. Don't go to Pacung for buffet. The food is terrible and it cost us 70k damn!
7. Batu Bulan Kecak dance - Very expensive & unreal dance. Better goto the real dance performed in Uluwatu or other temples.

Taxi Rates from Airport to (Courtesy of Giorgene):

Tanjung Benoa Rp.95,000.- up to Rp.105,000.-
Nusa Dua Rp.95,000.- up to Rp.110,000.-
Jimbaran Rp.60,000.- up to Rp.135,000.-
Tuban Rp.35,000.-
Kuta Rp.45,000.- up to Rp.50,000.-
Legian Rp.55,000.-
Seminyak Rp.60,000.- up to Rp.70,000.-
Kerobokan Rp.70,000.- up to Rp.85,000.-
Canggu Rp.135,000.- up to Rp.195,000.-
Denpasar Rp.70,000.- up to Rp.100,000,-
Ubud Rp.105,000.- up to Rp.195,000.-
Padang Bai Rp.365,000.-
Candi Dasa Rp.385,000.-

Car rental Price start from 120K rupiah for Suzuki Jeep at Airport (After hard nego). Recommend Indotrans Astri located far right hand side after the departure hall.

Car Rental + Hiring Driver:
You can hire from those car rentals company in the airport & also surrounding Kuta (Price Rp300K-RP400K). They normally parked their cars/Jeeps beside or opposite any hotels around Kuta...Otherwise you can pre-booked them from the some of forumers here such as :


Pre Hotel Booking - For those wanted to assure of hotels once reaching Bali (Certain ppl prefer walk-in . According to them cheaper!)

My favourites:
http://www.asiarooms.com/indonesia/bali.ht...nesia/bali.html

Others:
http://www.agoda.com/asia/indonesia/bali.html

Sample Itineraries from those visited Bali & also spending cost:
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=15798824 (Very nice photo travelogue by PS )
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=12811896
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=12117298
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=13478320
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=13606461
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=18447026
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=19167362
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=20153802 (King of budget traveler spent RM450 in Bali!!)
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=21041656

This post has been edited by stimix: Mar 19 2010, 12:01 AM

i also going soon in November hehe.. tumpang thread lor...
but tips from my relative is dont book at internet! go there and see first, if not later get cheated..

Try to stay at kuta towm. Just 10min from the airport. Is the most famous beach towm in bali. Hotel, try hard rock cafe. The room is nice and you can party at night around the area. Shopping is near. For sightseeing, book a taxi and bargain with him. Book like one or two whole day. Ask him the nice place and nice food. He will bring you around. Or at the airport and hotel lobby, pickup some brochure and see what place is nice than ask the taxi driver to drive you there. Don't forget to try out the traditional bali massage. It is the best.

Happy Holiday.

was there back in June 2004

i stayed at the Inna Grand Bali Beach hotel, 5 star hotel (my parents went to MAS travel fair and got this package, around RM 800 for 4 days 3 nights, includes return air tickets and hotel accommodation heheh)

hmm.. my suggestion, rent a driver for a day to bring you around. you're bound to see them everywhere, keep bargaining with them, you'll get a good price. tip, speak malay! they'll most likely think that you're a local if you speak malay with them, which is good. example, i went for a white water rafting trip for half the price than what i was suppose to pay (paid USD 30 instead of USD 60 hehehe )

oooh, you must try out Cola Susu! definitely not for those who are diabetic

omg..airasia recently offered package on the website including air fare n accomodation is rm1.9k

i try booking during the august holiday period..checked just now!!! mm..gotta replan it

dude..rm800 only from the matta fair! per-person or the ur entire family?!

per person la hahah. if whole family, wa lau eh, deal of the century


hmm.. i remember air asia had a package for Bali in October 2004. for RM 399, 4 days 3 nights at a 4 star hotel with return air tickets. at that time, a redang package was costing RM 400 at that time lol

how do u get those holiday package? the airasia website? the holiday package?

it was in the newspapers. i remember seeing the ad on the front page of The Star

elo bro... Im at bali rite now...hehe... can u give me info about your hotel budget?? so I can help u out if i can...

I stayed at Sari Inn...RM60 per day..5 minutes walikng distance to the legian beach(beside kuta beach) and 15 minutes leisure walk to kuta town centre...trip to kuta using kijang will cost u 20k rupiah..never take a taxi if they quote u a higher price..

by the way, if money was not a probs for u..choose nusa dua..there a lot ofr 5 star hotel there compared to kuta..and a lot of privacy also mehh...


upss..another tips...RM2k to 4K was more than enough to explores a whole bali with your scandal for a whole week! (7days like I do)hehe..plz note that was not including airasia ticket and condom price..

okay..wanna lepaking at legian beach rite now...chow!

opsss..forget 1 more thing...my favorite drinks at Bali....the cheap and refeshing TehBotol!!!!hehe

another 1..hehe

1) it was advised to rent a jimny plus driver to take you around Bali rather than to drive it by yourself..you may lost or lanngar org..the road was sempit an full with sepeda motor(kapchai)cost including bensin+driver+suziki jimny+tips+parking ticket+lunch+entrance tikets will be around 300k to 400k rupiah per trip....

2)place of interest = papuan routes(sawah padi along bukit bukau,kinta mani,kuta(for shopping),gua gajah,singaraja,ubud,bedugul and its lakes,tanah lots,spices farm,etc etc..arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh tooo many la... Bali was a paradise in earth..I will come back one day!!!!!

if you were to take taxi, do take the blue cabs. they run according to meter. there's another taxi company which does the same thing, but i can't recall which taxi company it is

Teh Botol? hmm..never encountered it when i was there. Cola Susu FTW!

ps: musangpulut, how's the internet connection in Bali? i remember paying a fortune for some shitty connection back there lol

would it be advisable to go at the end of the year? around december?

hmmm... i stayed at Bali Cliff in January 2005... was there for honeymoon... so Bali Cliff was superb for me.. it quite far from the town... bout 30 minutes... but it's a 5 star hotel with superb surrounding... got it for about rm650 for 2 person (including flight)... 4 days 3 night....

moving around in bali is easy... usually ur package shud include some visits to interesting places... but if u have other places to visit just arrange with the tour operator.. it will cost u a bit...

staying at kuta is a good idea... coz that's where all the action is...

would it be better if i just go with USD instead of rupiah ?

dun ler... thing are cheap over there... use rupiah better... if dollar they might mark-up ler...

Went to Bali earlier this year. Stayed at Conrad Bali in Tanjung Benoa (just a little north of Nusa Dua), for USD120/night (nett). Be aware that hotels in Bali add about 21% tax (10+11) to the offer rates that you usually see. I managed to get a special nett rate at the Conrad that was about 30% lower than normal nett rates.
So if you are sharing with a friend, then the cost is only USD60/night. Plus because I stayed for 4 nights during a promotion, I got a free one-night stay in any Hilton/Conrad hotel worldwide . Will probably use that in Europe, where a 1-night stay in a Hilton is about 150-200 euros... not bad value eh?


I think if you are going to Bali, you should either go for the really cheap accomodations (coz it's so cheap there) or go for the high-end places (also coz its so cheap there!). IMHO, Bali is the best place within 3 hours flight of KL to go splurging coz it's cheaper to splurge in Bali in luxury than it would be to travel mid-range in Malaysia.

Comparatively... a 6-hour spa treatment package in Conrad is about RM330/pax (incl. dinner), while at Pangkor Laut, it is RM1k/pax (no dinner). So from here alone, you can see the relative values.

Teh Botol is a bottled tea la, hahaha. very famous in indo

uhh .. okay, will still bring some USD just in case hehehe.

dear quack...internet connection at Bali was slow like shit! still using the dial up connection and in the same time charge me Rp15,000 (+-RM6) per hour..damn pricey for window98 pc!!!!

well it is the peak period, it will be a bit more expensive to go then. then again, i might be wrong on this

i used mainly rupiah when i was there


well said, agree with you on being the best place within 3 hours. was tempted to do something like a day trip there when air asia had the free air tickets thing going on hehe

haha, i remember the good ol' connection. they charge you by hour? mine was charged per minute after paying the initial 10 minutes

When is the peak period over there ?

hrm... stayed at nusa 2 resort while i was there... 6 star... terrific place!!!! great room, private beach, and great morning buffet breakfast!!! (well it cost USD25-included in the package if you're staying there)... haha they've got the best fruit juices ever!!!

one food that i remembered was babi giling (sry to the muslim pals)... it's like our bbqed pork but just more yummy!!!! kuta is the shopping place with all the shops and all but if you wanna have a good deal buy at those temple area there... they're selling the same stuff just tonnes cheaper cause not many tourist in the area...

if you're into traditional shows and stuff i think there are daily shows of their myth thingie... (forgot what it's called already)... caution... no factory visits!!!! the last i went had the 1/2 day tour and what happened was temple temple and factory factory... everything's expensive and the food sucks big time!!!!

try to get your own tour guide there... they're always with a jeep and such and they'll bring you around the full day!!! if you're into adventure then beach activities are really fun!! try para-sailing... it's breath taking!!!

bring both.... hard rock and places like that it's easier with USD... but rupiah will be best while you're spending on the streets and such..

and must go for the spa..... they usually have got packages one... and of course you must bargain lar.. got mine at USD30... balinese massage + lulur + flower bath + aromatherapy thingie.... hehe one caution though.. you'll be completely naked XD

Destination = Bali
Duration = 8days7nights
Cost = RM1000 excluding AirAsia flight ticket+passport
View rating = 9/10
Food rating = 5/10
Hospitability rating = 8/10
Chick's rating = 7/10
Security Rating = 7.5/10
Overall rating = 8.9/10 ( Mesti pergi once a lifetime!!)


and let the adventure begin....

Kuta beach

Mount Batur

nasi goreng Bali style

Cafe in front of my hotel

RUU stand for Rancangan Undang-Undang

This post has been edited by musangpulut: Apr 30 2006, 02:04 PM

Bedugul & Late Bratan

Bedugul & Late Bratan

Bedugul & Late Bratan

Papuan

Papuan

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot temple

Tanah Lot Temple area

Taman Herba

Kintamani & Mount Batur

Kintamani & Mount Batur

Kintamani & Mount Batur

" Terrorist Goblok!!" Pak Gedel - Supir of the year 200/06

Tegalalang

Tegalalang

Tegalalang

Im lost in Ubud!

Ubud

Ubud

Ubud

Sunset at bombing site, Jimbaran Beach

Sunset at bombing site, Jimbaran Beach

Kuta Beach

Kuta

Bali - land of lotus

In front of my room

Bukit Jambul,Penang..ehh Bali

Besakih Temple

Flu Burung

Uluwatu

Uluwatu

a decent reminder to all....


Uluwatu

Dreamland

Dreamland

catching the sunset with drive-it-by-urself Suzuki Jimny

the end of the adventure..jumpe lagi Bali!!!



-KERTAS SOALAN TAMAT-

wow. Uluwatu is bloody beautiful. too bad i didnt go there when i was there.

oh well, there's always next time


edit: all the Bali threads merged, making this the one stop thread for Bali

This post has been edited by QuackSilver: Apr 30 2006, 02:22 PM

it's quite dangerous to go ANYWHERE at all nowadays. what with terrorism n etc etc getting more n more emerged. make me cant go BALI only

my gosh!!~ the pics posted by musangpulut is magnificant! really make me just wanna hop on the plane n stay in that resort a.s.a.p!! really amazing place BALI is

This post has been edited by triangle-sun: May 5 2006, 09:47 PM

hmm, IMO, you're already letting the terrorist win by letting fear take over you. remember, they are called terrorist for a reason, and that is to put terror into people.

and yes, i felt safe in Bali

bro, use the quote function next time. keeps things organised

erm, i went there to have a good time, not to think of my death?

and yes, the things in Bali is cheap. go back a few pages and read what traveler posted

How's Club Med bali, anyone been there before?

just came back from Bali on Sunday. Spend 5D there!! Awesome!! Things are cheap, and food is good if you know where to look. Not a lot of tourists. According to the locals, their business are slow, so they are desparate to sell their goods.

I went to Bali in June last year, 3 months before the restaurant bomb in Kuta (I had a dinner in that restuartant during my trip!! Scaring!! )

Bali is worth to go, everything's cheap there! Food is delicious, hotel is big, spa is good, beach is long and white! Hotels along the newly developed tourist area Tanjung Benoa are nice, nice one includes Conrad, Oasis and Aston. Hotels in the Nusa Dua are more grand, and some with breathtaking cliff view, like Nikko, Bali Cliff..etc.

But I heard some people said if a not-yet-married couple go to Bali will definitely break up! So, bf-gf want to go to Bali for a romantic vacation, better wait until after getting married...

This post has been edited by citronella: Jun 6 2006, 02:10 PM

Went to Bali a few years ago. Spend close to a week there. I stayed at the resort enclase of Nusa Dua instead of staying at the Kuta strip.

I love the island and the people. The not to be missed site is Tanah Lot during sunset, breathtaking

musangpulut, mine to tell where you stay?

I trying to look for a package that airticket n accomodations is included.
Anyone know where can find it?

I went there last May. It was my 2nd time there. Burn out only RM500 for food,3 star hotel,transportation,rent a surf board and a bloody party at 66 club.

I wont go to Nusa Dua coz its very expensive for me.
Want a cheaper place..then go Kuta or Legian Beach.

Its a great place to surf.

This post has been edited by Civil: Jun 24 2006, 05:00 PM

hey...last time i went with family back in 04..arrived there two days before tsunami..luckily nothing happen backthere..tankGod..stayed there for 5 days..hotel at niko hotel...i tink expensive..but nice..many japs and koreans chicks..heheh...but too far from town...so dad hire tour guide...but its fun..if go backpacker...better stay at town..lot of cheap motel...and near to town...better rent motorbike...lot of tourist rent bike...my tourist guide told me that motel at town for backpacker costly around 30-50 rm for a day..dan or air conditioner not sure...one of the motel that suitable for back packers i tink is beside of the hard rock hotel..near to the beach and near to the clubbing place called kama sutra..heheh...

This post has been edited by shahrumm: Jun 25 2006, 12:40 AM

I would recommend Simpang Inn in Kuta for place to stay.
Great people. Cheap! RM60 per night + 2 american breakfast.

As for nightlife..head down to Double Six(66).
Nice club..got bungee jumping.
Go ahead and try..later they will give u cert heheh..

Things u should do..

1. Barongan ( Dance) RM20
2. Kechak (Dance)RM20
3. Tanah Lot ( This is a must. very scenic)RM20
4. Mt.Kintamani (Volcano. Dont eat there..very expensive)RM4 per person
5. Monkey Temple Uluwatu
6. Surf <---the best part

for bargain...always ask for 50% off for every things u buy.

You can bungee at night or evening..its up to you.!
The best time sunset. Nice view..if you dont shut ur eyes laa
Some people get drunk first before start bungee.

Last time my fren go there when they have a festival called " Hari Nyepi"
No one is allowed to go out..even police and tourist also..except the person they called warrior..if im not mistaken. Rugi..only stayed at the hotel.

Bali have lotsa of culture..very interesting.

any one been diving there? Any good recommendation for dive center?
I plan to go to Tulamben area.
Got offered for USD208 for 6 dives + 2 nights accomodation at Mimpi resort. Included transport from Nusa dua area and return. Is it good?

I think that is a reasonable package. Most of the packages is around that range

ugh..Bali.. loved it but got 'slaughtered'. the only thing that made it worth while was i went dolphin chasing for RM30 in Lovina. but the travelling part is rather expensive. normally they'll tell u it's because the price of the petrol raised and they ask for more becoz of the recent bomb incidents and they bring out their kids and babies to say that they need milk money and etc. do what you can to avoid and last price means last price, no more tips and sympathy donations.
never post anything there. i bought 2 postcards to be sent to canada and it costs me RM10 for the stamps. and in the end, it didnt even reach. i also got ripped off when i went to a hot spring and was LITERALLY forced to buy those 'sarongs' and when i paid RP50000 they didnt even return the change and gave me an extra lousy crappy butt ugly sarong.
as for diving, my dive costs USD 50 for the one in Nusa Dua. Pretty good dive i say but super expensive. it's better for u to just go there and speak in Bahasa Malaysia to them and they'll calculate in rupiah instead of USD. tulamben wreck dive is a must.
and hence that's the story of me being slaughtered/ripped/ cutthroat in Bali.

Hai, everyone. I went to Bali with three of my friends last Mac 2006 and boy, its really worth it. So for anybody who really bored, got some cash, wanna a little adventure, go to Bali. You are gonna love it.
Ok. This is my experience for about 6 day in Bali. I will try to give every input as some might find it useful for their trip.
Me and my friends stay at Komala Indah 11, Sunset, Kuta Beach. Its a small chalet, clean with option for fully aircond or just a ceiling fan. We opt for the fan as to maximise our money for shopping spree. The rate was RM58 per night. Not bad as the chalet situated at the Kuta Beach which also have other premium 4 and 5 star hotel such as Grand Rama and Hard Rock Hotel. And for clubbers, the HRC just in the same vicinity of our chalet.
1st day, we went to Sukawati, a place similar to our Padang Besar, or Central Market. The place is a heaven for shopping clothes and wood carvings, like tissue box made from teakwood. We spend around 5 hours there. The price is cheaper than the other place at town.
2nd day- After boring but pricey Barong Dance, went to Celuk and Ubud-a Sacred Monkey Forest, Kintamani-just like Cameron Highland. Very cold. Tampak Siring and Goa Gadjah and old testament of the rich Bali history.
3rd day-Nusa Dua, which have beautiful beach, mostly foreigners. Some intersting activity, paragliding and sailing. GWK is a place full with some giant Hindu God's statue. Another beautiful beach, Pasang-Pasang.
And the most memorable, watching Kecak Dance at Uluwatu. Show start at 7pm. The place itself is magnificent.
Then for taste of seafood, Jimbaran is the place to go. Price acceptable and Credit card, accepted.
So, thats my diary. Few tips;-
1. Lots of cheap chalet, premium hotel depend on the budget.
2. Get tourist guide, as the road very busy, and he can advise on place and price of some product. Bargain and bargain, use Bahasa.
Some hotel charge for the tourist guide, but deal directly with the tourist guide. This way, you save a lot.
And for Muslim, the KFC and McD there got 'Halal' certificate from MUI. Nasi Padang is plenty, and I drank only Teh Botol or mineral water.
Bali is a heaven for shopping and sight seing. Best time to go, when they are less Western tourist, the shoppers there treat you like a king.


This post has been edited by sranua: Jul 29 2006, 12:47 AM

Did anyone take the BALI package from Air Asia ? I have doubts about what it hs shown in the website...
I selected some off peak season, and 3 stars hotel..RM1000 for a 4D3N stay inclusive flights....for two person..
Is there any other hidden cost ? If there is, how much is it?

This post has been edited by cocwaye: Aug 7 2006, 12:04 AM

if this include the admin fees, then there will be no more hidden cost. off cuase you have to pay for your own transport from airpot to hotel. enjoy!

Oh thanks.. now i have much confidence about it...

It is so cheap that i dont really believe in it...., beautiful hotel and so much luxurier than Redang, and still , price is almost the same as Redang ...

Any way, I have called Air Asia, and thats is the truth.

which hotel are you staying? also check with the hotel if they have special AirAsia spa promotion. Sometime is cheaper than outsite.

Anyone know where is a good place to snorkel in Bali?? have search the Internet, doesn't look it has any..hehe

This post has been edited by anechoic: Sep 1 2006, 03:43 PM

PLanning to go over there end of this month for our 1st wedding anniversary...

found out AA got quite a few cheap packages... cheapest 4D3N is RM1000++ only

Now am considering Sunari Villas and Spa Resort, they got this special Virgin Dream promo @ around RM1800 nett for 4D3N, inclusive of almost everything

anyone stayed there before? any comments?
I see the location is a bit far north, and quite isolated also...

This post has been edited by greyshadow: Sep 8 2006, 01:17 PM

i saw this promotion as well, but how can a person book it on AA site? click on the link will only give u the resort info. Not listed in the package or theme package

look under the diy package and key in your time of travel, the stupid link only gives u the info on the resort.
make sure you key in 4d3n, else it won't show

anyone know if the money changer there accept malaysian ringgit?

already confirmed going there next week on 28/09

yes, they do, but please read the sign properly, and see if they charge you commission. Some give very good rate, but will charge you commission. This is what I read in travel forum. On my previous trip, we changed the money in Malaysia, not much different, for RM500, maybe RM5 or RM8 more.

Best to change at establish place, like Kuta Twon's Matahari Mall.

okie, thanks a lot :salute:
now I don't need to bring a big stack of a few million rupiah over

everyone can be a millionaire there

If you change money at a roadside moneychanger, count your money properly BEFORE you put it in your wallet.

some shops will let you count first, then they hold the money for a while, and then give back to you. when you check your money later, the sum is not enough. my tourguide told me about this, and i kena once. they're good at sleight of hand.

but just enjoy the trip dude... topless babes everywhere!

Guys,

I'm going to Bali with my girlfriend this coming November.

I got the GOLDEN HOLIDAY PACKAGE 5D/4N flying with MAS.

The price:-
Flight Ticket - 213 (return/ two ways)
Accomodation - 870 (for 4 nights/daily breakfast/ Full day tour)
Airport Tax - 259
Total per person - 1129
For 2 person - 2258

The hotel is HARRIS KUTA hotel

Can anyone comment about this hotel?
Is the price resonable?

Me going there this weekend wif my wifey for 4D3N, self plan, no travel agent or whatsoever

Flight:- AirAsia RM1046 nett (return/2 pax/insurance/airport tax)

Accomodation:- RM500 nett for 4D3N stay at Bali Garden Hotel (3 or 4 stars), inclusive of airport transfer and daily breakfast

Tour:- A full day tour and a half day tour for RM200 nett

Total = RM6 for 2 person
that's RM873 nett per person

For Harris Kuta hotel review, go google

Hello Greyshadow,

I think mine is slightly more valuable/quality
1. I'm flying MAS, and not Air Asia.
2. I'm staying 4 night and not 3 night
3. HARRIS kuta is minimum 4 star hotel

well... for an extra night i only need to pay an extra RM160
Never fully trust those star ratings Some are rated as 5 stars but offering 3 stars services, while some are rated as 3 stars but offering 5 stars services

Oh yeah... Harris Kuta is not bad, but it's about 10 minutes walk from the main road or beach. Mine is just on the beach

For checking about how's Harris, maybe you can post a question here:
balitravelforums.com, i got most of my tips from there

Bali Garden Hotel is not bad. Its a beach hotel. Was there last November

raining season from Oct to March izzit? howz weather there for Nov??

When I was there in November, no rain at all. Weather very hot & humid. Remember to bring along sunblock. Nice sunset at Tanah Lot.

if u guys going to Ubud, must try babi guling. ask for the one next to the tample under a tree. just across the market.

just back from Bali yesterday... stayed at Kuta area
the place is FANTASTIC!!!! and everything is sooo cheap! and the food is sooo yummy!! and the people there are sooo friendly
definately going back there again next year

Spa package there is damm cheap, but you'll have to hunt around for the best deal, i got a 3 hour spa treatment for RM100++ only! pamper meself and my wifey for 2 spa threatments.
try not to chausually the treatment will includes a foot wash/scrub, body massage, body scrub/mask, flower/milk bath, and facial/scalp threatment.

but becareful of the tax there thou... some place will charge you from 15% to 21% tax, especially at hotel restaurant or fancy one. Those road side one usually no tax, but better ask in advance else you'll get slaughtered.

There are plenties of road site stalls selling souveniers, bags, t-shirt and etc... usually u can slash their offer price up to 60% or more. If they offering Rp60,000 for a pair of slipper, you might be able to get haggle for Rp20,000 if you're good. Usually the simple tactic of "give me this price or I leave" will work well

Ahem DVDs of movies, PS2, Xbox are plentiful also, and cheap!!! Rp10,000 each disc, that's RM4 per piece! and you'll be damm suprise of their library of titles they have there, a lot of latest and rare titles. Usually buy 5 free 1, buy 10 free 3, buy 20 free 7 and etc... didn't know I'll actually go there and sapu more than 60 discs!! Ahem Xbox360 games also selling there for about RM20 per piece.

Seafood there is damm fresh too... must try the the BBQ seafood at jimbaran beach while watching the sunset on the beach, it was awesome!!
but might a bit pricy as all the seafood there are charged by weight.
Another nice place to eat is Bubba Gumps Shrimp restaurant, sort of like TGIF style. It's a theme restaurant of Forest Gump movie. For prawn lovers must try the buckets of shrimps, which is the best and freshest shrimps we had in our life!! A great place to celebrate a special occasion with friends, just tell the staffs there it's a special occasion and you'll receive a plesant suprise from them. Price wise is kinda like TGIF but much cheaper.

for the money, you can bring ringgit there as almost all of the money changers accept RM. Hunt around for the best rate, airport or hotel will offer you the lowest echange rate but safer, shops outside might offer you better rate but becareful of trick as they might short change you. lay your money one by one on the table to count, and make sure it's the correct amount b4 you pocket it. Rp100,000 note and Rp10,000 note can be very confusing, they might slip in one or two Rp10,000 to replace the Rp100,000 note. Money changer at the shopping mall like Matahari and Discovery mall are more realiable.

And lastly for the transport, taxis are plenties there. For taxi take only the blue colored BLUE BIRD taxi, which is the only metered taxi in Bali. The rest can cut your throat with their fares. But don't confuse with another blue colored unmetered taxi which look damm similiar. Look for a blue swan logo on top of the taxi sign for the bluebird taxi.

You can hire your own transport like motorbike or a 4WD suzuki jimmy, but you got to have a international driving license for the car, not sure about the motorbike thou... but not advicible to drive there lar as the road is damm narrow, and virtually there's no traffic law at all.
You also can hire a car (usually aircon toyota kijang) with private driver/guide for whole day for about Rp280,000 to Rp350,000 to drive you around bali. The price is inclusive of petrol for whole day trip ranging from 9 hr to 12 hr, and the place you are going. Negociate with them first where to go and what's in the package. Anything more than Rp350,000 is fishy already.

stay at Bali Garden Hotel, right on the beach of Kuta beach for 4D3N.
it's just located beside the new beachside mall called Discovery Mall, in front of the hotel is the waterbom park and Bali Slingshot. Just 5 minutes walk to the Matahari Mall area.
I got a rate of about RM168nett per night for a deluxe room, inclusive of breakfast.

Guys, if u want to stay in Bali, stay at the Kuta, seminyak town area for all the happening, night life and the surf beach, more mat salleh there. For classy and quiter beach stay at Nusa Dua or Tanjong Benoa area, more korean & japs chicks there. Want to have a quite & serene and near padi field type of stay or villa type of stay, stay around Ubud area. More ulu-ulu & isolated beach area can stay around Lovina, can watch dolphin there.

for the rate survey try wotif.com & ratestogo.com, then email the hotel you're interested to haggle the price more. Usually they will give you cheaper than internet rate if you're good enough to bargain.

thanks for your info... can share with us your itenary??? and cost for transport???

our itinerary is free & easy, no specific plan where to go. We just lepak around.

transport we are taking airasia, how much depends how lucky you are to get the cheapest fare.

btw, there are 2 types of local beer there, Bali Hai & Bintang. Bali Hai is cheaper but taste a bit bland. Bintang is nice You'll see all of the kwai lou drinking bintang only, is kinda funny also seeing those kwai lou riding on a kapchai zooming here & there

greyshadow: which beach is the best? as in, white sandy beach...Kuta or Nusa Dua? Is there any guest house around?...

Greyshadow,

Any comment bout my hotel, Harris Resort Kuta. I posted in BALI forum but nobody can reply me la..

thanks agaoin

neo18, Harris Kuta is next to Hard Rock. My relatives stayed there for his honeymoon, and he said it is beautiful.

greyshadow, good that u enjoy your trip. My wife said she didn't like the Bintang beer, too bland for her. So, what food did u try?

Harris next to HardRock meh?
I saw it on the way from airport, it's near to the airport leh, way before the discovery mall.

maybe your wifey taste is different than my wifey, my wife prefer the Bintang there

Food ar.... BBQ seafood at jimbaran beach is wonderful and damm fresh. They got the live lobster also, but didn't order as per lobster can cost up to RM180 We had our fantastic dinner on the sandy beach while enjoying the beautiful sunset

We had our anniversary dinner at the Kori's Restaurant at Gang Poppies II (Poppies Lane II), I had their giant ribs, which is damm tender and juicy, the meat basically fell from the ribs, which you won't need to use a knife to cut it. Wifey had roasted bebek (roast duck), which is soooo tender too. They also have a live band there after 8:30pm, which sings alternate version of current english hit songs, really fantastic and talented band. If you're going there, request for a Bale seating by the pond, fantastic romantic environment.
www.korirestaurant.com

We also tried Bubba Gumps Shrimp Company themed restaurant beside the waterbom park. Shrimps there are also very fresh and tangy, must try the Shrimper's net catch, order half a half for half garlic and half cajun. We even had it for lunch & dinner!!
http://www.bubbagump.com/html/bali.html

All of the beach areas will have lots of guest house/hotel around.

Nusa Dua/Benoa is cleaner & lesser people, more suitable for swimming, more korean/japs chicks there too.
Kuta is more crowded more happening, not really suitable for swimming as the wave is big, most of the people will go there surfing.

Erm... didn't see your post of balitravelforum leh... Try to post again with the title of Harris Resort Kuta.
anyway, just check your hotel is just across the road from Kuta beach, lots of happening around the area too!!

There's actually 2 Harris in Bali, one near the airport which is Harris Sanur, and another one few block away from HardRock which is Harris Kuta. Hope they don't send you to the wrong Harris

hey, you are right. yes, I have fren that stay in harris, so mix up. my relative staty in mecure, which is next to Hard Rock. Sorry, Neo18, wrong info.

yes, i also went to jimbaran. will try the restaurant in Poppies Lane 2 next time.

I got this of Baliforum.com
-----------------------------
Hi,

Harris Resort Kuta is one of the best Hotel i I think.
We went there in January, the years before we were in Hotel Jayakarta and Bali Garden).
Harris is a cool design resort, nice, young and friendly stuff.
The stuff is really trained to satisfy the guests. Even it is a good place for european people, there are many rich indonesian people.
sometimes indonesian film stars....
there is a good surf desk in the lobby.
breakfast is wounderful.

weeh

that's cool dude, enjoy your stay there next month
but beware that starting Oct is raining season, check the weather forecast 1st before going over and be prepared to change the itinerary as neccessary. It sucks when it's raining over there as not many indoor activities as an option, except 1 or 2 shopping malls like Matahari or Discovery. I'll recommend to go to Discovery mall as it's newer and bigger. From your place taking BlueBird taxi to Discovery Mall should cost around Rp10,000++ only, that's around RM4 lar.

Since your hotel has direct access to Poppies Lane 2, you can bring your gf to the Kori's restaurant there for a fantastic romantic dinner as a suprise to her. But better reserve in advance, tell them you wanted a Bale seating near the pond, they can arrange for your gf's favourite flowers also for a small fees, around RM60 - RM80. You also can dedicate a song from the very talented live band there which started at 8:30pm. The band comprise of three talended young local chap, 2 playing guitars while another playing a violin! Most of their songs are recent hit songs like You are beautiful from James Blunt, They have their own alternate version of the songs.

If you are planning to proposed to your lady, Jimbaran Beach would be a nice spot
While having a candlelight seafood dinner on the sandy beach, watching over the beautiful sunset over the horizon, pop the once in a life time million dollar question.

Hahahahaa.... Seems like I already kena a very very deep Bali poison liaw Keep on promoting Bali only

This post has been edited by greyshadow: Oct 4 2006, 12:46 PM

Another from baliforum.com
--------------------

We have stayed at the sister place next door Sahidraya, the 1st couple of times we were there they were one big resort. but got split a couple of years ago, The rooms at the Harris are OK have been done up. If the breakfast is anything like sahid's you will not go hungry during the day. Great location.

You get to use both pools and there is a back gate out into Poppies II, which is great. Staff friendly and lovely people. We would go back to sahid tomorrow except they have upped the price. Not many aussies stay at this half.

Nellie

Any1 here been to Hard Rock Hotel? Heard it's darn expensive.

HardRock OK lar... standard 5 stars hotels pricing lor, about USD130nett per night, i think the recent matta fair also got offer something like stay 3 nights and free 1 night.
For the price they are charging I would say it's quite reasonable. Nice location and fantastic pool & service, lots of hot chicks hanging around that area also

I bought from Matta fair,back frm bali d...the padkage is RM1000 without air tickets(booked yourself @air asia)
Package include:
-5D4N accomodation (3nights at 3* hotel-adhi dharma, 1 night at
Seminyak Villa)
-Full body massage at 5* hotel
-Private transport with tour guide n driver
-Attractive places: Kintamani volcano, Tanah Lot, and many...
-1 night fine dinner at hard rock hotel

For me,this package are worth,is totally 2 ppl tour.

Have been there last year. If you love party and rock, this is the place. There is band perfomance every night. If you love disco, There is hard rock disco. Got many type of room. rock, jazz, classic and etc. The room toilet abit different from other hotel. The pool is big and nice. Even got a small beach. You can ve a bali massage at the side pool. Or sunbath naked if you prefer.
The cost about RM320 if I not mistaken. But in two night, when I almost get into deep sleep, I heard people singing. A western male on a first day and a western lady on the second night. But no problem on the third night. I wonder is it from the bomb victim who stay in that room before. Don't worry. The security are tight in the hotel.

Ozak, me damn kiasi on that (weakened knees). Was staying in a hotel in Tokyo for 8 days. Heard some freaking strange noise from next room. Thought must be some guests having fun. Only found out that it was vacant all the while on 4th day.

htkaki, Probally it is not what you think. Staying in tokyo, you must know that sometime strange sound coming from wall or surrounding. It is small quake or temperature changing. Most of the building in japan are not brick and cement. Just wood, steel and partition.
I stay in tokyo for 2 month and encounter the same thing. Next day only know it is a small quake. But still not convince me. You know why. Cause infront cross a small road where I stay is a cemetary. Freak me out. hehehe...

No. It's not those creaking sound. It is like someone was walking around in the room. Chair being dragged and so forth.

guys,

can i ask if any of these item should be bought there?

a. VCD/DVD
b. tailoring suit
c. handphone/psp/electronic item
d. food
e. replica watches

thanks

DVDs are all around, RM4 per piece, buy 5 free 1, buy 10 free 3, buy 20 free 7
tailor shops are plenty around Kuta town also, they are famous among aussie for their cheap n reliable service. Most of them custom made their leather good there like boots, leather jacket etc...
hp/psp/electronic item not recommended to buy there as you'll be likely kena tax by custom on the way back. price not really cheaper than here also.
food ar... can bring back some Bali coffee
replica watches are just like our petaling street one, dunno abt the price as never bother to ask. But heard they are known for their short battery life.

Neo18, greyshadow has given you very good answers. let me add something here. food, you can buy kacang disco. can't find it in Kuta matahari Store, but found it in Denpasar mall, and Sukawati. Also, if you goto Circle K (kind of like 7-11), you will find the camera battery is a lot cheaper than here.

what else? DVD, will our custom check/confiscate? I didn't buy any when I was there.

last time I sapu more than 50 dvds, lucky custom didn't check
Oh yeah... forgot another thing
Playboy indon version

Thanks guys,

Guess DVD is much cheaper over there!!

So will be saving my money for that and also a Mao Zhe Tong Suit that i've been dreaming of for a very long time!!!

I think i go there with an empty bag and come back FULL of stuff and cloths.