Anyone stay at Mimpi Tulamben recently?

[Leejnd]

I'm heading to Bali in early September (Mola Mola season!). We'll be spending a few nights at both Mimpi resorts, Menjangan and Tulamben. I worked out a package deal with the Mimpi that includes our room, all dives, and meals.

I was just surfing through a few hotel review sites, and read a couple of recent bad reviews about the Mimpi Tulamben. The things that were complained about the most were the service (unfriendly, slow, uncaring), the food (!) and the overall shabbiness of the resort. So now I'm a little concerned! Maybe they've gone downhill lately?

Has anyone stayed there recently?

Thanks!

 

[Wisnu]

LeeAnne,
We stayed both Mimpi Tulamben and Menjangan April 2007 and that's not our first time. So far we do not have any bad experiences - all the staff are very friendly and helpfull. I heard that bad things too; and when I was there I had a chance to clarify.
Their service can be very slow probably during peak season particularly when one or more big group stay there - then several guess may be forgotten. Usually they try to hire freelancers, but not always possible as other resort may require too. As the number of guess fluctuating most of resort can not maintain to many personnel. The quality of freelancers can be vary mostly not excelent.
Regarding food - yes, not special although not too bad - less spicy for tongue; to compromise with other guess
The resort was nice and clean - the pool was well maintained.
The equipment was not new but in good condition - Tulamben is better than Menjangan for this case
When we're there, one guess complain the AC not cool and noisy - and they got other room. Us was okay

 

[Leejnd]

Thanks for the feedback! It won't be peak season when we're there, so hopefully the service will be better.

Was the food at Mimpi Menjangan any better than Tulamben? I'm starting to question whether I should have done the package that included the meals. We're only at Tulamben for two nights, so I suppose we can suffer through two mediocre dinners, but I don't know about six of them!

I don't have to worry about the gear -- I'll be bringing my own.

 

[Wisnu]

So, you may lucky to have personal guide.
In our opinion the food at Menjangan mimpi is much better and tastier then Tulamben. My criteria was simple, we had our own transport, if none of my family ask to go outside for dinner - then they happy with the food. It was the case for Menjangan.
In Tulamben you have more choices - other resorts and some small restaurants are within walking distance. At Menjangan mimpi, you have no choice as remote location; if you have transportation; then you can find more restaurant at pemuteran.

 

[Leejnd]

Well that's a relief! I'm sure we'll be fine with the meals then, since we're only at Tulamben for two nights. And if we don't like it the first night, we'll just spring for something outside the resort the second. Thanks again!

 

[kneptoon]

If you stay at Mimpi Tulamben before Menjangan you won't be disappointed. Menjangan Mimpi is far far the superior resort in every aspect. Tulamben was a bit of letdown after a week in Menjangan

 

[Leejnd]

Yeah, that's an issue. We are in fact staying at Menjangan first. I'm thinking of asking them to reverse the order. I'm also thinking of just dropping Tulamben altogether. We're staying in Ubud for six days at the end of the trip, and someone suggested that I do a day trip to Tulamben from there, so I can get in the dives there without having to stay there. I'm still not sure what to do.

 

[nwflyboy]

LeeAnne - I'm currently trying to nail down the details of my trip, sounds similar to yours (in my case we're a couple who both dive, so perhaps somewhat more focused on diving).

We have about 9 days on Bali (see my other thread for details). I'm planning to divide our time between 3 dive areas: Menjangen (3 days diving), Tulamben (2 days diving), and someplace around Sanur/Padangbai for the trip out to Nusa Penida for mola molas (1-2 days diving).

From what I've gathered here and elsewhere, it sounds like the diving is superb at Menjangen, and still good but different at Tulamben. I hear generally nice things about both Mimpi resorts. Other than the comment below in this thread, I had gotten the impression that the resort at Menjangen was actually slightly nicer than the one at Tulamben (although the food sounds better at Tulamben). But taken in context, I have a feeling none of this is really going to disappoint.

I was thinking it makes sense for us to do the island "clockwise" - out to Menjangen first, then across to Tulamben, then down to someplace for the trip out to Nusa Penida (maybe sanur), and then after that, we fly to Sulawesi (a few more days diving near Bunaken).

If I may ask, how did you make your arrangements for the Mimpis? We would like to be picked up in Ubud and taken to the Mimpi Menjangen (3 nights), then taken to the Mimpi Tulamben (2 nights), and then be dropped off someplace for the trip to Nusa Penida (Sanur?). Did you just give the Mimpi folks a plan similar to this and have them do the detail work, or did you have to book a pre-defined package they had on the shelf?

When exactly are you going to be there? We'll be on Bali from Aug. 19 - 29.

- David

 

[Leejnd]

David, I just went and read your thread, so I'll go ahead and comment on your trip plans over there.

Just for clarification, from what I've read and what everyone is saying in here, yes the Menjangan Mimpi is supposed to be far superior to Tulamben, including the food. Given the number of places I've read that, I'm going to assume that it's true, which is why I'm struggling over whether or not to stay there.

The main reason I want to stay in Tulamben at all is 1) the Liberty wreck, and 2) the opportunity to do some beach diving. All of the other diving I'll be doing in Bali will be off boats, whereas at Tulamben you can dive right from shore. I'm thinking I'll make a full day of it, and do several dives on that day. Also, it'll give me a chance to do some night diving, as you can night dive off the beach as well. It's been suggested to me that I skip spending the two nights in Tulamben and just do a day trip there, but then I also read that if you want to dive the Liberty, it's best to do it early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive. Then you can do reef diving later in the day while the day-trippers are crowding up the Liberty.

Y'know, I think I just pretty much answered my own question. After re-reading the above paragraph, I realize that even if the resort isn't up to snuff, it'll be worth it to me to get in the dives as I just described them. It's only one full day there and two nights -- we're in Bali for three weeks, I think we can handle two nights of less-than perfect accommodations. The only thing I think I might do is ask to reverse the order and do Tulamben first.

Oh, and my dates are Sept. 6 to 26, but we're spending the first two nights in Hong Kong (to break up the trip).

 

[nwflyboy]

I agree with your perspective on the tragedy of having to put up with a couple of days at "the-lesser-of-two-resorts" - let's keep this in perspective: having to "suffer" through a marginal meal or two is a small inconvenience in the bigger picture (i.e "another crappy day in paradise").

Everybody does seem to say the Liberty dive gets crowded with day-trippers by late morning, so being there early is wise - that's one of the reasons we figured it was worth going and staying at the Mimpi. But maybe one day diving there is enough though....hmmm....

What can you tell me about how you arranged your package with the Mimpi? Were they open to any combination of days at either resort that you wanted, or did they only offer some pre-defined combos?

Thanks again.