Feedback on my Bali lodging choices

[Leejnd]

To all you wonderful people who know Bali so well:

I'm really struggling trying to decide where to stay for our first week in Bali. I've got the second and third weeks locked in - Mimpi Menjangan near Pemuteran (where I'll be doing the majority of my diving), and Tegal Sari in Ubud. But for the first week, we kinda want to chill out in a nice beach resort somewhere near Kuta, but not right IN Kuta, so as to avoid all the craziness.

I was booked into the Resor Seminyak, but then I read a couple of not-so-good reviews about it. Plus, they want to charge me a high-season surcharge, which none of the other hotels are doing for September. So now I'm looking at the Hotel Santika Beach Resort in Tuban.

Any feedback on either of those places? Or suggestions for better places to stay in that general price range? We'd like to stay at a place that isn't full of drunk Australian college students, but also isn't all quiet and romantic because, well, I'm traveling with my MOM and not exactly looking for quiet romance, ya know? It would be nice if it was a place where we might meet other travelers and make a few friends around the pool.

Thanks so much for any help you can give me!

 

[Andy_W]

Hi Lee Anne

There is few hotel in Tuban area just next to kuta, not as pack as kuta. The price may vary from cheap to expensive. I'll be staying in febri's hotel in tuban (jalan kartika plaza / kartika plaza road), it will be my first time with that hotel. I'll let you know upon my returning.

Andy

 

[Wisnu]

You can afford to stay in Mimpi Menjangan and Santika (both very nice and cozy resort) - you can also check if any special offer/package from 4 and 5 star hotel including at Benoa and Nusa Dua. Large and luxury hotel ussualy have hundreds room; so chance to get special offer is high.
Example - Putri Bali hotel in Nusa Dua, a 5 star hotel offer 4 night/5 days package including breakfast, spa, aromatherapy, 1 diner ect. for less than $ 300.
Last week we stayed at Hard Rock Bali (I don't like Kuta but had to compromise w/ my daughters) only cost us less than $70 net/night incl. breakfast for 2 adult + 2 child. In fact, it's nice hotel - huge pool - don't worry not many Ausie student will chooce acomodation more than 30 bucks.
Our experience - the special offer rate on 4 / 5 star hotel in Bali is not much different with smaller hotel - even mostly much cheaper than boutique style hotels. Indeed, their published rate is excessive - but you can expect discount 60% or more.

 

[SCUBAJENNIFER]

Lee, I stayed just a block or so off the beach in Kuta at the Ramayana Resort and Spa for several nights before my liveaboard and then again afterward. I LOVED this hotel. It was right in the center of everything (shopping) in Kuta, but once you were in the hotel, it didn't feel like that. I had one of the pool side cottages the first time, and one of the deluxe rooms the second. The staff was very attentive and always smiling and eager to help. The Spa is fantastic, I went several times, and my friend that I was on the liveaboard with said it was the best she'd been too and she had been to several others in the area before. It was also nice to be able to walk around everywhere and not worry about the cabs, because everything you need is right there. I don't think you have to worry about any Aussie college kids here, they're all staying in the $15 a night places.

 

[mslise]

I have been to bali a few times and stayed at a few different hotels- I'd recommend the hotel niksoma (on the beach at legian) as fantasic- the pool area is gorgeous - but it has gone up in price a LOT I believe so it may not be the right price range. The other one I love is the kumala pantai (not HOTEL kumala..) which is a hotel/resort on the beach in legian/seminyak- it's very popular though so you need to email them and book via their website. That area is a little quieter, not as remote as nusa dua but easy walking or taxi to kuta. I think Tuban is a little in the thick of things, but that's just me.

Also, there's a couple of nice restaurants- ku de ta is on the beach at seminyak, they do a fabulous breakfast and la lucciola which is also up at seminyak is absolutely beautiful for a really nice dinner. Not local prices, more western but worth it