Luxury Hotels - Bali - Help! I'm torn... so many amazing choices, so little time!

Hi all,

First some background:
My wife and I are planning a ~3 week trip at the end of December/beg of January to India, Singapore, and Bali and needed some help deciding on hotels. The India part has been pretty much sorted out, and I have a good idea on what i'm doing in SIN (might post later for some more advice on this), but Bali is very up in the air.

We're arriving at SIN at 6am on January 2nd, and our flight out of SIN is at 6pm on January 7. Our (tentative) plan is to stay in somewhere in SIN for the next 2 days, fly to Bali on the morning of Friday, Jan 4. Then, we plan to stay in Bali for 3 days, and fly back to SIN at midday on January 7th to catch our flight back home to california.

I know this topic has been beaten to death. I've read (and re-read) all the different posts, scoured trip reports, examined pics, etc, but this has only served to make me MORE undecided lol. As we are only going to be in Bali for 3 nights, I can't decide between Amandari, Amankila, FS Sayan, FS JB, OR doing some sort of combination. I know both Aman and FS are each doing a 3-day split resort promotion across their properties (i.e. Amandari Classic Bali, or the Aman Bali Break, or the FS Ocean & River), so I figured one of those promos would be ideal. However, how should I split my time? 1 night in Kila and 2 in Dari, or vice versa? Same thing with Sayan/JB? Or should I just concentrate all my time at one place? Also, does anyone have recommendations for specific rooms? I definitely have Amankila's Ocean Suite 37 on our list, but any backups for Amankila and room recs for the other resorts?

Everything looks so amazing, I can't decide. Mind you, it would be the first time at either an Aman or an FS for either of us. We are relative noobs at "luxury" travel. Moreover, its our first time in Bali... We originally planned to go there for our honeymoon 2 years ago, but for various reasons that plan fell apart... but I digress.

Finally, the all important monetary requirement... ideally I'd like to stay under ~$1100/night. Hence the Amandari Suite or the Indrakila Suite seem to be out of our price range (although a riverfront villa at FS Sayan seems like a great option).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi all,

Everything looks so amazing, I can't decide.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Well, I have not been to all of the hotels under consideration but some people here have and can tell you what they think. I did stay one night at Amandari and two nights at Amankila, and quite simply you cannot go wrong doing this. It was just fabulous. Too short of course, but I didn't second guess my choices even for a moment. Just do it. It is impossible to regret.

As far as Singapore goes, nothing terribly special here in terms of hotels IMHO. I checked out a bunch of hotels there, and I found them all decent but nothing worth going back to particularly. The Intercontinental is in a great location, but not a super luxury hotel of course. The newer hotels in the Marina Bay and Santosa Cove areas seem the best and most luxurious IMHO, but a bit out of the way so you cannot walk anywhere really from there.

Here is the trip report in case you haven't seen it. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1233773-return-buffet-first-class-air-city-jungle-beach-desert.html)

Thanks! I did read your trip report in detail :)

The other thing I would consider is cutting out 1 day in singapore and spending that extra day in bali. did you feel like 2 full days in singapore would be alot, or is 1 day more than sufficient? i'm hearing there is not much to 'experience' in singapore and its just like any other big city.

Two full days in Singapore it's the ideal amount of time to do everything and see everything to a reasonable cursory extent via the double Decker tour bus, without any pressure. That being said, one full day of touring and dropping along the way, visiting the casino and hawker food courts, will do the trick as well, provided you are not I jet lagged etc.

I think on balance two full days works best but if your flights work out so you could do a day and a half or two nights, that might work as well.

One other thing to consider is that the fight schedule to Bali might decided this issue for you. For example you will not want to catch a fight that arrives too late so you miss the first day in Bali even though check in is normally mid afternoon (also take into account transfer time to the hotel).

So ideally you would leave Singapore in the morning around nine a m. But the flight schedule isn't always ideal making you have too consider other airlines that work with your schedule.

Given three nights for Bali, I would definitely do a three night Bali Break package at my choice of one of the three Amans. Given four or five nights I might split between 'dari and 'nusa, but IMHO three nights is only enough to fully enjoy one resort.

At Amanusa and Amandari I think it is nice to have a private pool, so I would opt for at least a pool suite.

At Amankila I would opt for either an Ocean Suite for the views, or a Pool Suite (although most of these have no sea views).

It's a very tough choice to pick among these, but if I were to leave on a last minute trip tomorrow and had three nights in Bali, I would pick a Pool Suite or the Amnausa suite at Amanusa.

I would not consider either Four Seasons property.

edit- Just saw your post re possibility of extending the stay in Bail- I definitely think you should consider extending the stay to at least four nights. There is nothing I can think of about Singapore that would justify spending more time there at the expense of an extra night at an Amanresort in Bali.

Another vote for Amandari and Amanusa, I would go for one of the Aman package deals where some nice perks are included. ^

I vote Dari & Kila.

I would not split up three days between two resorts. You won't have enough time to enjoy either one. I would only split time between two resorts if I had five days or more. That is something I highly recommend, but only with five days or more.

Since this is your first time in Bali, I would recommend against anything that could just as easily be someplace other than Bali. For that reason, even though they have Balinese touches in design and architecture (and of course in the hospitality itself), I would recommend against FS Jimbaran Bay and amanusa. FS JB doesn't feel all that Balinese to me; it just feels like a very nice luxury beach resort. And I'm not a fan of the way the villas at JB are on top of one another. I haven't stayed at amanusa, and though I'm sure it's lovely, it's still on a golf course in a massive purpose-built development.

Amankila is probably my favorite resort in the world. Mr. Megatop and I have been twice, and we're going back this December. It definitely feels like Bali to me, and there are ways to get into some cultural experiences nearby. Mr. Megatop and I enjoy cycling through the local villages, for example. But the cultural riches of the Ubud area are hard to match.

So that leaves amandari and FS Sayan. I've stayed at both and enjoy both. amandari is slightly more serene and intimate, so if that's what you're looking for, the edge goes to amandari. FS Sayan is very relaxing though in a different way, influenced by the river running through it and the cascading water all around. FS Sayan is a little bit bigger than amandari, but it's still a relatively small resort, with fewer than 100 rooms. The big main resort building at FS Sayan is very majestic, and the modern architecture is beautiful. It stands in contrast to the low-slung open-air reception, restaurant, and library pavillions at amandari. I'm perfectly comfortable at either one. As an illustration of how they're different, amandari has no TV's in the rooms while FS Sayan does, making amandari's orientation a bit more toward the "disconnect with the world, engage with your surroundings" idea. And amandari tends to do more with bringing in cultural programs from the surrounding villages, such as children's dances and orchestras.

The suites at FS Sayan are very nice and spacious. You can't go wrong staying in them. You can get them for around $500/night. When you step up to the villas at FS Sayan, you get a private plunge pool in all villas, with the garden ones going for around $700/night, and the riverfronts going for about $100 more/night. That compares to garden and valley villas at amandari for $750 - $950, and over $1000/night to get a private plunge pool at amandari. For my money, if I'm comparing what I can get for $750/night base rate, I'd take a riverfront villa at FS Sayan over a garden villa at amandari, all other things being equal.

That's how I'd come out. Indeed, that's what made me pick FS Sayan for the first three days of the eleven we'll be spending in Indonesia this December, followed by amanwana and amankila. But if you want to take the opportunity to give your first aman a try, that alone might give the edge to amandari, if you're confident that you'll be comfortable in the aman setting.

I would agree to cutting short your stay in Singapore, which is not the world's most exciting place. I would also not split the stay in Bali - opt for Amankila and spend 4 nights there. You can always take a car to Amandari for lunch, which is a nice experience.

I would spend all three nights at Amankila…

I encourage you to make your choice sooner rather than later. It is still peak season, albeit tapering off the further out you go from New Year.

Three days is nowhere long enough for a first visit to Bali. We are going back later in the year for probably the 15th visit and are staying 9 nights which I consider just long enough to do some cultural things such as visit temples, dance performances etc. and have a few days relaxing.
If it is only going to be 3 or 4 days you absolutely must stay in Ubud to get a feel for the real Bali - not the sanitized view that you will get staying at an Aman or FS. Stay there by all means but do spend at least one day out and about in local villages seeing the local artists in the various mediums such as batik, wood carving, silversmiths etc and visit one temple - preferably Besakih. A dance performance is also a must - i enjoy the Kecak dance at Uluwatu - you can combine having a temple and dance performance here. Otherwise you may as well be at any Aman anywhere in the world.
Although I love Singapore - especially the food at the Hawker centres I would cut that down to one day so that you can have 4 in Bali - as pointed out the timing of your flight is important. I assume you'll be on SQ - I think they have 3 flights a day. Try to time the flights so that you have 1 and a half days in days in Singapore around the one night then at least 3 full days in Bali considering the traveling time on your arrival and departure days. Looking at your flight timings I suggest you take the afternoon flight to Bali on the 3rd of Jan which will give you 4 nights in Bali.

Aman excels at "cultural things". No problem there.

Amankila for entire stay. Cut Singapore short.

Thanks for all your input guys!

I started looking at the flight timings, and I don't know if it makes sense to cut short Singapore... In any case, I will keep looking to see if I can make it work. Also, if I added another night at one of the Aman's or FS's it will likely push us way over our budget (we were planning on "slumming" it in Singapore so we can splurge in Bali).

Regardless, I think we are leaning towards Amankila... I was a little hesitant at first due to some negative reports I've read on FT lately, but I think as a first time Aman-er (Aman-ie? i dunno but probably a soon to be Amanjunkie), I'll be WOWed regardless. :D

I really do like the FS Sayan Riverfront villas, however, and I guess total price will help make the final decision (obviously I know that aman costs more and you get what you pay for).

As for specific room suggestions, does anyone have any? At Amankila, I know of the Indrakila Suite, but thats out of our price range :( and Ocean Suite #37 (which I hope will be available). Any others? Any other recs at this or the other 2 hotels (Amandari or FS Sayan)?

Also, does anyone have any links to the floor/room maps of the entire resort so I can see where the rooms are located? I thought I saw one in another thread, but then I lost it, and can't find it again...

I've been to all of the resorts. I would follow the consensus here and spend your entire time at either Dari or Kila, not both. My preference is Kila, but as a first time visit to Bali and if you're more interested in the cultural aspects, Dari might be a better choice for you.

Both FS resorts are a cut below. If you can shorten S'pore for more time in Bali, you should definitely do that.

Thanks for all your input guys!

I started looking at the flight timings, and I don't know if it makes sense to cut short Singapore... In any case, I will keep looking to see if I can make it work. Also, if I added another night at one of the Aman's or FS's it will likely push us way over our budget (we were planning on "slumming" it in Singapore so we can splurge in Bali).

Regardless, I think we are leaning towards Amankila... I was a little hesitant at first due to some negative reports I've read on FT lately, but I think as a first time Aman-er (Aman-ie? i dunno but probably a soon to be Amanjunkie), I'll be WOWed regardless. :D

I really do like the FS Sayan Riverfront villas, however, and I guess total price will help make the final decision (obviously I know that aman costs more and you get what you pay for).

As for specific room suggestions, does anyone have any? At Amankila, I know of the Indrakila Suite, but thats out of our price range :( and Ocean Suite #37 (which I hope will be available). Any others? Any other recs at this or the other 2 hotels (Amandari or FS Sayan)?

Also, does anyone have any links to the floor/room maps of the entire resort so I can see where the rooms are located? I thought I saw one in another thread, but then I lost it, and can't find it again...

I have stayed at most of the resorts and agree that Amankila is the best. You will be wowed and should ignore the nonsense on Tripadvisor. If you can't get Ocean Suite 37, the room next door (36 I think) is almost as good as it sits similarly high up, although is not quite as private. Check with the GM Tracy, there might be others further up the hill with good views.

The FSs may be a cut below but don't forget that the OP has never stayed at an Aman - neither have I but I have stayed at numerous FSs. In Bali we stay in a mix of locally owned 3/4 stars followed by a few days in the IC (shock horror:D) where we have a suite overlooking the beach with club access. I know the Bali Amans must be fabulous but the service, ambience and comfort at those places I stay is also great.
If I was ever able to afford to stay in an Aman I think I would do so somewhere like Phuket where it's not so necessary to go out of the property so much. If I was spending - what is it $1000+ a day I would want to stay on property the whole time to experience what the whole property has to offer - with only 3 or 4 days the OP will be out sightseeing for say a day and a half - or should be - to experience the island which only leaves a day and a half to relax. We have several long holidays a year usually for a total of 6 or 7 weeks although the trips booked to next Easter total 11 weeks and there is no way we would be able to stay away for so long if we stayed in only Amans or the like. We always stay in good 5 stars in cities and at the end of a trip we always stay in a "Luxury" property for the last few days to relax before flying home.
In any case my advice to the OP is to stay in Ubud.

The FSs may be a cut below but don't forget that the OP has never stayed at an Aman - neither have I but I have stayed at numerous FSs. In Bali we stay in a mix of locally owned 3/4 stars followed by a few days in the IC (shock horror:D) where we have a suite overlooking the beach with club access. I know the Bali Amans must be fabulous but the service, ambience and comfort at those places I stay is also great.
If I was ever able to afford to stay in an Aman I think I would do so somewhere like Phuket where it's not so necessary to go out of the property so much. If I was spending - what is it $1000+ a day I would want to stay on property the whole time to experience what the whole property has to offer - with only 3 or 4 days the OP will be out sightseeing for say a day and a half - or should be - to experience the island which only leaves a day and a half to relax. We have several long holidays a year usually for a total of 6 or 7 weeks although the trips booked to next Easter total 11 weeks and there is no way we would be able to stay away for so long if we stayed in only Amans or the like. We always stay in good 5 stars in cities and at the end of a trip we always stay in a "Luxury" property for the last few days to relax before flying home.
In any case my advice to the OP is to stay in Ubud.

I understand where you're coming from, but I actually think that the location of Amankila in East Bali is very beneficial for someone wanting a real taste of Bali in a short period of time. The countryside is stunningly beautiful and much less touristy than Ubud. The weather is also significantly sunnier. It is possible to see a lot in a short period of time and still spend the majority of time in the resort.

Stayed at both the FS JB and Amankila before. The Aman is superior in almost every way. For Bali, just book Aman, you really can't go wrong.

Amankila #37 has one of the most spectacular best sunrise views I have seen in my travels.

I would spend all three nights at Amankila…

i stayed at GHM Chedi , GHM Club at Legian and Allila Villa Soori in September.
i was originally booked into Amankila but got an offer from a friend that meant a free stay at Allila Villa Soori.
i still regret not going to Amankila

for 3 nights only i would agree with DavidO and do Amankila

I would be a little leery of Amanusa... There is quite a bit of construction nearby and we were warned that there would be noise during our stay.. It was quite noticeable when we were there in March.

Construction around Kila? I only heard about construction around Nusa. What? Until when?

Construction around Kila? I only heard about construction around Nusa. What? Until when?

sorry typo...nusa

sorry typo...nusa

Yes, we had problems with noise there too.

How does the St. Regis stack up?