Asia - Bali - 6 days in Ubud too much?

We'll be in Bali in Dec, first timer. Would really love to stay in Uma and Chedi Club. But will it be too much to stay 6 days in Ubud area? Or should I split 3 days in Ubud and 3 days in Seminyak?

Thanks.

interesting, we will be in Bali too for about the same time. I would like to know some recommendations for the area too. Looks like good resorts are near Seminyak and Nusa Dua and Jimbaran.

I also in hotel recommendations, but thats for another thread.

I suggest you take a look at the luxury forum here.
I love the area around Ubud, Amandari in particular.
Bali has an incredible wealth of beautiful hotels in stunning locations.
Search well here and you should find a number of options.
enjoy Bali !

I loved the Chedi Club when I stayed there with Mr. Megatop in May 2006. We spent four days there, followed by two days at the Legian in Seminyak. Search for my screenname and Chedi Club, and you'll find some comments. I also posted a full-blown trip report in the Trip Report forum that included 5 days at the FS Sayan this past May. Six days is definitely not too much for Ubud, especially if it's your first visit to Bali. OTOH, even if it's your third or fourth visit, and like me you keep going back because you love it so much, you probably can't get enough time anywhere in Bali.

Thanks! I have already read most threads already. :)

Amanxxxx / FS is out of my budget this time. I thought about following MegatopLover's trip and split between Legian / Chedi Club. But I also would love to stay in Uma Ubud.

Will I miss anything in Seminyak? Knowing it's rainy season, should I skip beach entirely?

Just as an alternative, renting villas in bali is an excellent value.
I've used balivillas.com for the last two years. They have a villa in Sayan right next to the FS. Each villa comes with maids, a cook, housemen etc. breakfast is included, but they will cook and serve as often as you like. They also provide a car and driver for up to 10 hours a day! Laundry is complimentary also.:p

Since you are going in the rainy season, you have a chance to stay in the driest part of Bali in Uluwatu, with nice villas on a bluff overlooking huge waves.

All this for well under $500.00 per night.

People who pay for luxury are mad, there are tons of hotels offering 4 and 5 star service in Bali and especially Ubud that will charge you a quarter of what you book on line. Think about the hassle of arriving, unpacking and the packing again in 3 days to go somewhere else, better get a driver and have days out as Ubud is dead central for getting to anywhere on the island and also pay attention security is still on high alert

Split it 3 and 3. I think 6 days is too much in Ubud.

I second the 3 and 3 idea. If you want somewhere more quiet than Seminyak maybe you'd like Candidasa.

During the rainy season it rains more in the mountains than on the coast.

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry8700c: BlackBerry8310/4.5.0.69 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/120)

There's not a ton to do in Ubud imo, so unless you spa every day or hike every day it may be boring for six. I enjoyed splitting it 3-3 myself.

Ubud itself may not have tons of stuff to do for 5 or 6 days, but it is a great jumping-off point for visiting areas farther north and to the east. And if you're going to spend much time hunting for art or artefacts, it's a great location from which to do that.

I second the 3 and 3 idea. If you want somewhere more quiet than Seminyak maybe you'd like Candidasa.

During the rainy season it rains more in the mountains than on the coast.

Are you saying that Ubud is in the mountains ??? I dont think so. Enjoy learning Russian in Candidasa which is about a 10th the size of Ubud in terms of things to do

Ubud itself may not have tons of stuff to do for 5 or 6 days, but it is a great jumping-off point for visiting areas farther north and to the east. And if you're going to spend much time hunting for art or artefacts, it's a great location from which to do that.

I agree. It is a central location for exploring all of the island. Also, there are a number of good restaurants in town.

I agree. It is a central location for exploring all of the island. Also, there are a number of good restaurants in town.

Which would you recommend?

I've thoroughly enjoyed Mozaic (twice on my last five-day visit). Cafe Lotus was okay for lunch but didn't excite me. I've dined at our resort on other nights. Where else should we try next time?

Mozaic is in a class of its own, in terms of level of sophistication. Here are some places where I've eaten that were pleasant, bistro types:

Batan Waru, http://www.baligoodfood.com/Batanwaru.asp, delightful restaurant in the heart of Ubud.

Indus, http://www.casalunabali.com/, just outside the main part of Ubud – beautiful setting by gorge, best for lunch in order to see view

TeraZo, http://www.baligoodfood.com/Terazo.asp

Warung Enak, http://www.warungenakbali.com/, for interesting Indonesian dishes. Same people own Lamak

I was planning to leave Ubud after 4 days, when the owner of my hotel told me his family was planning a cremation ceremony in two days and recommended that I stay for it.

I had read about cremations in Ubud, and how they are not-to-be-missed, so I extended my stay for another few days.

This was actually a double-cremation, and since hotel owner's family was quite wealthy, the ceremony became a once-in-a-lifetime event for me.

An older brother and his niece had died the previous year, so they were buried for 6 months or so and then dug up that day.

I was welcomed to the family compound and dressed in a sarong and headdress by three of the comely daughters. There were priests burning incense and chanting while a team of 25 people worked to build two giant bamboo "rafts" topped with ornate temples to hold the bodies. Each "raft" was about 15' wide.

Later that afternoon, about 100 family members lifted the bamboo structures into the air and carried them outside the compound walls and into the streets of Ubud - where thousands of townspeople were waiting.

With the belief that you had to outrun evil spirits, the mass of pall-bearers heaved the giant rafts to and fro as they dodged the spirits and ran through the streets on their way to the cremation grounds.

Once at the site just outside of town, both rafts were set ablaze and a sea of people cheered loudly as the bodies and their ornate temples were reduced to ashes.

So, ask around to see if there's a cremation scheduled during your stay in Ubud. It's truly an amazing experience.

It really depends on why you are going to Bali. If it's just for beaches, diving, etc., there really are lots of better easier places to go.
If you're interested in the culture, music, dance, there is plenty to do in Ubud. Go to the museum and hang around for the gamelon orchestra rehearsals; learn about the history and story of the puppet plays then wander around catching various performances; go to the main tourist barong dance, then take a short drive into the mountains on a Friday night to a weekend festival in a small town and watch their barong dance with costumes that have been handed down through the generations (you'll probably be the only non-local there and you will be treated as an honored guest); go to the ke-chak performance; get up early to watch the local ladies walk their neighborhoods leaving blessings of rice, flowers and incense on each doorway, car, and motorbike. Basically, 6 days is too long if you stay in your hotel... too short if you get out and explore this unique culture.

Has anyone stay in Padma in Seminyak? I have decided to split 3 & 3. Padma seems big but it's attractively priced.

I was planning to leave Ubud after 4 days, when the owner of my hotel told me his family was planning a cremation ceremony in two days and recommended that I stay for it.

I had read about cremations in Ubud, and how they are not-to-be-missed, so I extended my stay for another few days.

This was actually a double-cremation, and since hotel owner's family was quite wealthy, the ceremony became a once-in-a-lifetime event for me.

An older brother and his niece had died the previous year, so they were buried for 6 months or so and then dug up that day.

I was welcomed to the family compound and dressed in a sarong and headdress by three of the comely daughters. There were priests burning incense and chanting while a team of 25 people worked to build two giant bamboo "rafts" topped with ornate temples to hold the bodies. Each "raft" was about 15' wide.

Later that afternoon, about 100 family members lifted the bamboo structures into the air and carried them outside the compound walls and into the streets of Ubud - where thousands of townspeople were waiting.

With the belief that you had to outrun evil spirits, the mass of pall-bearers heaved the giant rafts to and fro as they dodged the spirits and ran through the streets on their way to the cremation grounds.

Once at the site just outside of town, both rafts were set ablaze and a sea of people cheered loudly as the bodies and their ornate temples were reduced to ashes.

So, ask around to see if there's a cremation scheduled during your stay in Ubud. It's truly an amazing experience.

I, too, was able to attend a cremation ceremony on my last trip to Bali. It was for at least 8 people, with the most ornate being a grandmother and her grandson who were encased in cow/bull temples. They were then anointed with flowers, foods, and oils and then set ablaze to free their spirits. It was an unforgetable event, and it seemed that half of all of Bali were present. I was not an invited guest like you were, but it was certainly a public event. And it was certainly not a sad occasion. I would go to another if I were ever able to.

I've been to Bali 2x, in 1998 and 2006; both times for 6nts, in Ubud.
It's the cultural heart and soul (and artistry) of the island.

My fav place is the Alam Jiwa (alamjiwa dot com). Rates for dlb $75-$85. For a large compound-like room with 3 course breakfast. no tvs, no internet. Spread out next to rice paddies and a stream that flows thru the grounds.
The Alam Indah is closeby, but, not as spaced out.

Staff also arranges airport transfers, and, can arrange for a daily driver/guide for reasonable rates.

Alam Jiwa is in the village of Nyuh Kuning. The woman that owns this property also owns 3 other places, and, 2 restaurants. She trains, and employees the local villagers and gives them great benefits. A beneficial relationship.

The location is thru Monkey Forest, Monkey Forest road to downtown Ubud.

The area is ringed by various villages that specialize in different arts and crafts; easy to walk (if not too wet). Each night, 1-2 different dance/music (gamelan) troups perform; about $1-$2 for a 1-2hr show. Amazing!

Ubud makes a great base camp for exploring other parts of the island without moving your belongings. It, of course, depends on your interests.

Spas have popped up all over Bali. I stick with an older one; can't remember the name of it. But, it's about $8 for hr massage. Or $12 for 3hr spa trtmt.

The Balinese are the warmest, most carrying people I have ever experienced; from my pov.