Luxury Bali - without the drunken idiots
May 19, 2016, 3:48 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: American Airlines; Marriott; OneWorld
Posts: 1
I'm a huge fan of Amankila in Candidasa (in the middle of the east coast). It's the heart of cultural Bali and, unlike Ubud, you have the ocean right there. If you like to scuba dive, Geko Dive in nearby Padang Bai is terrific. The food is sensational, and though the liquor is excellent, I never saw anyone loutish!
Jun 23, 2016, 7:10 am
#47
formerly known as ravishah
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 195
Not read the thread so might have been posted - but if you want to swim in the sea Seminyak might not be the best place as it is much more surf ready sea.
We stayed in Ubud and Seminyak both at the Samaya villas loved them although having a hot tub in the searing heat was a bit redundant!
We stayed in Ubud and Seminyak both at the Samaya villas loved them although having a hot tub in the searing heat was a bit redundant!
Jun 24, 2016, 7:45 am
#48
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,882
For real bang-for-your-buck villa rentals have you considered Amed? Its a beautifully quiet town and the tourists are mostly European (not a drunken Australian accent to be heard anywhere). The beaches are black sand, the snorkeling/diving is fabulous. Plenty of good restaurants.
We were in Candidasa in March and couldn't wait to leave. I'm shocked so many people like it.
We were in Candidasa in March and couldn't wait to leave. I'm shocked so many people like it.
Jun 27, 2016, 1:52 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
Agreed. I don't spend anywhere near that, but some people have different ideas of what luxury entitles. I have experience "luxury| in Bali anywhere from 100/night villa in Tulamben to 700/night villa in Seminyak. It's all personal preference.
Usually the last 10 times or so I'm just at the Holiday Inn Baruna.
Usually the last 10 times or so I'm just at the Holiday Inn Baruna.
Jun 28, 2016, 6:58 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,537
I think some people don't feel adequate unless they spend $1000 a night. Others are fine at a $100-200 villa. Luckily Bali has so many options.
Reminds of a rogue salesman who once worked for me. He doubled the price of our most expensive lock, and sold 5x more than we sold at the normal price.
Reminds of a rogue salesman who once worked for me. He doubled the price of our most expensive lock, and sold 5x more than we sold at the normal price.
Jul 4, 2016, 8:09 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
I think some people don't feel adequate unless they spend $1000 a night. Others are fine at a $100-200 villa. Luckily Bali has so many options.
Reminds of a rogue salesman who once worked for me. He doubled the price of our most expensive lock, and sold 5x more than we sold at the normal price.
Reminds of a rogue salesman who once worked for me. He doubled the price of our most expensive lock, and sold 5x more than we sold at the normal price.
Jul 4, 2016, 12:34 pm
#56
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
We are not going to object your desire to spend $700+ per night in Bali. Thanks to people like you there are ample of options to stay in places for $100.
Jul 4, 2016, 2:13 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
Jul 5, 2016, 3:43 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,537
Jul 5, 2016, 5:25 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
There are plenty of places I would call luxury and stayed at for US$200, but i've also stayed at numerous US$700-$900 properties.
I havn't stayed at any $700 hotels that are 3 1/2 X as good as some of the US$200 hotels I've been to though.
The idea that Luxury directly correlates to Amount Spent is not proven in Bali.
Nihiwatu (in Sumba) is one, if not my favourite hotel in Asia, and the standard is incredible considering how unique / off the beaten track it is. But you partly pay for the isolation in maintaining the quality - if you go as an a FS/Aman junkie you may well find minor issues you wouldn't find at the far more polished chain hotels, but you'd be missing the point of Nihiwatu.
Yet for Bali the two Samaya's as stated above are pretty much on point for me and the quality exceeds a couple of the more famous 'internationally branded' luxury chains with hotels. Some of the best service standards i've received have been at The Bale in Nusa Dua, far below US$700.