Thoughts Ubud / Bali vs. Siem Reap / Phuket end october
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 60
Thoughts Ubud / Bali vs. Siem Reap / Phuket end october
I'm looking for thoughts for a trip the last week of October. The two options are Ubud / bali and Siem reap / Phuket. We have been to bali many times including twice this year, but never to Ubud or surrounds. So thinking this time of doing one of manadapa, chedi or uma for 3 nights plus the legian. I am also considering amankila, any thoughts from anyone heading here rather than Ubud? Please bare in mind we will also be travelling with children (though well behaved). The only given in this itinerary is the Legian, we like to be in seminyak so usually stay here. Would be interested to hear if anyone has stayed at the legian after the management change though? Hopefully the service standards are the same.
For Siem reap / Phuket, we will most likely do Phum baiting and point yamu. I know everyone here is amanpuri and trisara fans, but for various reasons we really like point yamu in Phuket.
We probably prefer the Siem reap / Phuket option for this trip, but the big variable in bali's favour is the weather. Bali weather is still pretty good even though it's shoulder season, Phuket in particular, anything can happen. We were there a couple of years back in October and it rained non stop for 3 days, but have also had times with great weather. Having said that, the weather in Bali is a bit crazy this year. We were there a month ago, a time of usually guaranteed endless sun and there was lots of rain!
For Siem reap / Phuket, we will most likely do Phum baiting and point yamu. I know everyone here is amanpuri and trisara fans, but for various reasons we really like point yamu in Phuket.
We probably prefer the Siem reap / Phuket option for this trip, but the big variable in bali's favour is the weather. Bali weather is still pretty good even though it's shoulder season, Phuket in particular, anything can happen. We were there a couple of years back in October and it rained non stop for 3 days, but have also had times with great weather. Having said that, the weather in Bali is a bit crazy this year. We were there a month ago, a time of usually guaranteed endless sun and there was lots of rain!
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 60
Looking for opinions based on people's experiences at to whether bali would be significantly better / safer choice, weather wise, this time of year (we have not been to bali around October time). And also opinions on the resorts I mentioned around bali, and therefore whether ubud or amankila might be better pre legian choice
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
And also opinions on the resorts I mentioned around bali, and therefore whether ubud or amankila might be better pre legian choice
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Looking for opinions based on people's experiences at to whether bali would be significantly better / safer choice, weather wise, this time of year (we have not been to bali around October time). And also opinions on the resorts I mentioned around bali, and therefore whether ubud or amankila might be better pre legian choice
Sandra W & Kila team can suggest a day trip with perhaps dinner at Dari or Mosaic ( no children though )
We are headed to Bali in a couple of weeks , likely only Nusa , no Kila this time . Will see how it goes if swinging by Ubud at all , just the thought of the crowds .. But intend on being in Seminyak .
End October at Siem Reap & Phuket should be alright . If you are fine with heat & humidity , Siem Reap is ok . That Point Yamu pool will be fun for the whole family .
Weather patterns have changed so we shall see how Bali is next month .
We will be in Phuket end September , just remembered !
#8
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boise, ID
Programs: Virtuoso
Posts: 617
Mandapa is fantastic, especially for kids. You didn't say what the ages are, but Mandapa has a kids camp that is educated orientated, which is a bit unique to the area.
Ubud is fantastic. When I visited, it was May, which is dry season. It rained like crazy for about an hour or so every afternoon, then cleared. I hear October is not too bad though from friends who live there. I guess November is when it starts to get a bit more serious about the rain.
Ubud is fantastic. When I visited, it was May, which is dry season. It rained like crazy for about an hour or so every afternoon, then cleared. I hear October is not too bad though from friends who live there. I guess November is when it starts to get a bit more serious about the rain.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 297
I also loved Mandapa, and I think it's easily the best property in the RC portfolio right now (certainly a higher level from the other "Reserves"). It might just be my new favorite in Bali, as I've always preferred the jungle resorts in Ubud over the beach ones (not a fan of Bali beaches due to being spoiled by Seychelles, Maldives, etc).
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boise, ID
Programs: Virtuoso
Posts: 617
^
I also loved Mandapa, and I think it's easily the best property in the RC portfolio right now (certainly a higher level from the other "Reserves"). It might just be my new favorite in Bali, as I've always preferred the jungle resorts in Ubud over the beach ones (not a fan of Bali beaches due to being spoiled by Seychelles, Maldives, etc).
I also loved Mandapa, and I think it's easily the best property in the RC portfolio right now (certainly a higher level from the other "Reserves"). It might just be my new favorite in Bali, as I've always preferred the jungle resorts in Ubud over the beach ones (not a fan of Bali beaches due to being spoiled by Seychelles, Maldives, etc).
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Black sand though , but rather private .
On rare occasions no ships in sight only fishing boats .
Sometimes see Wana plane if one looks at right times
#13
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 343
i'm not certain if i'll ever forgive myself for booking Amankila over Legian or some other Bali beach resort. Property is nice and service was fine, but the oil tanker views (Amankila is just up the beach from a Pertamina (state owned oil company) distribution port) really spoiled it for me. Not sure if we were the only couple there but it felt like the place was empty and that turned us off. We enjoy people watching and friendly discussions with other travelers, none of which happened.
Chedi in Ubud and then we should've hit Legian. Next time!
Chedi in Ubud and then we should've hit Legian. Next time!
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
kila and soori are in completely undeveloped areas, unlike basically all others
phuket >
if low season (with complimentary Exclusive) could consider puri
of course surin is on same beach as puri and can be pretty cheap
phuket >
if low season (with complimentary Exclusive) could consider puri
of course surin is on same beach as puri and can be pretty cheap
#15
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
i'm not certain if i'll ever forgive myself for booking Amankila over Legian or some other Bali beach resort. Property is nice and service was fine, but the oil tanker views (Amankila is just up the beach from a Pertamina (state owned oil company) distribution port) really spoiled it for me. Not sure if we were the only couple there but it felt like the place was empty and that turned us off. We enjoy people watching and friendly discussions with other travelers, none of which happened.
Chedi in Ubud and then we should've hit Legian. Next time!
Chedi in Ubud and then we should've hit Legian. Next time!
There will have been other guests . Possibly just out trekking , having private meals scattered on property - beach , beach club , suites , etcetera
Many stay at Amans precisely not to see ( many ) others