Originally Posted by
pickle_flyer
Hi all. I'm planning a trip for Jan and looking for some advice for a family trip. We are essentially 4 adults. Diamond amb status. It seems that upgrade to the duplex (which hosts 4 according to site) is standard but I don't have any experience with sofa beds.
Can anyone please share some thoughts on a booking strategy? Should I just book 2 classic rooms and hope one of them will get the duplex upgrade so we can stay together during the day?
I've never been to Bali. How does this resort compare to Sanur? Google rating for Sanur seems significantly lower.
Any thoughts on how IHG would compare with Hyatt properties, say Alila Ubud, or St Regis? I've read people say it's more about location than property but I'm just quite clueless here. There are so many hotels and googling for "best Bali hotels" is too open ended
so seeking some guidance. Apologies if the questions are too basic/clueless.
I also read comments in this thread on turning away tours. Should I focus more on chilling at the resort and turn away activities?
Thanks a ton in advance for all the help!!
you don’t say if you are a family just 4 adults!
The duplex is perfect for a family and in my experience that hotel will provide a rollaway which with a day bed on the lower floor provides perfectly adequate beds for children including younger teenagers. There is also a separate shower room on the ground floor for their use. The upper floor is a super king bed and full bathroom.
If privacy is essential for you then the duplex is possibly not your best choice as it very open and those upstairs can easily have conversations with those downstairs. Two rooms would be best.
I have never come under pressure to take tours or engage with the hotel beyond what I have paid for, nor have I ever been pressured by a butler to take tours but I have asked for their advice, which is usually very good. I tend however to find a friendly taxi driver and book them for a day to provide a more tailored and private experience.
I have not stayed in many other hotels but the IC was the best of those I did stay in. On my last trip I went to a Nusa Dua hotel for a Japanese meal and it was awful.
There is not a great deal to do in the immediate area but there are good places to eat, it’s accessible and the beach is great. If you are after lots of night life, and motorised water sports it’s not the place to go!