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Old Jun 18, 2005 | 11:30 am
  #7  
fra_muc
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Originally Posted by deer
The absolute killer place is called BEGAWAN GIRI ESTATE (http://www.begawan.com/). This place is heaven indeed!
Just to support this, but then point out the differences:

Bali is about landscape less than it is about beaches - go to Tahiti or Thailand for Beaches. It great for surfing and diving not for its beaches.
Nusa Dua is an exception, Nusa Dua Hotels are generally large 4-5 stars. Nothing like Begawan Giri with its 20 suites and 300 or so staff.

In terms of safety, I would not have any concerns for the Begawan, and very little for Bali. The only drawback of the Begawan is that 4 or so suites are around a common courtyyard and pool. They are not very private. You either have to rent a residence, or be lucky in low season, or compromise on privacy. A residence has four suites and will be around 2500 USD per day.

I booked a suite at the Begawan through Quintessentially. I was upgraded to a larger one than I had booked and had 'a residence' on my own.

Quintessentially is a concierge service, organizing travel, nannies, evenings out. Its UK based and centered around the UK, NYC and Dubai. They were great for travel, but now I feel they have grown too much. Also, I moved back to continental Europe so I discontinued my membership - they are worthwhile if you are UK London, NYC or Dubai based. Membership fee is around 1000 USD/a, more if you want to have a personal assistant (rather than being assigned to a team).

But even Q will not guarantee a villa at Begawan. I was lucky, bookings were low. Plus Q were in fact very efficient.
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