Help needed for a trip to Bali.

Hello all
I need your help in planning a trip to Bali. We will be there probably from 6th of april to 22nd. We are not sure yet on the date but were thinking of spending 2 weeks in Bali.Flying ICN-DPS with Korean Air.
From my research and reading on this website, I thought about splitting evenly the two weeks between Ubud and Seminyak.

I researched villas and hotels but the amount of info is a bit overwhelming. I looked at the Amanusa website and their special aman bali experience package but for 6 days that's about the budget for the 2 weeks
It's our anniversary so I wanted the experience to be special for my wife.

I don't know what kind of information I could provide to help you help me

Don't be shy now

You can get excellent deals on zuji.com (Travelocity Asia), or using Amex pay-with-points MR website.

Suggest Nusa Dua. The Sol Melia Bali was quite nice. Maybe split with some time in Ubud. Avoid Kuta other than to see it. Crowded and tacky. Instead of hitting the spas AT your resort, suggest hitting nearby spas. For a fraction of the cost you can get a phenomenal massage. You can hire drivers/guides for a pittance, but be aware they will just schlep you to tourist traps with outrageous pricing. As an examples a wood carver I was taken to wanted $40 for a small mask maybe 10x15cm. I laughed and countered with $5. They accepted. Should have only paid $2-3USD.

Get away from the resorts and eat local.

There are threads where FlyerTalkers share their experiences at various resorts in and about Ubud. Defiintely read these over; there is a variety of locations to choose from, some better priced than others. As well, I recommend some driving about to see other areas - several FTers have used Wayan Sueta (Suetayasa is his full name, but many on Bali abbreviate their last names or do away with them entirely). His website is also useful for planning purposes; he has a very well maintained car, is a safe driver, speaks English fluently and is very good about sharing Bali with you. <link>

The link points to a site under construction.
What is the general conscensus? I read that the prices you see on the web are "inflated" and that there are deals to be had locally.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will spend some time on zuji.com.

I just returned from Bali yesterday, and can recommend the place I stayed and two of the drivers I had:
Komaneka at Bisma: I had a pool villa here and it was a very romantic setting. The Komaneka at Monkey Forest is better located for walking around, but was fully booked. I think any of the three Komanekas in Ubud would be good for an anniversary, particularly if you snag a pool villa. The out-the-door price I was offered after emailing directly was significantly less than their website--or an Aman.
Drivers: Ngakan Arnawa [email protected]
He used to drive for the Amandari and is a village chief. Really, I can't imagine anyone doing a better job than he did. He has a fun, engaging spirit.
Agung Legawa: [email protected]
Young, multilingual, great aircon and newer vehicle, and a beautiful heart.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thank you for the suggestion. How much in percentage is the price you were offered different from the website?

I stayed in Bali for 3 weeks in November, and looked at FS and Aman but decided it wasn't enough privacy for what we wanted. We rented private villas with pool and no servants, so it was complete privacy (nobody inside or outside), and that cost between USD 100 to 150 per day actual (by dealing directly); vs. same villa listed for USD 400-500 on the web. Prices vary with supply and demand but there has been an incredible amount of construction in Bali during the past year. I chose to avoid Nusa Dua as it is a very artificial environment that is disconnnected from the real Bali -- just tourists, not even any decent shops or restaurants, only vastly over-priced inferior ones. Might as well go to Miami Beach if you want that (the 5-star hotels in Nusa Dua are gorgeous but have no charm and are at best like Hawaii). If you must have a hotel, for service, consider the Legian ... Aman quality but cheaper albeit larger. For a cheap hotel that is quite good, Puri Cendana cost USD 80 for a 1BR duplex suite when I was there (didn't stay there as wanted more privacy); it is charming and well located and good value, but not luxury like Aman. In Ubud I stayed in a gorgeous villa on Honeymoon Lane, near a great restaurant Cafe des Artistes which is a must-visit destination if you love food. But that villa isn't for everyone (it is in a jungle, despite being in town, as it is by the river, and you get wildlife through your villa periodically, along with stray cats and dogs. That villa had 24 hour staff but they lived in the gatehouse, out of sight of the villa and only visible when called. There are some more conventional, cheaper yet still nice accomodation on Honeymoon Lane in Ubud, you can search the web. Bali is a magical place, if you see the right parts.

Things are getting less fuzzy We pretty much settle down on Seminyak and Ubud. Looking at a privately owned villa for Ubud and a complex suggested by one of the members for Seminyak. Contacted the owner yesterday and waiting to hear from him/her.

You might want to look at booking something on the far side of the island for a few days. Seminyak might as well be Hawaii. And Kuta is more akin to Daytona Beach.

I'm not sure I could spend a week in Ubud, but 2-4 days is easy to imagine.

Great villas can be had for << $100 offseason. We stayed at one where the monthly rate was < $50 and it had service and a pool. The downside was you needed a scooter or to call a taxi to go anywhere as it was outside of Seminyak off of Umalas 2.

I want to know this as well, since I called the hotel directly and was quoted MORE than the website! :P

Can you pl share how much you paid them daily?

A driver for a full day about 600 000rp

I would also buy him lunch and if he is charming and helpful add 100 000rp as a tip