dhammer53

We're considering going to Bali in mid November for 7 - 8 days. When I checked www.awardmapper.com for hotels, I noticed that almost all point redemption hotel chains are located in the south of Bali. Does that suggest to you that a first timer spend a week in that area? Is west coast (Indian Ocean) better than east coast (Lombok Strait) in this area. Should we spend all our time here, or split the trip and head to Ubud?

I've been reading here that better value may be had at non chain hotel and resorts and villas.

What's your opinion.

Thanks.

CJKatl

I just returned from my first trip to Bali, where I stayed in Kuta, which was great, but... I did a day trip to Ubud and really wish I had stayed up there at least one night. Flying out, the German woman sitting next to me on the plane raved about staying at non-chain, staying on the north shore for a week and staying in Ubud for a few days. She convinced me that I'll do that on my next trip.

farmerandy

Will be going to Bali for the first time in October. Opted to stay at a non chain, Kayon Resort in Ubud, and finishing the trip at the Ritz Nusa Dua. The value you get from the non chain hotels are unbeatable. I'm talking 1000 - 2000 sqft 5 star private villas with a private pool starting at $300 a night.

ijgordon

Decide what you want to do and where you want to go. THEN figure out the hotels.
DO NOT let location of hotel chains dictate your itinerary in Bali.

number_6

There are fantastic small non-chain hotels in Bali, along with private villas ... very different experience from the chain hotels. Which is better is personal preference and priorities, but Bali gives great choices. Also it varies from high density very developed with restaurants and clubs that are open all night, to fishing villages which barely have electricity. Completely different experiences. Ubud is pretty special and must see in my book, at least for a few days. Researching the different choices is pretty easy with google and tons of info on the web. My first trip to Bali was at the (then) Sheraton Laguna, which is as anti-Bali as you can get ... beautiful resort that is more Hawaii than Bali Lately I either stay in a private villa in Seminyak, Ubud or Amed (east coast, 3 hours drive from airport but much less developed). Very different experience in just those 3 locations (and different price point, Seminyak costs 3x as much for same quality at high end, maybe cheaper at low end due to supply/demand but varies by date).

RhubarbPie

I'm at the Grand Hyatt in Nusa Dua now. I think this hotel is okay, though its lacking character (among a few other service-related issues). I kind of feel like I could be at any beach resort, almost anywhere. But the pools are really nice and I'm enjoying my time.

I did a day tour of Ubud yesterday. Super different than Nusa Dua, which is kind of a ritzy (in some places), touristy area with lots of chain hotels. The Grand Hyatt is in an enclave that requires multiple security checks to get in and out of. It definitely feels sort of roped off from the rest of the island. If I had more time, I definitely would have stayed in Ubud for a few days. I don't love non-chain, boutiquey style hotels, but I would have loved to spend some time at the Viceroy in Ubud. The pool looks insane.

DeepUnderground

Nusa Dua is as non-Balinese and non-Indonesian as one can get on the island. It is almost LITERALLY barricaded off from the rest of the island.

Annalisa12

I've booked Le Jardin Villas in Seminyak for $150 a night. Includes breakfast, Afternoon tea and a car to drive you around the area

farmerandy

May have to look into this and stay a night in Seminyak. All of that and even a car to top it off? Amazing.

ijgordon

That's pretty much what everyone says about Nusa Dua. So we didn't bother going there, even though supposedly it's the only nice beach that's relatively accessible.

Jaimito Cartero

Depending on your age and interests, different parts of Bali will appeal to different folks.

Some resorts in Nusa Dua are ok. Many are so generic, you could be in HNL, or CUN.

To me, the Kuta, Seminyak and nearby areas are more party areas. I've always liked the feel of Sanur, and Ubud can be very nice. I've stayed in a great 6000SF villa in Ubud that was really nice, and a small home stay in Sanur over a decade ago that were all totally memorable.

WilcoRoger

We had 3 nights at the Conrad in Nusa Dua and 3 nights in Ubud at the Royal Kamuela Villas. Totally different worlds, totally different experience - but both of them amazing.

italdesign

Hi Dan. BRT 2014 alumnus here.

I didn't stay in the chain hotel area so I don't have first hand comparison, but I share this sentiment:

I absolutely LOVED my traditional bungalow in Ubud. Cost me $30 a night in 2015. It had beautiful grounds. Sitting on the porch at night breathing the hot air and hearing relaxing Balinese music felt like the idyllic SE Asia experience. More authentic, and definitely more rustic, than the chains, I'd imagine. It was perfect for me.

My top 3 Bali experiences:
1. Pura Ulun Danu Berata
2. Seafood dinner on Jimbaran beach
3. the aforementioned bungalow

Enjoy!

jiejie

Bali is a good place to go local non-chain since there are very high value propositions for the cash outlay, in better locations than South Bali/Nusa Dua. Then save those loyalty program points for a different destination.

SanDiego1K

Many years ago, @Dianne47 recommended Alam Jiwa to me. It's outside Ubud. It's an intimate property, just 10 rooms or so, with large rooms overlooking rice paddies. It's a true Balinese experience. I'd stay there and hire a driver so I could go anywhere I wanted on the island.