small em

The Galleria is within walking distance. There are also some nice restaurants in Tanjung Benoa - a short taxi ride.

The driving in Bali isn't that manic, but a car with driver is so cheap that you may as well go for it. You won't get lost, and you'll see more of the wonderful scenery.

prncess674

Check out this thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...09#post3279309

After reading a lot about the US based resorts in Bali I opted out of the hotel game for my upcoming stay. I am not travelling half way around the world just to stay at hotel where I am surrounded by Americans. Also Indonesia is very cheap and paying US Resort prices when the salaries are so small for the workers is very unappealing. Have you thought about renting a villa?

Also head over the Asia Travel forum. There is lots of info regarding Bali. Here are a few helpful threads I have been reading.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354325
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181189
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=416853
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413624
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343566
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409738
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313018
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169495

hfly

Surrounded by Americans?? Even at the best of times you would have been hard pressed to find more than 5% Americans at any resort in Bali. These days you'd be lucky to find 1% at resorts or anywhere else. You'll find Singaporeans, Malaysians, Australians, Indonesians (when i was at the Conrad I would say that 30% were from Jakarta, there are quite a lot of very well off Indonesians out there you know). As for "US Based resorts, sorry, haven't seen too many Conrad Resorts in the US, for that matter as the hotel is owned by an Indonesian guy of Chinese distraction, I don't know where you are coming from. Lastly, as for restaurants there are quite a few within walking distance, let alone a 5 minute taxi ride.

fallinasleep

Agreed. If nothing else, going to Bali is a nice escape from other Americans Americans are probably one of the last groups to "discover" Bali.

prncess674

the Conrad is part of the Hilton family of hotels. Everything I have read is it is a very sterile Disneyland like version of Bali. My personal taste is to immerse myself more in a local area rather than a big huge Americanized version of Bali.

Richard1148

Back to Laserjet's question about restaurants within walking distance, there is a post in the Starwood forum about Bali mentioning that the Galleria is closed. I asked if this was permanent and was told it is closed for renovations. I don't know if this means that the restaurants will be closed. The Galleria is an open air shopping center with the restaurants on the very outside area near the road, so maybe they will be still be open.

SanDiego1K

Different properties appeal to different people. I stayed at the Conrad Bali last year. It has been optimized for families. The rooms all face the swimming pool. It should be great for the OP who is going with small children. The rooms have minimal views of the ocean, unless you are fortunate enough to get an end facing suite. Hotels cannot be built taller than a coconut tree in Bali, thus the lack of a view.

I didn't enjoy the hotel. I won't be back. I don't have children, and I didn't enjoy the constant noise. I wanted a more local experience, and found it at a small, locally owned property in Ubud. I will be back in Bali this year; I'll go back to the hotel in Ubud. I will not return to the Conrad.

I love the city Conrads. The Asian Conrads are wonderful, sophisticated properties. This is a resort and quite a different proposition. Many FTers enjoy the resort hotels of southern Bali, whether Conrad, Starwood, or Hyatt. That's great, even if not for me. I don't want to discourage anyone - particularly the OP - from staying here.

SanDiego1K

There are some excellent past threads on the Conrad Bali. I've gone back and looked; as a moderator I have the good fortune to have search. These appear to be the most informative:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=334314

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132235

Mul

These links may be useful for you...

http://www.baliblog.com/05-01/conrad...ia-part-1.html

continued on.. http://www.baliblog.com/05-01/conrad...indonesia.html

I'm not associated w/ Bali Blog, just happen to stumble that website.

His other reviews of hotels / accomodation in Bali is available in this link http://www.baliblog.com/accommodation/full.html

It seems Bali Conrad room availabilty is limited to 1 king only; I have 2 young children going w/ me to Bali, I don't really want to reserve 2 rooms.

naxos

I would like to offer my observations, not as a Bali expert since I have only spent 3 weeks ther last summer, but as someone who has stayed the Corad and has rented a villa north of Ubud. The OP is going with kids and the Corad may be what he wants- as others have mentioned. Big Big pool and a relatively large tourist hotel with lots of activity- It is impossible to compare the 2 experiences- a quiet private villa, in a gorgeous setting is one point on which the 2 would differ, since the Conrad's setting is not beautiful. The rice paddies that one poster had alluded to as being planted for the tourist, is in fact a working field- where the guest can observe part of the rice farmers yearly planting cycle. The early misty morning walks directly from your door offers a window on rural village life- which is not available out your door at a resort like the Conrad. Having a pool to yourself and not wondering if a lounge chair will be available is pretty cool! HAving meals preppared and served on you own private candlelit terrace and hearing the gamelan music across the gorge is unforgettable. And while the rooms at the Conrad were very nice- it is a hotel room after all and in a villa you have moe space. It is a different experience- when we arrived at the Conrad after our villa stay, it felt like returning to the city. But there were many people who seemed to be having a great time- maybe they would have felt isolated in teh village north of Ubud. For us it was the right vacation, and while I cannot claim to be immrsed in culture, I had long conversations with the staff- from politics- it was durng the election time, educatin, economics an child rearing- a more personal and easier way to begin to learn about another culture- one on one in a quiet setting. And while the staff may get paid less than hotel workers- and I cannot confirm that- I made sure that our gratuity was generous!

I highly recommend the experience.
Check out the villa website www.villauma.com
I have absolutely no financial relationship with the Conrad or the villa owners.

kokonutz

I read somewhere (boy does not having the search function stink!) that the Conrad Bali is in a bit of a remote location and has a poor beach.

I'm looking for a "taste of Bali" out of the trip. Any experinces/suggestions. FWIW, I am Hhonors Gold, if that makes a difference in the equation, although I am not considering using points for the stay (but wouldnt mind earning them!).

Artie

If beach activities are your prime objectives, they you should consider the Conrad. If you are looking for the cultural activities that make Bali unique, then you have to go inland. I would say that Ubud is the ideal place to stay. Unfortunately, there are no Hilton brands in that area.

Morrissey

Please see this recently CLOSED thread for more info:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412514

naxos

I sent you a message.

naxos

MrAOK

I don't recommend the big hotels in bali. I suppose it's possible to do them, but you lose the flavor. Further while you can in theory stay in one place, it's nice to move around the island. I liked staying in smaller places in ubud for several days, and in lovina (I may have misspelled it). The Conrad probably has better beaches, but the atmosphere in Ubud is far superior if you want to see bali's normal life