Putra

Have been Bali for quite sometimes. Its rare to have no queue for me. I would say worth it too.

mario33

The queue is moving faster now that they have removed the finger printing requirement. While I won't say there is totally no queue, it's usually 0-15min. The only time when I had an excessively long queue was when they first introduced the finger printing procedure, but it was relatively quick (compared to other major airports) for probably half a dozen visits after that.

What I would be more concerned is the pick- up arrangement at DPS now that certain areas have been cordoned off with the airport expansion works. It's a long walk to the overcrowded and chaotic pick-up/drop-off point, and an even longer walk for the driver who has to collect his vehicle (compared to previously when you can just walk over to the car just in front of the terminal).

If the VIP service includes picking-up right in front of the terminal, then it's probably a service I would pay for. However I very much doubt it ...

jefftiger

The car service that we ordered through the Conrad did have a representative (with a Conrad sign) standing right outside the door (just beyond the money changers) who escorted us to the new pick-up location past the construction. This was back in March. We also had the VIP service (marginally useful) through immigration and customs and he handed us off to the waiting Conrad rep at the door.

Deemus7

My wife and I visited this property in May and paid for the airport pickup and the VIP arrival service. We arrived on CX and found no line, but it was really great having the peace of mind to know that we weren't going to have to wait in the hot terminal (no A/C!) after flying MIA-JFK-HKG-DPS.

Another thing I'd recommend...only book the one-way airport transfer. We did that and figured we'd just arrange the return trip after we arrived (there wasn't any discount for booking the r/t initially), but then we found a terrific spa called the Sekar Jegat (http://www.balinesespa.com/) that was very affordable and offered free pick-up and drop-off. We arranged for a treatment the afternoon before our return flight, and they picked us up, stored our luggage, and drove us to the airport afterwards. Definitely a nice way to spend our last few hours in Bali!

jaredmhodge

I am a diamond member and just booked a trip w new wife to honeymoon at conrad bali in january. Although i am a diamond member im pretty new to the hhonors world- just a lot of travel for new job in 5 months. I reserved lowest level room using points. How do i go about requesting a free upgrade - i have read that many have set it up prior to arrival? Do i just call or find an email for the hotel?

Thanks for the help.

CAlex

An email to the hotel explaining that this is for your honeymoon should be enough. As a diamond you will get as a minimum a one-level room upgrade and access to the Executive Lounge. If lucky/available, you will also get upgrade to the Suites section of the hotel.

It's a great destination for honeymoon, you will have a blast!

jefftiger

My wife and I weren't there for our honeymoon, but rather for an anniversary. I agree with the previous poster that you will really enjoy the Conrad Bali. I found e-mail conversations with the concierge and general reservations people prior to arrival very useful. I didn't specifically ask for an upgrade (I probably should have), so we didn't get into the suites area, but were upgraded to a deluxe oceanfront room which was excellent. As diamonds, we of course had access to the executive lounge and breakfast at Rin. This is a tremendous hotel.

acker

Also keep in mind that the period after the Christmas and New Year's holidays but before the Chinese New Year is considered their low, low season. Our 6-day visit fell during this period and it was wonderful. Low occupancy, yet the resort was fully functioning. Yes, as a diamond we did receive a suite but didn't specifically request it. Ten days before our visit I emailed the manager to inquire about their airport pick-up services. The small added cost of having the hotel book the taxi service was well worth it - and it was a chance to let the gm know we picked Conrad Bali for our special anniversary trip. During holidays the hotel is often booked solid with wealthy Asians and Aussie's so upgrades might be tougher.
As it were, we had the suite pool to ourselves day and night. I never thought I'd be one of those people who use those fancy beds around a pool but I did once or twice. Even many of the "beds" around the fancy big pool were often free. We had coffee and surfed (on our computers) each morn at the executive lounge overlooking the suite pool then we'd wander over to the main restaurant for the main breakfast. Both locations offer extensive bfasts but the main restaurant has a much bigger buffet. I'll dig out my notes and let you know what restaurants and spas we liked.
I used points and $ - I think 17.k points and $35? Could that be right? It was a very good use of points - and HH had a promo running in January '12 were I got 30% points back.

jaredmhodge

Thanks for all the info and advice. If you have any more - please let me know. This will be our first time to Bali so any secret tips would be much appreciated!

ahcjar103

just checked-in to the conrad bali a few hours ago. what a wonderful property. we were previously at the bali hyatt and thought that was an exceptional place. the conrad makes the BH look like a run-of-the-mill holiday inn.

a quick data point:

we're staying here on a GLON award; i'm an HH gold. i booked just the basic garden king room for our stay for 29,750 points per night.

we check-in, receptionist doesn't really say anything to us the whole time, and gives us our keys. porter takes our bags and leads us to our room, opens the door, and it turns out we were upgraded all the way to a conrad suite (ground floor, corner, right across from the suite pool).

i hadn't emailed the hotel prior, didn't ask for an upgrade during the check-in process, and we're not here for a special occasion or anything - just on vacation. we dont look like anyone distinguished or special - i'm 29, my gf is 28, and we came here directly from a whitewater rafting excursion so we showed up in swimsuits, flip flops, and baseball hats.

the suite is incredible; still can't believe our luck. i'm still half-waiting for someone to barge in and take us to our real room. this place is freaking awesome.

cheers all.

holtju2

Been to both as well as several other properties in Bali several times. The Hyatt Sanur is more "Balinese" on my opinion than the Conrad. I really like the Conrad and have received very good service there but I am not a huge fan of the location.

THECLIPPERS

That's great news about the upgrade for a Gold! I've never stayed at that Conrad but plan to one day. In Bali they don't care how you dress.

A great place to have drinks down the road is the Peninsula Beach Resort. They have a bar on the beach and a sports bar just off the main road. Their drinks are so cheap and the people are so nice.

Have a great trip!

Penguinmoon

I feel the same way! The hotel is beautiful, but the location is a bit far out. Also, the beach isn't nice at all. Everything else about the property is wonderful....

ahcjar103

Thanks for the tip; saw that place late night on the way to Bumbu Bali.

Also, I just re-read what I wrote yesterday. I didn't mean to sound derogatory in any way towards the BH - as I mentioned before we thought it was fantastic. It definitely is more balinese than the Conrad (and somehow everyone knew our names); this is just a different type of environment.

Cheers all, and thanks for the tips.

Thunderroad

Great news! You are indeed lucky...or perhaps you did something good in a former life or more likely this one to deserve this.

Anyway, have a great time!