IAN-UK

Call the hotel, get the name of the GM and his/her email

demue

While you can email the GM (who is also in charge of all IHG properties in Bali as Area Mgr), the day to day running of the hotel lies with the Resort Manager. Ask for a competent contact in reservations to look into your queries.

Balinese Suites (there are only 2 AFAIK) are not excluded on AMB web site as OP stated correctly. Maybe an oversight, but it would make the whole thing less attractive and in my book hurt their revenue. Not a lot of AMB or RA will book into speciality suites and be happy to receive zero upgrades. So we all book lower category rooms and they will sit on unsold suites. Sure, during peak season not an issue as they sell out, but approx. 2/3 of the year they don't sell out.

On the membership, I would get AMB early on, pay 200$, book Club room and use the free weekend night cert at IC Bali for same Club room (basically 2 reservations), get upgrade to Club Duplex and still have 5K IHG points. Definitely total value in the 400-500$ range with free night and Duplex price differential due to upgrade.

djjaguar64

Believe me its better than the Conrad.

demue

+1. Way better than Conrad. I'm Hilton Diamond and IHG Spire AMB (not RA) and I still stay at IC every time for the last 10+ years. No one will build a resort in Bali these days with such great, expansive grounds. It would cost a fortune. Room renovations are under way (Singaraja) and needed to sustain the appeal, but overall it is a well maintained property.

djjaguar64

Will they have a sale soon?

demue

Nothing specific I have heard of. Usually, if you stayed there before, they email some of the offers. They always got the long stay rates that incl. breakfast and require a minimum 5 nights for a reduced rate (first night prepaid / forfeit).

Regular rates float up and down based on demand and booking situation. I always lock in a flexible paid rate or points booking (or both) and check back regularly and switch rates if I can save $.

Bowgie

Wife and I have 10 days between arrival and departure from DPS airport. I was only able to convince her to go with a side trip to Java to see Borobudur, a temple and wonder of the ancient world.

I'm a Plat Ambassador with enough points, Chase card free stay night, and Amb BOGO for a five night stay at the IC Bali. Trip is in August.

With such a mix of booking options, what room category should i book?

Are there off-site hiking options to satisfy an Indiana Jones wannabe?

355F1

Ahhh....back to Bali next week. Staying here again for 6 nights and then moving over to the Holiday Inn Benoa for 4 nights.

I love Bali!

355F1

i wouldn't call the IC Bali a "beach resort."

There isn't much beach activity going on considering there is an ocean next to it.

Its A pretty chill place. Quiet by 9pm.

demue

If you are using points and other free night type certificates then all you can book are Classic rooms which is the basic category.

Nothing terribly wrong with those rooms, albeit they may be a bit dated, but usually are maintained well enough. If you can charm them into a refurbished Singaraja room upgrade (1 category up, but normally no upgrades on reward stays ) then that may be nicer. You could also ask to pay a supplement to upgrade to Club room with Club benefits. They will quote you a supplement fee.

August is usually high season and quite full / sold out. Don't wait too long to secure your reward nights.

djjaguar64

Yes, i agree. I do not like the beach in Bali, I prefer the beach in Cuba. In Bali I stay by the pool close my eyes and chill. Ask for drinks to be served etc, enjoy the lounge and evening drinks.

demue

While beaches in Bali are certainly not rivalling the Caribbean, IMHO, the beach at the IC Bali is one of the best hotel beaches around. Clean, nicer sand, nice calm environment (no sellers or so). Only nuisance may be other guests that behave poorly. Can't blame the hotel for that.

djjaguar64

Wrote to hotel, and got back the usual schpeel, everything on the ground floor is sold out sorry and she even cc'd the entire world at the hotel. And we cannot give you another upgrade. I did not ask for another upgrade. Ha ha

djjaguar64

Bali earthquake, now what? People travelling me have an 8 month old baby and are worried. Refundable rate for the CERT nights but paid for last night.

aakaa

Now nothing. Go to Bali and enjoy your holiday.
Bali is in an area where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur regularly and tsunamis are possible. The fact that an earthquake just happened is irrelevant.