*HighFlyah*

Hi FTers!

My significant other and I are flying to Bali, Indonesia from Hong Kong next Friday and we have reservations at the Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua Beach for four nights. The rate is USD217.00 including tax for a lagoon view room, with a special promotion of fourth night free so it's 217X3.

How's that resort/hotel? Any FTers had experiences with that Sheraton? My other choice would be the Grand Hyatt Bali, with a rate of USD160.00 for a terrace garden view room.

Any way to earn airline miles more than the tradition 500 per stay?

Another question, is there Internet access in Bali either in hotels or elsewhere? My travelling companion runs a high profile website and would like to update it every day.

Where does one go to find good food in Bali?

Thanks!
*HighFlyah*

P.S. BTW our flights are HKG to Bali via Singapore on Singapore Airlines.

ozstamps

HighbFlyah .. seems like you are already booked?

Bali is easily THE #1 overseas holiday destination from Oz for tourists.

Therefore rooms are offered for peanuts via the major OZ carriers .. if you are not too late to do so, maybe check what QF, or AN or any major travel agent here offers .. there are always insanly low priced deals, many with airfare which will not help you, but might be worth asking.

Check www.travel.com.au or other local sites.

ozstamps

The lead in price for 8 hours each way air travel to and from austrlaia AND 7 nights hotel is about $US550.

Remember ALL prices on www.travel.com.au site above are in Pacific Pesos, not $US! Divide by 1.7 for $US:

http://www3.travel.com.au/everest/in...VHSU9OPWFzaSAg

*HighFlyah*

oz,

Thanks for your reply.

Well the reservation was made online and can be cancelled up to 24 hours before arrival.

*HighFlyah*

ozstamps

Could be worth doing a little homework on .. sorry to tell you now, but gee, some of the Hotel deals for Bali outta here when specials are on, are 10% of rack rate all things considered!

There are many travel agents here that basically sell nothing else than Bali. You can BUY a Business Class upgrade on both AN and QF and Garuda most times for $100 or so, as NO business guys use the route, and the planes clearly have C or F seats in place.

You'll love the food - and practice up on your Ozzie accent if you want to order anything!

ffhound

Highflyah here's a few tips to make your trip more enjoyable.

1. Don't mention politics, Australia or East Timor. You don't need unnecessary trouble.

2. Buy a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Bali and read it before you go. Money well spent.

3. Visit the following websote and check out the warnings.
http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/index.html

4. Don't visit Lombok (see warnings).

5. Don't accept free offers to enter competitions to win free accommodation - these are lead ins for timeshare sales (particularly at Jimbaren Bay). Even if you win a weeks holiday you have to pay a $US100 booking fee and you have to attend a timeshare presentation to collect the prize. You don't need such hassles on holiday.

6. Enjoy a nice beach restaurant fish dinner at Jimbaren Bay. Yay!

7. Visit Kuta beach at sunset (beautiful).

8. Rent a Bemo & driver and get away from the tourist area. The countryside is much nicer and there's lots to see.

9. Don't stay in Kuta - too many Javanese trying to sell you watches and stuff. Instead stay in Sanur or Legian which are quieter.

10. Be on the alert for pickpockets

11. Be very alert with moneychangers as they sometimes rip off tourists. Shop round for the best rates. Personally I think it is better to use your credit card with an ATM.

12. Don't drink the water or have ice in your drinks. Drink only bottled water. If you get the runs make sure you drink plenty of water and use rehydration salts - they make a big difference.

Despite a few things to be careful of Bali is a great place. Have a great holiday.

Anything to add to that Ozstamps?

cheers Peter

ozstamps

Peter .. 20 x FT'ers just cancelled their holiday now!

UBUD up in the hills is the ONLY place to stay btw.

Kuta swarms with spivs and shonks.

Peter .. find this man a cheap ***** hotel in UBUD!

PremEx

I much prefer the Grand Hyatt Bali over the Sheraton.

The Grand Hyatt Bali (not to be confused with the Hyatt Bali) is definitely a great place to stay. A huge self-contained resort. Magical from the moment you arrive...walking up the long entry way with Balinese musicians playing in front of a panorama of the resort and the Indian Ocean! What landscaping! The friendliest people I have ever meet.

I'm just a lowly Gold Passport holder (not elite) and this is how we were treated:

Asked at Check-In if we would like an extended check-out time on our last day (when has this ever happened?!).

Beautiful and spacious room with a sitting alcove and lagoon/ocean view.

Welcome letter and hotel T-Shirt and 2 Welcome Drink certs from Gold Passport Manager, Illa Pricilla.

Gold Passport Benefits Card which listed the World Wide benefits on one side and the special Grand Hyatt Bali benefits on the other:

- Free entry to the "Bay Club" fitness and health Center
- Free personalized fitness program
- 15% discount on the shops and Dinner Show
- Complimentary unlimited bike rental

Also every night we got a door tag to fill out for a comp morning beverage of choice. Morning newspaper. And with the evening turndown service you get a personal note written on a leaf with flower. Also every night you get a different small hand painted Balinese mask.

I noticed on the North wing they have a Gold Passport section, but this looks to be on the interior of the hotel. The room they gave us was in the South wing and was much larger than the standard room as shown on their Web Page. I felt glad I wasn't in the Gold Passport section. FYI our room number was 3136...at the very end of the property but quiet and great view. Also FYI our rate was US$100 per night, and I have to say that this is the lowest I've ever spent on such a 5-Star Resort! I'd go back in a moment! With all the freebies, I can hardly understand how they can be making any money!

Be sure to check out all the restaurants, and the Salsa Bar (above the Salsa Verde restaurant) should not be missed at night...view of stars and ocean is indescribable.

You can arrange day trips to Ubud and other sights right at the hotel. For US$52 we got a guide, driver and PRIVATE mini-van tour for 5 hours! But we spent about 70% of the time right at the hotel. And be prepared for warm (almost hot) pool and ocean water. The Spa has a small cold pool if you feel the need.

Hotel laundry service was same-day and cheap (underwear $1, shirts $2) so next time I'm going to pack light and just rotate through the laundry.

Flew to Hong Kong on United. Hong Kong to Bali and back on Cathay Pacific. Both were fine. On arrival at the airport there was a Grand Hyatt greeter right outside the door in the taxi area. He has a list of all check-ins. They offered a car billed to the room at US$11.00 which we accepted. Found out later that you can get a taxi for about $3.00 though (20,000 rupiahs), which we did on the way back to the airport.

If you decide to stay there, and if you are a Hyatt Gold Passport member, it might not be a bad idea to introduce yourself and your arrival date by email to Illa Pricilla, Gold Passport Manager at the hotel. I'm sure they would have something special for you upon arrival. Their email address is mailto:GH-Bali%[email protected]GH-Bali%[email protected]</A>

ffhound

Ok I give up

Ubud is nice... and arguably more genuine Bali than the tourist precinct down south.

I think the following link alludes to what Ozstamps is talking about
http://maddogsbreakfast.com.au/mdb/t...art9c_exp.html

Here are some useful links

http://www.ains.net.au/~bali.hotel/
http://www.ctmc.com.au/villaindah.html
http://www.hotels.ains.net.au/bali/villas.html
http://www.blueskies.com.au/indonesia/pitamaha.html

That should whet your appetite



cheers Peter



[This message has been edited by ffhound (edited 08-16-2000).]

ozstamps

Wow, reading this and you'd not be in a big hurry to travel around Indonesia right now!

http://www.austembjak.or.id/news.htm


On the bright side HighFlyah, the Indonesian Rupiah, is, along with the Zambian Kwacha, Australian Dollar and Laotian Kip, the 4 crummiest currencies on earth againt $US!

Tell the hawkers you are Australian - souvenir prices all halve then, and are only 5 times retail, not 10 times!

ozstamps

Peter .. that was quick!! This one you found sadly is what Kuta is all about. They just don't tell anyone from outside austrlaia about that!

http://maddogsbreakfast.com.au/mdb/t...art9c_exp.html


All my friends stay ONLY at UBUD.


BTW using CO or NW points, it is a pretty cheap reward from Hong Kong to Bali via Guam if you have the time, the points or the inclination!

ffhound

But in fairness Ozstamps I have to add the following.

Yes a raft of Australian tourists descending on Bali has turned the tourist precinct of Kuta and Legian into a sort of Asian Gold Coast however the place still has its charms.

Even in Kuta the charm and hospitality of the Balinese is still evident. They are a friendly and welcoming people. If you look outside each shop or house you will often see a small colorful offering to their gods. One can't help but be impressed with the genuineness and dedication of the Balinese.

The Javanese watch sellers are quite different however. "You want watch Mister. You want watch. Special price for you today -genuine rolex only $60!..."

But getting inland into the mountains things slow down, the air is a little cooler, the lakes are serene, the smoking volcanoes picturesque. And in Ubud you have a quiet centre of culture as yet basically unspoilt by the tourist trade. You can easily see rice paddy fields and glimpses of a simpler life.

cheers Peter

kidpachinko

If it helps, check out my recently completed Bali Trip Report at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/001080.html (There's also a link to Craig6z's earlier report.)

Hope you don't screw yourself/get screwed at the M/C's like I did. -Oops.

-KP

ffhound

More interesting links
http://www.auscape.net.au/holiday/bali-1.html
http://travelshop.com.au/content-bali.asp
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/th...=&Start=seaisl
http://www.nectar.com.au/~dgreen/diary1996.html

Enjoy! Aren't we Australians lucky to live only a few hours plane flight from such a great island!

cheers Peter

[This message has been edited by ffhound (edited 08-16-2000).]

ozstamps

kidpachinko .. Great report.. you're not the first or last to get conned on a money change in such a place!