10 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

Hey everyone...we have some divers who want to do Wakatobi and have read all the recommendations to do at least 1 day in and/or out of Bali to ensure luggage gets there.

If you are doing 1 day in only where would you recommend they stay? The resorts gives a list of hotels but no recommendations.

Thanks! -ww

[secretsea18]

Hey everyone...we have some divers who want to do Wakatobi and have read all the recommendations to do at least 1 day in and/or out of Bali to ensure luggage gets there.

If you are doing 1 day in only where would you recommend they stay? The resorts gives a list of hotels but no recommendations.

Thanks! -ww

Depends upon how much $$ they want to spend..... recommendations run from <$30 to $$$$ all great, but some much more luxurious.... I have stayed in sanur at Gazebo Beach Cottage, Jimbaran Villa and Sepir Private Villas and loved them all. Just depends upon what you want. As the flight is early, I don't recommend staying up in Ubud although it sure is nice there.

Robin

[Deepdiver615]

WreckWench did a great job of helping me get reservations for Wakatobi!!! So I'm headed there in October and would like to know if anyone has stayed in any of the Bali hotels or could give me any recommendations. I will be in transit traveling alone and don’t need luxurious accommodations. I looking for a safe and comfortable place to stay. Also does anyone know of any hotels to avoid?
Thanks

[secretsea18]

WreckWench did a great job of helping me get reservations for Wakatobi!!! So I'm headed there in October and would like to know if anyone has stayed in any of the Bali hotels or could give me any recommendations. I will be in transit traveling alone and don’t need luxurious accommodations. I looking for a safe and comfortable place to stay. Also does anyone know of any hotels to avoid?
Thanks

How many days are you looking at? And your price range?

I've been to Bali 4 or 5 times, and the hotels in Bali are a bargain for us....

Robin

[Deepdiver615]

I am staying one night on the way over and three on the way back ( the plane leaves around 10pm on the return). Price wise.. When I was looking at hotels in Bali and I can get one in the $100/ nt range that was 4 stars near the Kuta Beach area and is close to the airport. It seems that this area is one of the more popular areas in Bali. Thanks for the help!

WreckWench did a great job of helping me get reservations for Wakatobi!!! So I'm headed there in October and would like to know if anyone has stayed in any of the Bali hotels or could give me any recommendations. I will be in transit traveling alone and don’t need luxurious accommodations. I looking for a safe and comfortable place to stay. Also does anyone know of any hotels to avoid?
Thanks

How many days are you looking at? And your price range?

I've been to Bali 4 or 5 times, and the hotels in Bali are a bargain for us....

Robin

[secretsea18]

I am staying one night on the way over and three on the way back ( the plane leaves around 10pm on the return). Price wise.. When I was looking at hotels in Bali and I can get one in the $100/ nt range that was 4 stars near the Kuta Beach area and is close to the airport. It seems that this area is one of the more popular areas in Bali. Thanks for the help!

WreckWench did a great job of helping me get reservations for Wakatobi!!! So I'm headed there in October and would like to know if anyone has stayed in any of the Bali hotels or could give me any recommendations. I will be in transit traveling alone and don’t need luxurious accommodations. I looking for a safe and comfortable place to stay. Also does anyone know of any hotels to avoid?
Thanks

How many days are you looking at? And your price range?

I've been to Bali 4 or 5 times, and the hotels in Bali are a bargain for us....

Robin

OK I have stayed at the Gazebo Cottage beach Resort in Sanur, and that is convenient for the way in... very economical at about $50/nite\ and short trip to airport in AM ... do a google search for "discount Bali Hotels" and you will find lots of travel agency sites that will give you good rates with taxes paid and breakfast.

For your way home, do you want to dive or visit/tour Bali landside???
I would suggest for landside, stay away from Kuta, unless you want lotts of tourists and traffic.... I like to go to Ubud or stay at Jimbaran. Do you have a travel guide for Bali yet? If not get one of the Lonely Planet or Moon guides and you will see that there are loads of cultural things about Bali that you must see.


I love Bali, you will too!
Robin

[Deepdiver615]

I am staying one night on the way over and three on the way back ( the plane leaves around 10pm on the return). Price wise.. When I was looking at hotels in Bali and I can get one in the $100/ nt range that was 4 stars near the Kuta Beach area and is close to the airport. It seems that this area is one of the more popular areas in Bali. Thanks for the help!

WreckWench did a great job of helping me get reservations for Wakatobi!!! So I'm headed there in October and would like to know if anyone has stayed in any of the Bali hotels or could give me any recommendations. I will be in transit traveling alone and don’t need luxurious accommodations. I looking for a safe and comfortable place to stay. Also does anyone know of any hotels to avoid?
Thanks

How many days are you looking at? And your price range?

I've been to Bali 4 or 5 times, and the hotels in Bali are a bargain for us....

Robin

OK I have stayed at the Gazebo Cottage beach Resort in Sanur, and that is convenient for the way in... very economical at about $50/nite\ and short trip to airport in AM ... do a google search for "discount Bali Hotels" and you will find lots of travel agency sites that will give you good rates with taxes paid and breakfast.

For your way home, do you want to dive or visit/tour Bali landside???
I would suggest for landside, stay away from Kuta, unless you want lotts of tourists and traffic.... I like to go to Ubud or stay at Jimbaran. Do you have a travel guide for Bali yet? If not get one of the Lonely Planet or Moon guides and you will see that there are loads of cultural things about Bali that you must see.


I love Bali, you will too!
Robin

Robin,
Thank you for the suggestions! I guess I have a lot of internet surfing to do. Right now I am thinking that the time I spend on Bali will be on land. I would like to see some of Bali. I haven't contacted a travel guide yet. Thank you again for your help, I am looking forward to this trip!

Mike

[chinacat46]

I've stayed in Bali a few times myself and agree with Robin that Kuta is very crowded and touristy however it would be fine for a one night stay on your way there.



In Kuta I've stayed at Alam KulKul a couple of times and will stay there again when I go back to Wackytobi in Nov of this year. I've also stayed in Sanur at the Sanur Beach Hotel which was very nice and actually cheaper and nicer then Alam KulKul. Sanur is nice and not as crowded as Kuta. For good deals on hotels checkout www.asiahotels.com I've used them a number of times and actually got a great deal from them once for the LA Airport Ramada Inn so they don't just do asian hotels. You might also want to consider Ubud for an extended stay and get a guide book as Robin recommended.



Another tip is before you go is to go to your bank and get crisp clean new(2002 or newer) $100 bills. The money exchangers in Bali and all of Indonesia are very particular about US money and old or ripped bills will usually be returned to you. Also be careful when exchanging money as some of the changers are quick with there hands. Make them put the money in piles and double count it when they are done in front of them. This shouldn't be a problem at the airport but you won't get the best exchange rate.

Edited by chinacat46, 29 July 2007 - 10:34 AM.

[Deepdiver615]

Thank you ChinaCat for the hotel names.. This past weekend I found www.asiahotels.com while surfing the internet about Bali. I will check out Alam KulKul hotel and Sanur Beach Hotel. I will be sure to get the newer $100 bills, that was one of the things I read about this past weekend, I will also be sure to get them to count the money twice as you sugested.

Thanks again for your help!!
Mike

I've stayed in Bali a few times myself and agree with Robin that Kuta is very crowded and touristy however it would be fine for a one night stay on your way there.



In Kuta I've stayed at Alam KulKul a couple of times and will stay there again when I go back to Wackytobi in Nov of this year. I've also stayed in Sanur at the Sanur Beach Hotel which was very nice and actually cheaper and nicer then Alam KulKul. Sanur is nice and not as crowded as Kuta. For good deals on hotels checkout www.asiahotels.com I've used them a number of times and actually got a great deal from them once for the LA Airport Ramada Inn so they don't just do asian hotels. You might also want to consider Ubud for an extended stay and get a guide book as Robin recommended.



Another tip is before you go is to go to your bank and get crisp clean new(2002 or newer) $100 bills. The money exchangers in Bali and all of Indonesia are very particular about US money and old or ripped bills will usually be returned to you. Also be careful when exchanging money as some of the changers are quick with there hands. Make them put the money in piles and double count it when they are done in front of them. This shouldn't be a problem at the airport but you won't get the best exchange rate.

[secretsea18]

Thank you ChinaCat for the hotel names.. This past weekend I found www.asiahotels.com while surfing the internet about Bali. I will check out Alam KulKul hotel and Sanur Beach Hotel. I will be sure to get the newer $100 bills, that was one of the things I read about this past weekend, I will also be sure to get them to count the money twice as you sugested.

Thanks again for your help!!
Mike

I've stayed in Bali a few times myself and agree with Robin that Kuta is very crowded and touristy however it would be fine for a one night stay on your way there.



In Kuta I've stayed at Alam KulKul a couple of times and will stay there again when I go back to Wackytobi in Nov of this year. I've also stayed in Sanur at the Sanur Beach Hotel which was very nice and actually cheaper and nicer then Alam KulKul. Sanur is nice and not as crowded as Kuta. For good deals on hotels checkout www.asiahotels.com I've used them a number of times and actually got a great deal from them once for the LA Airport Ramada Inn so they don't just do asian hotels. You might also want to consider Ubud for an extended stay and get a guide book as Robin recommended.



Another tip is before you go is to go to your bank and get crisp clean new(2002 or newer) $100 bills. The money exchangers in Bali and all of Indonesia are very particular about US money and old or ripped bills will usually be returned to you. Also be careful when exchanging money as some of the changers are quick with there hands. Make them put the money in piles and double count it when they are done in front of them. This shouldn't be a problem at the airport but you won't get the best exchange rate.

Also ATM machines will give you a good exchange rate. PINs must be 4 numbers in length. You should check online for exchange rates to see what might be a reasonable rate. You get a better rate when you change $100s vs smaller bills, and Travelers Checks are awful.

Have fun.
Robin

[chinacat46]

Make sure you count the money into piles in front of him before you leave. These guys are good. I had a friend who watched him count and took the money. He counted after we left and was short. Don't leave till you have counted it in front of him.