Bali Hotel Tips by stedeb

Bali Rani Hotel: Very nice 3 star

Just spent 10 days at the Bli Rani on the recomendation of our travel agent. We were very pleased with the hotel lovely big rooms, we were upgraded to superior which is the norm in the off season. Huge big comfortable king size bed, tv, mini bar. The staff were second to none very helpful and friendly kept the rooms a treat. The pool area is not done justice by any travel brochure or web page I have seen it is big loads of sun beds no cracked tiles generally very fresh. B/fast was included and was more than adequate fresh fruit, juice, cereals, coffee, eggs done how you request, toast also Asian b/fast of noodles etc. There were a number of families there some with young babies.

Unique Qualities: The pool area is great I was very impressed as we were on a totally r&r holiday this time we spent all our day lazing around the pool there are plenty of bes, shade and bar service everything a person needs for that type of holiday.

Address: Kartika Plaza JL

Comparison: about average

Directions: in South Kuta along by the Dynasty, Kartika Plaza & Kuta Paradiso

Other Contact: balirani@denpasarwasantara.net.i

Phone: 751369

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Bali Garden Hotel

We stayed a week here and it was okay the breakfast was pretty good with the chef taking requests for eggs & pancakes but the outside verandah dining area is alittle small.
The location has to be one the best almost opposite Waterbom Park. The rooms are quite spacious if you want tea making facilities you must book a superior room, the deluxe rooms are at the front of the hotel facing the road. All the rooms have balconies big enough for 3 of us to sit and have evening drinks.
However the whole hotel complex is a little worn and dated the pool area is large and has such great potential along with the beach front but has been pretty neglected. If only the rest of the hotel could match the new spa it would be perfect.

There are substantial renovations taking place in the pool area and will be a huge improvement on completion.

Unique Qualities: The location has to be one of the best it also has direct access to the beach and the shopping centre is just next door. Plenty of taxis drivers etc just out the front.
There were a gay couple at the hotel when we were there they said they were enjoying their stay with no hassle, hence ticking the gay friendly box.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Opposite Waterbom Park

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Patra Villas & Spa: 5 star

We chose the Patra Hotel this time as on various trips we have walked along the beach and walked through the grounds. The Patra is gorgeous beautiful gardens 3 pools to choose from and the staff have to be the best anywhere in Bali and that is hard. We stayed in a superior suite which was upstairs lovely and quiet and had everything we needed ie safe, tea making facilities, fridge, bath & shower a huge king size bed, 2 bottles of water daily and it included breakfast. The grounds were kept beautiful and the hawkers are not allowed into the hotel from the beach there are security guards to make sure , not that they are any bother. This hotel is a little out of the way right next to the airport but the noise level was quite acceptable. The hotel runs a shuttle bus to Kuta 5x daily but the cost of a taxi is only approx 10,000 rp with a tip. We walked along the beach at night it took about 20-30 mins to reach Discovery Plaza but had to taxi back as the tide was in.

Unique Qualities: The gardens and pools are beautiful there are plenty of beds, lovely clean towels and bales to laze around in. There are plenty of staff to take your orders around the pool for food and drinks and they are not too badly priced. Although it fronts on to the beach it is not advisable to swim here but just a short stroll along towards Kuta and the beach was quite busy with tourists swimming and catching boats out to the reef for surfing. There is also a kids club which is a seperate building which seems to include everything and costs $US10 a day per child it looks like a large day care centre. There were many families at this hotel some with very young children in prams up to teenagers they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. They also cater for large groups of Taiwanese & Japanese tourist who flock in often late at night to be gone shortly after breakfast the next morning.
We have just returned after yet another beautiful holiday at The Patra yet again it was perfect. However if there is any criticisim it would be the upholstry in the rooms(we have only stayed in the deluxe suites) is pretty dated on the lounges & chairs and the lack of umbrellas around the pools however the pool staf are always obliging and if they can will find you an umbrella even though they weigh a ton to move they will do it for you. We will be back in Feb 08 for a birthday celebration with family members.

Address: Sout Tuban

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Next to airport

Other Contact: reservation.bali@patra-jasa.com

Phone: 751361

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.patra-jasa.com/bali

Bali Rani hotel & Spa: New hotel & spa

This new Rani Hotel which opened in Feb 07 is not to be confused with the older sister hotel of the same name.
We never stayed here but took the opportunity to check out the rooms and facilities. The rooms are build around the pool which is a nice size with umbrellas & sun beds. There is no garden you step straight out of the room onto the pool area. The rooms are spacious and have all the usual needs. It is in a pretty good location closer to the Santika Beach & Ramada Bintang but given how busy this area has now become it does not seem far away from any shops restaurants etc. The internet rate is $US50 for a deluxe room(single or 2 pax) without breakfast. It seemed pretty busy while we were there last week 16/6-26/6 so these prices may not be negotiable walking off the street. Rooms come in 2 types Deluxe or Suite.

Address: Kartika Plaza

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Close to Ramada Bintang, Santika Beach & Vira

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.balihotels.com/tuban/therani.php

Bali Hai: Hotel closure

The Bali Hai Hotel has closed it's doors. We asked several people including the security guards stationed there but nobody seems to know how long it will remain closed. This hotel is positioined in Tuban between the Patra and Santika Beach Hotel.

Theme: Hotel

Green Garden

Small basic hotel on the main drag near Waterbom Park. Large basic, clean & comfortable rooms with a small pool that is overlooked by the restaurant. Very celan & friendly with a great restaurant that always has a crowd. It's newer sister hotel The Febri's is just across the road looks nice with a massive pool and has only 2 class of rooms family or deluxe. It also has a good reasonably priced spa.

Unique Qualities: Good location for a budget hotel

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Adhi Jaya Hotel: Small hideaway

Small friendly hotel catering mostly to Indonesians hence very little advertising(at least that is what staff told us). We were the only Westerners everyone else appeared to stay at most 2 days. Clean comfortable rooms with everything one needs, air con, tv, fridge, toiletries in b/room, fresh linen daily. Staff were very security conscious but friendly. Hotel is set back form the road as with many small Balinese hotels it is amazing how little noise from the road is heard once inside the hotel grounds.

Unique Qualities: Lovely pool area with swim up bar. Most of the time we had the pool to ourselves. Even though it was high season and very busy we negotiated a price of $US45 for a deluxe room with b/fast, rack rate is $US85 plus $US6 for b/fast. I am sure in the off season the price would be less. The standard rooms looked okay but were not around the pool.
B/fast was Asian style but we managed with juice, toast, jam and good coffee as much as you can eat.

Address: Kartika Plaze St Kuta

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Opposite Kartika Plaza Hotel right next door to Bali Rani Hotel & quite near Waterbom Park

Phone: 62361753607

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.adhijayahotel.com

Oasis: Small adult boutique type hotel-Not

Having stayed at the Oasis I cannot recomend it. We have just returned from 10 nights but left after 7 as the noise was atrocious. We had a neighbour who insisted in having his tv turned up so loud we could watch ours without sound, we complained several times but it made little difference. We were also inundated with a large group of 16 yr old South African school boys on a surfing trip accompanied by 1 teacher who had no control over their behaviour. They were banging knocking on doors washing surf boards in the swimming pool throwing tennis balls down the pool they took over completely and on top of all that they were extremely rude to other guests and staff.

Unique Qualities: Very small and intimate comfrtable rooms with all amenities tv, mini bar, small balcony to sit facing the pool. Prices are open to negotiation during low season.
The hotel is advertised in Aussie brochures as being small bouitque style hotel not suitable for children. Most guests I spoke to had been sold on this idea but there were more children at this hotel than at some of the family type hotels. It may of been the time of year but I for one will not go back to that hotel. There were quite a few young people who had come for a quiet time thye even stated they could of been at the Bounty and has less disturbance

Address: Jl Bakung Sari Kuta

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Jl Bakung Sari Kuta, near Kuta Beach bungalows down a short alley.

Other Contact: info@theoasis.info

Phone: 62-361-753051

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://theoasis.info

Flora Beach Hotel: It's not the Ritz

We have stayed several times at the Flora Beach Hotel and on every occasion we have found the hotel and staff to be clean, copmfortable and friendly.
Breakfast is included in the room price and depending on the time of year may be a buffet or just cooked breakfast.
There is a swimming pool and restaurant on the premises.

Unique Qualities: The Flora Beach is ina great location just ask for Bakung Sari Rd it is only 10 mins form the airport and 2 mins walk form the beach and Matahari Department Store.

Address: Bakung Sari Rd

Comparison: about average

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel