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Romantic trip to Bali

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    For our 10th anniversary, my wife and I are thinking about visiting Bali and staying at one of the nicer resorts there. We are considering Amankila, Amandari or The Four Seasons (not sure about which Four Seasons though), but are open to other ideas. I'd appreciate hearing any suggestions on where to go, where to stay, what to do and what not to do while there. Thanks!

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    Hi Uluru, you'll love Bali and whilst I've not stayed at any of these resorts mostly because I wanted to be right in the hubub of Kuta/Legian. Four Seasons is in Jimbaran Bay (closer to Nusa Dua = quieter) and Amankila/Amandari are in Candi Dasa/Ubud, most beautiful resorts and surroundings but when last in Bali wanted to get right into it. Had a wonderful time, 10 days in December, it was hot and humid, something you may take a little time getting used to unless you love it hot but we had a ball. The people are fabulous (touts can be pushy but they mean well) and the bargains and food are fabulous.

    For me the beaches are not why you go to Bali (Nusa Lembongan and the island off Lombok ~ the Gilis are beautiful) but for the beautiful scenery especially on the way to Ubud (rice terraces, green forests ahhhh) and the divine people. A highlight for my partner and I was a bike trip; we got picked up from our hotel, driven via Ubud up to Mt Batur for breakfast, then driven back to about 25ks from Ubud and biked all the way downhill. Priceless and I think the whole day was $40 each person including a superb home made lunch, visits to coconut processing places, coffee and fruit farms and just the wonderful visions of every day Bali. We finished off in the Monkey Forest.

    For me I found Bali a delight, though at first (especially if you haven't been to Asia) it can be a little overwhelming with the heat (especially as Melbourne had come from a long winter) and the intensity of touts but its all bloody good fun. Bargains are amazing. Went to a divine el cheapo Balinese restaurant, you know the ones that have laminex tables and only the locals eat at? About $35 Aussie dollars for three people and loads of seafood, all alive before eaten (sad about that) but I was in heaven, $12 each for the most incredible meal.

    You can go to the fancier places obviously Ku De Ta, La Lucciola and others opening in Seminyak (north of Legian) which as a honeymoon couple I'm sure you will want to do but for me I loved the 'muck in with the locals' feel only because it was so much fun. Either way with the rupiah at 8,000 or more to A$1 you can live like a king or queen there. I never got to Jimbaran Bay for the de rigeur seafood dusk meals but have been told they are over-rated, but not having been can't say for sure.

    Enjoy, any more advice just ask!

    Cheers
    Lise :^)

    Thanks from: Uluru
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    That really sounds amazing. Thanks for this. Only one question comes to mind for the time being. Would you say that staying out by Candi Dasa/Ubud is too far away from Kuta/Legian just to go in for dinner one evening? Of course we would explore Kuta/Legian in day trips as well, but I'm trying to get a sense as to how far away we'd be if we were out by Legian.

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    Hi Uluru, yeah for me I wouldn't want to do that, only coz if I'm going to a lovely dinner I want to get there quickly (trip could take up to 2 hours). Best bet would be to stay half your trip in Kuta/Legian (or Nusa Dua/Jimbaran or Sanur area) and then either in Ubud or Candi Dasa, so you get the best of both. Some people love Lovina (north coast) which is quite volcanic. I found Ubud to be absolutely beautiful (outlying areas) and the little place itself has a lovely vibe, not as frenetic as Kuta, more artistic and many expats live up there (Janet de Neefe, an Aussie married to a Balinese guy runs a cooking school there and has Cafe Luna (on main strip in Ubud) and my favourite Indus in Ubud as well, a beautiful restaurant in a house overlooking beautiful views, the food is divine and once again not hugely expensive compared to say Australia. As small as Bali is, its got volcanos and mountains and the roads are smaller and take more time to get around, better to split the trip or just stay in one place. We took day trips to Ubud from Kuta (1 hour drive a little more may be there) and that was fine.
    Cheers
    Lise :^)

    Thanks from: Uluru
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    Hi Uluru,

    I have visited all the properties you mention. Amankila is very glam (in an 80s kind of way). Its location, over on the East side, is quite remote. You won't be able to just hop over to Seminyak for dinner. Still, it is gorgeous and the service is amazing. Next door there is a slightly more modest, but also romantic resort called Alila Manggis (used to be the Serai and managed by Aman's little sister company GHM). Amandari was the first Aman property in Bali. Sadly, while the service is again amazing, it shows its age. Between the two Four Seasons, the one in Ubud (Sayang) is nicer and offers a bit more privacy in the rooms. The Jimbaran property just isn't value for money. When you can see your neighbors from your itty-bitty plunge pool, then it just isn't right. My own two fave romantic hotels in Bali are The Shaba, a three room boutique property decorated in an old-world French style and The Gangsa, a lovely little property in sleepy Sanur. The food at the Gangsa is amazing; there are high walls surounding each villa so there is total privacy; and the private pools are large. (In fact, I spent my last wedding anniversary at The Gangsa; if you want to see some pix, there are some on my blog here: http://chubbyhubby.net/blog/?p=484.)

    For a romantic dinner, eat at Cafe Warisan in Seminyak. Lovely French restaurant with a courtyard. Ask for a table facing the rice paddies. And for great food, go to Naughty Nuri's in Ubud (best ribs and martinis on the island) and Ibu Oka for the Balinese version of suckling pig.

    Have a great time!

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    Definitely mix a beach resort with a stay in Ubud: there really is a vast difference in the experiences, and both are enjoyable.

    We stayed at the Jimbaran Puri Bali on Jimbaran bay and then at the Ubud Hanging Gardens out of Ubud. Both are Orient-Express hotels. The Jimbaran property suited us as it is very small scale and each room is an individual garden cottage. The resort is very simple and unpretentious, so maybe not for those looking for seeomthing more "grand". The position on the beach though cannot be beaten, and dinners with our feet in the sand at a table lit with torches were amongst the most romantic we have had.

    The Ubud Hanging Gardens was very dramatic, as the property is built on a steep hillside in the rainforest/jungle....where you even see the occasional monkey. The food was excellent, and the spa very relaxing. bear in mind the different levels are reached by a small funicular, and that being at the top of the hill or right in the valley by the river make for completely different stays!

    The other alternative is always to hire a private villa, of which there are many in Bali, but you'll miss the service and the cuisine, and it's always nice to mix - at least to a certain extent - with other guests.

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