BALI

I had not been to Bali since 1997 so when the opportunity arose for a visit in September this year, I jumped at the chance to re-explore parts of Bali.

Here are a list of some of the places I visited and relevant comments and pictures - enjoy!

TRANSFERS

Grab & Gojek ( like Uber ) are quite common but be careful as they are not allowed in certain areas. Plenty of taxis and they are cheap. At the airport there are SO many drivers that is is hard to find your driver so for those a bit nervous about traveling it would be best to get a transfer with the hotel as they have bigger signs and are in uniforms. Easier to find or better still get the Fast Track service for around USD35 pp where you will be met at your flight and fast tracked through Immigration & Customs.

HOTEL INDIGO SEMINYAK

Located more at the Southern area of Seminyak, separated by a small bikeway/road to the beach. Walking distance from Seminyak Square and surrounded by shopping and restaurants. Has a shuttle which operates 3 times a day for dropoffs and pickups from Seminyak square. Beach is not the best for swimming.

Lobby area very nice and some lovely touches to the hotel with the welcome drink that changes colour.

 

The Pottery Cafe was an excellent coffee shop and roast their own beans.

Sugarsand Beach Club has views of the sunset over the beach.  Great for people watching and has a pool with some daybeds.  General public can access if they wish.

Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach’s Sava Spa had successfully won The Best Spa in 5 star Resort in Indonesia, making it the first national-level award to be received by the talented spa team.

INTERCONTINENTAL JIMBARAN BAY

Located in Jimbaran Bay which has a lovely beach you can swim at and amazing sunsets. The beach is not very crowded so great for a morning or evening walk. The seafood markets are just down the beach so great for a dinner out of the resort. There is not much outside the resort in the way of shopping but a few restaurants. The closest really Bali shopping would be in South Kuta about 15 minutes by car. 

The Resort is large with all rooms looking over different parts of the garden and pond systems and some onto the beach. The gardens are really beautiful with lots of areas to relax plus multiple pools. Great for couples and families. Lovely swim up pool bar and lot’s of outside dining options around the pool and the beach area. Kids play area near the beach and bar areas plus a kids pool. They also have a great kids club. There are lots of activities offered by the resort including bikes to ride around on and morning Yoga.

There are a number of food and beverage options at the resort including three breakfast options, two of which are down near the beach, a Japanese Restaurant including Teppanyaki, Italian Restaurant, Beach Bar and Grill plus a great menu for meals around the pool. The food and beverage was first class as was the service. Live music was offered at some locations in the evenings. 

For those on the late night flights out of Bali there is a day lounge which offers light refreshments, showers, toilets and large lockers to put all your luggage in. This lounge is free of charge so saves having to pay for late check out.

KOMANEKA AT KERAMUS BEACH

Located in a quiet area on the East Coast of Bali on a black sand surf beach. Good location just to relax out of the way for a few days. You can visit to use the pool and have lunch even if you are not staying there.

The restaurant Timur Kitchen has a lovely location overlooking the beach with fabulous food and views. 

They grow a lot of their veggies and spices at the resort and also lots of Oyster Mushrooms.

One bedroom villas are beautiful and all look over the ocean and have private pools. These are located near the front of the resort and easy to get too from the main pool, restaurant and spa. 

Two bedroom villas have beautiful view out the back towards the rice paddies, but be warned the ocean views are over the roof of the Villa in front, plus have a long walk up stairs or the hill.

UBUD

I would recommend a few nights stay at one of the lovely relaxed Retreats overlooking the Rice Paddies. I you are just visiting for the day then I would suggest leave early to try and avoid the traffic. The main town is very busy now with lots of shops and a market. 

BEACH CLUBS

Potato Head in Seminyak - it was the place but has somewhat lost the vibe lately. It is however part of Katamama restaurant which is pretty hot at the moment. 

One of the other hot places right now is Mexicola mexican restaurant and bar which is in Seminyak, not far from the Samaya resort. They have a sister property just opened called Tropicola which is a beach club,it is in between Seminyak and Canggu, not far from Finns.

CANGGU This is more the place to go these days, not a lot of accommodation around there though.  Some good spots were:

- The Lawn in Canggu is pretty cool, not so much a nightclub as a restaurant come bar. 

- Old Man’s in Canggu is one of the newest and is supposedly THE place at the moment

- Finns is one of the biggest and wildest, looks great but is basically a nightclub on steroids.

DAY SPA OPTION

BODYWORK - Day Spa in Seminyak, all sorts of treatments from hair scrubs to body rubs all at a reasonable price with professional staff.