stevewales25

Hi all. PR came through 3 weeks ago, from submitting it to DIAC on the Friday, it was passed and completed on the Monday!

So treat ourselves, we have booked a 5 day break in Bali, as almost everyone we have met seem to have been there and rate it I think its the place to go and have a look about.

Flights are booked, $1,100 for 2 adults returning to Perth and that includes car parking at the airport, so not a bad deal I don't think??
Just looking for a decent hotet that isn't too far from the airport? (Denpasar, Ngurah Rai )

Thanks

Jilliebee

We love staying at Febris Resort & Spa in south Kuta. Five mins from airport - use the taxi window to get transport outside and to the right of the exit.

No decent beach that end though so depends what you're after.

Also stayed cheaply at Sanur, but preferred the familiarity of Kuta

Also,stayed in Nusa Dua. Very nice but 5 star resort and ridiculous prices.

bcworld

Here's a recent Bali thread:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=797749

Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Sanur are all close to the airport. In bad traffic you could be looking at 90 mins to some of them though.

h2oskineil

Nusa Dua is definitely more "up market" with some really nice hotels/resorts, but you will pay or the privilege. Guess it will depend on your budget, we like this area and the standard of hotel.
There is a 'gate' at the entrance to Nusa Dua and all cars are checked for explosives(?) and stuff, so you do get a feeling of safety in the area I guess. Lots of more upmarket shops and some nice restaurants/bars at "Bali Collection" which is just inside Nusa Dua. Bought the wife a ring, had it valued in Perth CBD for insurance purposes and they valued it $6,500 more than we paid for it!
Lots of nice clothes shops which sell good quality clothes at much cheaper than you get in Oz.
http://bali-collection.com/shopping-list
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attrac...sula_Bali.html

Having said that I would like to rent a nice villa in Seminyak next time and go to places like Potato Head, Coocoon and similar places.
http://www.ptthead.com
http://cocoon-beach.com

Friends love The Padma Hotel, which I beleive is Seminyak or close to Seminyak. One mate was there last week and said it was really clean and the website/brochures don't do the place justice as in his opinion it was very good.
http://www.padmaresortbali.com

Take a trip to Ubud (Day trip) and go white water rafting and also a quad bike safari, great way to see Bali.

For us, and this might sound snobbish, Kuta is full of cheap market type stalls selling knock of watches and Bintang vests. I'm sure there are lots of nice places, but it's not for me. I go on holiday for luxury and relaxation.

Best advice, look on trip advisor and pick somewhere nice.
Congrats on the PR!

spouse of scouse

I pretty much agree with all of the above (especially the congrats on your PR!).

Bali can be whatever you want it to be. Kuta is crazy, every second step you take you're implored to buy this, that or the other, great for younger people with cheap drinks in packed bars and super cheap but pretty crap quality shopping. Seminyak (my favourite) - quite 'upmarket', beautiful restaurants, bars and clubs but you'll be paying close to Perth prices at most of them.
Nusa Dua is much favoured by Japanese tourists who like the safety aspect, and have the dosh to pay for it - it's a bit sterile for me. Sanur is lovely, nice beaches and fairly quiet, would be my pick for a family holiday.
If you want to 'get away from it all' and just contemplate your navel, try Ubud, tranquil views over rice paddies but you'll need taxis if you want to go anywhere but your hotel/villa.
Tripadvisor is great advice.

spouse of scouse

Forgot to say - if you have a late afternoon or night flight and you find yourself having to hang around the airport for hours, it's worth going upstairs to the Premier lounge - I was told that it's reserved for business class passengers only and I wouldn't be able to buy my way in, not true! $20 each for my husband and myself and we had full access, including some very nice food and drinks :-) There are 2 other lounges in the airport that are happy to take your $10 or so for entry, not up to the standard of the Premier but better than the alternative.