In Reply to: hotel booking???? posted by 707lmaxey on Thursday, 2. June 2005 at 05:44 Bali Time:
I like to go for 4 or 5 weeks. I book a few days in one or two hotels in with the airfare to get the best deal and make my own arrangements for the rest of the time. To my mind this gives for a more interesting experience, you get to see before you buy and you can either stay longer or move on just as you wish.
Some travel agents may tell you that you can't do this. This may be true with some airlines or with some "super-special" deals, but if you don't get offered what you want, then try somewhere else.
Air Paradise last year would do up to 35 days return on a package deal with a minimum of 3 nights pre-booked and I don't suppose this has changed.
It's probably easiest to have your first and last few days fairly close to the airport and shops, but the rest of the time can be whatever kind of adventure appeals to you.
If you like the sound of any particular hotels, print their best low season prices off their websites. When you are negotiating, this is the most you should need to pay and in November their guest numbers will probably be down and you should find some real bargains.
I never turn up at a hotel with my luggage in the car looking like I've just got to find something in a hurry. I like to check out an area a few days before I intend to stay there, find somewhere I like the look of and tell them that I may be interested in staying there in a few days time. Then we take it from there.
In next to no time you're an expert. Or at least you think you are! LOL.