In Reply to: BALI GARDEN Vs GRAND ISTANA RAMA posted by david_robyn on Tuesday, 20. September 2005 at 07:58 Bali Time:
I can definately answer this one. I have just got back from staying 2 weeks at the Istana Rama. Last August I stayed for 10 days at the BGH.
I really enjoyed the BGH, rooms were fine, so was breakfast, the staff and the pool area was very nice. Overall the place was a little run down, but great value. The location was fabulous, but the Discovery Mall was not yet open then.
Now....Istana Rama...Much, Much nicer.
The rooms were good (the renovated rooms, very nice), the gardens and layout, fabulous, the staff (of which were in abundance), were outstanding. They just could not have been any friendlier. I even asked for a different pillow one day and it arrived at my room before I had a chance to get back from reception. The breakfast was great. The pool area is beautiful. The location is good.
I would choose the Istana Rama over the BGH any day, though I did really enjoy the BGH. I think the Discovery Mall (right next door to the BGH) has made the traffic situation a negative also. It is always a traffic jam. Let me know if I can help any further.
Cathy