A friend has a month at the Hard Rock (her favourite hotel in Bali) and for the first week she had 2 spare beds in her family room so I took 13 yr old son and joined them for 4 days.
I have been to the HR butnever stayed there as we prefer Legian and stay at the Padma when with the family. I do budget hotels when I am on my own (Adhi Dharma etc).
I must say that I was really impressed with the amt of effort that the HR goes to to provide that HR feel. It really is a very child friendly hotel as well which is something the Padma does not try to cater to.
My son went in a horizontal bunjy jumping competition at the HR and won free rides on the rock climbing wall. He is very fit and they tested him to the limit. Also, the rock climbing attendant was really great with the kids. They may have given up without all his encouragement.
Breakfast was included in the rate and, while it was very nice, it was still nowhere near as good as the Padma brekky which is a nicer setting, more extensive range, and many things are simply better tasting!
So, I would still pick the Padma because the kids and hubby surf and it is a more preferred break. Plus you don't have to walk across that busy rd, but the HR really impressed me with their service and attention to detail.
Before I start can I say that I am not cheap. I think I pay a fair price, but certainly one that favours me and not the seller, and leave generous tips and never ever am rude, no matter how nasty they can sometimes get when they don't get their way.
This was probably trip no. 22 and somethings really irked me. You know how you can stand back and watch it all and see how things have changed? At the airport we stood in the long hot taxi queue for a good 20 mins after the whole arrivals hall scene. We then had the wait on the kerb for someone to come and claim the fare only to have him turn his nose up when I told him it was to the HR! He muttered about the traffic (and I knew what he meant). I was planning to let him drop me off at Kuta mall so he didn't have to do the Beach rd/ Melast St loop but the guy had such a sour attitude! It was sooooo obvious that he did not want us in his cab and didn't say a word to us the whole trip so I made him drive me right up to the reception!
We had to tell our kids to stop telling people that we were staying at the HR (you know how they suss out what hotel you are at?) because some were then openly telling us we were cheap.
And this time some of my favourite stall holders, where I always buy lots and bring new friends to, really poured on the sob story - you know, the that is poor quality my frend, this is better so it is more expensive and you don't have the heart to ping them for it but you hate that they are trying it on because they know you won't question it.
And what is with the gold coin thing? Tuesday must have bee Gold Coin day because my friend and I were both asked repeatedly for coins after a purchase. Like we don't know that that adds another 7700, or 15400 to the purchase price? My friend also got the plea that if she bought things the woman could go back to her village for a ceremony. hmmm
Anyway, my kids got lots of great value clothing from the surf shops - you just have to look hard. The Go Karts were fun and so was the trapeze outside the Waterbom pk. The HR pool really is awesome for kids. Billy's Restaurant was great. Kori's really needs to do something about their lighting as we were reading with the aid of the light from our mobile phones. Ate at Bubba Gumps but don't really see what all the fuss is about. Kubuku reastaurant was a pleasant surprise