Hi, we are a first time family to Bali and just cannot decide whether to pay for a better type of room/resort = no spending money or whether there is good equivalent accommodation available at a lower price therefore giving us the best of both worlds - a good resort with money left over to spend. We're tossing up Kartika vs Melasti. Kids are aged 14 and 12 and their main criteria is a great pool, my criteria is 2 bedrooms and 2 rooms next to each other is fine. It's the 5 star vs the 3 star thing that throws me....is it really that different? What would the Kartika be able to offer us that the Melasti couldn't say? How do you choose from a brochure? We've had a few friends stay at the Melasti with kids and say it's great. I'll keep searching the forum, meanwhile thanks for your answers in anticipation.