PUTU BALI VILLA & SPA Petitenget.
June 2006
Hi everyone. Just got back from a short but wonderful trip to Bali.
Stayed at Putu Bali Villa & Spa, and my wife and I loved it. The property itself is beautifully maintained, there is lots of greenery and a welcome feeling of seclusion even though it is actually on the street (Jl Petitenget).
Rooms- I think they have 16 villas (a total of 20 rooms). We stayed in the regular one room villa that has a little kitchenette area (with a double burner stove, some cutlery and a sink); spacious cupboards, a wash basin, a semi- outdoor shower and large bathtub. Semi- outdoor only because it is a bit covered above you, but you can see the sky and probably feel the rain if it does rain. The outdoor shower is set, typically, on many large pebbles, and makes for a pretty place.
The room size is more than adequate- there's a TV, fridge, bedside tables and lamps, and a wooden double-chair. The draped mosquito net (though it is thin cloth- like muslin, not really a net) gives the impression of the bed beibng a four-poster one!
The pathways in the property are a pleasure to walk through, and the lamps make them lovely at night as well. There's a nice pool with a sunken bar.
The staff is very quietly and politely efficient. If I were to pick, their command over English should be better- but I liked the fact that they were simple yet professional (without being too 'proper' big-resort-ish)- it felt casual and warm.
The breakfast is a choice from 5 options (American, continental, indonesian etc)- which basically means you can have coffee/tea, a choice of a large glass of juice, toast, croissants, danish and eggs or pancakes or Indonesian brakfast stuff.
There was also a local buffet 2 of the 5 days we stayed, so we could have that or go for the set menu. Either way, a hearty breakfast assured before setting out. They don't have a restaurant for lunch/dinner, but they have a room service menu, and there are many places nearby to choose from anyway.
Putu Bali is located in northern Seminyak, on Jl. Petitenget. (also on this road are Taman Ayu, Bali Mystique Apartments, the Legian, Villa Alu, Villa Isys 2, Tony's Villa- to name a few). the area is quiet and peaceful, and the beach is about a 10-12 minute walk from the property. Seminyak's 'coolest' places- La Luciola (if you have one special meal budgeted, it should be here!), Hu'u, Ku De Ta, the Living Room etc are all here. Besides, there are many smalll(er) places that are warm and inviting. A pleasant 25 minute walk away is Jl Lasmana (or Eat Street as Lonely Planet calls it), which has a great selection of international cusine- Mykonos Tavern is excellent.
All in all it was a wonderful place to be in. For 55-60USD a night you can get a good deal incl breakfast, return airport transfer, a 1hr spa session and possibly even a half-day tour! they have a free shuttle service to Kuta in the hotel car, which makes the distance from Kuta less expensive.
If you want to spend all your time at kuta/Legian then this is not the place I suppose, but the area in general and the property in particular is peaceful and very reccommended.
feel free to mail me for any Qs at :
theshakester[at]gmail[dot]com
cheers