In Reply to: Alum Kul Kul posted by traveller on Tuesday, 18. July 2006 at 17:23 Bali Time:
I was unfortunately stuck there by the insurance company when I was really sick recently & all on my own some on our so called planned 20th anniversary trip after my husband had to leave on our planned date of departure because of business committments (Yes,I know boo hoo for me <LOL>)
I would not stay there again even if anyone paid me to & gave me a 100% free trip to Bali - that is how much I hated it!I hated it totally - I hate the Kuta area though anyway ! It was also so dark to walk back to if you did go out after sunset.
Staff were wonderful,breakfast good if you are into eating huge buffets or if you feel like eating.One computer in the foyer with free internet if you can get on it.Free snacks in a special section of the foyer- was nice if you are into snacking during the day but it was absolutely freezing in this room.Bathrooms out of this world.Manager absolutely lovely (he's leaving in next week or so) but he tried to throw me out twice because the damn insurance company did not send correct paperwork through to him or his office .Absolutely over the top prices for a room.Insurance company were crazy enough to pay $225 Oz a night for what was basically nothing but a a damn hotel room with a very tiny TV,Tiniest bar fridge I have ever seen in my life(can't even stand a large Binnie up in).The fridge barely got cold because it is an environmental friendly fridge with no choice of settings, if you want a drink that is cold you have to ask for ice.
No DVD player or sound system or radio,no lounge or comfy chairs - just 2 upright cane chair with cushions.Absolutely no privacy - even if you opened the curtains - you were like a fish in a goldfish bowl with everyone who walked past able to look straight into your room.Supposedly the insurance companies travel agent told them it was a a villa What a blood -- joke ! And an inexperinced shi-- of a travel agent the insurance company must use.
The phone did not work in the bedroom ( Thank God because as sick as I was the insurance company tried to call me at 6.30am & 11.50pm one night & I thankfully didn't hear it)- phone in bathroom & loo were okay.The reading lights in this so called 5 star hotel had been broken electric leads & were stuck together with plastic duck tape.
Don't try their Indonesian Ristafel banquet or their BBQ nights unless you get it for free - to be honest even at no charge it is not worth it.Their BBQ night I had was absolute cra-- ! Everyone else on the night was complaining also so it was not just me.Hardly anything warm let alone hot or even cooked.You could not even call the food rare it was virtually uncooked.I made friends with a lovely Chinese couple who lived in New Zealand & shared the table with them & we all agreed that the only edible food was the seafood bisque- the meat,salad,vegetable & deserts were all shocking.
At their spa I could not believe that it cost $80 US for a massage.A close friend from Perth who is from the forum who speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesian came to visit when I was sick.He suggested I get my normal massage people to come to the hotel as he thought it may be beneficial for me healthwise & to also cheer me up.He spoke to the staff & they would not allow it because " They have their own massage people".I also wanted my haircut by someone I knew of who comes to your hotel room.As a qualified hairdresser I am very fussy with my hair & when OS will only have people I know or who are highly recommended come anywhere near my hair.I was not allowed this choice at the Alum Kul Kul.The management also would not allow this.
The verandah as such has you on show to the whole world & allows for no privacy.
To summarise,I absolutely hated the Alum Kul Kul & would NOT stay here (as much as I love going to Bali & love holidays ) even if I was given 2 free weeks in Bali on the condition that I stayed here the whole time I would not stay here !