This is my first JBR (Does this stand for "just back report"?)I got back a week ago and have realised how much fun I had and want to go back next weekend!
The Baleka Beach Hotel
Smallish hotel and considered budget but worth every cent. The lobby (on Jl Werkudara) has safety deposit boxes and money changer. A warm and friendly welcome when you arrive about 20 mins from the airport. This cost around Rp 70,000 ($10.50) including 2 passengers and 2 surfboards. The boards were extra. Funny thing is, we payed extra and then had squeeze in amongst the surfboards inside the taxi.
The hotel has a section of 2 storey units, then 1 storey, then the units along the pool. These are like little 'duplexes' each with a little verandah facing the pool. I stayed along the pool. My room was very comfortable with a double bed (odd numbered rooms along the pool have a double bed), fridge, air conditioning, great shower and basin. Cleaned daily by the really friendly staff.
At no time did I feel I wasn't being looked after. Security is great . The pool end (Rum Jungle Rd or Jl Padma Ultra? I think) generally has a security guard during the day and there are gates at this end that are locked quite late when the bar closes. The lobby always has an attendant.
One hassle was when the pool started to get a bit rowdy (kids) in the mid to late afternoon. This was avoided by getting out and about.
Leaving the hotel, I literally had everything within 5 minutes of my room. Out the back gate there are great T shirt shops, a car rental place, a little deli to get water and small supplies, a fantastic coffee shop, a number of leather shops, a well stocked DVD shop, a great tailor ($4.50 to get some jeans taken up) and some great other shops. Walk both ways! Along Jl Werkudara just right of the back entrance there are some fantastic restaurants. Any can be recommended but my favourite was the Flying Piano.
A cold Bintang is available until late at the pool bar. Captain Cook's is a great bar to the left as you leave the lobby on Jl Werkudara. Pool table and a good atmosphere.
The other alternative is the Bintang supermarket just North (maybe a kilometre) along Jl Legian, a short walk from the front of the hotel. It's a good walk to the supermarket, stock up on beer, fresh fruit from all over the place, cereal, milk and chips. Then get a taxi back to the Baleka.
Kuta is a Rp 25,000 ($3.70) taxi trip from the hotel and Legian beach is a maximum of 5 minutes via the Jayakarta hotel just north of the back entrance past Jl Werkudara.
Breakfast can be toast through to the works (no cereal) and there were many Australians staying there.
I will stay at this hotel again without doubt. Maybe in a room away from the pool a little.