In Reply to: thanks posted by annabella on Sunday, 3. December 2006 at 20:37 Bali Time:
yes you are a bit out of the way
the shuttle will only take you as far as bubba gumps ( just past water bom park)
we walked along the beach and found it took about 20 mins easy walk to get to kartika plaza
there are a few local restaurants the pantai seafood is cheap and cheerful, green garden was good too along the same st as GG is a nice thai rest and if you go to the end of the st and head towards kuta you will find plenty of retuarants along the way
there are a few little convenience stores in the same st so you can stock up on the basics for beer o'clock and snax for the kids
i did miss the convenience of shopping as i usually stay in seminyak/legian but i do have to say it was the most relaxing time i have ever had in bali and thats what we went there for my husband had great surf too you can eat breakfast on the terrace and watch the break at middles he was in his element
dont get taxis from reception ask them to call you a taxi and use the meter (if you use the reception taxis they want to charge you a flat rate but it is usually double)there are always taxis available
yes the food & drink is expensive but that is always the way when you are staying 5 star
we were there in aug/sept and had 2 8yr old girls
didnt use the kids club not many aussie kids there at the time (but we were out of school holiday time)
i went to matahari and bought some pool toys so that kept them amused the pools are really nice and clean first time to bali and no ear infections yay!!
we stayed in room no 321 and found it really central to everything in the hotel if you are staying in the deluxe suites you can use the other pool which is located near the spa
we were originally at the back of the resort the room was much bigger but too far away so we asked to change checked out a few different rooms before we decided on 321 and wasnt a problem
the staff there are wonderful nothing was too much trouble for them and the breakfast you are really spoilt for choice
if you want a driver ask for kirra out the front of the hotel lovely local man good english and nice new car (say hello from the guy who scratched the roof with his surfboard oops) he took us on some great trips and i felt very safe with his driving
enjoy your holiday wish it was me