Just back from 12th trip to Bali. Appreciated the info on this forum, so will give my opinion on our likes and dislikes regarding accom and restauants. We are 50ish middle of the roaders. Do not like the really cheap places, nor the big fancy hotels - we prefer the boutique style places.
Ubud Likes:
Accom - Yulia Village Inn on Monkey Forest Rd.
Food - Nomads, Dians, 3 Monkeys (all have fabulous food)
Bali Buddah - great organic shop for food
Other - Campuan ridge Walk (always a pleasure)
- Walk through rice fields to Sari Organic(great new restaurant) Follow sign from Abangan Bungalows on Ubud main rd.
- Stella Beauty Salon (far end of MF Rd.) - best haircut I've ever had & lovely staff.
- Driver - Dewa Kacha (kacha_73@yahoo.com) Very nice man with reasonable rates.
Ubud dislike: Lumbung Sari Hotel. Rooms very dark, and smelled damp & musty. Found staff very uncaring.
Sanur Likes:
Accom:
- Sri Phala (across from Jazz Cafe)
- Sativa Cottages
Food:
- Arena Sports Bar
- Jepun
- Village (best we've ever been to in Bali)
Spa - Mandurah Spa (near BNI) off main road on lane - follow sign
Tailor - Yudi at Mayang Bali (next to Sanur Beacvh Hotel. Can't say enough about this guy. Great prices and fabulous work. Have used many times - and always a perfect job on any clothes.
Sanur dislikes:
Respati Bali Hotel - expensive and musty - very poor value
Ritz Tailor - the good brother and sister left to open a new store, and the remaining people just don't seem to get it. Poor quality.
Massimos - this restaurant got great reviews and the chef we knew from when he was at Villages - however we found it to be one of the worse food experiences of the trip. Staff were lousy as was the food, and just full of mosquitos.
Legian/Kuta Likes
Accom: Kusanadi Hotel
Food: Yutz, Ketumbar, Seninyak Cafe, Flying Piano
DVD's: Arwana DVD shop (Jl Werkudara)- honest guy who will tell you if any DVD's are poor quality. Buy 10 for 10,000 rp and get 4 free.
Leather: Hero's (jl Werkadara) Great little shop and hte guys can do anything. Fixed money belt shoes, jacket, belts etc. Have always been pleased with the quality work they do - and so versatile.
Hope this helps.
Cheers