In Reply to: Jayakarta or Kumala Pantai... posted by Bintang Girl on Friday, 6. March 2009 at 10:07 Bali Time:
Jayakarta - standard room in back block in 2005. Room was ok, small verandah needed a good hose down, corridor is enclosed so a bit of noise as exuberant conversations echoed around. Toilets next to dining area a bit grotty, pool toilet needed a hose out (STALE smell of urine) - at least it was being used. Gardens well maintained, pool area very nice, breakfast excellent. Disappointed with some of the clientele - no t-shirts for the boys, ultra sheer sarongs over tiny bikinis at breakfast PARTICULARLY when there are a large contingent of muslim Javanese staying there simultaneously.
Standard room July 2008 - friends were so disappointed with it (don't know exactly why) they upgraded to deluxe - that looked quite nice. But they still wished they were staying at the KP with us (travel agent mucked up our group booking).
KP - I have wanted to stay at this place since seeing it in a brochure 2001. I fell in love with it the first time I walked through its gardens at night in 2005. Finally stayed there July 2008 - Deluxe (Basic) Rooms ARE LARGE with King singles for the kids in an interconnecting room. Wardrobe had mould in it but this was wiped away when we mentioned it to room service (even so I vinegared it - didn't want my clothes to pick up the smell). The floor needed a damp mop (my feet would get dirty just walikng around the room). Apart from that, room service was great. Bathrooms ARE LARGE, seperate bath and shower, hand held shower with lots of pressure and toilet with a bidet. Balcony IS LARGE but not private - can here next door clearly as the dividing wall is not ceiling height. All finishes are top quality. Gardens are beautiful, pools are huge, ESPECIALLY for the amount of rooms (check out the size on google earth), brekkie is a basic buffet but you get to see the beach unlike the Jayakarta (as there is a security wall). Friends of ours dined at the Italian restaurant there and thoroughly recommend it.
I was so impressed with this place that this time I wasn't going unless we stayed there! And I'm not one for going back to the same place again.
The junior suites are a deluxe room with a joining dining/lounge area. Its good for get togethers when its raining or you need air conditioning, and a spare bed can be put in there BUT the TV is still in the main sleeping room. Our friends got a ground floor one opposite the pool bar - not only was it a great spot, being a suite it doubled the size of their balcony. It fitted our group of 13 nicely.
Otherwise 3 deluxe rooms if you can afford it - you won't have to share a bathroom or put up with anyone else's mess. Otherwise 3 in a room is doable but storage space is limited. Having said that, if they are boys like mine, they don't unpack anyway. The third bed was a PROPER mattress on the floor - better than a thin mattress on a squeeking fold a bed.
We enjoy a drink on the balcony at night as well. But being mindful of how easily noise carries I wouldn't do it there. However if you are overlooking a pool (2 of them) you could congregate poolside, or their is an outdoor library area away from the rooms if you want to make a bit of noise.
Book as a package deal (Freestyle brochure did have it), or direct, as I have gone through an internet agent and have been stung by falling AUS dollar exchange rates.
You will not be disappointed at the Kumala Pantai.