Travelled to Bali with partner and 10 month old baby, 4 year old, my sister and father. We stayed at the Sofitel for 13 nights.
Flights - Garuda.
Fantastic service and was given the infant seat both flights. Food was fine. Flight was full due to the amalgamation of Sunday and Monday flights.
Hotel - Sofitel Seminyak
I loved this hotel. The grounds and pool were lovely and we spent a lot of time by the pool. It was fairly quiet during the week but was busier on weekends.
There were no sunbed hogs which was great and you could get a sunbed most days. The breakfasts were lovely. I have previously stayed at the Padma and those breakfasts were fantastic. The Sofitel is much quieter than the Padma which I like.
In the afternoons free fruit sticks were handed out by the pool. Also there were sometimes a cooking demonstration or once I did a aqua aerobics class. The recreation officer seemed shocked we asked to do it.
Cocktails, beers and food were expensive in the hotel so mainly ate outside. However their happy hours did make things a bit more reasonable.
Baby stuff - The Sofitel provided a portacot which was adequate. Also most restaurants provided safe high chairs. Baby supplies are expensive in Bali particularly baby food (almost $4.00 a jar).
I took a lot with me but ran out. He also ate stuff from cafes as well.
Baby wipes I thought were a bit expensive considering the quality - thin and highly perfumed. You can get nappies/diapers over there but again they are at western prices.
Neither of my kids got sick whilst over there.For the bath I just dunked him in and washed him all over. No car seat but I only went in taxis locally.
Eating and Drinking -
We stayed in Seminyak rather than Legian as this is where we usually eat.
Cocktails at Ku De Ta were a bit disappointing (I have been there previously and liked it). I found the loud Ibiza type music irritating, and middle aged men who were reliving their Rave's from their youth annoying.
I much preferred the atmosphere at La Lucchiola for cocktails, also the cocktails at the sofitel during happy hour whilst watching the sunset were fine.
Places we ate in no particular order. The Living Room - delicious food and atmosphere, however western prices. Recommended for that special dinner. However they made us sign twice for the credit card, so need to check to see they have not charged us twice.
Tekor Bali - great balinese food and service.
Batan Waru - opposite Waterbom Park the best Indonesian food I have ever had in Bali. Highly recommended.
Zanzibar - nice for cocktails and nice food, however they appeared to be understaffed and it was difficult to get the waitresses attention due to them being run off their feet.
Mades Warung - Nice Indo food
Cafe Seminyak - at the front of Bintang supermarket. Nice food and drink both indo and western.
Zula's - delicious health food, the chickpea burger and the mediteranean platter were sensational.
Lucky's Pub - Nice sate but very hot weather wise.
Trattoria - delicious pizzas as usual. I also had the salmon carpaccio and had slight cramps the next day (nothing that would stop me eating it again.)
Ultimo - nice italian food.
La Sal - Spanish food very nice a bit exy for what it is. Not sure how authentic it is. the patata bravas were potatoes with sweet chilli sauce and cheese on them.
Biku - had the high tea and tea leaf reading. The tea was fab and the italian tea leaf reader was nice. Not sure how accurate she is.
Grocer and Grind - probably best coffee I had however that was still not sensational. I think we are very spoilt in Australia. The food was good, however they served the kids food after the adults. To me a big no no.
Gado Gado - yummy again a bit exy
Panterai - Greek, ate here twice I really liked their mezze plate.
Khamina Morrocan - very yummy, however my sister had a funny tummy the next day.
Cafe Cin Cin around the corner from the Sofitel - spag bol for kids revolting. However sister had indo food there and said it was good.
Spas and massages
Went to Jari Menari the dancing fingers massage place where there are only male masseuses. Fantastic - more expensive than other places but worth it. $250 000 for a 75 min one.
Carla's Spa on "drink st" was very cheap and they were all lovely. They painted my 4 year old's toenails twice and fussed over her. Also the pedicure and foot massage, and cream bath was great. For 90000 rp you got a foot massage and cream bath. Highly recommended.
Waterbom Park
This was the first time I had been here, and we ended up spending the whole day there. Fantastic, but I would recommend getting a cabana as it means you can get out the sun. Yes there are sun loungers but not a lot of shade. Also you either take your own towels or hire them.
You can get a leave pass to eat outside the park. We ate a Batan Waru across the road which was sensational.
Miscellaneous
Taxis insist on having the meter put on.
I found Centro disappointing I thought it was a bit expensive for what the quality actually was.
BMC money changer across from Bintang Supermarket rate was high but it was not dodgy. It was always packed with people changing money.
I did not have to pay departure tax for infant as he did not have his own seat.
I am happy to answer any questions you might have.