In Reply to: Novotel Nusa Dua Aptmts.. posted by Seggar on Tuesday, 1. September 2009 at 08:36 Bali Time:
Hi There
If you book it, be careful when you're going as their is confusion between Novotel Benoa and Novotel Nusa Dua, Explain that it is the one past Bali Collection, they'll know which one then!
We spent a week there when it first opened 2 years ago, found it very nice and good value back then but as it was opening it was alot cheaper. Breakfast was nothing to write home about but the facilities were excellent, especially having your own kitchen etc was brilliant.
There is a free bus that will take you to and from the Novotel's beach on request, also the Bali Collection bus will pick you up and drop you off from the Novotel for free. Also, the hotel runs some nice Rav4s which will take you to and from Kuta, i think they cost a little but still cheaper than the taxis used, it is shared though and they do only operate at certain times, they will drop you off and pick up from Waterbom.
Location as far as Nusa Dua goes, well its not a cheap taxi ride by Bali Standards to go to Kuta area, and you cant get the Bluebird Taxis in Nusa Dua which was a big pain in my opinion.
There are some nice cafe style restaurants in Bali Collection and the markets just outside the gates are quite good. That said, for shopping and eating, we found we were forever in taxis back and forth to Kuta/Legian/Seminyak which turned me off Nusa Dua a little.
Next time we stay in Nusa Dua, it'll be to live at the hotel and if we do that, it'll be at the 5 stars in the compound, not at an apartment style complex as i think the Novotel suits more of an active time rather than a sitting by the pool time.
So overall, Good place to stay at the right price but for $250 i think you can do much better, particularly considering the location, that sort of money will get you something very nice, close to the action, if thats your scene.
Hope that helps! if you need anything more, my email is open