In Reply to: hotel for 2, mid 40 no kids - advice? posted by ms_caz on Saturday, 17. October 2009 at 11:29 Bali Time:
after reading your requirements would be that you should be aiming for somewhere in Sanur.
It's a fair bit quieter than Kuta/Legian but only 20 minutes away from that sort of action if you needed a big night out and if you want to do day trips to Ubud and surrounds then you're already nearly half way there.Have a look at southern Bali on a map and you'll see that Sanur is quite well placed to see a lot of things.
I'm assuming that if your in your forties with no kids then you're probably reasonably cashed-up and could afford some of the 'higher end' boutique hotels.
Sanur generally caters for the slightly more 'well heeled' tourist,and while you'll find kids just about anywhere in Bali including Sanur,it doesn't really cater/market itself to families like it does in say Tuban with the Waterbom Park.
We too are late forties with no kids and we just love Sanur.
It has great restaurants and a nice beach.It kicks up its heels a little bit after dinner in some of the pubs and the like (although nothing like Kuta) and during the day it has a nice relaxed sort of feel about it.If you haven't been to Bali for 10 years I think you'll be quite shocked at the pace of Kuta...lots of traffic,lots of people and lots of hassle...but great sunsets.
As for specific hotel recommendations,I don't have too many.
Sanur doesn't tend to lean towards the pool bar in every hotel like Kuta/Legian,but they do have some in the larger hotels (which might also attract families).
I would be looking at places like Bali Hyatt,Sanur Beach Hotel and Puri Santrian (Club Santrian section) or Mercure Resort for the larger hotels and maybe Pavillions,Respati,Tandjung Sari,Segara Village and even Sanur Beach Villas (of BloodyRon fame) for a smaller more friendly feel.
I could go on and on.
If you think you'll be considering Sanur and want to pick my brain for specifics,I've left my email open.
My wife has just called out to say that the little boutique shops up and down the main drag are good and their are plenty of places for a nice quiet massage.Any of the beach-side cafes sre lovely also.
After 7 trips to Bali for us we would never stay Kuta/Legian again and now just stay Ubud/Sanur.
Hope this helps.