This was our fourth family holiday with two kids aged 5 and 6.
We stayed at 3V Kerobokan, which I chose for the gym (that I never once used) and the kids' club (that the hotel wasn't operating because it was Indonesian school holidays - although a few of us lobbied to get that situation rectified in week two.)
This place is in Kerobokan, which I found to be a pretty good location for quick access to Seminyak, where I spent a lot of time. 3V Kerobokan has six charming two-bedroom villas with private gardens and unheated spas, and a flash gym which attracts a lot of expats to the place. The shared pool area is really lovely and the décor throughout is very tasteful (thanks to the French owners no doubt). For US$190 a villa including breakfast, gym access, kids club and airport transfers I thought this was pretty good value (especially when compared to the terrifying quote for two adjoining rooms that I received from the Semara!)
As we've seen a fair bit of Bali on previous trips we did absolutely nothing cultural - although in my defence I did find time to read a fascinating account of travels to remote Indonesian islands called Ring of Fire, which is well worth grabbing if you can find a copy.
Instead, we enjoyed catching up with our Balinese nanny (now friend), Wayan, and generally living it up. (Am I the only person who gains 5kgs with every trip to Bali?)
Enjoyed the usual trips to Chill and Espace and squeezed in a cream bath at a little place in Batubelig called Ayur Bali Spa. It was pretty basic but the treatment was fantastic. Also had great reflexology upstairs at Amo.
Tried Potato Head for the first time. Don't think it's for me - I tend to prefer places with a very Balinese atmosphere. That said, the seafood restaurant looked pretty amazing and I did enjoy the cocktail I had that came in a tea pot with dry ice (a sort of Long Island Iced Tea on steroids).
The food in Bali is really is amazing. We had a lovely dinner at La Sal, the newish Spanish place on Jl Nakula. The intense, pacing Spanish owner gives off a bit of a bad vibe - and occasionally loses it altogether if the reviews on TripAdvisor are to be believed - but he runs a tight ship and the seafood paella was brilliant. A great night out, and very romantic.
Also enjoyed a number of meals at Mantra. This new place opposite the W (ish) on Petitenget serves delicious vegie and seafood meals in a groovy setting (can you tell how old I must be to even use that word?!) and plays really fantastic Indie music (and again.)
Speaking of getting old, I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by Seminyak's traffic and dust. I would even go so far as to say that I'm yearning for the sedate pleasures of Sanur, which is so pretty and child-friendly. Yikes, I'll be staying at Club Med next!
Any questions, ask away!