Went with 5 girl friends. Held breathe with Jetstar, but all went well..
SEMINYAK
Stayed at Amadea Resort in Eat Street. Long walk to street as it is built way back on the block, but we all loved our stay here. Rooms were great, staff exceptionally friendly - excellent value approx. - $80 per night (including b/f and 1 hr massage).
Potato Head for cocktails and sunset then to Motel Mexicola for food, drinks and dancing. Finished big night out at Red Carpet Bar. Ate at Ginger Moon, and few other places - all were good. Got the shopping out of the way.
SANUR
Stayed at Griya Santrian. Not budget (about $180 pn), but very nice. Grounds and pools are beautiful. We were upgraded to the new wing - you could smell the newness. Beds were a bit hard, but otherwise, great stay. Very humid in Sanur.
Recommend Little Bird Restaurant in street behind the beach - fantastic food and very cheap.
TANJUNG BENOA
Stayed at Novotel (approx. $120 pn). We had garden room which is in the complex across the road from the beach. Accommodation was good, pool areas beautiful. Excellent Breakfast. Quite a bit of confusion with re deposit and extending rooms for additional time on check out day, but finally got there. Went to Rock Bar. Ate at Bumbu Bali twice. Food and presentation - amazing for the price. 2 of the group did the cooking class at Bumbu and highly recommend it.
Weather was hot and humid - had a couple of thunder storms, but not through the day, so did not stop us doing anything.
I shopped at Alta Moda as always - their fabrics are amazing.
Exchange rate generally just below the 10,000 to the AUD $.
Notice each trip that prices are creeping up, but Bali is still good value. Best hotel we stayed at was the Amadea at Seminyak.