Posted by Richard Vicki on Tuesday, 6. October 1998 at 02:25 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Melia Bali posted by Jen on Friday, 2. October 1998 at 12:28 Bali Time:
We were there last week... very nice, lovely grounds good rooms and 5 restaurants. The pool area is very crowded but next door at the Sheritan Lagoona, its empty, so sneak in there! We went most days into Kuta by Taxi - 30,000 - 40, 000 each way, you have to haggle with the taxi drivers, they try 100,000 or 50,000 just tell them what you will pay. Kuta is a different world compared with the Luxury of Nasa Dua, lots of hawkers, pick pockets too i would guess, but good lively fun. we went to the Hard rock Beach cafe, an open air lovely pool and restuarant complex = the usual in door hard rock, the pool was50,000 per person but was very nice with good staff.
In the Melia Bali try the Lobby bar for shear class- happy hour from 7-9 two for one drinks , cold face towels to cool you down and free nuts! Then move downstairs to the Jungle pub for cheap drinks (b52's at £1 - we drank 10 between us one night! and got up for a run the next day!)
The gym at the hotel is basic, but free and well airconditioned...we went to the sheraton next door, their gym was lovely with steam room and sauna, outdoor jacuzi etc, it cost $10 each but was worth it.
don't go to Paddys Bar in Kuta, even if it does advertise "go go Dancers" they serve gin and tonics without gin then refuse to do anything about it, a real rip off joint!
Have fun and let us know how you get on.
Richard & Vicki