Posted by Vicki on Sunday, 18. October 1998 at 14:33 Bali Time:
In Reply to: HONEYMOON IN BALI NOV 18-4DEC posted by NANCY on Wednesday, 14. October 1998 at 06:51 Bali Time:
Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage! I have just returned from Balie - staying 1 week at the Ritz Carlton and 1 week at the Grant Hyatt. We stayed at both these hotels same time last year and had a wonderful time. On our first outing I personally enjoyed the Ritz Carlton more but the Grand Hyatt was first choice for my 8 year old daughter so decided to split our holiday across both properties again. I personally wouldn't stay at the Grand Hyatt again - too big - I'm sure our room was in another time zone - and I became tired of room service than never arrived, phone / fax messages that were never delivered, mini bar charges that were never consumed, etc. etc. I might have just been unlucky but I wouldn't bother taking a second chance. I feel the Grand Hyatt is a perfect resort for families - the water slide is fabulous and the kids club has a good program. On the other hand, I believe The Ritz Carlton is a much smaller, more romantic resort and one you will want to return to for your second honeymoon! The hotel staff remembered us (and our names) from our last visit 12 months ago and seemed genuinely delighted to have us back. I felt the Ritz Carlton to have a more personable feel and was so glad we spent our second week there, leaving Bali on a huge high.
Oh, I nearly forgot! We went to a fabulous restaurant called Bumbu Bali at Benoa which is owned by the former head chef at the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton. The cuisine is purported to be traditional balinese - I can't attest to that but I can report a fabulous meal with a delightful ambience. I took my young daughter who found the food too spicy and couldn't appreciate the uniqueness of Bumbu Bali at this point in her life - would have been happier with spaghetti bolognaise which is fine - so I returned another night with a girlfriend and we had the most wonderful night. It was definitely the most enjoyable meal we had during our visit and I just know you will love it - very romantic too!