Posted by Greg on Tuesday, 20. October 1998 at 04:25 Bali Time:
Thanks to the other posters, I found this forum to be very helpful in planning my trip and in learning more about Bali. Since we're back, I though I would return the favor. This was our first trip to Bali.
We just returned last week from 7 nights in Bali, all at the Ritz Carlton. (We decided to splurge on this trip on a deluxe hotel). I booked, as an experiment, through www.travelweb.com, with a second confirmation through the chain's 1-800 number. The rate was $118 and we were upgraded to an ocean view room upon arrival. Our first leg of the trip was to Bangkok, with a United Vacations package (a good deal). Instead of purchasing the UA addon to Bali, I bought tickets on Thai Air through a consolidator (TravelPlanet in SF) and saved $100 a ticket. The consolidator books locally in Thailand, at a much lower local rate. We stayed there at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, which for some reason is a very highly rated hotel but was very disappoint (I digress, but choose the Shangri-La for a little more money). In Bali, I found the Ritz Bali to be much nicer in all aspects. I have stayed on business in some of the fine hotels in Asia (including Ritz, Shangri-La, Marriott, Imperial, Regent) and the Ritz Bali certainly ranks as one of the finest I've stayed at. It is very remote, however, which was nice after the hustle and bustle of Kuta and Bangkok. There are two beaches there, with a little shuttle van to Kubu Beach... really a very secluded, spectacular little inlet with full bar service and attendants. Really something out of a TV travel program fantasy.
Hotel Costs: The food at the Ritz is much higher than the other hotels and of course the local restuarants. The breakfast is the most pricey, but lunch is more reasonable, especially the large California style pizzas, which with appetizer can feed two. Laundry thankfully was inexpensive.
Food: We noticed a direct correlation between price and quality, for the most part ... up to a point. We tried everything from 15000 Rp a plate tourist restaurants in Kuta to the nicer hotels (including Nusa Dua). Highlights included fine Cantonese at the Bali Dynasty (we wanted chinese) and a great (if pricy at 125,000 Rp for all you can eat meet) Brazillian Rodizio at the Nusa Dua Galleria. Being a californian, I actually enjoyed the breakfast burrito at the All Stars Surf Cafe on Jl Kartika Plaza.
Drivers: We hired a driver for a day for 170000. This was well worth it for a day of touring. Our driver spoke better english than some of the hotel staff.
Taxis: It was a little disconcerting to have to negotiate taxi fares on supposedly metered taxis. Stick to the blue Bali Taxis and you'll be fine. Since the Ritz was farther away, we sometimes had to pay more, especially late at night. Getting out of Nusa Dua at night was a chore, but Kuta was pretty easy.
Bartering: Our biggest lesson learned was that you should not disclose where you are staying, if at all possible. Your negotiating position is much stronger. Also, it seems your bargaining position is stronger depending on where you have come from.