Posted by Mila on Tuesday, 27. October 1998 at 17:32 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Hotel Cheti-Ubud posted by Jerry on Sunday, 25. October 1998 at 10:03 Bali Time:
My boyfriend and I stayed at the Chedi a few months ago. It was a real treat for us. The Chedi is not everybody's idea of the perfect island paradise hotel. It is what I would describe as a modern, minimalist resort. No wooden carved doors. No bamboo wind chimes. No fantastically colored and lush tropical gardens. The rooms are pretty small -- there's a king-size bed, and you maybe have a two foot clearance to the dressing table/built-in refrigerator on one side, with a bit more room to the entry way and bathroom entrance on the other side. There isn't a bathtub.
But, there is a marvelous pool. It sits overlooking the river valley and is one of those knife-edge pools. It is a good length for doing laps. There is a path past the pool that takes you to a private little pavillion with a hammock and cushions and a gong for summoning drinks. The rooms all have a view of the river valley -- we spent every early evening just sitting and looking out onto the valley with a glass of wine in hand. If you can, splurge for one of the villas. Those are simply fantastic. Loads of space, a wraparound balcony, wonderful bathroom. I found the simplicity of the place immensely condusive to a mental state of euphoric peace... I would have been distracted by flowers, color, activity, music. You must get the spa package for two where you have the spa villa to yourself. There are therapists to one person, so although the package is only an hour and a half long, I think, you're really getting three hours worth of work. The food is quite inventive, well executed. The hotel organizes several activities (sadly not gratis). They do village/rice field walks, and you can also rent a hotel van and driver for the day/half day. Of course these activities are at hotel prices, but I thought it worth it for the convenience and the little amenities like really excellent English, they brought along bottled water and freshly laundered sarongs and sashes for in case we wanted to go to a temple.
In Bali, there are hotels for every mood and every budget. For me, the Chedi is the place I would go to for a superb meditative, peaceful retreat.