I came back from Bali last week and I was starting to write my just back story when Xavier (see below) posted his. I don't have many things to add. I'm French and also travelled with Singapore Airlines from Zurich and booked the hotel form Hotelplan. We stayed there for two weeks. It was our first time in Bali there and we had a wonderful time.
FLIGHT - It was the first time I had a long-distance flight and I have found Singapore Airlines excellent.
HOTEL - Jayakarta in Legian. Nice pools and access to the beach, friendly staff. Nice restaurants (very good value though more expensive than what can be found in Legian). Small boutique, nice if you don't want to bargain, but if you want some magazines to read by the pool you will probably have to go to Kuta square as they don't sell too many.
WEATHER - It rained quite a lot during our stay, especially in the afternoon. I thought the rainy season was over in April but it wasn't the case. ;-) It wasn't so bad anyway as it cooled the air.
CLOTHES - What I read in the forum before leaving was exact: don't take too many clothes with you. I would advise to take a small suitcase which you don't even have to check at the airport. I appreciated the efficient laundry service at the hotel and the free beach towels as it is impossible to dry something there because of the humidity.
TOUR - We hired a car with driver from the hotel for 3 days, 200,000 rupiah per day: on the first day we went to Batubulan to see Barong dance, woodcarving, painting in the Ubud region then we headed for Besakih mother temple where there were festivities. On the second day we went to the bird park, rice fields near Ubud, then Kintamani. Fortunately we arrived at the volcano before the rain started but it was foggy and I would advise to go very early in the morning. One afternoon we went to Uluwatu - too bad we couldn't see the sunset - then we stopped at a Jimabaran beach restaurant for excellent seafood. At the end of our stay we wanted to go for another excursion up north (lake Bratan and Singaraja) but it rained too much so we went to Nusa Dua for shopping instead. Prices are very high there (just like in France). The beach is nice but there is nothing typically balinese.
KUTA - There is nothing really interesting in Kuta except Matahari department store to have an idea of prices.
OTHER TIPS - If you can, have your films developed before leaving. It is so much cheaper than in Western countries and it came in a small album.
I guess I will want to go and visit Bali again, even if not in a short term as there are so many other places worth visiting.
What I will keep in mind is the smile of Balinese people, that's for sure. And thank you for all the good advice on Travl Bali Forum!
Feel free to mail me for questions or whatever regarding Bali.
Valerie