In Reply to: It's time toBali-renting a hotel is like posted by rayofsunshine on Saturday, 27. November 2004 at 18:53 Bali Time:
everyone has their own opinion. These are my suggestions:
Ubud. The only hotel I've ever stayed at there is the Tjampuhan. Originally for the guests of the King of Ubud. In the 1930s an artists' colony. Built into the side of a gorge. Lush vegetation. Birds, frogs, squirrels and butterflies. Romantic. About ten interesting minutes walk from the town centre, passing the Antonio Blanco art gallery and a restored suspension bridge dating from the Dutch colonial era. If you decide on the Tjampuhan, don't stay on the top level as you may get some road noise. Down the gorge a bit, very peaceful. Excellent endless breakfasts in a beautifully situated restaurant.
Candi Dasa. Not stayed at either Shangrila or Rama, but have some info on both.
Shangrila. Small up-market hotel a few minutes walk past Legend Rock Cafe on the Amlapura side of town. Stroll down a narrow sealed road through the coconut and banana groves. Situated on a nice white sand beach with a close live coral reef for snorkeling. I had a memorable night there as a guest at a birthday party August before last. I'd got chatting to a lady on the beach and she invited me to her boyfriend's party.
Rama Hotel. Never heard of this one up to a few days ago. I got chatting to a lady in our local fish and chip shop and the subject of Bali came up [strangely enough]. She raved on about this wonderful hotel she'd stayed at recently and gave me a brochure on the Rama. I'd say being 1.5 kilometres out of town on [I presume] the Padang Bai side would be a bit of a nuisance for getting to the shops and restaurants, but it does look very nice on the brochure.
Another place you may like to check out is Kubu Bali. We had the cottage highest up the hill. Magnificent views.
If you would like a trip to the traditional Bali Aga village of Tenganan whilst you are in Candi Dasa, I have a friend who is a man of the village. Komang works at the Catra New Beach Restaurant.
http://www.dimahkota.com/catra%20restaurant.htm
His mother is a traditional weaver of the single and double ikat material, unique to Tenganan. Not cheap, but very special.
I can recommend a driver in Candi Dasa. Wayan Manek [Nick] 081 8353501.
You can negotiate hotels by just walking in. Print out the best internet prices you can find and don't pay any more. Don't have your luggage on view, looking like you've got to find something soon.