In Reply to: Thanks... posted by Mez on Thursday, 31. March 2005 at 10:00 Bali Time:
If you are not comfortable with your accomodation then it's not easy to have a good holiday. You sound like the kind of neighbours I would be happy to have. I think the fault lies with the travel agent who allowed you to book the Barong without giving you some appropriate advice. This is not a criticism of the Barong, different hotels cater for different clientele, but we have a right to expect some helpful advice from travel agents.
I'm sure that Thailand will have its own versions of the Barong, so don't let it happen to you again.
If I could make a suggestion, next time you go to Bali, try to go for at least two or three weeks. Book your first and last few days in the Bali Hai, where you already know you will have a good time. Then, as another Forumite has suggested, go and have a good look around. Ubud, Candi Dasa, Padang Bai, Amed, you will find places that appeal to you. You can just walk in off the street and bargain for accomodation, but the good thing is that you get to see before you buy. Many of us do it this way and have interesting and unexpected experiences.