Have ben visiting the forum for 2 years, thought it was about time I posted something!
Last trip was with the 'boys' on Austraia day in 1989...didn't enjoy and vowed never to retun. Mainly due to cost (paying for a family of 4), I thought I would give it another try and jetted of to Bail in Nov 2004 with my wife and 2 kids (8 + 5).
Used QFF points for the 4 of us, 2 nights in Sing and 11 nights in Bali. After a lot of research/quotes, stayed at the Patra in a deluxe suite. Booked land through Perth travel agent. The Patra exceeded all of our expectations. Great value for money, the grounds, staff, food, the quality of the rooms and the kids club. From memory, land was $1540 for the 4 of us in a deluxe suite with breakfast.
Needless to say, we are now hooked. No sooner where we back and I got the FlightCentre first 20 to call get 4 nights in Bali email for $300 each. Jumped on the phone...redial....redial and after 30 minutes scored 2 tickets for March 05. We stayed at the Baleka. Very clean, comfortable and good value for money. Went and visited the Patra to say hello to some of the staff......it felt like we were home, back to the Baleka to collect luggage and we treated ourselves to our last night at the Patra. Flew with AP, staff were excellent and they could not do enough for you in the food and drinks dept.
On both trips, We have never been so busy and yet relaxed all at the same time. The people, shopping, food and the general buzz of the place make it a truely wonderful experience.
I think a pattern is staring to develop. Within a week of getting back in March, we are booked again for 14 nights. 2 QFF seats in March 06 and paid for kids airfares with Q .Another 2 famalies are joining us to see what 'all the fuss is about'. After many calls to larger travel chains, they were all quoting around $4,300 for 2 kids airfares and 14 nights in a deluxe suite at Patra. Pays to shop around, ending up getting the deal for $2,800
Thankyou to the contributors of this forum, you views and information ensure that you can squeeze as much into Bali time as choose too, or alternatively just sit back and take it all in.