In Reply to: finding own accomodation posted by yevisha on Thursday, 1. December 2005 at 06:55 Bali Time:
A lot of fun and you get to see before you decide. Look around before you need to get out of your starting off hotel, don't leave it until the last minute and look desperate. Do your own negotiating, don't let your driver do the talking for you.
If you have some particular places in mind, do a Google search before you go to Bali and check out their websites. Print the best price you can find and make sure that it's relevant to the time of year you will be there, ie high or low season. Make sure the price includes tax and breakfast. Use this as a bargaining tool if necessary.
After you agree on a price for the room, ask them if it's any better if you stay 3 nights [or 6 nights etc]. Keep lighthearted about it and if you get a fair offer for something you really like, don't try to screw them just because they're short of business.
If you stay a long way from the airport for part of your holiday, remember to get somewhere closer for the last 2 or 3 days.
Once you've done it this way, you may never go back to booking all your accom in advance ever again.