First trip to Bali. 10 nights at Kuta Seaview Cottages, (Sept 93) the hotel rooms were good, prices at the restaurant and bar a bit over the top compared to outside. Hot water was hit and miss, some days plenty others none. As this was my first trip to Bali I did the usual tourist trips, volcano etc. Did many walks around the 'block' spent most of my (social) time at the Bagus Bar in Poppies II. All in all a good break.
September 96, 7 nights, February 99, 7 nights at the Kuta Jaya (now demolished) good hotel, though a bit tired. Meals were good, service was typical Balinese, and Bintangs were cold. Spent quite a bit of time just lounging around the swimming pool and playing pool with the staff. The staff had a definite advantage on the table as it had more hills than the whole island. If they hadn't demolished the hotel I probably would still be staying here on my holidays.
August 01, Casa Padma, 6 nights ($1013), this hotel was described as a 'boutique' hotel (I think in travel agent language boutique means small) however it proved to be an excellent choice. I was impressed with the service, prices and location. Hotel has subsequently been rebuilt it looks a lot better now than what it was.
June 03, Horizon Beach Resort Phuket (ring in), 7 nights ($1058). After the bombing I decided to give Phuket a try. The hotel was excellent however the bar service left a lot to be desired you could sit at the bar for 5 or 10 minutes without any staff in sight (this happened quite often). The meals were excellent; the restaurant service was top shelf compared to the bar service. The prices in Phuket were 3 times that of Bali.
November 03, Jayakarta Hotel, 7 nights ($1053), good hotel with excellent service, I was impressed all round with this place. However I haven't gone back don't know why must be something in the back of my head.
August 04, Garden View Cottages, 11 nights ($1223). Not impressed at all with this place! Arrived at hotel and told that I had to spend the first night at a 'sister' hotel as they had no record of my booking. I did ask the manager 'if they didn't have a booking for me why did the hotel driver in the hotel van pick me up from the airport', I didn't get an answer. The manager scurried out the back, never to be seen again. Another thing that annoyed me was that I got short changed by one of the girls doing room service it was only 25000RP (no big deal, money wise). She would have got more than 25000RP as a tip at the end but she missed out, honesty does pay. I will never stay at this place again.
April 05, Dewi Sri, 7 nights ($1177) and 10 nights ($1078) September 05. A good hotel and good location. Very quite both times, the first trip I had a ground floor room (new block) second trip I was on the top floor (new block). Whoever built his place must of been a bit of a joker, walking up the stairs to the second floor no problem (8 steps) walking up the next flight (7 steps) was a killer. I eventually had my room changed to first floor (bliss). Had a few meals and Bintangs at the hotel prices were double the outside price for a Bintang similar for the food. Ate at the Bagus most nights, good meals and good prices.
March 06, Melasti Beach Resort 10 nights ($975). Originally booked the Dewi Sri flying AP the day after I paid AP collapsed. Luckily I didn't lose my money so re booked with Garuda and changed to the MBR (I'm not really sure if the Dewi Sri is part of AP or not. I know they are part of the Bounty Group with close ties to AP). No big deal the MBR is near Bamboo Corner good cheap meals and cold Bintangs.
All $ figures are for single travel and includes transfers and breakfast