...From Sanur we moved to Legian where we stayed at the Kumala Pantai. Staying at KP was more about what was familiar and affordable more than anything else.
Good Points
· Location (across from the beach)
· Price (385,000rp including breakfast)
· Tea and coffee making facilities
· Large bathroom with sep bath and shower
· Good storage space
· Room Safe
· Rack for drying clothes
· Large balcony
· Restaurants close by
· Reception will play DVD's for you
· Large pool
· Good breakfast
· Provided with a large cake of soap
Not So Good Points
· Poor quality mattresses
· Small pillows
· Staff harder to get to know for some reason - perhaps because of the size of the hotel.
· Pool lounges often reserved early by guests and this was not policed.
· Found the rooms in Y Block to be bright and sunny and with a nice view of the pool but found the other blocks lacking in light so much so it was difficult to read.
Other hotels I visited included:
Mandira - Great location, on the beach in Legian, couldn't see much difference between the superior and deluxe rooms except for location (deluxe being closer to the beach). Thought rooms were on the small side, deluxe had a nicer bathroom. Mandira has lovely lawns overlooking the beach.
Tunjung Bali - Jl Padma Utara Legian - they have 1 and 2 bedroom bungalows, small property with a small pool. Bungalows have open living areas downstairs with the bedrooms upstairs... older style but would be handy for a group of people; mossies could be a problem at night in the living area.
Whilst many of the hotels were running at 15-30%, Kumala Pantai was almost full.
Restaurants we ate at included:
· Pantai - Jl Wanasegara, Tuban - 753196
An old favourite of mine, on the beach at Tuban, good service, good food, good music and good prices. Average meal around 30,000. Try the avocado vinig. Good toilets.
· Uncle Norms - Jl Melasti, Legian - 759910
Another favourite. The staff are very entertaining and if they don't bring a smile to your face, nothing will. Uncle Norms is a favourite with my son (14) as many of the staff (especially Robbie) do tricks. Similar prices to Pantai. Try the calamari. Good toilets.
· Aroma's - Jl Legian, Legian -
Another favourite for lunch and those much needed breaks during shopping. Slightly more expensive than some but well worth it. Great coffee and fresh juices, smoothies, fabulous sandwiches and A1 toilets. Vegetarian restaurant. Great place to go when your super thirsty, hanging out for a coffee or have those.. 'I so need real bread' days.
· Fabio's - Jl Legian Seminyak
Had a coffee here and it was nice, came with a lil cookie, which was also nice.
· Bamboo Corner - Jl Padma Utara, Legian
Good Service and good prices.
· Poser's Bar - Corner Jl Padma and Jl Padma Utara, Legian
Another reasonable priced place to eat.
· Lanai Beach Bar and Grill - Jl Pantai Blue Ocean, Legian - 731305
Wonderful meal here, more expensive than some... fabulous deserts, I had white chocolate mousse and Jack had blueberry cheese cake (yum)... around 48,000 for the main course and 20,000 for desert.
· Ye Ole Fookin Pub - Jl Werkudara (Rum Jungle Rd), Legian 751802
Typical English pub (not unlike Posers), Jack had a pie and enjoyed it thoroughly, friends had steak and said it was great, meals averaged 38,000. Good service. Good toilets.
· Yut'z Place - Rum Jungle Rd, Legian - 765047, 081 239 51454
This place has steaks to die for, I can honestly say that I had the best steaks I have ever had at Yut'z Place, better than any steak I have had in Australia. Excellent service and divine food. Good toilets. An absolute must on your next trip to Bali. Steak was around 50,000.
· Warung Yogya - Jl Padma Utara (near Loji's)
Best value in Bali. Juices around 8,000, dearest meal is 16,000, average price 10,000. Always busy, excellent service and great food. We always have at least 4 or 5 meals here. No toilet.
When shopping at Matahari's and Kuta Square we always have a break at the café next to Matahari's (the one with the mist and the name that escapes me). Good food, great breakfast and one of the best Ice lemon teas around. Do not however order a Pina Colada here (yuk). Also utilise this time to take a pee break in their clean toilet.
Always get our photos printed and placed on a CD at the Fuji place opposite Matahari's (they will often do it while you have a drink across the road).
Ice cream from Norgen Vaaz (or however it is spelt), just down from Matahari's (yummy the macadamia nut one).
Jeans from the shop that has excellent fakes for around $13 opposite Matahari's.
Watches from out the front of Matahari at the fixed price stall.
Sim cards from out the back near the supermarket at Matahari.
Great headache/migraine tablets from the Apotek outside the supermarket - Neuralgin (combination of Ibuprofen, Paracetamol and Caffeine).
More to come.....