In Reply to: Going back to Bali posted by gillb on Thursday, 26. January 2006 at 19:53 Bali Time:
I too use the taxi booth just outside the airport exit doors, to the right. They have a big board at the back of the booth with all the set-price fares on it, so you know exactly what you are up for. I usually let a porter take my luggage to the booth for either 5000 Rp or a $2 gold coin (AUD).
If you use pre-arranged transport organised by a travel agent, everyone who arrived on your flight who used the same agent will be ferried out to their hotels with you, which can take up to an hour or more! They often use this time to tout their company's day tours along the way! A taxi will take approx 10 - 20 mins to drive to your hotel, depending on where you stay. Prices are very reasonable - I can't remember exactly how much, but they are a significant saving from prearranged transport.
What I find even more inconvenient is the pick-up by a pre-arranged company to go home. My flight is usually around midnight, and they want to pick you up at 7 or 8pm, (I suspect it is for their own convenience - they want to go home) so you end up spending hours at the airport. Book a taxi!
There are stacks of great hotels recommended by this forum. Personally, I find Tuban a little too noisy, with traffic & overhead planes. I found that Kumala Pantai, which is on the Legian/Seminyak border has been very popular. You can find hotel reviews on this site in the archives or check out Mic's travel forum. Hope this helps. Happy hunting!