In Reply to: Hard Rock Hotel vs. Grand Istana posted by Carol from TX on Friday, 14. April 2006 at 02:29 Bali Time:
stayed here last time and it was great, very quiet and peaceful, rooms I found to be great too,just been done up. Gardens are lush, good buffet breaky and the pool and staff were good, very close to poppies lane entry to get to legian st. Cant understand why it was so empty last April very reasonably priced for what it offers and with more of a balinese theme than the Hard rock (a bit commercial for me).This time I'm going with my mum and thought I would give the Ramada Bintang a go( only have to pay for me this time,last time,a family of 6), works out $200 dearer for 8 nights compared to the Istana.
by the way the name Istana Rama I was told by one of the Balinese means the kings palace.
Enjoy.