In Reply to: ChristineL ... posted by sueand kids on Tuesday, 16. May 2006 at 17:40 Bali Time:
We stayed at the Villa Bintang in July/Aug 2003 for 17 nights. They had only started to refurbish rooms back then. Last year I stayed at the Grand Mirage and went up to the Villa Bintang to have a look at the major makeover that they had just finished. Sar who use to sell the massages for the hotel was working up in the Internet room and he took me down and showed me one of the rooms and they have done a good job. We stayed in an upstairs room which was quite large and a good size verandah overlooking the centre of the resort. Breakfast wasn't crash hot and I believe it isn't much better now but then for the price that they are charging you could go to the other Hotels some days for a change. The staff at this hotel are very friendly. I can't find my prices for The Grand Mirage but in 2003 at the Villa Bintang we paid 26900rp for a large Bali Hai Beer, coke was 16,900 (I told them that this was dearer than the Grand Mirage), Pineapple Juice 17900, Club sandwich was 42,900 and a plate of chips 25,900.
Restaurants in the area are cheap for example Casa Luna - Shrimp cocktail 10,500, Mexican combination (great) 25,500, coke 4000rp, large bintang beer 15,000rp plus 15% tax on them.
There is a silver shop just down from the Villa Bintang called Nugras Art & Gallery and they have the best silver jewellry in Bali. It is in US but the quality is great. I use a local laundry called Arie Laundry Service across from Villa Bintang down the lane and behind the motor bike repair shop. It is primitive but they do a good job and so cheap, about 80 cents for 4 items. Wayan is the owners name who I have befriended. Sorry I can't help with other prices.