Just returned from our 4th and best trip, thanks to the staff at the Sienna Villas. Check their web site www.sienna-villas.com or email them direct. We will always stay in villas from now on. We were picked up from the airport, as part of the deal and taken direct to our villa for in room check in. Full ice bucket awaiting us in the fridge and 15 minutes after getting to the villa we were in our pool,drink in hand. Breakfast was prepared and served by the staff, in our villa everyday. On our last night we were still in the pool half an hour before our bags were loaded in to the car at our front door and we were driven to the airport. Highly recommend and could go on and on but best check the web site, it is all true.
The Seminyak Bingtang Supermarket is about 2 minutes walk and we purchased mobile phone at the phone shop outside the supermarket on the first night. Don't know that the price of the phone was the best but we had contact home to the kids. They set the phone up and we were off. Initially used the money changer, just outside the Bingtang Supermarket for the first couple of days until the smiling assassin got me for 90 000. After this mainly used the Pt Central money changer about 100m from the Bingtang towards Double Six (No problems here). Just a note for new visitors: Pt Central/Kodak Shops are recommended by numerous people on this forum but you still have to be extremely careful at these changes as the ones in Jl. Padma & Jl Padma Ultra both tried it on with us last trip.
Restaurants:
La Luciola - Dinner the first night. Even though we were a bit tired, we were not disappointed as the food and cocktails were excellent. Next trip will probably leave going there for a few days so we can enjoy the experience more.
Indo National - Lunch twice. They have moved since last trip. Better location and cooler but the same friendly service. We have now eaten there on six or seven occasions in the last two trips and have never been disappointed with the service or food. We left a couple of bags of donations with Milton, the owner, to pass on.
Café Moka - Lunch. Great tapas and good fast service.
Fabios - Dinner. Great setting with candle lit tables surrounding a central open-air courtyard. Four piece serenading band were great and set just the right mood but the food was average. We might have just picked the wrong meals.
Aurora - Dinner twice. Headed off to Paul's Place as we had past it on the way to La Luciola and it looked interesting. It was Monday night and Paul's Place was closed but our luck was in because we walked back down Jl. Oberoi and found Aurora. Fantastic food/service/cocktails. We had no choice but to go back the second time and we were not disappointed. Will be near the top of the list next trip.
The Flying Piano - Lunch & Dinner Twice. Was on our lunch list but the food was great so we went back for a dinner which was a good choice because we had a very enjoyable night. The Pedro (the owner} show was fantastic. Luckily we ordered the fondue, as we got his full attention much to the embarrassment of his wife & staff but we enjoyed it so much that we just had to go back again. Add to this, Pedro is a master on the Piano and the serenading band is great. Definitely going back next trip.
Seaside - Lunch. Great food and service/good prices. A definite for dinner nest trip.
Queens Tandoor - Dinner. Excellent food/service/cocktails. Best Indian meal we have had.
Lemon Grass - Lunch. Well presented cool and quite restaurant. Neutral comment to the food as we only had a Thai salad and a couple of entrees, which were just above average.
Poppies - Lunch. Somehow we always end up here at some point during our holidays. The food/service/drinks have never disappointed. Well priced and peaceful restaurant.
Papas - Dinner. Ended up here by default as we started out at Spaghetti Jazz but after initial poor service and seeing a dog running around in the restaurant we moved on without ordering. There is no need for us to give Spaghetti Jazz another chance as there are too many good restaurants. Papas is a clean and efficient place but the food although tasty is nothing out of the ordinary and over priced for what it is. The cocktails are tasteless and watery. Not on our list next time.
Warisan - Lunch. Excellent food/service/drinks with a peaceful setting over looking paddy fields. Checked out the dinner menu and we will definitely be going for dinner next trip.
Teras - Takeaway. Staff at our villa picked up and delivered pizza to our room on last night. Very tasty and will have to eat at the restaurant next trip.