In Reply to: Advice sought posted by bluejaak on Friday, 15. September 2006 at 19:07 Bali Time:
I always go on a package deal which includes just a few days accomodation somewhere I know I'll be happy. Then I look around and negotiate my own deals. That way, I get to see before I buy and I sometimes find places that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. But I've always had somewhere booked for the first few days.
Don't let a taxi driver arrange your accom, or negotiate on your behalf. It may or may not be to your liking, but you'll pay too much.
Tell us what area[s] you'd like to stay, what kind of accom and what you're prepared to pay. Then you'll get suggestions. Check out the websites of any hotels you like the sound of, find the best prices which correspond with the time of year you'll be there [ie high or low season] and make sure those prices include all taxes and charges and breakfast. Those prices are a guide to the maximum you should need to pay.
I'll give you an idea. I walked into a hotel and asked to look at the rooms. I was shown one I liked and asked the price [2 people incl breakfast].
"Usually US$60, but we have a special for US$40."
"But your website shows US$31."
He just laughed and said, "What can I say? You can have it for US$30." Absolutely no offense taken.
I later used that US$30 price to negotiate another hotel in the same area when I felt like a change. I never try to drive them into the ground. They have to make a living.
Be aware that they usually talk in US dollars and not Aussie.