In Reply to: Have stayed at both posted by Sue P on Monday, 29. January 2007 at 16:59 Bali Time:
stayed in Barong several years ago in front section, with wife and 4yo. Rooms a bit small and close together but liked the pool setting and swim up bar even though not large, good central location. Other aussie families staying there where very friendly and because of court yard hotel easier to meet them coming in and out than in the bigger hotels.
found once you got to know the staff they where freindly and nice to talk too compared to the bigger busy hotels we have stayed in
The back pool seemed to be where the younger parties animals (I think some aussie footballers) where staying - that seemed to attract be attracting regular visits by the police, but while a bit noisey didn't really bother us.
Swam in back pool several times and they didn't bother us
So not a bad compromise between the a large luxurious impersonal hotel and the small spartan but very staff freindly hotels,
would go back if wanted something central
last time stayed in Ramayana Spa and Resort Hotel which is just opposite the art market, nice garden and good location for shopping and waterbom park but a bit busy with Japanese guest so didn't meet as many aussie familys as Barong and staff a bit to busy to get to know as well as Barong staff