In Reply to: accommodation posted by margymoo on Sunday, 30. September 2007 at 08:19 Bali Time:
is my new favourite in Kuta and it's hard to define why exactly. It has a special quality all of it's own which I describe as the feeling of a Losmen with hotel facilities. At Rp.200.000 which if current high exchange rates last is around $25 per night I think it represents great value.
It isn't really a young peoples' party hotel although a few surfers stay there sometimes and so I found it very peaceful at night. The price includes breakfast of eggs toast, fruit, tea/coffee (Bali Kopi or Nescafe). You can order bacon, sausage or tomatoes for a small extra charge, 10.000 from memory.
The rooms are set around the pool and we like ground floor. The pool is big but all deep and unsuitable for kids so from a peace and quiet point of view this is the place! If, however, you like to float around the pool chatting you're going to need a "floatie". There are always plenty of pool noodles left by previous guests.
There always seems to be enough beds for guests (although not a huge number of beds) and on the ground floor you basically step from your room to poolside. Beer and soft drinks can be ordered from the restaurant which is also next to the pool.
The rooms are big and have fan and A/C, big empty fridge, plenty of hanging and cupboard space and a room safe. The bed is one of the most comfortable in Bali, I find, and they leave the lightweight quilt on. The TV is a reasonable size and has Australian and I think British channels. My husband is a bit of movie buff so he takes his portable DVD player but you can hire them cheaply just in the street.
In the bathroom everything works including instant hot water but it must be admitted that the bathroom gets wet when you shower because(losman style again) the shower is not enclosed. This doesn't bother us but I know some people don't like it. We find that we shower and go to breakfast and when we return or soon after they've cleaned and must have squeegeed (sp?) and it dries in no time.
The staff are great (of course) and Made the front desk manager (and sometime breakfast cook)will do his best to help you with anything you need. I have found the guests, each time we stay there, to be a really cool mixed bunch of friendly people who all chat with each other without being "in your face". The majority of guests seem to be Australian with some Europeans and some local tourists.
I found in our case it is cheaper to book airfares, we used Zuji on line bookings and the hotel direct than the package from the travel agent. Having said that the agents deal was still very reasonable so if you like to do it that way you won't lose much! If you google Secret Garden Inn their website will come up and it has a link for booking which worked beautifully for me but some people have delayed replies. Barry Tanner who posts on here helps them out with their on line booking.
The phone number is 763052 fax. 763055. Made is there most of the time in office hours but if not Paulus will help you and both speak English.
Well I think that about covers it. As you can see I have quite fallen in love with it and get that lovely "back home" feeling while there.
Wherever you choose, Happy Holidays.