In Reply to: june stay posted by mandysz on Monday, 26. May 2008 at 19:48 Bali Time:
The first time - in 2004 it was a bit run down and the food wasnt great. I didnt really like the location either. However I went in February this year and have changed my mind. The Aston has been refurbished to quite a high standard. The rooms have balconies - which I like as I can sit out with my cup of tea in the early morning and watch and listen to bali wake up.
The pool table has been moved down near the pool as has the pingpong table. Great for your 12 year old. There is more shade near the pool now which is great for me as I am fair. Also the pool at the Aston is very nice with a sandy swimout area and lots of little benches and other things to explore - again good for a 12 year old.
The breakfast is much better and the staff very friendly - esp if you try to speak some Indonesian or basa bali.
The spa had 2 for 1 deals so my friend and I took advantage of those and the prices were comparable to the more reasonable spas in Kuta and Ubud.
Just down the road is the great restaurant Bumbu Bali and across from Aston is Coconuts (I didnt eat there but it was busy most nights). I preferred a little warung down the road which was very very clean and very very cheap for great nasi goreng. North of the hotel are a couple of very cheap laundries.
WAter sports are available all along the beach (cheaper than booking through the hotel). Also the beach at high tide is glorious to swim in. And the staff around the pool are friendly - ARif from Java a favourite of ours. His new wife stayed behind in Java while he came to work in Bali so he was very homesick. I am definately going back to stay there as its great for a lazy beach holiday.