JBR Tegal Sari & Patra Resort
Myself, Husband & 2 children left Sydney on the 7/05/2008 flight was at 5.35pm Jetstar arrived Bali 10pm. Great flight, Meet our Driver from Tegal Sari and off we went. Arrived and had the room I request Super Deluxe 20. Even though it was dark I already loved the place. Got settled and straight to bed.
Woke early and arranged a driver to take us to Batubulan as we wanted to buy some Stone statues & a water feature to have shipped home. Also went to Sukawati markets, my girls had a great time here buying jewellery. We purchased 5 silver rings each one approx $4 each. Back to UBUD, to Café Wayan. I just loved this restaurant the ambiance was just beautiful and it was only lunch. Also tried out Zen Spa in the afternoon, massage & reflexology 11/2 hours for 115,000rp what more could you want.
We spent 4 nights in UBUD at the Tegal Sari, whilst up there we went White water rafting with a relatively new company called Payung rafting 300.000rp per adult & 275,000 per child. Great day on the Ayung River but the steps nearly killed me. So much so I couldn't feel my legs the next day. I have done WWR before and would recommend this company no problems have contact details if anyone wants them. I didn't have time to rest, as we were booked with Wayan on the Bali Baik tour the next day. Great day even though my gears didn't work and I only had a front brake I managed Ok and only got into the car on the last stop along will the kids and another lady half my age so I was pretty proud of myself. Yes I agree with everyone on the forum his lunch is to die for and his compound is just beautiful.
Whilst in UBUD also at at Casa Luna, Three Monkeys and Warung ENAK which is right next door to Tegal Sari. This was a good choice on our last night as by this stage I couldn't feel my legs or walk.
On our fourth days we checked out of Tegal Sari and headed to the Patra not realising the nightmare I was about to enter. We arrived at 12pm for check in. I had booked the Embassy Suite as having checked with the Patra prior to booking I was informed that the Embassy Suite consisted of a downstairs bedroom with separate bathroom and lounge area and an upstairs bedroom with separate bathroom. Whilst waiting to check in, I was informed just making up your extra bed. I questioned this and said why extra bed there is only four of us. Are there not a room downstairs and one upstairs? I was informed wait until you see the room plenty big enough. Upon entering the room and discovering a fold out bed downstairs in the lounge room and the other bed beside our king bed upstairs I went back out the door and back to reception. I told them this is not the Embassy suite as described to me by your email. I was then informed they have 10 Embassy suites but only 2 have the 2 bedrooms. I was getting quite stressed and informed the girl that's not my problem & I wanted a 2 room suite. To which we were offered the club suite and this was after much sorry but you have to still have Embassy room. My husband would not have the girls sleeping on a sofa bed for 10 nights in the lounge room with no were for there clothes to go. So back to reception. I asked for interconnecting Deluxe suites to which I was informed sorry no interconnecting but could have interconnecting Deluxe rooms. I didn't think I should have the bottom of the room choice as not my mistake so requested 2 deluxe suite side by side on ground floor. While all this was going on the girl kept calling the manager and speaking in Balinese and laughing. The Balinese I can understand but the laughing I could not tolerate. She then said yes I can give you 2 Deluxe Suite's but we would have to pay $100 US per night I said no so she quickly dropped it to $50 US again I said no. I was then told can't have them as they cost more than Embassy Suite to which I pointed out you offered me the Club Suite which is $450 per night and I only want DS which for 2 is $400 per night so $50 less. More phone calls and more laughing. Agreed given keys and off we went to discover rooms in different buildings. Now my girls are 13 & 11 and I new this would not be good so back to reception my husband went. The girl was typing when he sat down she continued for approx 10 minutes looked up and said rooms in different buildings with a smile on her face, Yes replied my husband and she continued to type for a further 5 min then got up got 2 new keys and handed them over with not a word. We again went to check out room and a double & twin side by side on lower level. This was after we were told no double rooms left and we would have to have 2 twin rooms. This all took us 1 hour and 40min. I took a further 4 hours for my stress levels to start coming down.
This reason for this long-winded spiel on our encounter at the Patra is to let other traveller thinking of staying there beware. We were not the only ones fooled by the layouts of the rooms as a few people around the pool advised they also had troubles with there rooms. I feel since the Bali Hai has shut the Patra is quite full and I think they have a monopoly on that end of town and just want the $$ to come in. The ladies on the beach also informed me that the staff are poorly paid and not very happy. I myself wouldn't go back there. Even though the pool area is beautiful you are too far out. The taxi is only 12,000rp to centro but the traffic is a nightmare especially from 4pm onwards when you want to leave and do some shopping before dinner. If you want to get past Kuta Square to Poppies or further one it is quicker to walk a proven one night by our friends. We had 2 taxi's going to poppies we were stuck in traffic in Kuta Square and looked out the window and they were walking past our taxi. We laughed when they said we got rid of our ride and decided to walk. They actually beat us to Kori's. We tried walking along the beach one afternoon but had to be helped by workman through there construction of the new path didn't try that again. Next time I think back to BGH as it is so central for us and we checked the new pools out and they look beautiful.
Whilst down at the Patra we visited Waterbom Park twice the new ride looks really good can't wait to try it out. I finally tried my luck on Splash down. Well at least I can say I have done it. Won't be doing it again. We paid the $9 per adult & $4 per child before you leave the park so you can come back again within 7 days. Good deal as the kids enjoy the day there and I love the cocktails by the pool.
Restaurants we ate at.
Il Ceilo in Tuban. What can I say what a great restaurant. 3 pasta dishes 1 veal dish garlic bread 3 diet cokes and 2 small bintangs 270,000rp. Ate there twice the food was so good.
Kori's, sat in a Bale as 3 families. Mothers day dinner. Lovely food and all the mothers got a free drink. Expensive as cost our family 600,000rp for the four of us but worth it and it was mother's day. Have been dying to try this restaurant on our last 3 trips to Bali so this year finally went and was not disappointed.
Pantai. I love this place all the candles in the trees so pretty. The food is still good. One of my favourites.
Drops. In legian. A bit more expensive cost us $44 but we had a beautiful meal and the kids also had desert. Will definitely go back there. After dinner went down to Legian Bar for drinks whilst the kids played pool a great night out.
Febris in Tuban. Not really my favourite only cost 240,000 so quite cheap but I probably wouldn't go back.
Bali Aussie in Legian. I really enjoyed my meal and so did everyone else, Again cheap at 280,000rp will try again. Afterwards across to legends Bar, for drinks and pool. Good night out.
Green Garden. More expensive than I remember. I had the prawns and that was the end of me for the rest of the holiday. Up until this day I had had the flu then for the next r4 days I had the runs and serve stomach cramps. No fun and didn't eat for next 3 nights just watch everyone else eat.
TJ's in poppies I, the family said ok but not really impressed. I couldn't make this restaurant as at home in bed sick. I was so looking forward to this restaurant as one of my favourites.
Last night was at the Stadium watching the State of Origin good game NSW won. Had a nice meal and then off the airport for out flight at 11.40pm
We tried the Prada lounge only cost us 300,000rp for the 4 of us, 100,000rp for adults and 50,000 for the kids. Very comfy but I couldn't take advantage of the alcohol as still not very well.
Shopping.
Sunglass 25,000rp
Girls short boardshorts 35,000 rp
T shirts /singlet tops 25,000rp to 30,000rp at Diane's shop.
Revlon Makeup at centro what a bargin. Colour Stay foundation $10.00
All stoneware 1.5m Budha crying, Letter Box, 1.5meter ying yang water feature & 60cm crying ladies all for under $200 AUS. All being shipped home.
New Balance joggers at Athletes foot 299,000rp
2 single doona covers with pillowcases for 952,000. Material has gold thread through it and changes colour. From aqua blue to aqua green then the other is blue to purple. Wanted these last trip but ran out of time, have been waiting 3 yrs to get them.
Sarongs 20,000rp
Girl's sun dresses 35,000rp
Even though I was sick with flu then the runs and stomach cramps for the holiday plus the trouble at the Patra. I still had a good time and was pleased to be back in Bali after 3 yrs. Won't wait that long next time already planning next years holiday. Sorry so long and my whinge about the patra.
Ellen.