In Reply to: Grand Istama Rama posted by FNQ on Tuesday, 14. October 2008 at 15:05 Bali Time:
Just returned from Bali 3 days ago, stayed 7 nights at the Istana Rama.
Location about 200 metres to Poppies 2, 200 metres to a 24/7 mini mart about 500 metres to maccas (it all seems heaps further after shopping for a couple of hours)and about 1 klm to melasti street where the Padma Hotel is. The Istana Rama is across from the beach in a good location, its fairly central to shopping and places to eat.
The pool and pool bar are great (pool towels provided for you)but the food and drinks are pricey plus they put a 21 % tax on everything. The staff are happy smiling and polite but most don't speak very good english, apart from goodmornig or good afternoon. Other hotels I have stayed at in Kuta seem to arrange day activities and tours but this didn't happen at the Istana Rama
The Cafe out front was nice, varied menu and once again the mozzies keep you company. The breakfast is all you can eat, alot of hot food to choose from and drinks come hot most mornings to, eg orange juice, water, depends what time you eat !
I find this hotel caters more for the Japanese tourist. Mozzies frequent this hotel so stock up on the aerogard.
The grounds are lovely, we stayed in room 415, which is a Superior room, it was spacious, had a king size bed and bath and shower in one, this room is located at the back end of the hotel and downstairs, so I would suggest asking for a room closer to the front.
Just a hint, if you go to the pool bar and pay cash NEVER sign the receipt, otherwise they will bill your room for it and they will hit you up to pay for it again on check out. Oh and upon check in they take either your credit card or a $100 deposit, which isn't explained in any brochure I have looked at. I never give anyone my credit card, because you just never know what they are going to charge to it.
We enjoyed our time at the Istana Rama but when we go over again, we will book to stay at the Ocean Beach Resort or the Kuta Seaview Cottages, even though they are situated near the Istana Rama they seem to be a bit closer in proximity to everything. (to me its a bit like the Gold Coast, the brochures say 1 block from the main area but to me they seem like the biggest blocks you have ever walked
I hope this helps !