In Reply to: Hotel Prices posted by Beth on Sunday, 14. December 2008 at 11:22 Bali Time:
We just got a super cheap flight with Virgin Blue for next september $1042 return for two. Had to pay up front but some aud$550 less than we paid this year with Garuda. So happy we had saved some money we looked at accommodation well that is going to cost us $500 more than it did this year . We emailed the Besakih Sanur and received the response that they can not help as they are fully booked with the allotment. They are offering all their rooms to Garuda and Qantas and suggested we try there . On ringing the Besakihand pushing the point (we have been there six times) we were offered a standard side room for $85 a night we paid $60 this year, Qantas will do it for $81 and some cents . I then emailed the Melasti where we also stayed this year and paid US$50 for a superior room , next year based on current exchange rates we are being quoted US$75. The price from qantas for the melasti is no different from dealing direct with the hotel.
Now what I don't understand and it is Balinese probably logic is that qantas is going to pay the hotel considerably less than what I pay them and the hotel is going to wait for that money as well. If the hotel offered me a better rate than the flight company they will still get the same money but a whole lot quicker.
I think there are going to be some tough times ahead for Bali and these rates are going to see a number of people be priced out of it and just not go .
If I booked through Garuda the flight and one week at the Melasti and one week at the Besakih would cost me $3234. The Melasti and the Besakih are just average hotels remember.