We're staying in the Sari Beach Inn on JL Padma Utara for the first time. I promised to do a report for those considering staying there... so here goes.
I have tried to be totally fair, so PLEASE do not flame me if you disagree, as I can only write what I have seen.
We arrived at the airport and used the VIP VOA. It was excellent. The add for drinks and snacks is a little misleading. The drinks is a glass of water(in a VERY expensive glass) the snacks are 4 petit fours.We were in and out of the airport in much less than 20 minutes. It was great.
NOW, on to the Sari Beach inn....
THE POSITIVES
the location, it's WONDERFUL
the grounds, they're beautiful.
for those who like dogs, there are two there.
I have really really enjoyed being able to walk down to S&S in about 5 minutes(from the Green Garden it used to take about 1 1/2 hours!)It's been terrific to be so close to all the nice food places around. we really have appreciated it.
We arrived at around 10.15 at night. The transport they had arranged didn't show, but that was fine, as it saved us a lot of money! The VIP VOA rang the sari beach with no answer. (This should have been our first clue!)
We got our own taxi, no problems.
Arriving at the sari beach at night, I have to say that the lane way was daunting, BUT, in all fairness, in the daylight, and once you've seen it properly, not under inches of water, its fine. IT would be a security issue for a woman alone late at night.
The guy at the front desk grunted at us when we arrived. No hello, how are you, would you like a cold drink etc. etc.
Going into the room, there was no bottled water provided. Just a jug. Because I get Bali Belly every year, I have become very suspicious about 'safe' water. It's probably fine, but I choose not to risk it! I went up to the front desk to ask if I could buy some water. They said, you need to go to the bar. I went down to the bar, and there was a guy there who basically did NOT want to be there. Firstly he didn't want to answer me, then he didn't want to sell me any water. He claimed he didn't have any, and then when I pressed him, he managed to find two bottles. HE then couldn't give me 8,000rp change.I said, it's Ok, I'm here for 16 days, I promise I'll pay first thing, no he needed a note. I signed the note. I had NO idea of what room I was in, we'd been there all of 10 minutes!
So as a first impression it left a lot to be desired....
The NEGATIVES
the totally unfriendly staff. We arrived on saturday at 10.30pm. Thursday was the first time ANYONE said hello to me. I was so surprised I jumped around. It was an Indonesian woman selling jewellery!!!
To be fair, since then 2 more staff members have said hello.
It is the only place in Indo that I have ever been where people will not answer Selamat Pagi.
We had lunch there on sunday, as a place to meet up with friends. out of 4 meals, 1 was ok (mine, for a change!!)I haven't had any other meals there, so can't judge. I haven't seen ANYONE eating there, so I would have serious safety concerns.
The other guests really have no interest in talking to anyone. We make a point to say hello, or good morning to everyone. No one responds.
This makes it a very lonely place to stay at. It might be ok if you were on your honeymoon.
There are no covers apart from a sheet. Iasked for one, and after some days, another sheet appeared, but then the cleaners took it away. I've given up on that one.
Breakfasts are fine, but basic if you want two eggs and toast, but in fairness, that doesn't matter, as there's so much good eating around.
Would I stay there ?????NO NO NO
We have had to eat humble pie,... my husband said the other morning, no matter what problems we may have thought we had with the green garden, that's where I want to stay in June. Strangely, enough, we had no problems getting a ground floor this time.
PLEASE DON"T flame me, I have tried to be totally fair, this is how I've found it, it's been a very big surprise to us, I have to admit!!
Apart from all that, Bali is as wonderful as ever, very cool, not too humid at all, the exchange rate has been between 7200 and 7500, varying a lot each day.