We have just returned from our 14 days in Bali and had such a relaxing wonderful time. We have clocked up a fair few trips there now (I worked out that my first trip with Mum and Dad was 27 years ago at the age of 11!)...this was definitely one of the best times we've had in recent years. The kids were the most settled they've ever been (they are 8 and nearly 5).
Travelling group: 7 adults, 7 kids (12yrs, 7yrs, 4.5yrs, 2 three year olds, 14mth old and a 9 mth old)
Accommodation: We arrived 2 days ahead of the rest of the group so we stayed in an apartment at Outrigger O-Ce-N in Legian/Seminyak. We have stayed there before and love the location. Once everyone arrived, we moved to Villa 8 Bali (thanks to recommendations on this forum too!) and we used 3 of the 4 villas between us. The villas are in Seminyak and are just lovely. The staff were fantastic - even helped with a police report we needed when my husband lost a bracelet at Waterbom park (it's probably still on a slide somewhere!). The kids loved the pools, the layout was very condusive to the family setup, it was safe and secure and really clean. If anything, I felt a little out of the way when it came to eating cheaply but it just meant a little walk to grab a taxi and the same back again.
Child minding: We employed a babysitter to help us all out. Made was FANTASTIC! She came recommended from a forum that my sister was on and it was like finding gold... kids loved her, she charged us 30,000rp per hour and minded all the babies! For nights when we went out, she would bring her neice along to help. She works as a cook so the kids ate really well too!
Places we visited: Waterbom Park was top of the list - again! Such a great place to go.
Safari Park - we hired our own driver, got there in just over an hour from Seminyak, payed a fair bit to go in, and had an okay time. I wouldn't rave about this one to be honest. Kids were not able to touch the tiger due to it being "playful" (except that it was asleep the whole time) but they got to pat the lion and hold the orangutan. The drive through the park was fine however, the tram was packed tightly and it was hard to move or turn to see any animals. Plus, it's hard to deal with yobb tourists who think that an elephant taking a wee is the funniest thing they've ever seen (cue crass jokes about 5 legs in front of the kids!)
Eating Out: Poppies (still one of the best places after all these years), The Pub (best satay sticks and chips around, Coke is COLD, Bintangs are COLD), Lanai Bar and Grill (next to Zanzibar in Legian) - breakfast is great, dinner is fantastic! Wifi is free if you need it and it has quite a good connection, The Living Room in Seminyak - outstanding, pricey (by Bali standards) but definitely worth the splurge, Made's Warung, The Queen's Tandoor (best Indian around), The Pizza club in Seminyak (best pizza i've ever had...really - and they deliver), Lemongrass Thai (very nice...they'll do free delivery), La Lucciola (Sunday brekky was fantastic - it was Easter so we had free hot cross buns on the table, the granitas are amazing, the energiser drink was the best I've had (yoghurt, berries, banana and honey), perfect service), cocktails at Ku de Ta - funky, chic, $15 cocktails, a little on the pretentious side but great decor and vibe (guys, be prepared for the fellow in the toilet who will turn on the tap when you need to wash your hands and then hands you a towel to dry them!! Freaked my husband out)
Spas: Did a birthday splurge for my sister at Prana day spa, ended the trip on a manicure and pedicure at Bodyworks - nice!
So that ended up longer than I thought...sorry! We had a ball, we thought it seemed quieter than usual and felt for the locals, the taxis as usual make me wonder why our lot can't get it together to provide such a fast and cheap service, and now I am ready to go back...