A few people have bagged Lovina because it is so quiet and slow , but if you aren't after bright lights and clubs -it has a charm of its own. As I was travelling with two first timers to Bali, I thought it would be a pleasant way of showing them another side to Bali by staying a few nights there. The trip over the mountains provided its usual spectacular views of Mt. Agung, rice terraces and monkeys plus my favourite - cloves drying on mats in the sun. I love the way Lovina provides a very different experience -its closeness to Java can be seen in the mosques and the sounds of the call to prayers, the very laid back quality of life, the tamarind trees dropping their fruit onto the road and the way that your food seems to take forever to arrive because it's prepared after you order. Best of all -the absence of Polo and Billabong shops!
We were staying at the Rambutan which has a great location next to some great restaurants (especially the Barclona) and only a minute walk from the beach. We were staying in one of the villas which was very spacious with good facilities (DVD player, two bathrooms, lounge room etc). Whether it is good value for the price is debatable - $150US a night in high season isn't cheap and there is a kind of hand knitted quality to the hotel ranging from the crockery that seems to be made up from a dozen different mismatching sets and the spectacularly kitsch blankets to the wardrobe where you can't find a thing because the rooms are so dark and the wardrobe is so deep and has no light.
While this would never be enough to stop me recommending a place I wouldn't stay there again based on the price. That and the one thing that did seem particularly outrageous which was the 10.00a.m. check out! That said it was relaxing and problem free stay. The sunsets over the ocean, the friendliness of the local people, the absence of yobbos were just right before we went back to the hustle and bustle of the south end of the island. Thanks for reading.