My wife and I decided something different. After going to Bali and staying at Kuta and Legion and doing the touristy things (ie Safari Park, traveling around the island etc..), we wanted somewhere where we could relax.
Flight
Flight at 7:15am, Tuesday with Garuda from Perth Airport.
Smooth Flight, nice food although movie not working, but hell, we had some serous reading to do with all our books that we bought along. We also did not bother with getting any duty free drinks, only cigs.
Arrival
Arrived in Bali on time, we talked about using VIPVOA but decided that there were bound to be other people going to club med (on the same pickup), so we would have to wait for them anyway, so might as well join the queue. Anyway, very quick VOA, got thru, met driver then other Aussies turned up going to the same place. (We guessed right)
Got welcome cold water before we left the airport in the bus, arrived at Club Med around 11:30pm. Unbelievable checkin - we were basically welcomed at the front steps, flower beads given and then ushered to a lounge area where we were sat down and given welcome drinks. There we were informed about club med and a really basic rundown on the resort and the role of the GO's (they look after the guests, arrange activities, and be involved with guests). Then suddenly it ended, with a GO whisking us to our room. (we did not see our luggage until it arrived about 3 mins after we got to the room) No paperwork, credit cards, signing stuff.. nothing!
Rooms
Booked a deluxe terrace room, ground floor. Very nice, Nothing flash, lower standard than the Padma that we stayed in last year. However had a nice outside balcony with an umberella and 2 sun loungers.. Hmm nice
After luggage came, we unpacked and realized that we don't need to run out and get ‘supplies' , its all here !! Went straight to sample lunch.
Food
Club Med has basically 2 main areas for meals/ One is a buffet, the other is a restaurant. The restaurant offers a late breakfast and a late lunch plus snacking in between.
Dinner is served between 7:15 and 9pm. After that if hungry you can get to the restaurant until around 12:30pm.
The food is unbelievable, good quality and plenty of it. There is Chinese, Korean, Japanese, European plus Western fare. Beer is on tap, wines and alcoholic drinks are on hand (just ask) all inclusive. Chefs man all the different food stations to cook things different specialties there and then. The kitchens and techniques are all HAACP accredited, so there is no chance of Bali Belli.
Every night, there is a different theme, so one night is Asian, the other Mexican. All guests seem to like dressing up for dinner, so we got into that.
Of course we sampled the frog legs and snails (mmm Nice) and we were each night surprised on the types of food on offer.
There is food for kids there, the usual chips, nuggets, chicken bits etc.. more on that later...
Cocktails
Very impressed. At Club Med, there are cocktail parties before and usually after dinner. Although you can have any drink you want all day (all inclusive), around 5:30pm, there are either a pre dinner cocktail party on the beach or grounds or a full on party. Amazing cause they take ½ a day setting a party up, it lasts about 1 ½ max, then they take it all down. They have full on BBQ's, all sorts of cocktails, entertainment at these parties.
After dinner there are shows and other cocktail parties to go to, or you can just relax at the main bar, relaxing on lounges overlooking the sea. All during the day, there are all sorts of snacks on offer, with a chef making these for you fresh.
Our mode was to dress up and go out around 5:30pm - 6pm, cocktails then dinner and the party afterwards. We met a lot of wonderful people
Activities
Many activities to do, all inclusive, from snorkeling, canoeing, golf, archery, bocce, tennis, volley ball on the beach, trapeze, pool etc.. There are always evening shows and events organized during the day. No compulsion to do anything really, but if something interests you, then go.
At the time we were there, the Moscow circus were there (people only) and they were really good.
The beach is very clean, you were able to walk right up along the coast and not get hassled by vendors. The Balinese were just doing their day to day things and were always smiling and saying hello. We ventured out just outside Nusa Dua into the suburbs and walked around meeting Balinese who were happy to see you and not wanting to flog stuff to you. Went to a couple of temples and were lucky enough to see a colorful procession through the streets.
During the day, we spent either right on the beach in our own cabana with pillows and comfy mattress or the quiet pool where there are no kids allowed, everyone whispers, steam rooms, spas showers and an attendant who brings you drinks and towels. There are sun chairs and large cabanas to relax in quiet, read and steam room, spa then pool... then repeat. There were no problems in getting lounges or cabanas.
A couple of times we did have to venture into Kuta, which all the hustle and bustle with a few ‘ugly Australians' carrying on re-affirmed on how good it was at Club Med. We did stay last year at the Padma in the Garden Club, which was really good, (the snacks and free drinks was great) but Med was the best. A real no brainer if you want to relax and chill out.
The thing is that after a couple of days there, you kind of get used to not having money on you. You ask and they bring.. all inclusive. They only thing they charge and charge they do are the Spa and massage treatments. Really expensive, however you can get a massage on the beach or in the town (about 8 mins walk), cheap and good.
.. more to follow