In Reply to: Hi all just booked today and we are off posted by balee on Friday, 4. June 2010 at 20:59 Bali Time:
The Jayakarta, like most hotels, has it's pluses and minuses. I hope the following info will help you.
Some of the minuses you read about here are from people expecting 5 star accommodation and not getting it. Jayakarta is not a 5 star hotel - it is a 3 to 4 star hotel so you need to adjust your expectations if you were expecting more. The rooms are comfortable but not of a standard of places like the Padma or Niksoma but you are paying a lot less at the Jayakarta.
On arrival, if you are shown a room that you don't like (and the Jayakarta isn't the only hotel that shows new arrivals a less desirable room in order to ensure occupancy) then say something. Not aggressively or rudely but assertively and politely and respectfully. Mention what you don't like about it and tell them what type of room you want. I get tired of hearing people complain about the room they got but they did nothing about it, just came back on here and whinged.
Even when you do have a room that you like, small things will still happen. On odd occasions, you might not be left enough towels or toilet paper or something was not cleaned properly or the air conditioning or TV or fridge isn't working properly or some other minor oversight. You will have a phone in your room with a hotel directory book that has a number you call (Housekeeping) if something like this happens. Use it or talk to one of the staff who are cleaning rooms. 99% of the time whatever is the problem is fixed very quickly. If it's not, go to the Customer Service desk at Reception and let them know. Again, I get sick of reading people's complaints here that they did nothing about a problem.
If you can avoid it (and it's an easy thing to do as there are great restaurants surrounding the Jayakarta) don't eat or drink at the hotel. It is more expensive then other places outside. We have had to eat in the hotel (kid's sick so don't want to be far away from the room for example), the food is good but we just avoid it because of the expense. Again, I've read people say don't stay at the Jayakarta because food/drink is expensive like many other hotels. Duh, yes it is so just don't do it.
For transport, the Jayakarta has a shuttle bus service to Kuta that runs every two hours. You need to book at Reception. If you want a taxi just go to Reception and they will call one for you. Reception will make other local phone calls for you as well and act as an interpreter if the phone message is short and the person on the other end doesn't understand English very well.
Depending on what time of year and what groups of people are staying there, getting a pool lounge can be a problem. What generally happens is that when there is a time of significant arrivals eg the beginning of school holidays, many hotel guests will, for the first few days, stay in the hotel and around the pool to acclimatise themselves and unwind. After that, the shopping and day trips begin and getting a pool lounge becomes easier. If you want to sit somewhere and you need an umbrella that's not being used then just ask one of the pool boys to get you one for you. They'll do it. Pool towels are available at a bale near the kidney shaped pool.
I've read much about people staying in the Jayakarta in a block that isn't 30 second's or less walk away from the pool (I have stayed in rooms a distance away from the pool and it's never been a problem, more a privacy pleasure) and complaining about the one, two or three minute 'trek' back to their room. The Jayakarta is a big hotel with equally big, landscaped and grassed areas. Just be organised if you're going somewhere and have everything before you leave the room.
The Jayakarta has a laundering service. You'll find slips in your room with price lists. People come around each morning to collect laundry. The service is not as cheap as going to a laundry outside but it is very handy.
There are other facilities at the hotel you can take advantage of. Most are more expensive then outside the hotel but the convenience factor might be all the justification you need to use them. There is poolside massage, a salon, internet access, tennis court, money exchange (they will even swap large notes for smaller denominations for free if you ask) and a gym (not the best equipped but free). The hotel can also help organise day or longer trips.
If your accommodation includes breakfast (most do nowadays) then time it when you know the amount and selection of food (which is very good) is the best. Go early (about 7.00) and the food will be fresh and plentiful. From 8 - 9am it gets busy and the wait for eggs or toast or the choice of food won't be as good as earlier on. You'll still get what you want but it will take longer and the choice of where to sit and eat will obviously be less.
The staff at the Jayakarta are one of the reasons we keep going back. They are friendly, will say good morning to you, have a chat and will help in whatever way possible to make your stay enjoyable. Like I said, if you do have a problem and all your avenues for fixing it seem exhausted, speak to the Customer Service desk. Your problem may not have been rectified for a simple reason such as a language confusion or it not being passed on to someone who could fix it. Frustrating at times I know but it does happen and it does happen everywhere but don't let little things become major and spoil your holiday.
To sum up;
Expect 3-4 star not 5 star accommodation. I'm frank enough to admit the decor of rooms could do with an upgrade but they are clean, well maintained and the beds are really, really comfortable.
If there's a problem, say something but in a respectful and clear way.
Take advantage of the hotel's facilities and staff - they're wonderful..
Organise yourself so you make things like breakfast or being by the pool as pleasurable as it can be.
Enjoy the manicured, lush landscaped grounds.
You can eat or drink in the hotel but it will be expensive and there are great restaurants around the hotel.
The hotel does have services you might want and find outside but for convenience sake you might use the hotel's instead.