Just back from one of our numerous trips to Bali.Disappointed with several incidents, relevant for those with children and those looking for accommodation privately, transfers & babysitters.
First we rented a private apartment from Mike Gray and found upon arrival what we thought was sand everywhere on the floor.Put it down to the housekeeping not being that good.So i found a broom & swept it up. I have 2 floor dwelling little girls so floor cleanliness was important.Anyway half hour later the "sand" was back there again yet noone had come in or out. I had a look and the kitchen cupboards below & above had termites.It was sawdust which is toxic as was the paint of the cupboards.so the benchtop & floor was consistently covered with sawdust.I couldn't put out any food or use the cupboards and with the amount of baby food and bottles I had that was inconvenient to say the least.Mike Gray actually knocked on the door the owner (who was also there on holiday) i did not know ahead of time he would be and I told him i think you have termites.He laughed and said yes he was aware.I was shocked! I would not have rented this apartment in this state if warned prior to my arrival.It was that bad we ended up having to lose a day and change hotels as it was awful for my 2 little ones crawling around on the floor.The housekeepers were not thorough with an inch of dirt under the beds and the apartment smelt musty.I rang Mike to advise him we were moving hotels and that the key would be in the lobby.First words out of his mouth "you're not getting any money back" no surprise there but i would not recommend his private apartments at the Jayakarta.I also found the hotel staff were not helpful nor polite as we were not hotel residents.We needed an extra blanket one night for our baby and they would not provide one even temporarily.
Now for transport organised our own with a guy who has a website & email Ketut Puspa.Night before departure he emailed me saying his "friend" would pick us up and would be extra $.Wrote back said dont care who collects us not paying more $.He also arranged a nanny and sent thru her photo and details-not the lady who turned up.She wasnt hired to supervise our babies but to be a helping hand.She was nice enough but she was old and not the younger experienced girl promised and paid for.As a result Ketut never turned up to do our return transfers no drama we had moved to Hard Rock (where we had stayed twice before) and had stayed at Jayakarta by the way twice before as well this last terrible experience.Hard Rock was able to accomodate our family of 5 plus luggage.
Ended up canning the nanny after 4 days as she had no idea,baby wouldnt go near her and she was not working.Maybe just our experience but Ketut Puspa was unreliable and didnt come thru on transfers or the nanny for us.Perhaps someone to steer clear of.
Would never recommend Mike Grays apartments and not impressed that he rented us a place knowing we had little babies with termites.No consoltation or partial refund just an abrupt not getting any money back.Never had an experience like this
Still has not put us off our beloved Bali back again next year for 2 weeks at the Hard Rock, no nanny and transfers arranged via the hotel.
Avoid the private apartment & Mike Gray-very disappointing & disgusting -was apartment number 6218.