Arrived at Bali Garden Hotel we got room 107 end of the corridor room was renovated but bathroom was not and in need of it, Mum got room 222 I think but aircon didn't work so moved to room 255 aircon not working properly as well but maintenance fixed a few hours later both rooms unrenovated. The BGH is quite large but has the nice Bali style I can see why it gets mixed reviews the wife and I thought the breakfast was quite ordinary and limited compared to other places we have stayed for much less in Bali such as the Melasti and after a few days we just needed to go have breaky at flapjacks down the road one morning for a change.
Im sure when walking down the corridor that the family rooms on the right hand side 101-106 are bigger than those on the left 107-112 our room was smaller than the photos of the rooms on the hotels website so not much room for the kids to walk around. Would we stay at the hotel again maybe but only for a very short stay of a couple of days we just didn't feel it was value for money and there would be better alternatives. We loved the location of room 107 quiet at the end of the corridor and it didn't get the sun so it stayed cool so we could turn the air con off during the night time.
The location of the hotel was great its best point next to discovery across the road to waterbom and just down the road from Mataharis and Kuta square. The pools and Boardwalk were great meals were all good the steak sandwich and the chocolate fondant gets the big tick of approval. Mum used the tour desk to book her day trips and they were very reasonably priced 500,000 for full day tours and drop off to the airport was 60,000. The spa was ok but you had to book in the day before it seemed to be able to get a booking the spa itself was nice and cool and well set out and treatments went for the full time.
Activites
Waterbom great day out kids loved it and I enjoyed the new climax ride.
Bali Slingshot I have done bungy jumping etc in bali but hadn't tried this before so had a go it was of a great view up the top not as much of a thrill as I had hoped for though.
Bali Hai Sunset Cruise good meal had a good time show was great kids even got up and had a dance around.
Shopping
Usual clothes shopping from stalls we found the sellers at the Kuta market hard to deal with not wanting to sell for good prices and wanting silly prices so did a lot of our shopping at the Legian market in Melasti St instead.
Leather Jacket Made at Bali Brumby bomber style made to order with extra length cost $165 Aus very happy with finished product.
Leather handbag made at Dolphin leather 600,000 wife happy with yet another handbag.
Lots of DVD's from various shops all seem to be good quality so far.
Got some nice polo shirts from Matahari's for around 60,000 nice fabric and good XL fit.
Handicrafts went to Geneva got some bits and pieces then went to Unagi some different stock but dearer than Geneva we found.
Carrefour for bits and pieces nappies for kids we liked the huggies pull ups got a box of 24 small bottles of water for the 3 year old to use snacks etc great place to have a look at.
Restaurants
Boardwalk had a few meals here definitely can recommend the chocolate fondant wife had about 4 times had the ribs twice one time great the other time ok the steak sandwich was great and other meals were good they got used to us asking for one milkshake in two glasses
Pizza Hut we always like their snowy lime drink and have to go at least once to have it each trip pizzas are good a few different varieties and the prawn bruchetta is worth the try.
Koris one of our old favourites we thought service had improved as well as their cocktails maybe the best of numerous Mojito's of the trip the food however we didn't feel was as good as other times.
TJ's good meals still reasonably priced Mojito's ok but nothing to rave about meals are all a good size and desserts were great.
Bubba Gumps went here to have a 1 st birthday party with friends for our youngest son's ‘birthday' as we celebrated our eldest son's 1 st birthday here two years ago. Meals are nice but are way over priced as are drinks don't think we would bother again.
Cafe Biku fantastic setting lovely meals and reasonably priced. Mojito's were good tried the apple one as well, mum had the pumpkin salad and loved it wife had Pumpkin soup and Mie Goreng I had the Rendang which was one of the best I have ever had and I've had it a few times would definitely return.
Bali Bakery Lovely relaxed setting yummy drinks and cakes hard to stop at one.
Chandi fantastic meal went here to have a special meal without the kidsI loved their ginger Mojito's one of my favourites of the trip. We had the Rendang parcels for entree I had the duck breast with pepper sauce with coconut rice for mains the wife had steamed red snapper on herbed potato mash for desserts I had the chocolate almond torta and toblerone cocktail and the wife chocolate soufflé and death by chocolate cocktail well we both loved every dish which is a first it wasn't cheap 1.2 million for the meals and drinks but worth it. After tea visited friends staying at the Sanya Suite Villas great price on Wotif will look at staying for a few days next trip.
Cafe Bantan Waru Nice ginger Mojito's rending was a little tough and not a great deal of spiciness other dishes were good wife really liked her baby snapper dish. Not cheap for meals for what they are.