The forum prophets were right saying that you not allowed to say anything critical of the beloved townhouses. As a two finger typist was unimpressed having to type this again. :P But let's see if this warts and all review stays put this time.
We have been frequent Bali travellers since 1982 to our most recent trip in April. I reckon that we have spent over 12 months there over the years and seen the island from one end to the other. One thing we have never been is creatures of habit and only frequenting ‘favourite' spots. We are adventurous and make our own minds up. We do like to visit this forum from time to time to see what is new and happening.
I remember back in the day losing fists full of rupes betting at cock fights (no matter what bird one, I seemed to lose) at a ring in or near the old markets were, that where the beloved apartments now sit. In fact we went for a sticky beak just after they opened and met the owner. He was a classic bushie, no bulldust straight talking aussie and must have been about 60 if he was a day, a top bloke too.
Enjoyed visiting the beloved multiple times over the years. Especially liked the first AFL room when it was non smoking and even met some AFL players there at end of season one year. Progress being progress the place got bigger and the AFL room got bigger, noisier and more smoky over the years. The new outside area got more and more trashed and grass became mud.
A friend at home kept telling us what a great place it was to stay not just visit. So after a couple of years of pressure we decided to give it a go and a group of us stayed there in September. Some of us had to change rooms during our stay and so we got to see various apartments and rooms.
What stood out was most/all of the rooms looked tired and not clean to a western standard. Not dirty but need a good clean. Things like doona covers and curtains needed washing and a damn good wash at that. Some of the curtains definitely had boogies and snot on them and not at a level where it would likely be done by little kids. In one room there was dried boogies on the wall near the bed. Strange considering that most guests seemed to be western.
Hygiene in some of the kitchenettes was sadly lacking too. The ladies had to wash all the cutlery and utensils in one of the apartments even though they called housekeeping and asked them to assist, no one showed and they did it themselves. Probably a good idea too as they needed a damn good wash. They also wiped out the cutlery drawers and the shelves in the cupboards that we used as there was quite a lot of cockroach crap. In one room there was what appeared to be mouse droppings around the fridge. A builder in our group was impressed that white ants were evident in a top floor room. Guessed they weren't built to last.
In one of the rooms the kettle looked and smelled like someone had been cooking in them. Can't work out what or why.
The water was smelly even by Bali standards. Perhaps the well is near the cess pit. The ladies weren't impressed that Hot water wasn't always available. Cockroaches were spotted coming out of floor drains by some. Explains the cocky streaks.
Some these little things were raised with reception but I think that they just smiled and nodded as nothing happened. So one of the ladies bought a bottle of bleach spray and wipe that was passed from room to room as required. None of us a clean freaks but we aren't paying 1980s prices and don't expects 1980s cleanliness or hygiene.
Now that I have raised the price, it wasn't over the top but lots of little things made us question the value. Sure if the place was maintained properly it would be value for money.
Oh yeah another thing we noticed was that room service plates seemed to sit stinking in hallways for many many hours at a time. Little wonder vermin is rampant. Never seen this anywhere else. Obviously this place can afford to lose crockery and cutlery. Would have expected Aussie management would have been right onto this type of thing.
Then again the manager (yes sure was manager as was told by multiple staff) always seemed to be on security duty at the end of the bar. If not by himself he had his crew of Bintang taste testers on hand. One evening when we were returning members of the tasting team were having a very heated exchange in the most colourful movements and language. Right in front of the head of security too. These were big boys (most with very young significant others) and our ladies found it quiet off putting. The ‘discussion' seemed to go on for hours as we could hear it from a closed apartment enjoying our duty frees and not the slushies the ladies were looking forward to.
Did not see the old boy (owner) there but his wife would flit in at breakfast and wind up the staff. The ladies in our group though her to be quiet rude and snobbish, until one day she just joined them out of the blue as they were relaxing by the pool. Apparently she wanted to show off some baubles she had just bought at bargain prices and wanted to get them some. One of the ladies a very experienced Bali shopper new that the owners wife's prices were way over the top but she wouldn't just let them be. In the end I think they just ignored her. Don't really expect beach pressure sales inside a hotel.
Apart from these quibbles it is a fantastic place. Not for us or our party though. No need for the beloved to be so concerned to remove our post as no business goes broke catering to the lowest common denominator.
There you go here is a review that has taken me many many hours to write. This is my opinion and I stand by my words.
Would agree with most other positive feedback in relation to the restaurant food and location.
Never provided feedback before last DELETED post and only did so as it was stated that negative feedback is not tollerated about a number of places. Lets see if this one lasts.