In Reply to: hi we are staying at mecure and the kids posted by i dream of bali on Monday, 8. August 2011 at 10:15 Bali Time:
are probably the most family friendly when you have younger kids. We love staying in Sanur for this reason. (We haved stayed twice at Villa Puri Ayu in Sanur in the past 2 years with our little girl who is now 5).
Take along some balls, beach toys, buckets & spades etc which you can buy cheaply upstairs in the toy section at Hardy's. Kids can play on the beach, making sandcastles and collecting shells or paddling in the ocean while you are waiting for your meals.
If you walk North along the beach path from the Mercure, you will find Bobbie's, Donalds & Cemara beach restaurants. I read recently that either Bobbie's or Donald's has changed name (not sure which, I ALWAYS got confused between the 2 LOL, they are right next door to each other too which doesn't help!!). Food was good and cheap at both but we preferred the 2nd one you would come to as you walk from the Mercure. South of the Mercure is Kesuma, and although I haven't been there yet, it is on my "must try" list for this year as it is highly recommended here for great, cheap seafood.
Our favourite of all the beachfront places in Sanur was the Beach cafe (not walking distance from the Mercure but only a cheap taxi ride away). It is not dirt cheap but fantastic food and good value for money IMO. We went there for my birthday last year, booked a table for an early dinner at 5.30 which was great. Lots of other families there at that time and my little girl played with other kids on the beach while we had a cocktail or 2 before dinner. She also loved the band that came on a little later & had a bit of a dance around before we headed back to the hotel by 8.00.
If you like Japanese food (my little one LOVES sushi), I can highly recommend KOKOYA (Japanese), Jl Danau Tamblingan No. 178 (it is on opposite side of the road & just past the Mercure, next door to an American-style diner). The cold towels, airconditioning and complimentary little tasting dishes are all very welcome after arriving from a hot, sweaty walk (or you could be sensible & grab a taxi LOL). We only ever went for lunch (several times) as it gets quite busy at night but was always quiet at lunch (less people for the kids to disturb LOL). Heading back towards the Mercure on the same side of the road, you will come to Massimo's Italian restaurant (we never ate there but stopped MANY times to buy their yummy gelato from the sidewalk stand, also highly recommended)