Just spent five days in the fabulous Seminyak. I've been to Bali 20+ times with friends, solo, etc. This was my first time with a boy so very exciting!
We stayed at Amadea Resort (my second time), which is a newish and modern place half way down Jln Laksmana. I think I paid about $90 AUD a night which is good value in Seminyak. The location is fantastic and the rooms are a good size, clean, and modern. Also free wi-fi.
We managed to knock off five bars for sunset drinks in five nights:
- Potato Head - it is worth going here just for the architecture alone. Huge beach club with pool, a few restaurants, etc. Cocktails 100-140++
- Kudeta - the original and I think still the best. This was the busiest place with all the supercool people. Great tunes as well. Cocktails 110++
- SOS Rooftop Bar - this must be a hidden secret as it is always dead when I go here! Great rooftop bar on the 4th floor of the Anantara Hotel. A line of day beds to laze and watch the sunset. Very slick! Cocktails 115++
- Beanbags in the beach (can't remember the name but next to La Plancha) - a very cruisy way to watch the sunset on beanbags listening to an acoustic man and sipping drinks. Watch out for those pesky sarong ladies! Cocktails 55++
- Cocoon - we were only one of two couples so very very quiet. Another beach club/restaurant on corner of Double 6. Could be good fun if it was more popular. Cocktails 99++ with 2 for 1 happy hour until 7.00pm
We mainly ate at my usual favorite haunts:
- La Sal - my fave restaurant hidden down Jln Drupadi. Great spanish tapas style food and very romantic atmosphere. Love the complimentary chips/dips, bread and choc treat. About 500k for 2 including a couple a drinks.
- Delicious Onion - another hidden gem down Jln Drupadi. Quirky asian food. The choc brownie for dessert was amazing. Good value at about 300k for 2 including a couple a drinks.
- Chandi - a new discovery on Jln Laksmana. Beautiful food, we got lots of mixed skewers that were delicious. Another romantic place.
- Cafe Seminyak - I love this place on Jln Laksmana for brekkie, lunch or dinner. Huge menu, good food and great prices. Always reliable.
- Biku - we just had lunch here which was again good food and big portions. I have had the high tea previously and can definitely recommend.
- Batan Waru - ate here one day when we were in Kuta. Next to Discovery Mall but an oasis from the craziness. Mainly Balinese food but also some western options. There is a similar restaurant in Ubud.
We hired a driver to take us to ubud for the day through some Internet site for 400k. He was pleasant enough but lacked good English. Not a problem though as it meant no need for small talk :) I had an itinerary starting with the monkey forest. We then started to walk through the rice paddies to Sari Organik but we stopped earlier as we discovered a new cafe called Pomegranite. So lovely sitting having a drink amongst the serenity. Back to the markets - half are closed for renovations but still enough to keep entertained. A little wander around Ubud so I could pop into Kou to buy some yummy soap. Then I took the boy to Ibu Oka for the famous pork. I don't eat this but he gave it a thumbs up! Finally a drive to Tegallalang (can't spell) for a picture of the rice terraces. Unfortunately, they had just been cut but it was still very pretty.
I didn't do as much shopping as usual (this is what happens when you holiday with a boy!). We both had a great time even if it was only five days. I loved showing him my version of Bali as his only previous experience has been Kuta. I think he is now a convert to the north :)
Ps - traffic on Sunset Rd due to upgrades is a nightmare!! Allow plenty of time to get to the airport.