Welcome to another post of helping a reader travel!
This weekly post is to help readers get a slew of travel advice from thousand of Deals We Like blog readers. Thus far, we’ve been able to help other readers travel to a slew of domestic and international destinations. Check out recent destinations and comment on suggestions here.
So this weeks travel destination includes Bali. Here is an email from reader Jill:
“I am heading to Bali for a 3-day conference, but have been able to take on an additional 3 days for a vacation. The conference is at the Laguna Resort & Spa in Nusa Dua (Starwood property), but I was wondering if I should stay elsewhere for the other three days – another resort on the beach. I have hotel points in almost all the programs, but since hotels are reasonably priced I’d consider a non-chain hotel as well. I will be traveling by myself (female) so do want to stay in a safe place and a resort location. Also, what are some recommended day trips and restaurants? Thank you in advance!”
I went to Bali as one stop of my honeymoon and stayed at both the Hyatt in Nusa Dua and a boutique hotel in Ubud. You can read more about my trip and suggestions here:
If you’ve ever been to Bali and have any recommendations, let’s help out reader Jill by commenting below.
Also, if you have any upcoming travel where you need some help, feel free to email me at dealswelike@gmail.com to be a featured “Help a Reader Travel” Monday special. Thanks!
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We just stayed at Laguna in April and without a doubt it’s one of the best properties on the island. The property is in excellent shape, the staff is extremely nice and the beach is pristine. It is also very safe. Nua Dusa’s hotels all run up and down the beach but the Luguna’s location is optimal much better than the Westin next door which is full of kids or the Hyatt, which isn’t quite as nice. I walked up and down the beachwalk to check out the competition and except for the St Regis there was no better property in Nua Dusa. If you want something different you might want to stay in Ubud a night or so, we hired a private car to take us there for shopping dinner. Or you can do the elephant ride/white water excursion (not dangerous) which will pick you up at the hotel. You will have a great time.
We went to Bali a couple of months ago and had a fantastic time!
We stayed for a few nights in the Ubud area at the Komaneka at Tanggayuda. It was an absolutely gorgeous property and the service was fantastic. You just have to see the pictures on TripAdvisor to really start to understand the beauty.
While in Ubud, we went to the Monkey Forrest which was fun but also a little scary. There are so many wild monkeys…
We also took advantage of the crazy low prices at a spa in town and got a whole 5 hour spa package for about $50. We went to the Putri Bali Spa and it was fantastic. It had great reviews and we were not disappointed.
We stayed one night in Nusa Dua at the St. Regis Bali. I think you should spend at least one night there. It was seriously the most amazing property I have ever stayed at. They have an included breakfast that has a buffet and fresh cooked items. My husband and I were so impressed.
I planned a honeymoon to Bali a few months and had a hard time deciding on a resort. I knew I wanted to use either Starwood or Hyatt points but had no idea where to start when researching the best choice. Ultimately, we ended up choosing the W Retreat – Seminyak and loved it. Here’s a detailed post with all of the research I did, you might draw a different conclusion: http://weekendblitz.com/ultimate-honeymoon-which-starwood-property-in-bali/
Like Erica above, we also stayed at Komaneka Tanggayuda. Nice location out of the hustle and bustle of downtown Ubud, but it provided a shuttle. It’s still one of our most favorite resort stays ever. Click on the link in my name for a trip report!
I am writing this from the beach in Nusa Dua. We checked into the st. Regis yesterday and it is definitely living up the billing, point cost is a bit crazy though, some cash deals out there for ~400 usd.
Nusa Dua is pretty sanitized/westernized and we are very much looking forward to ubud and a more authentic experience at a lower cost. Strongly suggest you consider the same.
We stayed at the intercontinental on points then spent a little more money to upgrade to the Club. You can negotiate with them when they start emailing you on the price.
I also stayed at Grand Hyatt. it is nice that the beach is nice there and surfing. walk to the right or left and get a third party to teach surfing instead of the hotel it is cheaper. The hotel has a feel of a conference hotel. we used a few more points and stayed in the club area here to get some of the drinks and snacks.
I spent 2 days in Ubud with an AirBnb house. it was three bedrooms (i have 6 in my family) and we rented a car and drove around. really enjoyed the house and the pool. there was a lot to do in Ubud but it is focused aroudn tourist and also seems to cost a lot.
Also went scuba diving on the wreck that is on the southeast side of the island. it was a good dive and a lot of diving along there. i took and 1-1/2 van ride from the grand hyatt.
we also stayed in Seminyak. it was good for my wife who loved shopping. she shopped with our youngest and i took the 3 older to a waterpark for the day and she enjoyed that. i had a house through airbnd for that time also. we did 3 nights through airbnd and 11 days with points at hotels. it was a great vacation and we did united points to get there through Taiwan and overnighted there at the Grand Hyatt on a free night certificate next to Taipei 101 to enjoy something a little different.
By all means get a taxi driver (someone recommended by the hotel who speaks English) to take you for a trip out into the country side. The rice terraces are a photographer’s dream landscape and the waterfall with a park of exotic spices growing there is a feast for the senses. In Ubud the restaurants are exotic and delicious and the show (firedance) is done by the participants as a religious offering -thus it is authentic.
Hi. My wife and I lived in Bali for seven years and recently retired back to Canada. We know the Laguna well and you will enjoy the stay. As indicated, much better than the Westin next door. There is so much to do and see in Bali so it depends on your preferences. Ubud is very nice but busy. Seminyak is also nice with lots of shopping but also busy. I would definitely head away from Nusa Dua. I have really reliable drivers at reasonable cost that I could recommend. If you can squeeze in an overnight at Nusa Lembongan, Check out Beach Club at Sandy Beach which is run by close friends who will visit with us here in July. But, they can help with an overnight stay. I think I would suggest you go from Laguna to Sanur which by taxi would be about an hour max depending on traffic. You can take day trips from there to Ubud, Lembongan, and Seminyak if you want or enjoy staying in Sanur. Car and driver for three or two days is not expensive but invaluable! Let me know if you wish further advice. You will love it! Cheers