 OUR ACCOMMODATION
DOWNSOUTH
I would suggest treating Bali as a two-centre destination.
 Stay in the south for the exciting
nightlife, discos, restaurants, tourist shops and large variety of activities at the many
beachside hotels with everything and more to see. Go north for a calmer environment with
the opportunity to see and experience the true natural beauty of the coast and the
interior.
In the south my wife and I stayed in the five star Melia Bali Hotel, set
in its own lush tropical gardens and adjoining the golden sands of Nusa Dua beach, yet
only a short drive from the international airport. Alongside the hotel is a fine golf
course, and the first class Galleria shopping centre is close by, whilst the island’s
capital city, Denpasar, is barely 35 kilometres away.
An alternative suggestion for anyone with a young family who also has to
keep an eye on the overall cost is to go for an all-inclusive hotel. The first to offer
this package in Bali was the Klub Bali Mirage. Of course you will find other hotels with
similar offers, but I rate this one the best within this category. It enjoys a peaceful
beachfront location on Benoa beach, and there is a wide choice of restaurants including
the main restaurant, the Chinese restaurant and a poolside snack bar. There are also bars,
and regular evening entertainment is on offer. During the day sports and social programs
are arranged, and there is also a special club for the children.
The Grand Mirage hotel, adjoining the Klub Bali Mirage and under the same ownership, has
the most wonderful Thalasso aquamedic seawater centre, where you can experience
personalised seawater treatment in luxurious surroundings for fitness and relaxation, as
well as assisting with conditions associated with modern living such as stress, overwork
and nervous tension. These centres first originated on the French coast some thirty years
ago, and were initially devoted to the treatment of certain types of illness such as
rheumatism, arthritis and lumbar problems, as well as for rehabilitation after bone
fractures. Whilst some still have medical facilities, many today specalise in offering the
more therapeutic treatments for stress related problems.
A short drive away from the Klub Bali Mirage is the splendid purpose
built Beluga Marina Tanjung, where you can experience a natural background of beauty and
wonderment located by the golden sands of Benoa beach. There is an array of different
activities here, including reef and submarine tours, water sports, and dining and leisure
activities. You can enjoy a leisurely dinner at the oceanside restaurant overlooking the
remarkable open air swimming pool, shaped to resemble the Beluga whale from which this
complex has taken its name.
Depart from the marina on one of the many cruise liners which will
transport you to the warm waters of the Indonesian Sea for snorkelling and diving. For the
romantic amongst us, do book the sunset cruise and enjoy seeing the multi coloured sky as
the sun sets. Perhaps the most unique experience of this fine leisure centre is to
undertake a journey to the exciting and magical aquaworld at the seabed in the comfort of
a specially built submarine. Gliding silently through the valleys of corals with first
class views of ocean life makes this an enchanting and memorable trip to complete your
visit to the Beluga complex.
OUR ACCOMMODATION UP NORTH
Where to stay in northern Bali?
I recommend the modest three star Sol Lovina, also under banner of the internationally
renowned Spanish hotel group Melia. This is a really quite charming hotel, set amongst
lush tropical gardens on Lovina beach on Bali’s northern coast. There is a variety of
different accommodation to choose from, including 95 well appointed rooms, 25 bungalows, 8
villas and 1 presidential suite.
The front entrance is attractively designed in typical Balinese style
with a lot of original wood carvings. It is airy, spacious and welcoming. The main
restaurant offers local and international cuisine, whilst the beachside restaurant is a
delightful and romantic dining venue softly lit and facing the tranquil waters of the Java
Sea. Here you can enjoy a daily choice of freshly caught fish expertly cooked with the hot
spices for which Bali is so famous, which can then be “washed down” with some
excellent local wine.
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