need suggestion on coming Bali tour

[yiyiyaya]

going to Bali free & easy this June, 2 family, with 3 kids, total 8 ppl.

any recommend on hotel out of crowed area - safe comes 1stly , prefer with good beach. budget around 150.

and any good MPV or mini Van driver to introduce for 2 days round island tour.

also any good tour agent to recommend for rafting. with youngest kid at age 5.

[missis]

How about renting a villa instead of a hotel?

[yiyiyaya]

yah, renting villa of course a nice idea. any villa to recommend?

[missis]

We've done it a few times and each time stayed in different ones. Would recommend searching the net, contact a few agents with your budget and requirements and go from there. They are usually very helpful and very prompt in getting back to you.

[aster]

You sure you don't want to take the kids to the Hard Rock Hotel? I'm sure they'd love it...

[Girl_Next_Door]

Personally, I stayed in Uma Sapna and I think its a great villa. Clean, spacious room & toilets, with a nice pool. Its located in Seminyak and is fairly accessible (less than 5 mins to the main street).

Another villa that I shortlisted previously (but was fully booked on the dates I was going) is Villa 8.

I'm not sure if these two will exceed your budget.

If its your first trip to Bali, I would suggest for you to stay in Seminyak area which is near Kuta (walkable distance). I think this area is relatively safe (enough people around without the dodginess). This is also known to be a slightly more upmarket area in Bali. There are several fine restaurants in the area and it is fairly accessible to places around.

For myself, I booked my driver when I am in Bali. If you feel safer to book everything in advance, you can get the villa/hotel that you are staying, to arrange for a MPV/mini van. With a hotel recommendation, they are generally more reliable.

[yiyiyaya]

thanks all for valuable input. it will be our 1st trip in bali. so we think it would be better to settle everything before fly in.

[Scubaeshop]

Mercure Resorts at Sanur is not bad...

U can also check for Ena Villa

[valleyman]

Just came back from Bali... will definitely recommend the Hundred Sunset Boutique Hotel... We found out abt it from TripAdvisor and its ranked #2 there...Very nice hotel close to all the action but far from the hustle and bustle of Kuta. We stayed at the Novotel Nusa Dua also, but Nusa Dua is too sterile for me...not the real Bali..

For the car rental negotiate directly with the drivers and don't take it from the hotels. A whole day trip should not cost more than 350,000 Rupiah inclusive of driver and gas...same goes for SPA treatments as well.. do it outside the hotel...

[yiyiyaya]

Tthanks for your suggestions!

Is MPV 7-8 seater easily found on the spot out of hotel? We will arrive at night, and need to go outside at next morning.

[valleyman]

Yes they are easily available. I got MPVs on all days that I went out....