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Bali

This section is designed to give you a great start to your trip to paradise. The possibilities on the island of Bali for you and your family are truly endless. Depending on what type of holiday your family is looking for, we have divided the island into areas, with recommended hotels and villas. A Bali holiday for families begins and ends with suitable accommodation; we therefore recommend you either call or research your hotel or villa online. Here are just a small sample of Bali hotels, resorts, and villas to choose from when planning your Bali holiday. If there is somewhere you have stayed in Bali that you'd like to recommend please email us at info@familyguidetojakarta.web.id

And if you're travelling to Bali with small children and don't want the hassle of taking all your own equipment, be sure to check out Baby Service Bali. They provide a great and very handy service of hiring quality baby equipment for families visiting Bali. Car seats, prams & strollers, cot beds, feeding chairs, and toys...they can even have nappies delivered! Easy online booking and very reasonable rental rates, ready on arrival to your hotel or villa.

Bali With Kids
At last Bali has it's own specialised guidebook for families! If you are looking for ideas of what to to do, where to go on a sunny or rainy day, Bali with kids is the answer. It lists over 300 venues, from long time favourites to the latest kid friendly venues. It is suitable for parents of infants up to teenagers and comes in a friendly format to carry around, colouful and easy to read. A must have if you are planning to visit Bali or if you are a resident of the island.

If you would like to view the contents of the guidebook before buying please visit www.baliwithkids.com and 'Preview Guidebook'.

Bali with Kids can organise a special fast delivery service for friends of the Family Guide to Jakarta. The price of the book is USD 22 (delivery incl.) with 10% given to Yayasan Balita Sehat (Foundation for Mother & Child Health) which FGJ support. If you'd like to order for yourself or your friends visit http://www.baliwithkids.com/Guidebook/index.php/order-in-jakarta

Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa & the Bukit (Southern peninsula)

Bali’s southern peninsula is where you find today most of the island’s international 4- and 5-star Bali Hotels and Resorts. Nusa Dua offers a nice beach with shallow water, no high waves, all kinds of water sports and an 18-hole golf course. Some more reasonably priced restaurants are located in adjacent Tanjung Benoa and Bualu village. No night life to speak of. Located about 12 km/7.5 miles from the airport. An increasing number of private villas are being built on the Bukit, the hill South of the airport. Many of these offer spectacular views of the sea, Kuta, Denpasar, Sanur and Bali’s mountains. Even if it rains in most parts of Bali you can expect sunny days here.

Aston Bali Resort & Spa ****
Tanjung Benoa, beach front, 14 km/9 miles from airport.
168 Deluxe Rooms, 18 Suites and one Presidential Suite. Facilities: Sailing, Fitness centre, Canoeing, Jet skiing, Parasailing, Banana boat raider, Fishing, Balinese Cultural activities, Children’s programs.
www.astonbali.com

Ayodya Resort (Bali Hilton) *****
Previously known as Bali Hilton Hotel, Ayodya Resort located in Nusa Dua, beach front, 13 km/8 miles from airport.
358 rooms & suites, 5 restaurants, bars, pub, swimming pool, all water sports, tennis & squash courts, fitness centre, shopping arcade.
www.ayodyaresortbali.com

Grand Mirage Resort *****
Tanjung Benoa, beach front, 14 km/9 miles from airport.
284 rooms and 23 suites, 3 restaurants, 2 bars, disco, swimming pool, tennis courts, Thalasso Spa, shopping arcade.
www.grandmirage.com

Inna Putri Bali *****
Nusa Dua, beach front, 13 km/8 miles from airport.
384 rooms/suites, 4 restaurants, 2 bars, swimming pool, water sports, tennis & squash courts, kids club, fitness centre, shopping arcade.
www.putribali.com

Jimbaran Beach (West coast, south of the airport)

Probably Bali’s best beach with some excellent hotels and accommodation: nearly white sand beaches, medium sized surf- not to big for swimming, wind surfing, and sailing (no motorized water sports activities); not too many tourists, and no beach vendors (yet). This location is highly recommended for watching Bali’s famous sunsets. Located just a few miles south of the airport.

Bali InterContinental Resort *****
Jalan Uluwatu, Jimbaran, beach front, 7 km/4.3 miles from airport.
425 rooms/suites, 4 restaurants, 3 bars & pub, 500 meters of white beach, beautiful garden with 3 swimming pools, marine sports centre, tennis & squash courts, health club & spa, shopping arcade, etc.
www.bali.intercontinental.com

Keraton Jimbaran Resort ****
Nusa Dua, beach front, 13 km/8 miles from airport.
384 rooms/suites, 4 restaurants, 2 bars, swimming pool, water sports, tennis & squash courts, kids club, fitness centre, shopping arcade.
www.keratonjimbaranresort.com

Jimbaran Puri Bali ***
Jalan Uluwatu, Jimbaran, beach front, 4.5 km/2.8 miles from airport.
41 spacious and beautiful cottages, 2 beach restaurants serving excellent food, bar, swimming pool, water sports, library, business centre with internet, traditional massage, etc
www.jimbaranpuribali.com

Ritz-Carlton *****
Jimbaran, hill-side location overlooking the beach and ocean,12 km/8 miles from the airport.
287 rooms/suites, plus 36 beautiful one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas with private plunge pools. 6 restaurants & bars, cascading swimming pools, tennis courts, golf putting green, spa, gymnasium, RitzKids programme for children, open-air theatre, shopping arcade.
www.ritz-carlton.com

Tuban, Kuta (West coast, North of the airport)

An increasingly busy area with many hotels and resorts of all categories right on or near the beach (powerful waves, strong currents, and very busy beach). Many restaurants and shops to choose from along the main road. Located between Kuta and Bali’s international airport. This is not a place to stay if you are looking for a quiet vacation, however the prices drop dramatically in accomadation once you’re in and around Kuta.

Bali Hai Resort and Spa ****
Tuban, Kuta, beach front, 2 km/1.3 miles from airport.
200 rooms/suites, 3 restaurants, bar, pub, swimming pool, tennis court, fitness centre, kiddy club, shopping arcade, tour desk, etc.
www.balihai-resort.com

Kuta Paradiso ****
Very centrally located near Kuta Square, beach front, 3.5 km/2 miles from airport.
243 rooms/suites, 2 restaurants, lounge, bars, pub, swimming pool, water sports, health centre w. sauna/massage, games room, shops, tour desk, etc. Excellent location to Kuta centre.
www.kutaparadiso.com

Santika Beach ****
Tuban, Kuta, beach front, 2.5 km/1.6 miles from airport.
161 rooms & suites, 3 restaurants, lounge, bar, games room, 3 swimming pools in a beautiful garden, water sports, tennis courts, shops, tour desk.
www.santikabali.com

Kuta Beach & Legian (West coast, South Bali)

Crowded and very famous beach (many vendors, masseuses, beach boys, etc, high waves, strong currents) lined by numerous hotels and resorts, mostly in the 2 to 4 star categories. Kuta and Legian are the centre of Bali’s night life with a great number of restaurants, pubs, open bars, discos, and all kinds of super markets, department stores, and shops selling casual wear and beach fashions, antiques, handicrafts and souvenirs. This area is recommended if you are looking for action, excitement, or just for a night out, but certainly not for a family vacation or romantic honeymoon.

Bali Padma *****
Legian, Kuta, beach front, 5 km/3 miles from airport.
400 rooms/suites, 3 restaurants, 2 bars, pub, swimming pool, tennis/squash courts, fitness centre, shopping arcade.
www.hotelpadma.com

Hard Rock Hotel Bali *****
Kuta, beach front, 4 km/3 miles from airport.
418 theme rooms & suites, 5 restaurants, 3 bars, pub, recording studio, swimming pool w. sand island & poolside cabanas, fitness centre & spa, shops, kid’s club. Excellent location.
www.hardrockhotels.net

Jayakarta Hotel & Residence ***
Legian, Kuta, beach front, 5 km/3 miles from airport.
454 rooms/suites & apartments, 4 restaurants, bar, 3 swimming pools, tennis court, fitness centre, shopping arcade. Good location, very cheap.
www.jayakartahotelsresorts.com

Legian Paradiso ***
In the heart of Legian, Kuta, 1 mile from beach, 4.8 km/3 miles from airport.
124 rooms/suites, 3 restaurants, 2 bars, pub, swimming pool, shopping arcade.
www.legianparadisohotel.com

Seminyak to Batubelig and Tanah Lot (West coast, South Bali)

Good, off-white, sandy beaches with powerful waves and some strong currents. Fast increasing number of hotels and villas, good but reasonably priced restaurants and good shopping. Recommended for visitors who wish to be somewhat away from the tourist crowds but who appreciate easy access to the restaurants and shops of Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta. Access to other parts of the island is equally good as you don’t have to pass through crowded Kuta.

Le Meridien *****
Kediri, Tanah Lot, beach front, 34 km/20 miles from airport.
284 rooms, suites & bungalows, 4 restaurants, bar, pub, outdoor theatre, 3 swimming pools, marine spa, 18-hole Greg Norman golf course, 3 tennis & 2 squash courts, fitness centre, beauty salon, kids club, shopping arcade.
www.starwoodhotels.com

The Legian Bali *****
Batubelig, beach front, 9 km/5.6 miles from airport.
71 one- & two-bedroom suites, restaurants, 2 bars, 2 swimming pools, health club, shops.
www.ghmhotels.com

Sienna Villas
Located in the heart of Seminyak, Sienna Villas is a tropical oasis. A collection of 3 and 4 bedroomed villas, with private pools (fenced on request) in the privacy of a secure compound. For additional fees the villa can also organize all sorts of extra services: airport pick-up & drop-off, daily car hire, in-villa massages, in-villa cooking for lunches/dinners, and babysitting.

J. Raya Seminyak, Gg Keraton No 5
Tel : 0361 734698
Fax: 0361 732585
www.sienna-villas.com/

Sanur Beach (East coast, South Bali)

This is where you’d find 25 years ago all of Bali’s international standard hotels although the beach was never outstanding. Sanur has become rather quiet compared to Kuta and Nusa Dua but is still popular with old-time visitors and those who want a more quiet holiday.

Bali Hyatt *****
Sanur, beach front, 13 km/8 miles from airport.
389 rooms & suites, 4 good restaurants, 2 bars, disco, 2 swimming pools in an exceptional garden setting, tennis courts, health club, children’s club, shops.
www.bali.resort.hyatt.com

Sanur Paradise Plaza ****
Sanur, 1 km/0.7 miles to beach, 13 km/8 miles from airport.
329 rooms/suites, 2 restaurants, bars, pub, swimming pool, kids club, tennis courts, health club, shopping arcade.
www.sanurparadise.com

Ubud and Surroundings, Central Bali

Ubud is where the most accomplished painters, dancers, musicians, carvers and weavers live and work. Because of its location at the base of the mountains (30 kilometers north of Denpasar) temperatures here are cool, and year-round rain showers help to grow lush tropical vegetation.

Alila Ubud (Formerly The Chedi) ****
About 15 minutes north of Ubud, 45 km/30 miles from airport.
60 rooms/suites, 2 restaurants, lounge, library, swimming pool, massage.
www.alilahotels.com

Kamandalu Resort and Spa ****
Ubud, 30 km/19 miles from airport.
30 cottages, restaurant, 2 bars, swimming pool, massage.
www.kamandaluresort.com

Ulun Ubud Spa and Resort ***
Ubud, 30 km/19 miles from airport.
22 rooms/suites, swimming pool, restaurant & bar, library, gift shop, spa & beauty treatment, etc.
www.ulunubud.com

Candidasa & Lovina, East & North Bali

Located on the northern beaches of Bali, these spots become popular meeting places for all those visitors wanting to get away from the tourists areas of southern Bali. Both offer a number of often quite simple but adequate hotels and restaurants. Beaches around Candi Dasa are black sand volcanic beaches and very have few hawkers.

Alila Manggis (Formerly The Serai) ****
Buitan, Mangis, beach front. 50 km/35 miles from airport.
58 rooms/suites, restaurant, swimming pool, spa, boutique
www.alilahotels.com

Mimpi Resort Tulamben ***
Kubu, Karangasem, beach front. 80 km/50 miles from airport.
20 cottages and rooms, restaurant, swimming pool, dive shop.
www.mimpi.com

Puri Bagus Candidasa ***
Candidasa, beach front, 55 km/35 miles from airport.
50 cottages, restaurant, bar, large swimming pool, massage, sailing boats, scuba diving, fishing.
www.puribagus.net

Villa Bossi - New May 2011
Villa holidays are also very popular in Bali. This is one that has been tried by a member of the Family Guide to Jakarta volunteer team.The house is great for a family of 8 people (4 bedrooms all with double bed).House staff will clean, shop and cook for you (continental breakfast is complementary). A car/ driver can be hired for an extra fee. There is a cot, but no high chair.
Like many villas in Bali, the private pool doesn’t have security and the beach is right near by so you do need to keep an eye on the children.
www.villabossibali.com

Tour & Activity Operators

Often you will find the staff at your hotel will help you to organize daily activities including car and driver. Alternatively you will find several vendors which line the streets offering discounted tour rates. Here you are able to negotiate the price of your activities. However if you prefer may we also recommend that you contact one of these tour and activity organizers to help you with your Bali holiday.

Bali Adventure Tours
A long-established Bali tour operator with world-class activities ranging from rafting adventures, river kayaking, whitewater rafting in Bali, jungle trekking Bali, paragliding and mountain cycling as well as world class facilities such as the Bali Elephant Safari Park where you can touch, feed and ride an elephant through the tropical jungle of Bali.

Adventure House, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai, Pesanggaran, Bali.
Tel: 0361 721 480
Fax: 0361 721 481
Email: info@baliadventuretours.com

Bali Quad Discovery Tours
Located near Payangan, one of the oldest mountain villages in Bali. Only 15 km south of Kintamani, on the slopes of the mount Batur, and next to the Ayung River valley, it offers some views beyond description of emerald green rice fields on the steep Ayung slopes. This part of Bali is probably one of the most preserved parts of the island.

PT. Bali Quad Discovery Tours, Jl.Wirasatya VI, No 9X, 80224 Suwung Kangin, Denpasar
Tel.: 0361 720 766 / 727 956
Fax: 0361 727 956
www.baliquad.com or www.balibuggy.com

Places of interest and activities

Bali Learn to Surf Company (At Hard Rock Hotel)
International and local qualified professional coaches, with full insurance cover, provide everything from a 2 hour beginner course (abut $40) to a 5 day beginner package ($175). They run kids’ classes from $25 and body boarding too. You will learn surf awareness and safety, paddling and catching waves, riding waves and standing up, turning techniques and each participant receives a very cool certificate!

Jalan Pantai, Banjar Pande Mas, Kuta
Tel: 0361 761 869 ext 8116
Email: info@balilearntosurf.com
www.balilearntosurf.com

Dreamland Beach
Touted as one of most beautiful beaches in Bali. White sand turquoise water and heavy surf. The beach is located on the Bukit peninsula. The beach provides basic accommodation and cafes for surfers and day trippers. To get to Dreamland beach, drive about 10 kilometres south from the airport to the Bukit Peninsula. About halfway to Uluwatu you’ll see, to the left, the entrance to the huge Garuda Wisma Kencana theme park, with an enormous stone statue of the mythical garuda. The entrance to the walled Pecatu Graha is opposite. Drive in and follow the road through the estate toward the sea to reach the car park, where local touts will slug you a buck for access to the excellent beach and the impromptu shacks that have sprung up there. Ask one of the locals to give you the sad history behind this spectacular piece of paradise.

Bali Treetop Adventure Park - New May 2011
An elevated treetop activity circuit located within the botanical gardens. A great place to hang around with the kids. There are various circuits for different ages and abilities from 4 years (95cm minimum height restriction) to adult (maximum 120kg).

Tel: 0361 8520680
Website:http://www.balitreetop.com/

08:00 -06:30 daily

Waterbom Park and Spa
An all-day affair for the whole family. With so many fun activities to choose from, you should.get an early start. With names like Jungle Ride, Smashdown, Macaroni Tube, and Race Track, every child I know has had hours of endless fun here, and after such a day they sleep so well.

Jl. Kartika, Kuta
Tel: 0361 755 676

• 9am - 6pm daily.
Closed only on Hari Raya Nyepi (date changes annually).

Restaurants

At Jimbaran Bay, seafood is served up on the beach in a very casual setting. There is a row of restaurants that set out plastic tables and chairs on the beach, the food and drinks there are very affordable. A great idea is to arrive at the bay in the late afternoon; the children can swim in the sea, while you watch the sun go down.
Alternatively, Jl. Laksmana (known as the “Eat Street”) in Seminyak has many great restaurants;
Wrap-a-Snapper serves good fish and chips in a casual open air setting.
Rumours has a pool table and a video screen as well as good food.
There are many other restaurants worth eating at, the best idea is to wander along the road and read the menus.

Here are some other recommended eateries.

Bali Deli
The Bali Deli is a small supermarket with imported produce such as meat, cheese, etc. similar to Ranch Supermarket here in Jakarta. The Bali Deli has an inside and outside restaurant. For those who are feeling the heat the air-conditioning inside may be the best option. The large outside eating area has tables in Bales with an overhead fan. There is a huge Lego table which will keep the children occupied. The food is delicious especially their sandwiches with fresh breads and fresh produce, a vast amount of food is offered on their menu. There is a childrens menu. The restaurant is also open for dinner.

Jl. Kunti 177, Seminyak
Tel: 0361 733 555
Email: balideli@balideli.net
www.balideli.net

Café Moka
This café is on a busy Seminyak strip. It serves fresh sandwiches which are a must. You can also order burgers, fries, and so on. They have refreshing fruit drinks. There are high chairs in the Café and a small table with puzzles, books and Lego to occupy the children. They make mouse meringues and lots of other novelty cakes for kids.

Jl. Seminyak, Seminyak, Kerobokan

Ku De Ta
Restaurant has a great atmosphere with music playing all the time. Breakfast and lunch cost from Rp 30,000 to Rp 100,000 while dinner is expensive. The food is fantastic. Great to go and watch the sun set as there are outdoor sofas and the restaurant has beachfront views.

Kaya Ayu Beach, Temple Petitenget, Kerobokan
Tel: 0361 261 047

La Lucciola Restaurant
Beautiful thatched restaurant serving Mediterranean food on the beach at Kerobokan, close to Hotel Oberoi, about half an hour from Kuta. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Booking essential. They have a good kids menu and plenty of lawn and sand for the kids to run around on while you have just one more cocktail!

Cnr Jl. Legian and Berno Corner

Made's Warung - New May 2011
This restaurant/gallery is fabulous.  An amazing selection of food, ranging from Indonesian to pasta, steak, pancakes and sashimi. Great staff, incredible surroundings.

Br. Pande Mas, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Tel 0361 755297
Br. Seminyak, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: 0361 732130
Website: www.madeswarung.com

Children's Clothing

Kuta Kids
There are two shops next door to each other. They sell cotton clothes for babies up to juniors with lovely resort wear prints. The clothes are very inexpensive. The shop is poorly merchandised and it is difficult to find things, make sure you ask for other sizes, colours etc. as they will gladly pull them out of the plastic bags stacked on the shelves.

Jl. Legian 162, Kuta
Jl. Raya Seminyak 16C, Seminyak

Body and Soul Bambini Kidswear
This store offers beautiful clothing for babies through to juniors. The fabrics and prints are very stylish. The prices are a little more expensive but worth a look.

Jl. Laksmania, Seminyak

Kids a Gogo
This store offers bright, beach wear prints in 100% cotton. For babies through to juniors. They also sell bags and other accessories. The prices are a little more expensive but the clothing wears well.

2b Jl Lesmana Oberoi
Hp: 0819 3300 9231

Jelly Fish
Has a limited amount of baby clothes, but what they have is just divine. Made by the owner, Jelly Fish has very cute white tank tops with sequined hearts for Rp 70 000. Also stocks a range of cute children’s furniture, with writing desks and chairs as well as wrought iron childrens day beds. The store also offers hot pink and white spotty duvets and sweet patchwork quilts for about Rp 1 million.

Jl Lesmana 2b, Seminyak
Hp: 0819 3300 9231

Anak Madu
Anak Made is a real find! Filled with gorgeous children’s cloths ranging from beautiful batik smocking dresses for Rp 210 000 to cute beaded thongs for only Rp 45 000. The store is stocked with stunning kimonos in cream with pink pants for Rp 330 000, white smocking dresses with embroided flowers for Rp 190 000 and cream linen dresses with ruffles for Rp 240 000. It even has batik Barbie dresses! Clothes are for 6 months and up.

Jl. Legian (opposite Peanuts) and at Hard Rock Hotel, Jl. Pantai Kuta

• 10 am–6 pm daily
• Cash only.

If you are looking for even cheaper clothes, head to the markets on Kuta Beach or Jl. Melasti, there are many other markets selling the same things, just ask the hotel where the closest one is to you. Here you can find t-shirts, shorts, fairy costumes, Spiderman outfits, beaded sandals for the girls, hats etc.

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