The following was contributed by fellow traveler June Lin and adapted by us.
Bali, this tropical paradise, has become more than just a vacation destination for me—it’s a place where I discover new surprises with every visit. During this trip, I tried out some luxurious accommodations and several well-known restaurants, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges of local transportation in Bali. I hope my experiences and insights can provide useful tips and inspiration for your own Bali adventure.
Accommodation Experience
During this trip, I stayed at two very different hotels—Peppers Villa, which exudes luxury, and the historic Hilton Hotel. Each had its own unique charm and highlights, but there were also some unexpected surprises and disappointments. Let me take you through the details of my stay at these two hotels.
Peppers Villa (3 nights)
Peppers Seminyak comes highly recommended! (Contributed by June Lin)
We chose Peppers Villa, which recently joined the Accor group, located in the heart of Seminyak. It’s conveniently close to both shopping areas and the beach. The property features 56 villas, each designed with comfort in mind, offering a luxurious yet cozy atmosphere. The service was impeccable, with every detail taken care of from check-in to check-out. The rooms were spacious, bright, and fully equipped, making it feel like a home away from home. The breakfast exceeded expectations, with fresh ingredients and excellent preparation. Additionally, their in-room dining service was reasonably priced, and the food quality was impressive, making it one of the highlights of my stay. Overall, I’d give this accommodation a 99 out of 100.
Editor’s note: Also highly recommended is the Peppers Seminyak Spa Experience.
Further Reading: Detailed Chinese Introduction to Peppers Seminyak on Our Site
Peppers Seminyak Room Rates & Availability Check
Hilton Nusa Dua (2 Nights)
Hilton Nusa Dua, Five-Star Prices, Subpar Facilities (Provided by June Lin)
Nine years ago, I stayed at this Hilton hotel located in the Nusa Dua resort area. This revisit, however, left me somewhat disappointed. Firstly, the pool water quality made me uncomfortable—it was so murky that even my son refused to swim in it. Secondly, the beach seemed to have less sand than before. I recall burying someone in the sand here back then, but now I couldn’t find that same feeling. Although the breakfast options were plentiful, this experience significantly diminished my impression of the hotel, and I wouldn’t consider staying here again. I rate this stay a 60 out of 100.
Editor’s Note: For accommodations in the Nusa Dua area, check out: Bali Nusa Dua: 16 Top-Rated Five-Star Resorts Recommended
Dining Experiences
Bali’s culinary scene is equally exciting, from Instagram-worthy restaurants to traditional local eateries, each with its unique charm. During this trip, we deliberately selected several highly recommended restaurants to try, and each left a deep impression on me in terms of decor, ambiance, and the taste of the dishes.
The Cave
The Cave Restaurant (Provided by June Lin)
During our trip, we tried several Instagram-worthy restaurants, and The Cave (located inside The Edge) was one of them. The price per person is around USD$130, which isn’t exactly cheap. However, if you’re looking to experience a unique atmosphere, it’s worth a visit. The restaurant’s decor is quite distinctive, but considering the high price, I think one visit is enough.
Oneeighty Day Club
Oneeighty Day Club (provided by June Lin)
This time, we specifically booked the VIP area at Oneeighty Day Club and secured front-row seats, which felt great. The reservation fee plus meal cost per person was around USD$50. Although the price is on the higher side, the food was surprisingly delicious, and the service was excellent. The infinity pool here is quite deep at 1.7 meters, so we could only take a few beautiful photos by the poolside before focusing on enjoying the meal. Overall, I would rate this dining experience 95 out of 100.
Reservation method, payment method, video introduction: Exploring Oneeighty Day Club: The Ultimate Beauty of Bali’s Cliffside Pool
Cretya Ubud
Cretya Ubud is a famous swing restaurant in Ubud, and the food was much better than I expected, both in taste and texture. As for the swing photos, this place has almost become a global hotspot for women taking Instagram-worthy shots. Early in the morning, the area around the swings is packed with people eager to take photos. I suggest not challenging yourself to swing the farthest; the smaller swings nearby actually make for better photos. Our group ended up taking a bunch of hilarious ‘terrified’ photos, which was quite amusing. I would rate the food 90 out of 100 and the Instagram photo experience 70 out of 100.
Further reading: Enjoying Luxury on a Budget: Cretya Ubud Pool Club and Alas Harum Spending Guide
Ku De Ta
Ku De Ta (provided by June Lin)
Ku De Ta is one of Seminyak’s premier beachfront dining destinations, where you can enjoy delicious cuisine while taking in the stunning sunset. The service is excellent, and the live music perfectly complements the relaxing atmosphere. After your meal, you can take a leisurely stroll along the beach. The dinner prices are very reasonable, averaging around USD$16-19 per person — a meal of this quality would be hard to find at this price point in Taiwan. I give this restaurant a 90/100.
Ku De Ta Daybed Reservation
Potato Head
Potato Head is another standout restaurant in Seminyak and was the most delightful surprise of my trip. We visited on a Saturday and indulged in Indonesian and Balinese dishes, each one more delicious than the last, far exceeding my expectations. The beach adjacent to the restaurant is also breathtaking, making this spot the highlight of my culinary journey. The average cost per person was around USD$32 (I can’t recall the exact price), but it was absolutely worth it. I give this restaurant a 99/100.
Warung Nia
Warung Nia is a popular pork rib restaurant in downtown Seminyak. When we arrived for lunch, the place was bustling with foreigners attending a cooking class. The restaurant is semi-open-air and lacks air conditioning, so the environment felt a bit stuffy. As for the pork ribs, I found them a bit too sweet, and overall, the experience was just average. I give this restaurant an 80/100.
Koral
Koral is a high-end restaurant located within the Kempinski Hotel. Since our group was large, we had reserved three tables. Upon arrival, we were informed that two of our reservations had been canceled, and the staff loudly claimed they had contacted me two days prior but received no response. This was incredibly frustrating, as I was either at the beach, by the pool, or enjoying meals during that time — who has time to check emails? Moreover, the staff’s attitude was extremely arrogant. If you’re not a white person dressed in designer clothes, I wouldn’t recommend subjecting yourself to this treatment. In the end, I argued with them in English, and their attitude softened somewhat, but the overall experience was terrible. I give this restaurant a 0/100.
Driver Services
Getting around Bali can be quite challenging, but this time we found an English-speaking driver-guide named Dwik online. His English pronunciation is excellent and easy to understand. He’s always punctual, and his driving skills are top-notch. Even though we in the backseat often gripped the handles nervously, he’d always smile and say, ‘Take it easy.’ Most importantly, he never took us to strange shops or pressured us to buy anything, which I really appreciated. Honesty is important to me, and Dwik’s integrity made me feel completely at ease with him.
His Line ID is: kadek_dwi69.
He responds to messages very quickly, and communicating with him in English is seamless. I chose him because he genuinely replies to messages even after work, unlike others who tend to be unresponsive.
Summary
This trip to Bali, from luxurious accommodations to authentic local cuisine, allowed me to experience the island’s unique charm. Although there were a few minor hiccups along the way, they made the journey even more memorable. If you’re planning a trip to Bali, I hope my experience can offer some practical tips to make your adventure smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re seeking luxury or exploring local culture, Bali promises unforgettable memories.
Do you think Jun Lin’s itinerary sounds amazing? Start planning your own Bali getaway now! We also welcome everyone to share your travel plans in our community!
Click here to read more exciting Bali travelogues
Want to write a travelogue but don’t know where to start? Check out “How to Write an Amazing Bali Travelogue” to make your travelogue shine!
留言討論