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Home » Indonesia » I LOVED Bali!
Indonesia

I LOVED Bali!

Matthew Klint Posted onAugust 1, 2019November 14, 2023 29 Comments

My expectations for Bali were low. I thought it would be crowded and hot and a generally miserable place for a layover. Boy was I wrong. I loved it!

For all of you who gave me hotel recommendations prior to my journey, I thank you. I appreciated the wisdom and ultimately chose the Studios at Alila Seminyak. I loved the property, loved the breakfast, and thought my little “studio apartment” was more than adequate for a 24-hour stay. I would not hesitate to return to this property, though next time to the main resort.

a large vase on a table in a room with chairs and a large window

a pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas

a building with many plants

a bedroom with a bed and chairs

a bed with white sheets and a wood paneled wall

a bathroom with a mirror and sink

a group of chairs on a deck overlooking a beach

a display of fruits on shelves in a kitchen

As for Seminyak and Bali itself…wow, it was lovely. I expected Jakarta-like weather (simply out of ignorance) and instead enjoyed a very moderate 80ºF/27ºC with a cool breeze throughout the day. The neighborhood was full of great restaurants and coffee shops, including an amazing place called Clean Canteen. The coffee I enjoyed there was some of the best I have ever had…that is a tremendous compliment.

a food cart outside of a restaurant

a room with tables and chairs

a cup of coffee and a brownie on a table with red flowers

a cup of coffee with a spoon and a piece of brownie

You can see the massage place next to the coffee shop. These places are literally on every block. I visited three of them and all were clean and cheap…we’re talking $6-8 for a one-hour massage. I also found a nice salon for a haircut, which I should count as a fourth massage since the haircut started and ended with a 10-minute scalp massage.

cars parked cars in front of a restaurant

I know people don’t go to Bali for pizza, but there was a little pizza parlor on the lobby level of the hotel with a wood burning oven. I had a snack during happy hour — $5 for what turned out to be a large pizza.

a pizza on a wooden board

But it was more than great coffee, massages, and food. The Balinese people were truly lovely — from the Grab drivers to the hotel staff to the massage technicians, to just about everyone I met. No touts, no swindling, and no tricks.

a group of people riding a motorcycle on the street

a statue of a monkey with a yellow light on top of a black pedestal

a row of scooters parked on a street

a street with buildings and cars and a street with lights

CONCLUSION

Seminyak, it seems to me, combines the best elements of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Siem Reap with its own unique vibe. I greatly enjoyed my 28-hour layover and look forward to returning for a longer visit next time.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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29 Comments

  1. Tom Reply
    August 1, 2019 at 7:51 pm

    Was the breakfast a globalist benefit or did it just come w the room?

    • Matthew Reply
      August 1, 2019 at 7:58 pm

      Globalist benefit.

    • Neal J White Reply
      August 2, 2019 at 2:17 am

      Hopefully people don’t read this and think Seminyak is a “lovely” place, you might think so in 28 hours but it’s honestly one of the worse spots in Bali.

      • Matthew Reply
        August 2, 2019 at 2:24 pm

        It’s a lot better than the neighborhoods around the airport.

  2. Mak Reply
    August 1, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    If you liked Seminyak, wait until you get to spend some time further north in more traditional parts of the island . . . it’s even better. As long as you are away from the drunk Aussie tourist hordes and their shameful behavior, Bali is easily one of the greatest destinations on earth.

  3. Ron Reply
    August 1, 2019 at 10:33 pm

    Best time to visit the Island of the Gods is early June to mid August as the island is blessed with sunny weather but dry, cool breeze from the Australian (Southern Hemisphere) winter cools the temperature down and chase away the humidity. If you come during Christmas/New Year holidays, expect lots of rain and hot, super humid days as the mercury inches (and stays) up from early November till March.

    • James Reply
      August 1, 2019 at 10:39 pm

      You forgot to mention be careful of Bali’s day of Silence/Hindu’s new year… Sometimes march 2020…

  4. James Reply
    August 1, 2019 at 10:36 pm

    Glad you enjoyed it. I forgot to mention that with the new toll road, nusa dua is faster to and from airport. But you won’t find massage and barber shop easily. Its rather expensive in that region.

    And hospitality IS the main course of balinese. They lived from tourism. If you notice how much offerings scattered around bali, their living cost is pretty high…

    Oh, and that motorbike… Available for rent. Easy to drive, and you don’t need international license or insurance.

  5. Willem Reply
    August 1, 2019 at 11:17 pm

    The Swan pattern is my favorite on cappuccinos. Glad you had a good time!

  6. ThomasK Reply
    August 1, 2019 at 11:42 pm

    Nice post, thanks for the update.

    Since Studios at Alila Seminyak is a new Hyatt partner I would like to know what you earned point wise? Would you mind…

    • Matthew Reply
      August 2, 2019 at 12:40 am

      I used 5K points (versus $225) and did not incur any additional expenses. I did get one night stay credit toward my 55 nights. In looking at my account, I received a 2,000 point bonus, coded “Alila First Stay Bonus”.

      • ThomasK Reply
        August 2, 2019 at 8:07 am

        Thank you, the “Alia First stay bonus” is what I wanted to hear. I was interested if this works on awards stays as well. Great bargain!

  7. Zax Reply
    August 1, 2019 at 11:43 pm

    Should stay longer and explore Bali and you’ll love more about the island the people and if you have a chance explore Indonesia as a whole. It’s a great country with lot of character and I am proud to be one

  8. David Reply
    August 2, 2019 at 12:08 am

    Are you going to review the hotel? Great to hear you liked Bali

    • Matthew Reply
      August 2, 2019 at 12:29 am

      Yes, full review is coming.

  9. Andy Reply
    August 2, 2019 at 12:36 am

    I would prefer pizza / western cuisine in Seminyak too. Most Indonesian tourists would do the same. All of Southern Bali is more or less a western place. You say you didn’t get scammed but that’s because you don’t know what things should cost in Indonesia. The taxi mafia at the airport charged you about 2-4 times what a taxi should really cost. Chain hotels can be a great value in Bali though. August-September are the coldest months in that region of Indonesia. Next time if you want to be more adventurous, take a fast boat to the Gili Islands with your family. Still bs tourist Indonesia but no cars and great for kids to explore biology on the beach. Gili meno has good flat tidal planes on one side with lots of things to see when the tide goes out (with proper kid beach booties footwear).

    • Matthew Reply
      August 2, 2019 at 12:38 am

      I will say that by using Grab, the airport ride cost me only $10 to my hotel and about $6 coming back. Much better alternative than taxis.

      • Sam G Reply
        August 2, 2019 at 2:55 am

        The challenge in Bali is Grab / Gojek are fiercely protested by the locals and honestly can be quite a hassle. There is a long established divvy up of tourist taxis into village groups, especially in places like Ubud.

        My advice is to arrange something to/from the airport – Klook offers very cheap/reliable transfers . Around Seminyak you can use metered Blue Bird taxis – they have an app. Just be very careful if you are hailing in the street, there are a lot of copy cats (Blue biro!)

        Late at night from the bars or from places like the beach clubs in the south, realistically you’ll need to take a local “mafia” taxi, just negotiate the price (in Rupiah) before you get in and try have some small notes to avoid the “no change” trick.

        Otherwise book a driver for 8hrs, again Klook offers these for very little.

  10. Ikaika Arnado Reply
    August 2, 2019 at 4:04 am

    Seminak is ritzy, but Changgu is really where it is at now. All of Bali, with the exception of Kuta, is dope af though.

  11. L Reply
    August 2, 2019 at 9:59 am

    Arriving tomorrow in Bali for a short visit. Can’t wait. Have been on my wish list for many years. Hope I like it as much as you. Ubud 3 nights and Sanur at the Hyatt Regency for 3 nights.

  12. Paolo Reply
    August 2, 2019 at 10:18 am

    Given that you’re such a coffee snob, by your own admission, it’s mildly surprising that you didn’t try the Kopi Luwak ( ie, coffee brewed from beans that have passed through the digestive tract of the native civet cat). Fake versions abound but the real thing runs to $40 per cup. A thought for your return visit.

    • Matthew Reply
      August 2, 2019 at 10:39 am

      I’m willing to try that, but the whole process just grosses me out.

      • Paolo Reply
        August 2, 2019 at 10:46 am

        Yes, I’m with you on that…
        Plus, it’s now a “farmed” commodity, involving significant cruelty.

    • James Reply
      August 2, 2019 at 11:28 am

      Huh? $40/cup? Maybe at a 5 star hotel. But at decent coffee shop in Bali/Indonesia, it won’t go that high….

      • Paolo Reply
        August 2, 2019 at 11:37 am

        Have you tried it ? I think I might gag on it and splatter it over the table. I’m more likely to try the black gold ( elephant ‘processed’) in Thailand.

        • James Reply
          August 2, 2019 at 10:30 pm

          My friend have a coffee stall at a local market. His coffee were sourced directly from farmers (to get a competitive price). I’ve tried most of varieties of coffee he sold. The most I can remember is difference between robusta and arabica.

          If you really want to try real luwak coffee maybe best to go at local coffee shop near the harvested coffee plantation, since chain of distribution and packaging may affect the taste. Can’t say whether its fake or not, tough…

  13. M Reply
    August 2, 2019 at 11:31 pm

    Hey Matt,

    How much did the total trip cost you?

    Do you think $2k is a good budget for Bali (just living and food)?

    • Matthew Reply
      August 3, 2019 at 12:54 am

      85K Deltq miles – (LAX-BNE-DPS)
      5K Hyatt – Alila Seminyak
      ~$60 – spending in Bali
      $256 – KLM DPS-SIN
      $220 – Andaz Singapore
      Return Trip – TBD

  14. Christine Reply
    August 4, 2019 at 10:22 am

    I rode out the Chiang Mai smoky season in Bali this year and fell in love with it. I’m a coffee lover, too, and did experience ethically-sourced Luwak coffee from a local plantation that processes beans eaten by wild, free-range civet-like animals. It was buttery and delicious, having a rich, heavy flavor with hints of caramel or chocolate. I brought several bags home with me and am still enjoying it. I think you’d like it.

    I found the Balinese people to be lovely and enjoyed my two months there very much. My favorite moment was an exquisite sunrise breakfast in a cabana on the beach at the Conrad.

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