The
black and white checkered cloth standard of Bali's netherworld
is nowhere more aptly hung than on the ancient coral
statues and shrines of Bali's largest traditional village:
Sanur. This was Bali's first beach resort a place of
remarkable contrasts.
Sanur
today is a golden mile of Baliesque hotels that has
attracted millions of paradise seeking globetrotters.
And yet, within the very grounds of the 11-story The
Grand Bali Beach Hotel, a war-reparation gift from the
Japanese, nestles the sacred and spiky temple of Ratu
Ayu of Singgi, the much feared spirit consort of Sanur's
fabled Black Barong.
Sanur
is famous throughout Bali for its sorcery. Black and
white magic pervades the coconut groves of the resort
hotels like an invisible chess game. And yet the community
is modern and prosperous.
Sanur
is one of the few remaining brahman kuasa villages in
Bali controlled by members of the priestly caste - and
boasts among its charms some of the handsomest processions
on the island, Bali's only all female keris dance, the
island's oldest stone inscription, and the hotel world's
most beautiful tropical garden. Even the souvenirs sold
on the beach - beautifully crafted kites and toy outriggers
are a cut above those found on the rest of the island.
Sanur
is where Bali's first luxury beach hotel was built over
30 years ago, and has since been the spot for luxurious
seaside accommodation. Conveniently located near Denpasar
on the main road leading to the east, Sanur is not nearly
as frenetic as Kuta, nor as well-mannered as Nusa Dua.
Many foreigners have built lavish villas and bungalows
here and this is the preferred place for up-market,
long-term stays on the island, especially in the BatuJimbar
and Belanjong areas.
The main attraction here is the white sand beach bordering
a reef-sheltered lagoon. The beach stretches south from
the The Grand Bali Beach Hotel and ends up in the mangrove
marshes opposite Serangan Island. Due to the protection
of the lagoon, this beach is one of the safest on the
island, and thus perfect for families. There is no surf
apart from out on the reef, and one cannot swim at low
tide, but at other times this is the best place in Bali
for windsurfing and sailing.
Biking
around Sanur is also fun. in Semawang, you can rent
a bike for Rp15,000/ day; try bargaining. The bicycles
aren't the greatest. It may be wise to pay more by renting
through your hotel.
Sanur
is an ideal base for trips to Bali's rice growing heartland
and the mountain areas. Rent a self-drive car or a minibus
with driver on a daily basis. There are car rental companies
on JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai and on JI. Danau Tamblingan.
Cars and minibuses for hire are found outside all major
hotels, or go through one of many car rental companies.
The
most reputable self-drive rental agencies are Avis,
which has desks at Jimbaran, in the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel
and the Sheraton Lagoon Nusa Dua; Bali Car Rental on
JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai; and Toyota Rent a Car at the
airport, Jimbaran, on JI. Raya Airport 99X, in the Bali
Padma Hotel in Legian, and Kartika Plaza Hotel in Tuban.
Sanur
hotels
» Radisson
Bali Hotel (USD 60.00,4 Star)
» Raddin
Sanur Bali Hotel (USD 80.00,4 star)
»
Sanur Beach Hotel (USD 90.00,5 star)
» Grand
Bali Beach Hotel (USD 57.00,5 star)
» Alit
Sanur hotel (USD 25.00, 2 Star)
» Besakih
Hotel (BSB) (USD 67.00, 2 Star)
» Diwangkara
Beach (USD 40.00, 2 Star)
» Segara
Village (USD 64.00, 3 Star)
» Gazebo
Cottages (USD 46.00, 2 Star)
» Griya
Santrian (USD 61.00, 3 Star)
» La
Taverna (USD 65.00, 2 Star)
» Natour's
Sindhu (USD 50.00, 3 Star)
» Peneeda
View (USD 42.00, 2 Star)
» Puri
Dalem Hotel (USD 31.00, 2 Star)
» Sativa
Sanur Cottages (USD 49.00, 2 star)
»
Tanjungsari Hotel (USD 157.00, 4 star)
» Bali
hyatt (USD 97.00, 5 star)
» Bali
kesumasari hotel (USD 30.00, 2 star)
» Bali
warma hotel (USD 28.00, 2 star)
» Leghawa
beach hotel (USD 30.00, 2 star)
» Mentari
sanur hotel (USD 30.00, 2 star)
» Parigata
resort sanur (USD 40.00, 2 star)
» Pondok
Bali (USD 20.00, 2 star)
» Puri
santrian (USD 67.00, 3 star)
» Segara
village (USD 64.00, 3 star)
» Swastika
bungalows (USD 29.00, 2 star)
» Tamukami
hotel (USD 63.00, 3 star)
» Wakamaya
hotel (USD 115.00, 4 star)
» Natour's
Bali Hotel (USD 36.00, 3 Star)
Sanur
Restaurants
Sanur's
"in" place to eat is the Cafe Batujimbar in
Batujimbar. Its hanging vines and sturdy furniture gives
it the look of a Riviera roadside cafe. This is the
haunt of the local expert colony, many of whom live
in the sumptuous Batujimbar Estates just across the
road. The cafe offers light, healthy food with daily
specials at reasonable prices. Coffee is a specialty.
- Koki,
on JI. Bypass, is favored by local foreign residents.
A pub atmosphere and generous servings of European-style
food and billiards, make this a versatile stop.
Sanur
Dance Performance
Sanur
is just a short taxi ride away from Denpasar and Batubulan,
where barong, keris, fire, and kecak dance performances
are held regularly.
Sanur
Shopping,Restaurants,Hotels
Tourist
shops,hotels,spas,restaurants line all the main streets
of Sanur, so you don't have to worry about what to do
when youre bored in your hotel rooms. Although there
is more choice in Kuta and Legian, prices are similar
if you bargain well. Otherwise, go to the arcades in
the main hotels for high quality goods and no bargaining
Activites
or Marine Sport Perhaps?
You
can find almost every watersport imaginable here. Most
of the facilities are found right on the beach in front
of the big hotels such as The Grand Bali Beach, Segara
Village and the Bali Hyatt. Rents Hobiecats, Lazers
and windsurfing boards ? or Courses for those wishing
to learn windsurfing ?
Sanur
offers diving and snorkeling, although not the best
in Bali.
Offering diving, parasailing, banana boat, glass bottom
boat, jet ski, Turtle Island, and dolphin tours. The
beach counter is on JI. Duyung.
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