Staying
in Kuta -Legian - Seminyak -Tuban |
The
white sands of Kuta are still arguably the best beachfront
on Bali. The beach is much cleaner than just a few years
ago, although the vendors remain annoying. Kuta is not
the fishing village it once was: it is now a booming
Pacific resort and its streets are clogged with tourists
and traffic during peak seasons. Legian is a bit quieter,
less crowded, and more suitable for longer stays, although
in many ways it has become an extension of Kuta. Further
north, Seminyak, Petitenget and Canggu offer more tranquility.
Bali
- Kuta and Tuban
Kuta
proper is the area delineated by JI. Legian, JI. Pantai
Kuta, JI. Melasti, the beach front drive and the lanes
in between, especially Gang Poppies I and 11. JI. Legian
is the commercial hub of Kuta and the stage of many
of its restaurants and nightlife. Most of Kuta's big
beachfront hotels are in southern Kuta.
Bali
- Legian and Seminyak
Legian
and Seminyak are northern extensions of Kuta proper
along JI. Legian to JI. Basangkasa. Somewhat quieter
with cottage-style accommodations, this is where many
of the ex-pat designers and long-stay tourists live.There
are three ways to reach Legian and Seminyak: through
Kuta and JI ' Melasti, then north; from JI. Imam Bonjol,
turn west on to A Patih Jelantik at the Pertamina gas
station; or from the north via JI. Kerobokan.
Seminyak
Area Hotels
» Bali
Padma Hotel (5 star)
»
The Oberoi Bali (5 star)
» Bali
Imperial Hotel ( 5 star)
» Bali
ayu (3 star)
» Bolare
beach bungalow ( 3 star)
» Puri
ratih hotel (3 star)
» Santika
villa ( 5 star)
» Century
Saphir Seminyak (3 star)
Legian Area Hotels
» Sahid
Raya Hotel (4 star)
»
Hard Rock Hotel Bali ( 4 star)
» Alam
Kulkul Resort (3 star)
» Natour
Kuta Beach Hotel (4 star)
»
Legian Paradiso Hotel (3 star)
» Villa
Rumah Manis ( 3 star)
» Bali
Intan Village (3 star)
»
Intan Legian Hotel ( 3 star)
» Adhi
darma (2 star)
» Andika
sari bungalow (none)
» Bali
Dwira hotel (2 star)
» Hotel
Restu Bali (2 star)
» Bali
Sani hotel (3 star)
» Bali
Sani suite hotel ( 3 star)
» Jayakarta
hotel (3 star)
» Legian
express hotel ( 2 star)
» Maha
mertha hotel ( 2 star)
» Puri
naga hotel (2 star)
» Prani
legian hotel ( 2 star)
» Puri
raja hotel ( 3 star)
» Saphir
mabisa inn (2 star)
» Simpang
inn hotel (2 star)
» Sri
kusuma hotel (2 star)
» Suji
bungalow (2 star)
» White
rose hotel (3 star)
Bali
- Petitenget and North
Petitenget,
Berawa, Canggu, and Seseh are new and quieter continuations
of Kuta's beach, easier to reach through Abian Timbul
or Denpasar and Kerobokan than through Kuta, as there
are no bemos north from Legian.
Kuta
Beach also extends to the south, beyond the airport
to Jimbaran.
For
assistance with tours and tickets, and information on
events, Rentcar info or Guides
Restaurants
Kuta
is a great place to eat. New places open almost daily
and competition is fierce. Most don't last for long.
The ones which do have great food at unbeatable prices.
Seafood and Western dishes are your best bets. Or try
Mexican, Indian or Japanese. The more well-known places
are mentioned below, plus some promising newcomers.
Ask around for the latest "in" spots.
Made's
Warung I on JI. Pantal Kuta, Specialties include
Thai and Vietnamese salads, prawns in chili sauce,
squid fillet, black rice ice cream, fresh and frozen
yogurt, fresh fruit juices, and frothy cappuccino.
Poppies
Restaurant on Gang Poppies I is the other old favorite
in downtown Kuta with a rather more up market atmosphere
and menu. Specialties include fresh seafood, steak,
shish kebab, as well as salads, a selection of Indonesian
dishes and one of the most extensive wine lists on Bali.
Kopi Pot on JI. Legian. The second story has
a coconut grove view which is now a rarity in Kuta.
Try the sate or the baby shark when it's on special.
Superb desserts. Open till midnight.
Night
Life
Bali's
nightlife is legendary and these days there are two
very different 'scenes', the young boisterous crowd
that dominates the Kuta circuit and a cooler, slightly
older crowd that frequents the nightspots in Legian
and Seminyak.
Shopping
Kuta is a shopper's paradise. This is partly because
it's an important manufacturing center of summer wear,
jewelry and decorative handicrafts which are exported
all over the world. Most of the goods are designed
by young expatriates from Europe, the USA or Japan.
Kuta
Activities
Surfing.
Kuta and Legian have long been surfing areas. The 6
km beach break stretching from Kuta to Petitenget has
a range of waves.
The
School of Surf provides surfing lessons for the uninitiated.
Japanese and Australian instructors.
Swimming.
The currents at Kuta are extremely strong and the undertow
is dangerous.
Waterpark.
Bali's first waterpark, is more than an amusement park
with its variety of pools, "rides", and slides
in a beautifully landscaped environment. Open 9 am-6
pm.
Bungy
Jumping. A new adventure to experience. Facilities in
Kuta: Bali Bungy Co.,, operated by the father of bungy,
A.J. Hackett.
Dance performances. Kuta is not the greatest place to
see Balinese dance, although the main hotels have cultural
dinner shows. Sri Wisata Budaya on J1. Bypass Ngurah
Rai in Suung, toward Sanur, has morning performances
daily of barong and keris dances. The Pengabetan neighborhood
also holds irregular performances.
Horse Riding. Riding along Seminyak beach at sunset
is worth the back pain. in Kerobokan is a professional
stable with trainers and lessons, offering
Massages.
Lots of ladies offer massages on the beach. Although
they may not be as good as the ones you can get in Denpasar,
Some Massage on Bali has to do with sex, it depends
on your tastes The local euphemism is jiggy-jig."
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