Nusa Penida (Bali)

Advantages: Cheap in parts, Great beaches
Disadvantages: Hawkers, Long Flight

...BALI AND NUSA DUA, KUTA I went to Bali in September 2002 and we stayed in the tourist region of Nusa Dua, which is only about 15 minute drive from DENPASAR, Kuta Airport. The hotel we stayed at was called Melia Bali which is one of the top hotels on the Island. Before I tell you more about my experience here I would like to tell you all about the VOA which stands for Visa on Arrival and you will have to pay for this on arrival and is available to the following countries, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. People of these countries above will be able to apply for a VOA, which is valid for either 3 or 30 days upon arrival... Read review

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Advantages: PARADISE FOUND
Disadvantages: A LITTLE REMOTE FROM THE "REAL BALI"

...My husband and I won a trip to Bali worth £2,000 and, after choosing our dates, the Melia Bali hotel was offered to us for 11 nights. We've never stayed 5* before, so I'm sure you can understand how excited we were when we finally arrived in Nusa Dua, to see our hotel. Well, we weren't disappointed. The drive went past palm trees and fountains, and when we pulled up outside the hotel, a beautifully dressed young woman leapt forward to open the door of our taxi. We were escorted into the reception area where we were given a cocktail and cold towels to refresh ourselves. The room was a good size, the balcony was large, and the bathroom had all you could want, including bottled water. The public areas were all built in Balinese style - no walls, and no ceilings, just very high rooves, designed to allow plenty of air flow... Read review

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Advantages: All the Luxuries of a Western 5 Star Hotel
Disadvantages: Not Quite the 'Real' Bali

...My husband and I stayed at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel - the original Hotel/Spa on Nusa Dua Beach - for a few nights at the end of a four-week-long stay in Bali, and it was gorgeous. It is a great place to experience Balinese hospitality. Nusa Dua Beach Hotel is nicely located, about twenty minutes' drive from the airport in Denpasar on the southern peninsula of Bali, and within reach of the major tourist attractions. I recommend arranging transportation through the hotel, however; on arrival in Denpasar we were confronted by a number of different taxi drivers, so finding transport isn't an issue; however prices tend to be a little less competitive. We were staying in an exclusive wing of the hotel, called the 'Palace Club', which meant that we checked in at a separate lounge, where we were offered a refreshing fruit drink and cold... Read review

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