Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 94)
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Alpe D’Huez: Perfect Pistes for Thrill-Seeking Skiers
For thrill-seeking skiers, there are few better resorts than Alpe D’Huez in France. Situated in the Massif des Grandes Rousses region of the country, this large and popular winter sports area sits at 1,869 metres above sea level and boasts some of the most daunting yet exhilarating skiing conditions around.
Often referred to as the Island of the Sun because of the south-facing position of many of its slopes, the resort was founded in 1936 and since then, it has developed an outstanding international reputation. Standing at a formidable 3,330 metres, the top station in Alpe d’Huez is Pic Blanc and offers magnificent views across the Alps.
A group of skiers getting ready to take on the Alpe d’ Huez slopes
Taking to the ski slopes for the first times
Don’t panic if you’re planning skiing holidays to this resort and you’re not confident on the slopes yet. Alpe d’Huez naturally divides into different zones that cater for varying abilities. There are plenty of green pistes located immediately above the ski resort centre that are ideal for beginners.
Meanwhile, in the west of the bowl, you’ll find a variety of straight red and blue runs that are intended for intermediate skiers. Good examples include Couloir, Vachettes and Chamois.
Adventurous skiing on the black runs
However, this French ski resort is best known for its black runs. Above the 2,300-metre and 2,700-metre stations located on the south facing slopes below the Pic Blanc top station, most of the pistes are categorised black. Due to their high altitude, these slopes can be subject to bad weather, adding an extra element of fear and danger.
The most revered of all the pistes is the Tunnel, which got its name because it passes through a tunnel before dropping steeply. Exactly how nerve-shredding this run is depends on the conditions at the time. In warmer weather and with soft powder on the slope, it can be fairly straightforward. However, when temperatures drop and things get icy, it takes a brave skier to attempt this run. The fact that falls can easily result in slides of 200 metres or more instils a further sense of drama.
As well as the Tunnel, Alpe d’Huez is home to Sarenne, which is the longest black run in Europe. Measuring 18.75 kilometres, this slope is certainly not for the fainthearted.
Whether you think the gentler slopes of this ski resort would be a big enough test of your nerve or you want to showcase your skills on its black runs, you’re guaranteed an action-packed holiday in this part of south-western France.
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Samabe Bali Suites and Villas Review
As someone who has stayed in many hotels before, it takes something special for me to start mentally planning when I’ll next visit. With my visit to Samabe Luxury Resort and Villas, I was already planning my next stay before I had even unpacked my bag.
The Samabe Experience
Every little details is taken care of at Samabe, from a 24 hour butler service to little buggies available at a moment’s notice to taxi you around the expansive property. With just over 70 rooms and villas set on over 8 acres, Samabe is an expansive property that offers guests enough space to find solitude. Your personal butler is there to help, from arranging a beautiful afternoon tea spread in your room, villa or by the pool to unpacking and packing your bags – if you so wish. Throughout the week there are a number of activities available, from a cooking course in the beautiful, open-air kitchen to Balinese fruit carving lessons.
Of course there is also the stunning infinity pool that is divided into two depths, ensuring that it is appropriate for competent swimmers as well as those, like me, who just like to cool down in the pool. From the moment you arrive it is obvious Samabe is a luxury resort in Bali that goes the extra mile to ensure a perfect holiday.
One of the features I really liked about Samabe was its lounge. Designed for those of us who have flights later than check-out time, it allows you to relax in the cinema, refresh yourself in the bathrooms and showers, or store your bag while you do some last minute shopping in nearby Nusa Dua. This is a really nice touch as you can continue to enjoy Samabe faciltiies after you’ve checked out, which saves you paying for an additional night.
Unlimited All Inclusive Option
I had never heard of an ‘unlimited’ all inclusive option prior to my visit to Samabe. Ben and I decided not to opt for it as we weren’t sure how much time we would spend on site and we don’t like to overcommit – what a mistake! We didn’t leave the resort for a moment during our entire stay. The unlimited all inclusive surcharge is about the same price as one meal for two people, plus a drink and dessert each – so it’s very worth it. On our next visit to Samabe we will certainly try all inclusive.
The Suite
There were two options when booking at Samabe, either a villa (1 or 2 bedroom options available) with a private pool, or a suite room. We ended up in a suite room and to be honest, I actually preferred it to the villas. While the villas are gorgeous and offer extra privacy, the suites have incredible sweeping views of the ocean. The majority of our time in our suite was spent on the deck, admiring the view.
One thing I really liked about our suite at Samabe was the obvious attention to creating numerous spaces for you to enjoy. From a sitting area by the main entrance, to the desk, couch in the main room, the seats on the deck, and of course the beautiful bath. The bathroom was decked out with numerous products to ensure comfort; a wide range of balt salts and bubbles, high quality shampoo, conditioner and lotion. As I have quite sensitive hair, I was very pleased to use a hotel shampoo and conditioner that didn’t aggrevate my hair.
The suite itself was very spacious, with a his and hers basin as well as a large dressing room. Ben and I tend to rarely unpack our bags when we travel, so we both really appreciated having a considerable space to leave our bags, out of the way of our living areas.
Our stay at Samabe was perfect – we had a very relaxing time, the food was consistently excellent, including the breakfast which was both buffet and a la carte. Fancy some sushi, vitamin shots, chocolate fondue or bacon that tastes like it should? Samabe has it all and more.
Stay here if… you want a slice of paradise. If you want to relax and unwind. It is the perfect place for those on their honeymoon, who want to mark a special occasion, or even those with children. Samabe had a comprehensive children’s activity schedule to allow parents to enjoy a little privacy.
Samabe also offers wedding facilities and it would be the perfect destination wedding setting in Bali. I tried to hint at my partner Ben, but I’m not sure he understood how serious I was!
Have you ever had a hotel you knew you would visit again?
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Things I Hate About South East Asia
I want to start this off by saying I really like Asia… especially South East Asia. It’s one of my favourite parts of the whole world and that’s why I keep coming back time and time again.
However, despite all the love I have for Asia, there are some things I seriously hate. If you’ve spent much time in SEA you might relate to these things, or if you’re planning to head here anytime soon, this list will help you prepare. Here are the things I hate about Asia:
Stagnant Water:
I don’t know what winds up in some of the streams of river here, but it smells and looks disgusting. The other day I was walking into a high-end shopping center and on ground level just outside the entrance, there was a massive area of stagnant water. It smelled so bad I literally gagged. Lots of the pools of water here are filled with rubbish and have a grey, glossy film to them. Ew.
Crappy Footpaths:
Many countries cater well to pedestrians; most places in SEA do not. If the sidewalks are even present, there’s a good chance they will have chunks of concrete missing out of them or be on crazy angles. It can be a real challenge walking around them at nighttime, in the dark, as they seem to have random holes in them without warning. Ankles beware.
Taxis Who Refuse the Meter:
I’m sure this doesn’t just happen in Asia, but it’s so annoying. I have had NUMEROUS taxis here in Bali refuse to use the meter with me, asking for 2-4 times what the fare should cost. I just tell them it’s too expensive and walk off, most of the time they’re suddenly eager to use the meter again.
To get a fair estimate of a fare, find out what the local rate per km is, then Google Map how far the distance of your journey is.
Tourist Prices:
Now, I should preface by saying that I don’t mind paying more than locals for attractions, especially religious sites that might otherwise be unaffordable to the people who actually live here. However, in most parts of South East Asia, there are two prices. The foreigner price and the local price and they can vary a lot. Even in stores where the ‘prices’ are marked on them, you can bet the locals are not paying anywhere near that much.
Spitting, Coughing etc
Today I had a foot and leg massage. Within 5 minutes I was almost falling asleep, feeling very relaxed as the knots in my legs were gently rubbed away. Meanwhile, a meter or so away from me, a lady was coughing up phlegm, loudly. In another massage the other day, the technician kept coughing while massaging me. The entire massage was spent in an awkward limbo of enjoying the physical sensation of the massage and being repulsed by a stranger coughing so close to my body.
Insane Aircon:
Outside it will be a nice 30 degrees and so you’ll dress appropriately, shorts and a tshirt perhaps. Whenever you go inside anywhere, whether a department store, restaurant, minimart or taxi the aircon will be so ridiculously powerful you’ll wish that you had brought a cardigan and jacket. And gloves. And a scarf.
Other than that, I love Asia and I am so happy to be here. Less than a month left in Asia and I am already feeling sad about leaving, but I wont miss any of these things.
Do you hate anything about Asia? Have these things annoyed you too? Let me know in the comments below!
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Top Things to do in Nusa Dua
I had never visited Nusa Dua before this trip, but it could easily sit as once of my favourite places in Bali. For those of you who haven’t visited yet, Nusa Dua is a smaller beach area with a lot of high quality resorts. It’s a lot quieter than Kuta or Seminyak, making it the perfect place to rent a scooter or motorbike to explore. As you’re right by the sea, there is ample delicious, fresh seafood on offer. There’s a lot to do from visiting some excellent spas to indulging in thrilling watersports at Tanjung Benoa. Read on for my suggestion of the best things to do in Nusa Dua:
Rent a Motorbike:
Because Nusa Dua is a LOT quieter than elsewhere in Bali, it is a good place to rent a motorbike or scooter. However, if you have never ridden one before, I do not suggest you try to learn here. We decided to rent a motorbike for a few days and did some exploring which was a lot of fun. Because traffic is a lot more relaxed, we both felt very confident getting around – just be careful not to accidentally get on the toll bridge, as you’ll have to go the whole way down and back again!
A little word of caution: If you ride in Nusa Dua without a license and/or a helmet, the police will probably pull you over in a bid to full their pockets. The standard rate for a fine/bribe is around 50,000 rupiah which is about $5 USD. My partner wasn’t aware of this and wound up paying around 10x this amount. Best bet is to ride around with only 100,000 rupiah in your pocket so if you do get pulled over, you have nothing more to give! They’re fining you for their own personal gain, so as with most things in Asia, you can barter with them.
Devdan Show:
My partner and I both wanted to get a cultural experience while in Bali and where better than at Devdan? I was thoroughly impressed with the performance. The show itself lasts around 90 minutes and covers a wide range of local performances tied in with a funny story line. You’ll see traditional dances from many of Indonesia’s islands, including Java, Bali and Papua. The show is really impressive and would not be out of place on Broadway; it is without a doubt the best traditional dance show in Bali I have ever seen. The dancers are extremely talented and use numerous different props and dance styles to keep you entertained. No words can describe this experience and unfortunately I was unable to take photos during the performance, but just trust me – it’s worth the visit! If you only see one show in Indonesia, make sure it’s this one.
Water Sports:
Want to go sea kayaking, banana boating or speed boating? Well Tanjung Benoa beach in Nusa Dua is the perfect place for you. The hotel I stayed with, The Grand Mirage Resort, is an all-inclusive resort in Bali that offers ample watersports activities as well as some bike tours as well for those who don’t want to get out on the water. While in Bali I did some sea kayaking which was a great workout and also a beautiful water to explore. The water’s so clear you can see to the bottom.
Hit the Beach:
Nusa Dua is one of the driest parts of Bali and the whole time we were there we were spoiled with beautiful blue skies. This makes it a very popular destination all year round to hit the beach. If you stay in a resort lining the beach, it’s likely you will have a private beach which is nice as there will be no touts trying to sell anything. If not, there are some stretches of public beaches that are truly beautiful. I really liked the light, soft sand here.
Get Pampered:
It’s no secret that I love beauty treatments and Nusa Dua is full of many spas offering a wide range of treatments. If you’re interested, try a beach side massage, where you can enjoy the relaxation a massage provides while hearing the waves crash in the ocean. I also tried an AquaMedic pool at Thalasso Spa and thoroughly enjoyed it – so did my partner. It is really great for anyone who is feeling a bit tight, but especially for athletics or someone after a long haul flight.
Nusa Dua is a great holiday destination that suits a wide range of trips; great for friends wanting a fun trip away, families wanting a holiday destination where their kids will be happy, or for couples wanting to relax and unwind without getting bored.
Have you been to Nusa Dua? Did you enjoy it?
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The Grand Mirage and Thalasso Spa Review
This was my first time staying in a large resort and to be honest I didn’t know what to expect. Within moments of checking into the Grand Mirage I was blown away – this was a very large hotel with a lot to offer. The lobby overlooked a beautiful man-made waterfall and as soon as Ben spotted it he was over taking photos.
It was obvious that the Grand Mirage is designed to ensure a relaxing holiday. In the foyer downstairs there are daily itineraries posted, so you can make use of the number of activities and tours available. There are ample chairs and recliners lining the beach so there is never any competition if you want to grab a book and soak up some serious sunshine.
The Grand Mirage Experience
We were taken to our bedroom and the first thing I noticed when I walked in was our gorgeous sea views. Throughout our stay I left the sliding doors open to ensure a constant, cool breeze in our room. There’s so much on offer at the Grand Mirage that you could quite easily keep yourself entertained there for a week or two. From kayaking and speed boating, to the very induldgent spa (THALASSO SPA), there’s something for everyone. It’s important to note that this property backs out onto a private beach, which means you can sunbathe and swim to your heart’s content without being harassed by touts – a rarity in Bali.
It is worth mentioning that I got the impression during my visit to the Grand Mirage all inclusive resort in Bali that this would be an ideal destination with children. Not only are there ample activities to keep them entertained, and a comprehensive gaming area, there are also a number of very kid friendly pools. It’s somewhere I’ll definitely keep in mind for the future, if I have children.
To Be All-Inclusive Or Not
There are two options when staying at the Grand Mirage – All Inclusive and not. We hadn’t researched all inclusive much and so opted to not go all inclusive. In hindsight, this was probably a mistake as the all inclusive option offers outstanding value, allowing you to order at any of the restaurants and from the room service menu for a flat rate. Ben and I found the hotel so relaxing that we barely left, so I think the all inclusive option would have given us a bit more peace of mind and the comfort of knowing we could order whatever we wanted with no additional charge.
The Room
Our room had beautiful ocean views and the largest, most comfortable bed we had seen on our travels in Asia. There was a small desk which was perfect for me to write a blog post or two at while listening to the ocean waves crash against the shore. While the bathroom had relatively modern fixtures, I did find that it showed a little bit of age in here. The room itself was quite spacious and had more than enough room for both Ben and I to sprawl our bags out and feel at home. I thought that the hotel was in very good condition for its age, however it is more of a traditionally decorated hotel (which is not a bad thing) than s leek, modern hotel. For those of you who enjoy classic, but comfortable design this will suit you perfectly.
Thalasso Spa
If you have been following my blog or my Facebook news feed, you will be well aware that I am a fan of Balinese massages. I can’t even count how many I’ve had on this trip! During my stay at The Grand Mirage I took a look around the spa and fell in love. There are so many beautifully themed rooms, that if I had more time I would have made it my conquest to visit them all. From a room that’s dark with little LED stars everywhere, to more traditional couple’s massage rooms – this spa has it all. I tried an outdoor, beachside massage which was very relaxing. The following day Ben and I tried out the AquaMedia pool which was basically a pool with different jets that massaged your body – it was as good as a massage. Both spa treatments were very high quality and the spa bathrooms were well appointed to ensure a wonderful overall spa experience.
Book this hotel if… you want to relax without being bored. The variety of activities on offer at The Grand Mirage and the comprehensive spa menu ensure that there’s never a dull moment here. We spent three days here and felt like we didn’t even touch the surface of activities on offer. This hotel is a great fit for a family holiday, a romantic holiday, or even for a group of friends wanting to have some fun in the sun.
Have you ever stayed at an all-inclusive hotel? What was your experience like? I’d love to hear about it!
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Places I Wish I Was Going This Year
Although I’m VERY very very happy to be full time travelling again, things aren’t quite how I would like them. Firstly, I would like to spend more time in Asia before heading to Europe. Secondly, because we are planning to get to Panama as soon as possible for financial reasons, we wont be spending as long in Europe as I would have liked.
As such, there are quite a few places I wish I was going to this year, that I’ll have to leave for next year. If you’re wanting some travel inspiration or just wondering what would be high on my list for this year, here we go: the places I wish I was going this year but will probably go next year:
Dubrovnik:
I’ve been to Croatia before, but only Zagreb and the Plitvice lakes, both of which I really liked. Initially I had planned to go to Dubrovnik, but simply ran out of time. It looks stunning and like somewhere I’d love to linger for a little while. It is relatively cheap to get to Dubrovnik from anywhere in Europe, and with services such as www.gatwickparking.com, getting to the airport and abroad has never been easier. Oh, I am also under the impression that some of the Game Of Thrones was filmed in Dubrovnik, which would make it really surreal to visit some of the sets I have seen in the show.
Krakow:
Another destination I had planned to visit but simply never made it to. When I was living in the Czech Republic, I heard wonderful things about Krakow. People told me it was, in some ways, the way Prague was before the mass influx of tourists. Prices were cheap, buildings were beautiful and there was a lot of old world charm. Unfortunately, from where I lived in the Czech Republic, Krakow was just a bit too far away to justify the trip, but it’s still very high on my list.
Las Vegas:
There’s a small chance I’ll make it to Las Vegas this year, but it depends a lot on the flights we get to Panama. I never really had any interest in visiting Las Vegas, but my friend Bethaney at Flashpackerfamily.com LOVES Vegas and has been numerous times. From all the wonderful things she’s said about Vegas, I am now very keen to visit this city. It’s also somewhere I’d like to visit while I am young so I can make the most of it.
Marrakesh:
This is somewhere I’ve already been before, but when I went to Morocco the first time around I wasn’t really in the right frame of mind to appreciate how unusual and magical this country is. Yes, parts of it is are quite abrasive, but the sights, smells and colours around you are intoxicating. I would actually love to re-visit all places I went to in Morocco, as well as spending some time on the coast.
There are so many places to see and so many places I wish I could add to this year’s itinerary. Where are some places you’d LOVE to go this year but will just have to leave for now? Let me know in the comments below.
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Tips for Visiting Kuta, Bali and Enjoying it
I’ll be honest – on my first trip to Kuta I didn’t like it. I swore to never return again.
However, the surf there is great, so when I was planning this trip with my partner, Ben, I knew it was somewhere we just had to visit.
This time around, I really enjoyed Kuta… I think partially because I was expecting the worst and was constantly surprised by how fun I found it to be. I have some tips for visiting Kuta, Bali, to ensure that you make the most of this challenging, yet very interesting part of Bali.
1) Stay Somewhere With a Pool
This might sound ridiculous when you have a beautiful beach only a few minutes from where you’re staying, but sometimes you’ll want to enjoy the quiet of a pool – far away from the hustle and bustle of touts. When I stayed at Terrace Hotel in Kuta I actually spent a little more time than I’d like to admit by the pool and it was wonderful because it allowed me to relax and enjoy Kuta without feeling completely overwhelmed.
2) Expect Some Hustling
There is constant hustling in Kuta, from men on the side walk wanting to sell you Viagra or Xanax, to women shoving pamplets for massages in your face as you walk down the street. They could be a little more discrete, and unlike other parts of Bali that are more relaxed, the touts feel a bit relentless here.
As someone who works in sales myself, I understand the drive to constantly persist in making a sale. However, it can be annoying when all you want to do is walk down the sidewalk. I suggest remaining polite, acknowledging them with a ‘no thank you’ (or better yet, a firm ‘tidak’ – no in Indonesian).
Do not indulge in any ‘maybes’ or ‘later’ or ‘tomorrow’ because they will remember you and scoul you if you do not want to buy from them later. If they persist, do not acknowledge them or entertain them. Just continue walking. It might seem ‘rude’ but it’s the best way to get them to move onto the next victim.
3) Eat at Some Warungs
There are a lot of great eateries in Kuta – you’ll be spoiled for choice. I really enjoyed eating in Warungs as they tend to be excellent value and offer some interesting local cuisines. Because Kuta, and Bali in general, is such a popular tourist destination many of the menus have been designed to a standard you would expect at home. I really liked Warung Mina, on Legian St. It was cheap, delicious and the staff were ridiculously friendly.
4) Give Yourself Some Time to Relax
More than anywhere I’ve visited in Bali, I felt the need to relax in Kuta. I had massages on almost a daily occurrence, and it was the perfect contrast to the hustle and bustle outside. As a general sign, the busier the spa the better. If you turn up and they say they’re busy and you need to wait 30 mins, book it in. I had a pretty average massage experience in Kuta and wish I had just waited for the other place. Many of the massage/nail shops are open until midnight, so you have plenty of time to fit one in.
5) Bare in Mind Internet’s Probably Average at Best
As someone who works online and tries to keep her blog alive no matter where she is, I found it very frustrating when I would find somewhere that offered Internet / free WIFI but it would take 20 minutes to load a page. In my experience, Gloria Jeans cafes offer the best WIFI in Kuta, and there are a few of them scattered about. Although the coffee is somewhat pricey by local standards, it can be worth it if you need to send a few emails or update your blog. Your hotel might have decent WIFI, but just in case…
Have you ever been to Kuta before? What are your tips for visiting Kuta, Bali? I’d love to hear them!
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Why the local church just isn’t enough anymore
Getting married has always been both an exciting, and slightly stressful, time for both the husband and wife to be. With all the planning surrounding the big day, as well as where to go on the honeymoon, many couples are now choosing to combine the two. Having your wedding abroad may seem like the ideal solution, but it is worth bearing in mind that it’s essential to stick to a budget.
Islands such as Bora Bora and the Maldives make beautiful wedding destinations, but if you want to get married somewhere that is known for its romance, you could get married in Paris.
In France, a marriage is only legally binding if you have a civil ceremony. You can still have a religious ceremony, but you must have a civil ceremony first if you want the marriage to be legal. One key thing to remember however, is that to get legally married in Paris, you have to provide a certain amount of documentation and have lived there for 40 days first.
If all this is sorted, there are a number of locations you can chose for your venue. Paris has many churches which are available for weddings, such as St. Michaels Church and The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. It is not possible however, to get married at the top of the Eiffel Tower!
Paris is an ideal location to have a wedding as it is easier for guests to get there as opposed to other more distant locations. The use of a quick flight or the Euro Star will enable you to invite more people to your day, but remember to make sure that your venue can accommodate everyone.
Venice is a wonderful city to get married in due to its stunning architecture and the fact the city sits on water. The Palazzo Cavalli is great location for those looking for a civil ceremony as it stands in one of the most picturesque locations of Venice. If you want a more religious wedding, the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and St. Mark’s Basilica, the Cathedral of Venice, are two exceptional locations to have your day at.
Although it may seem like a cliché, taking a ride on a gondola is something that should be done in Venice, and if you want to explore more unusual attractions, visit the Acqua Alta Bookshop or explore the Bovolo Staircase.
Costa Rica is another beautiful location to have a wedding. The Springs Resort and Spa can help you arrange your wedding and the Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort also offers numerous wedding packages. The Love in Paradise package allows you to get married in your own private bungalow in the heart of Costa Rica’s rain forest.
Costa Rica is a beautiful place, and if you are combining your wedding and honeymoon there are numerous things to do here. Costa Rica is known for its volcanoes, so it’s worth taking a day or two to see a few of them. Irazu Volcano is the tallest in Costa Rica and is still active, last erupting in 1963.
It is important to remember that flights to Costa Rica are expensive, so it may be worth letting your guests know in advance so they have time to save!
There are a lot of positives for getting married abroad. The weather is generally better, you have the ease of allowing guests to book for themselves, it ties in with being a holiday and it also gives you a different cultural slant, but it’s important to remember that certain places do have legal requirements. Make sure you also look at how to pack your wedding dress and the groom’s suit in order to get them there as crease-free as possible; little things like this can make a big difference to your wedding day.
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Hotel Terrace at Kuta Review
Located moments from anything you could need; the beach, shopping malls, streets lined with shops offering massages and beauty treatments, Hotel Terrace at Kuta is a great place to stay when you like to be centrally located but still get an incredible night’s sleep. Despite being located on a busy, lively street, I never once had a problem hearing noise during the evenings.
I first found out about Hotel Terrace on TripAdvisor where I noticed that it was rated as the best place to stay in Kuta, so decided to check it out:
The Hotel Terrace at Kuta Review
The hotel is very clean and modern, which is something I really appreciate. It had a relaxed vibe, with a great mix of other guests, including families, married couples and groups of friends. You’ll be hard pressed to find better value than Hotel Terrace, especially considering how nice the rooms are. Oh, and did I mention the beautiful pool?
The pool is really something special.
The Hotel Terrace at Kuta Experience
As per usual, I arrived a little earlier than check-in and while my room was not yet ready, the staff invited me to sit by the pool while I enjoyed my welcome drink. It didn’t take long before my room was ready and I was escorted upstairs to my beautiful room. During my stay, each and every staff member went out of their way to ensure I had everything I needed: from an extra key to help finding a pharmacy, nothing was too much hassle.
Each morning there’s a buffet breakfast on offer which covers your basics as well as a few local dishes which is a nice touch. I am a big fan of Balinese coffee so being able to refill my cup as much as I like is a great way for me to start my day.
The highlight of this room, aside from its fantastic location, is the beautiful pool. It’s set up so that you can easily lounge by the pool for hours on end.
The Room
It was so comfortable, clean and modern – the bathroom was ‘inside’ the room but still very private due to the frosty glass, it was a very cool feature. There was a large LCD TV with lots of channels, a mini bar, tea and coffee facilities and a cute little balcony overlooking the pool. One thing I always notice when I’m staying in a hotel is whether there’s much space to put your bags as I tend to overpack. Hotel Terrace at Kuta had ample space for my luggage which I really liked.
My room was on the top floor overlooking the pool. There are also some rooms that are ‘flush’ with the pool on the ground floor. I personally preferred the room with the balcony as my partner occasionally likes to smoke and it was a little more private for that purpose. However, I think it would be quite neat to walk one meter from your room and be staring at the edge of that beautiful pool – what a way to wake up!
Book this hotel if…
You like great value, clean, modern and comfortable rooms and beautiful pools! This hotel is perfect for any type of traveler, from business to family traveler. It’s one of the few places I’ve visited where I get the impression it should cost a lot more than it does.
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Things to do in Kuta – WaterBom
Before we came to Bali, I spent a bit of time researching things to do so we could fit a lot into our relatively short time here. One of the first things I discovered for the first time, despite visiting Bali before, was that there was an insane waterpark, called Waterbom. This is Asia’s largest waterpark and the 5th biggest in the world, so needless to say I was very excited.
Because we knew we were definitely going to spend at least one day at Waterbom, we decided to pick a hotel that was close enough to Waterbom Waterpark that we could go home and have a break during the middle of our day. I find it very tiring being in the sun during the middle of the day so the Bali Rani Kuta was the perfect location for us. We really enjoyed our stay, so if you’re looking for accommodation near Waterbom, look no further.
I’ve been to a few waterparks before, but this was by far the most fun and most terrifying. The first ride we went on is called the “Climax” and is essentially a ride where you get into a tube and count down until the ground beneath you falls and you go flying through the tube. At one point you even do a loop, but I was so terrified I didn’t notice.
Afterwards I was still shaking for a good few minutes – something that’s never happened before after a slide before! It was one of those experiences that was equal parts thrilling and terrifying, and I’m really glad I did it.
Throughout the day we tried to sample most rides including the lazy river (pretty chilled) the Boomerang, the Python, the Smashdown, the Green Vipers and many more. My favourite was probably the Green Viper and I also really liked the Super Bowl ride as it was a two person ride and quite hilarious to see Ben’s reaction to things.
Tips For Enjoying WaterBom
Bring Enough Cash: They have a system here where you can preload money onto a card to spend on things such as lockers, drinks, meals and towel hire. You need to put pretty large deposits for the keys etc, leaving very little money to spend on drinks or snacks. I would suggest bringing around 1 Million Rupiah for two people, so you have enough money to cover what you want.
Know That You Can Leave: You’ll need to ask for an access band to leave, but you can leave. You can also take your locker key etc with you, so if you stay somewhere nearby like we did at the Bali Rani, then you can easily nip ‘home’ for an hour or two to have something to eat, to reapply sunscreen or just to have a bit of a break. We found this to be a really great feature and it doesn’t cost anymore than a standard pass.
Don’t Wear Shorts With Metal Bits on Them: I made the mistake of wearing some shorts that had little metal domes on both sides, which meant I couldn’t ride the rides, so had to take them off. Thankfully I had swimming togs on underneath so could still ride, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been allowed on! I saw heaps of people with their boardshorts on backwards and thought it was really weird, but it was actually because they had been asked to turn them around to ensure the back of their shorts were smooth. Check before you go!
All in all Waterbom was one of the best theme parks I’ve ever been to hands down and I had so much fun I’m even considering revisiting before we leave.
Where’s the best theme park you’ve been to? I feel like I want to see them all!
