Bali Villa Rental Tips & Tricks
If like me, you have been bitten by the ‘Holiday Villa Bug’, you will already know that no hotel can match the privacy and luxury of a good Villa Holiday. The great news is that today there are even more villa rental options out there than ever before. Not to mention the fact that if you know how to choose the right holiday rental villa you will be saving a lot of money in comparison to the same level of service in a comparable quality hotel.
It seems that no where in the world has seen as big an explosion of luxury fully serviced holiday villas, as the island of Bali in Indonesia.
OK, I happen to be blessed with a great line of work, as a Travel Writer, and have been lucky enough to stay in some of the best tropical resorts around the world, especially in Asia. But still for me, nothing compares to the peace, luxury and delights (not to mention the cost effectiveness) of staying in a good serviced villa in Bali.
So, what makes a ‘good holiday villa’?
Like everyone else, I have learned how to choose the perfect villa through luck, some mistakes and sheer experience.
Here are my top tips for choosing the right villa in Bali for your next Bali holiday.
Location-Location-Location
This sounds obvious, but it is not always easy to make the right location decision when we are sat at home, far away from our holiday destination.
Like every other world-class holiday destination, Bali offers a range of options, from ‘central’ locations, to those which offer ‘absolute tranquility’.
I personally like a balance between the two. On a Bali villa holiday, the last thing one needs is to be sooo central that you feel like you are an extension of a night club’s base unit till wee hours of the morning. On the other hand, I really don’t want to be more than 15-20 minutes away from where the restaurants, shops and the action is. I like my villa to be certainly quiet, preferably amongst rice fields, but at the same time accessible (within 30 minutes of the airport, and a few minutes from the action).
The great thing is that Bali caters for all of these tastes.
Those seeking a central location, with a lively night life may want to look into Legian and Seminyak, (I exclude Kuta area from this list, as there are hardly any proper rental villas left in this bustling tourist centre).
Those who don’t mind a bit of a trek, and don’t want to go out and about much during their holiday, may opt for areas such as Uluwatu or Canggu and beyond.
For me the perfect choice is Kerobokan and Umalas areas. Quiet rural environment, surrounded by rice terraces and real villagers going about their real daily routines (instead of trying to push you a handicraft (Kuta) or pull you into a restaurant you really couldn’t care for (Seminyak)).
Quality and Availability of Service
Now this is an area where villas differ from each other immensely. In Bali most villas proclaim to be ‘fully serviced’. However, how ‘fully’ and how ‘serviced’ range from the most basic to being totally pampered.
A good villa should provide a guest to total staff ratio of nearly 1 to 1, or at least 1.5 to 1. So, if you are a group of 8 you should be looking at, at least, 5-6 full time staff, or for a group of 4 at least 3-4 full time staff. Sounds ostentatiously high? It really isn’t once you consider the effort it takes to keep a holiday villa, its gardens, and the pool in a tip-top shape.
Of course, quantity is never the only answer. The staff needs to be full-time and fully-trained at a professional level. There are too many villas out there, which are run by ‘part-time’ managers and staff who actually have other full time jobs elsewhere!
Your Own Chef
One of the great pleasures of traveling to a foreign destination is to experiment with and experience the local cuisine. And what better place to experience this, than in the comfort of your own villa!
So, make sure that your villa comes with its own Chef. Once you have tasted the delights of enjoying home cooking in your own villa, you will probably not want to venture out to restaurants at all. The best thing is, having your own private villa Chef in Bali, is substantially cheaper than eating out.
However, make sure to check how the Chef arrangement works.
Ideally, the Chef cost should be included in your rental rate. In this case all you have to pay for are the cost of the ingredients which are purchased for you, typically at the local market/supermarket prices, with no mark-up. So, financials of eating at your own villa becomes just like eating at home, but without lifting a finger, and at substantially lower Bali prices.
Some villas claim to offer a Chef service, but charge restaurant/hotel prices for each dish that the chef prepares for you. I prefer to avoid these, as I can always pop out to a restaurant if I so wished anyway.
So, check to make sure that the Chef is part of your villa team, and that you will not be charged incrementally for food on a per item basis.
Your Villa Manager
A professional Villa Manager makes a huge difference to your enjoyment of your holiday. Even if you have been to Bali many times before, a good Villa Manager can be a much valued life-line, a great source of shopping tips, and a problem solver. A good villa manager can provide a wealth of directions/advice, from where to eat, to which river to choose for your white-water rafting adventure in which season, or where the cheapest golf courses are, to which temples to visit to see which local ceremonies.
Needless to say, they should also be managing the villa team, and making sure that the quality of service and cleanliness are never compromised.
Before I book a villa in Bali, I always check to see what the Villa Manager arrangement is like, and that there is a full time Villa Manager on site at the villa I am planning to rent. Typically, for good villas, you can expect to have your own dedicated Villa Manager, or have a Villa Manager who is working at 2-3 adjacent villas. However, if a Villa Manager is expected to look after 5-6+ villas, then you are most likely not going to see him for more than a few minutes a day, only during his courtesy visits (at best), so you loose out on the real benefits of having the inside-track.
Villa Quality & Upkeep
Be very, very weary of any rental villas which can not provide you with more than at least 20 recent photos of the property. These photos should show you not only the outside of the buildings, but also the living/dining areas, as well as insides of bedrooms.
If you are not provided with a sufficient number of photos giving you a clear idea of the property, then it is quite likely that there is something substantially wrong with the property, such as a building overlooking it, an abattoir next door, or at the least peeling paintwork or missing fixtures/furniture.
Remember, not all villas are created equal. But additionally, not all villas are kept and maintained equally well. It is your right to request and see these photos of the property.
Mod-Cons
OK, you are planning to stay on a tiny island, in the middle of the tropics. What mod-cons should you expect?
From own experience, I would suggest that even in the middle of the tropics, good Bali villas should be able to provide at least the following mod-cons:
Air-conditioning in all bedrooms
Clean, Western style kitchen -fully equipped with a fridge, microwave, electric kettle, and a coffee maker, as well as sufficient crockery and cutlery
Safe deposit box – at least one for your private villa use, and preferably one in each bedroom
TV/Satellite/DVD Player – as there will always be someone who wants to catch the news, or children who will need entertaining
Telephone – whilst many of us live attached to our mobile/cellular phones, it is important that there is a permanent phone connection at the villa, in case of emergencies
En-suite bathrooms – if you are looking at going as a family or a group of friends, you really don’t want to spend your holiday in Bali queuing for the next available slot at shared facilities!
Enjoying a fully staffed and serviced villa with your own Chef may seem like an un-attainable dream in most other parts of the world. However, renting a Villa in Bali is by far one of the most cost effective ways of enjoying this beautiful island and the company of its hospitable people.
Now armed with this check-list you are ready to plan you next dream holiday in a Villa in Bali.
Like me, you will probably never want to leave, and go back to reality!
Many happy returns…
Joanna M Lawson is an independent travel writer based in SE Asia and splits her time between London and Bali. Ms Lawson is not directly affiliated with Bali Villas. To reuse this article you are required to link to the site above.
Asia Security Travel Tips
Article by Molly Samson
Asia occupies 1 / 4 of the earth’s land mass, it spans loads of time zones. Having a single travel information for all of Asia is just about impossible. Asia like another continent, listed here are basic journey ideas for just a few of the most occurring international locations in Asia.
VietnamThe country’s recommended tourist spots are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, which are both modernized. All tourists in Vietnam, besides Thai and Philippine Nationals want a vacationer Visa before coming into the Country. Well being smart, Malaria is prevalent in Vietnam, it would be best to convey with you anti-mosquito lotions to forestall being bit.
IndonesiaOther than the usual prohibition of narcotics and deadly weapons, Radio cassette Players are banned within the Island of Bali, which is a prime tourist spot in Indonesia. Any object with Chinese language characters written on it, are also prohibited in Bali.
ThailandThai people are very non secular and very loyal to the monarchy. You’d typically see footage of the king across the cities, never make fun of him. The Thai also take into account the head as the highest a part of the physique, whether or not religious or physical. Chorus from touching anybody in the head, and take a look at not to level at something together with your foot.
MalaysiaIt is best to carry light and cool clothes in Malaysia. You’d usually discover food stands in the cities promoting the local delicacies, “teh tarik” a creamed tea, and “roti canai” a kind of pancake, are a must attempt while you do encounter them. Malaysia has many religions, you’d often see, quite a lot of Christian church buildings, Muslim Mosques and Buddhist and Hindu temples could also be present in every city.
PhilippinesThe Philippine has 7,107 islands and islets; beaches are the main vacationer spots in the country. There are several museums and Historic Landmarks in Manila, the country’s capital. Boracay Island is the boast of the nation which has white sand beaches.
HongkongHong Kong is a key destination for a lot of travelers. It is located in Eastern Asia, close to China and the South China Sea. Formerly, leased to Great Britain, Hong Kong was officially returned to China in 1997. Hong Kong offers range in: tradition, faith, and lifestyles.
Chinese language, (Cantonese) and English are both the official language here. So foreigners, who are planning to go to, should have no problems exploring, and experiencing the tradition of this vibrant place; since English is extensively spoken here.
Hong Kong dollar is the forex in use here. One American dollar roughly equals round 7 Hong Kong dollars.Hong Kong is known for: its distinctive energetic vibe, its fantastic food, and exquisite skylines. Hong Kong affords many great upscale procuring districts that rival the excessive end streets of: Shanghai, London and Paris. But the perfect places to shop listed here are the unique shops, and road markets that exhibit the attraction and uniqueness of the locality.
Common SuggestionsEach nation in Asia has its own forex, though up-finish establishments will settle for dollars, there are very few of these around. It is best to have your money changed on the local bank. Some resorts also supply cash altering, but often at a lower exchange rate.Like several sort of selections people must make, it is at all times important to know the realm they are going to be visiting so as to familiarize themselves with the laws, areas of finest tourist spots, and the form of people they must deal with.Going to a place with out having the slightest concept what it is all about is just as unhealthy as going to the wilderness with beasts lurking all over the place and there’s no gadget to guard them.
About the Author
If you want more information with reference to hotels in bukit bintang, pay a visit to Wendall Carteemax’s website instantly.
Bali Travel Tips
Fear of the unknown is rife in people who have never travelled to Bali before. An equal number of good stories and bad stories continually circulate about this magnificent island. Below is a list of travel tips for anyone who has never travelled to Bali before. They will assist you in being prepared and making sure you have a fantastic holiday on this magnificent island.
Take US per person for your Visa on Arrival. You pay for this on arrival at Denpasar airport and this allows you to stay in Bali for a maximum of 30 days.
Pack lightly. Even if you are tempted to throw those extra few things in your suitcase- don’t do it. Bali’s clothing is extremely cheap and whether you like shopping or not guaranteed your suitcase will be a lot heavier coming back. Toiletries etc. can be bought at the 24 hour Mini Marts and Circle K’s for a fraction of the price. The only toiletries i would recommend taking are women’s personal items and sunscreen as these are quite expensive in Bali.
Pack a decent pair of walking shoes. The footpaths in Bali are not exactly structurally sound. Although wearing trainers can be quite warm in the humid environment your feet will be thanking you.
Don’t change money before you go. Although I’m sure you’ve all heard stories of being ripped off by money changers on the street if you follow a few simple rules this will not happen. You will get a better rate changing money in Bali than you will in your home country. Just make sure you go to an Authorised Money Changer, don’t hand over your money until you have counted the money they have given you and make sure you get a receipt. If this still doesn’t sit well with you go to a bank as they normally have even better exchange rates than you’ll get on the street.
It’s better to take cash than use your credit cards. Depending on what bank you are with, you will generally be charge a fee every time you use your credit card in Bali. This is normally a percentage of what you have spent and can add up to an awful lot over the course of your holiday. The maximum withdrawal from any ATM is IDR 1.5 million (nearly AU0) and most banks charge around in fees per withdrawal. For both credit card charges and ATM withdrawals the exchange rate is usually much worse than if you were to change money on the streets. If you really aren’t comfortable taking cash make sure you check with your bank before you leave to know how much the fees are.
Be careful of drivers. If you find a driver who offers you a too cheap price for full day transport be careful. Drivers make little money on driving you around for the day once expenses are taken out. The main income earner for them is receiving commissions from what you eat and what you buy from the places they take you. Although this is the way they make their living you may find yourself being ripped off with the places the driver takes you to. The other problem is you may not end up where you wanted to go as the driver will have his own agenda and take you to the place he gets the highest commission from. Just be wary and try and go with a driver recommend by someone else not just the one who offers you the cheapest price.
Bargain at the markets – everyone knows this but I just thought I’d mention it. If they won’t come down to the price you are willing to pay just walk away and if they follow you know your price is reasonable. Just remember this is how the Balinese make a living so a great thing to do is bargain them down to the lowest price and once you have agreed give them a bit extra. That extra bit is nothing to us but everything to them. This will make them realise you are not a pushover and they will be extremely thankful.
If you don’t want to get hassled by people trying to sell you things I recommend you keep away from the markets and Kuta beach. The Balinese are very rarely nasty or aggressive but as they are trying to make a living can sometimes be quiet overwhelming with their pushiness. It is not like this everywhere and if you keep away from the markets and the main tourists hotspots you shouldn’t have a problem. If you are getting hassled rather than be rude just so ‘no thank you’ and keep on walking. I find politeness like this works the best. The Balinese are excellent at remembering faces so after a few time of ‘no thankyous’ they probably won’t hassle you anymore.
Be careful of the taxes – in the majority of restaurants the taxes are not added onto the price. You will see down the bottom of the menu ‘price is subject to an additional 21% service and government tax’. This is worth mentioning to anyone who hasn’t travelled to Bali before and likes to watch their spending as an additional 21% tax can add up to a reasonable amount.
Don’t eat all your meals at your hotel restaurant. Although this can be convenient at times generally you pay a lot more eating at your hotel than you would if venturing out to the millions of restaurants available on the street. Generally a free breakfast is included with the price of your room but I would recommend eating outside of your hotel for lunch and dinner.
Don’t be afraid of Bali Belly – everyone has a story to tell on how they got Bali Belly. My husband and I have been to Bali copious amounts of times and – touch wood – have never got Bali Belly. Just don’t drink the water. When showering make sure you don’t swallow and use bottled water even when rinsing your mouth out after brushing. Also just use common sense when choosing a place to eat – make sure the kitchen and surrounding areas are clean. If you do get struck with Bali Belly red cordial is said to help and the Balinese believe the local snake fruit is also a great cure.
Shop around – even though the prices in the designer shops are already a lot lower than what we are used to it is still a good idea to shop around. Many places will be having sales of up to 50% and you can get yourself an even better bargain with a bit of looking around.
Until you become familiar with the prices taxis charge make sure you get in one with a meter. Once you are comfortable with knowing the price you should get charged catching a taxi without a meter is fine – just make sure you negotiate the price before you jump in.
When departing Bali you are required to pay IDR150 000 per person in departure tax. Many new travellers to Bali are unaware of this. Also it is worthwhile to mention that once you check in for your departure it is very difficult to get back out of the airport. Guards stand at the doors and will only allow you to exit if you need to use the ATM.
In my opinion Bali is the ultimate holiday destination. No matter what kind of holiday you would like Bali has something to offer for everyone. I hope the above tips will make you feel more comfortable in choosing Bali as your next holiday destination.
http://www.balisuccesstours.com.au is an Australian owned and run business working closely with quality Balinese Companies to showcase all Bali has to offer for the ultimate holiday experience. Our website is a one-stop shop for researching and booking your perfect Bali holiday. We charge for all tours in Australian dollars-eliminating the fees and confusion incurred with currency exchange. As we are online based our overheads are low allowing us to keep our prices highly competitive, with the majority of our Bali tours and activities being below the Published Price you would be charged if booking in Bali. We take care of the booking process for you, from beginning to end, ensuring when you arrive in Bali your holiday will run smoothly. Visit us at http://www.balisuccesstours.com.au for all your Bali Holiday needs.
Bali Travel Tips For Getting The Best Out Of Your Travel
Bali’s varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides provide a picturesque backdrop to the colorful and deeply spiritual culture of this \”Island of The Gods.\” Below are a few questions that are commonly asked plus tips on the do’s and don’ts of Bali Travel.
1/ Do you need a visa for travel to bali?
In general you don’t need to get a visa before you to Bali from most countries. A visa costs approximately US for 7 days/US for 30 days. If you have a Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR passport, then you will get a free visa.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia, and you must have proof of onward passage (either return or through tickets). If you cannot fulfill both of these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country.
The Visa on Arrival is non-extendable and cannot be converted into a different visa. Once you disembark, you will come to an area where you buy your visa. (Do not miss this section). AFTER you have paid for and received your visa you THEN to proceed to Immigration where your visa will be processed.
2/ Is it safe to travel to Bali?
On October 12, 2002, the most commercialized, southern area of Bali came under attack by terrorists. The Kuta Beach tourist area is often referred to as \”Little Australia\” by the local people because it is known to primarily cater to Australian tourists and surfers. This shocking tragedy sent the message around the world that no tourist destination is completely safe in our dangerous times. What a disappointment to all who have come to deeply appreciate the hospitable Balinese people and their culture. But the intent of the perpetrators was to strike at Western revelers and their commercialism. Since Bali as a whole is primarily unscathed by such ugly decay, the Balinese culture remains untouched. However, the impact on the tourist economy has not been minimal. In recent years, tourism has contributed significantly to the financial well-being of the island and even to Indonesia as a whole. Swift efforts by the government to ensure a speedy recover are underway. Strict security measures have been implemented. Some countries have already lifted travel warnings implemented, and tourism to Bali is again on the rise.
3/ Do I need a License to drive or Ride in Bali?
Yes. If you live in Australia, then the best way to do this is to see your NRMA branch and apply for an International Drivers License which will cost you for one year. Other countries: see your roads and traffic authority to apply for an international licence.This is easy to do, will save you the headaches of police fines and problems; and will be a lot easier than applying for a temporary license once you get to Bali as this takes a full day in Denpasar filling in applications and doing the test.
More Bali Tips:
• Change money at a reputable looking location, use your own (or the hotel’s) calculator before changing!
• Drink a lot of bottled water and eat lots of fresh fruit – do your body a favor.
• Be careful with your belongings at all times. Crime is on the increase and can ruin your holiday. Cases of handbag snatching have been reported, so leave important documents in your hotel safe and wear your bag across your shoulders!
• Try not to step on offerings in the street (walk around them).
• Respect the slow pace of processions when stuck behind one, i.e. don’t honk!
• Haggle when buying (except on price-tagged goods.)
• Buy ‘Imodium AD’ to relieve bouts of Bali belly.
• Have a great holiday in Bali!
Don’t:
• Forget to take your passport (or a photocopy of your ID).
• Do drugs! It can carry the death penalty, and there are enough foreigners residing in Bali courtesy of the Govt. Prison service!
• Touch people’s heads – it is very offensive to Hindus.
• Enter a temple during menstruation. Sorry Ladies!
• Forget to put salt on your food & drink water – you will probably sweat a lot.
• Worry too much about the ice – its government-quality controlled in established bars and restaurants.
• Forget to look and listen while you cross the road. Cars may stop, motorbikes may not!
• Forget to reconfirm your flight 72 hours prior to flying.
By following these tips, you will get the most out of your holiday with the least amount of hassles. Have a great trip and enjoy!
To learn much more about traveling to Bali, please visit Bali-Vacation Packages where you’ll find much more, including the benefits of Bali Vacation Rentals
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