Wednesday, August 26, 2009

THE ISLAND

Set in a quiet lane-way, just back from Legian Beach, The Island is the perfect base for your stay in Bali. It is less than five minutes walk to the famous Double 6 Beach, is surrounded by great restaurants, night-clubs and bars; and the shopping district is right on your doorstep. The hotel itself features 10 luxurious double rooms, two deluxe dorms, a very cool rooftop garden, an infinity pool, cafe, island yoga and pilates studio, in-house massage service, wi-fi internet, travel desk, airport transfers and most importantly a super friendly vibe

Directions:
To get to the hotel from the airport, take a taxi (3 euros) to the back entrance of the Melasti Hotel on Jalan Padma Utara in Legian. Directly across from here is Gang Abdi. We are are the last place on the left in this lane-way.

Alternatively you can come from Jalan Legian, via Gang XIX a few metres towards Kuta from the DHL office. Another major landmark is the Legian LPD (council building). Our Gang runs alongside this. Once you find Gang XIX walk until the end where you will see a bamboo fence. This is the side/night entrance to the hotel.

Whats nearby:
The Island is centrally located near some of the best restaurants, bars, clubs, spas and fashion boutiques in Bali. Also within walking distance is the famous Double 6 beach, where you will find some of Bali's best valued cafes, the three major surf schools, Club 66, De Ja Vu, AJ Hackett Bungy Tower, and plenty of sun chairs to spend your day on. 20 minutes (walking distance) in either direction is the famous Kuta tourist strip, Oberoi 'eat street', the world famous beach bar - Ku De Ta and dozens of fabulous spas and fashion boutiques.

Monday, September 29, 2008

This is the view from our roof garden. You can kick it up here in the afternoon with a beer and watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean. It's way cool.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Our Favourite Bars

The Sky Garden - Definitely the hottest spot in town right now. Located in the rapidly changing downtown Kuta area, this rooftop bar has developed a big following with the cool crowd. Big sofa beds, sweet beats, beautiful table service and expansive cocktail list are a winning formula. Get in early to get a good position and live large.

The Anantara Roof Bar - On the roof of the new Anantara Hotel in Seminyak this bar is a step up into a new era in the local bar scene. With a view stretching from the Bukit Peninsula to Gilimanuk, you can kick back, cocktail in hand on the giant day beds and take in the best sunset view on the island. The Lychee Martini is amazing as are the Berry Mojitos. Bring your sunnies, bust out a cute dress, and be prepared for some all time cocktail lounging.

Ku De Ta - Up until recently this was beyond doubt the coolest sunset location in Bali. The opening of the Anantara has shaded it on the view but KDT still outperforms on the cool factor. This is where anyone who is anything wants to be seen. late afternoon will see all types mixing it up to the famed sunset soundtrack and cocktail list. Girls in bikinis, mafioso looking guys smoking cigars, mandatory sunglasses and designer threads make this world renowned bar a must visit for anyone to Bali. Be warned that cocktails are expensive but not so much that you cant afford one or two whilst you take in the decadence around you.

Our Favourite Restaurants

Warung Asia - Great thai food in a quite backstreet in Seminyak. Very reasonably priced with a cool beachside ambience this should be high on anyones eat list. Dont miss the fish curry or pad thai, and wash it down with a strawberry juice. For dessert the ice delima is all time. It looks a bit suss but tastes heavenly.

Warung Sobat - All time food joint on Batu Belig, whose reputation speaks for itself. Always packed to capacity Sobat is famous for its great food and ridiculously cheap prices. On any given night expats and locals will be enjoying the delights of this warung. I cant go past the beef kebabs or sizzling steak. Both are absolutely delicious and embarrasingly cheap. They also do italian and indonesian food of equally high quality. Very few tourists know of this well kept secret spot.

Cafe Bali - The hottest new restaurant on the scene, this is not your usual Bali style joint. With a really stylish and eclectic decor, a great European/Asian menu, super cool wait staff and its fair share of beautiful patrons, CB is more of a night out than a meal. You cant go past the kick-ass cocktails (the frozen margarita is especially exciting) and the food never misses the mark. I love sharing the 'mixed dessert for two' with my beautiful girlfriend, and then kicking on at the bar for a few digestifs and a good old chat.

Trattoria - Simple Italian fare at its best. The endless crowds are testament to the food, with pizza and pasta the main act. The vibe is frenetic with the dozens of staff running around trying to marry pizza with persons, with the odd bottle of plonk to boot. The desserts are worth saving some room for with the creme brulle and tiramisu a personal fave.

Ocha's Warung - An upmarket warung right on the corner of Jalan Legian and Seminyak Rd (Dhyana Pura) that serves good local food minus the dreaded MSG. Breakfast is good with imported coffee squeezed out of a real coffee machine and eggs done just they way you like em. To round it out they offer free wi-fi if you bring your own compy. Due to its location, price and general goodness, there is no better place to lunch when you are on a serious shopping mission.