Together with 3 other couple friends and one kid, 9 of us embarked on a 5D4N trip to Bali. Took SQ flight which cost S$412nett/pax (adult).
Accommodation
4BR villa at Pat-Mase http://www.pat-mase.com/default.asp, Jimbaran Bay, which cost USD275nett/ night including breakfast for 8 pax. After conversion, each couple paid S$439 for 4N. I think it’s very reasonable. Well, value for money perhaps cos while the pictures on the website look fantastic, the truth is, the villa was not well-maintained.
1. One of the bedroom’s aircon was not working, and as occupancy was full over that weekend, they could only give us another 2BR villa. So, we had a 4BR and a 2BR villa – 2 couples stayed in each loh.. No extra cost, of course!
2. The living rooms at both villas are not equipped with ceiling fans! The villa’s an open concept. Other than the bedrooms, all common areas are non-airconditioned.. very hot leh! Actually, the villa next to us has ceiling fans.. we wonder why the inconsistency. Anyway, we requested for standing fans.
3. The amenities did not meet the basic requirements. 1stly, the housekeeper did not refill the items consistently – you will find either one face towel was missing, if not the bath towel. No big deal actually as we could always phone them to deliver lah.. What was worse was the condition of the bath towels, which showed very clearly how old the towels were!
4. Though they have WIFI, the connection wasn’t good at all.
5. The breakfast was the only saving grace, actually haha! Guests can choose to either have breakfast cooked and served in your villa (yes, the chef will come and cook for you), or have it at their café. Trust all of us, we love the breakfast served at the café MUCH MORE than those served in the villa. Ok, here’s what the café had which we didn’t get when we ate at the villa (we ate twice in the villa and twice in the café):
a. Mushroom
b. Bigger share of fruits
c. Coffee taste much better at the café too
6. The pool water wasn’t very clean but we swam in it nevertheless haha!
7. Generally, the entire villa needed a good refurbishment!
Overall, I couldn’t complain too much considering the price we paid. If you really want quality accommodation, there are many options in Bali where a 4BR villa could easily cost US$550 per night (2 times more).
Accommodation
4BR villa at Pat-Mase http://www.pat-mase.com/default.asp, Jimbaran Bay, which cost USD275nett/ night including breakfast for 8 pax. After conversion, each couple paid S$439 for 4N. I think it’s very reasonable. Well, value for money perhaps cos while the pictures on the website look fantastic, the truth is, the villa was not well-maintained.
1. One of the bedroom’s aircon was not working, and as occupancy was full over that weekend, they could only give us another 2BR villa. So, we had a 4BR and a 2BR villa – 2 couples stayed in each loh.. No extra cost, of course!
2. The living rooms at both villas are not equipped with ceiling fans! The villa’s an open concept. Other than the bedrooms, all common areas are non-airconditioned.. very hot leh! Actually, the villa next to us has ceiling fans.. we wonder why the inconsistency. Anyway, we requested for standing fans.
3. The amenities did not meet the basic requirements. 1stly, the housekeeper did not refill the items consistently – you will find either one face towel was missing, if not the bath towel. No big deal actually as we could always phone them to deliver lah.. What was worse was the condition of the bath towels, which showed very clearly how old the towels were!
4. Though they have WIFI, the connection wasn’t good at all.
5. The breakfast was the only saving grace, actually haha! Guests can choose to either have breakfast cooked and served in your villa (yes, the chef will come and cook for you), or have it at their café. Trust all of us, we love the breakfast served at the café MUCH MORE than those served in the villa. Ok, here’s what the café had which we didn’t get when we ate at the villa (we ate twice in the villa and twice in the café):
a. Mushroom
b. Bigger share of fruits
c. Coffee taste much better at the café too
6. The pool water wasn’t very clean but we swam in it nevertheless haha!
7. Generally, the entire villa needed a good refurbishment!
Overall, I couldn’t complain too much considering the price we paid. If you really want quality accommodation, there are many options in Bali where a 4BR villa could easily cost US$550 per night (2 times more).
Villa main entrance/ Reception
One of the bedrooms. Each bedroom has a different style/ design
Bathroom which has only a see-through sliding door. The toilet has no door too. 
Living area of our 4BR villa
Dining area with a small private pool for 4BR villa
Shared pool for a cluster of villas
Staff preparing breakfast in the villa kitchen
Our breakfast - 3 choices: continental set, american set or indonesian set. Choose your choice of fruit juice, how you like your eggs to be done, whether with bacon or sausage and coffee or tea.
Transport
Pat-Mase Villa is located off the main street and there are no convenient stores, tourist facilities etc in the area. So we had to book transport to take us everywhere in Bali. Through a friend’s friend, we got a driver who charged IDR325,000 per day (for 10hrs) for a 7-seater vehicle. This worked out to be less than S$50 per day. Beyond the 10hrs, it cost IDR30,000/hr or S$4 per hour. Spreading the costs among 4 couples, the transport was totally worth it!
Driver’s contact:
Mr Gun (pronounced as ‘goon’), Mobile: 081 246 08759
Shopping
At Ubud Market, of course! If you do, remember to 杀价! Don’t hesitate to bargain and cut their offered price to ONE-THIRD of what they told you! Yes, they will relent!
Spa/ Massage
How could we not do spa/ massage when in Bali right? Hahah!! One of my friends have been to Bali a few times and he recommended a cheap and good place. Name of the place is called Cozy in Kuta area. For 1.5hr of full body massage, it cost only IDR86,000 (S$12!!!)!! The other highly recommended massage is the head, shoulder, neck massage with foot reflexology – 1.5hr cost IDR76,000 (S$11). They have bathing facilities too! Hiyoh…. Tell me where can you find in Singapore????
Ok, I must admit, for the price we paid, the massage place was totally frills-free. Don’t expect beautifully decorated individual rooms like you’d see in Singapore. They separate each bed with drawn curtains – just one bed in each “compartment”.
Was the massage good? YES! The masseurs’ strength was consistent throughout! We did twice in 2 days ha! Had wanted another on the 3rd day but we didn’t have time ;(
Contact (call to book in advance):
Cozy
Jln Sunset Blok A/3 (North Simpang Siur)
Tel: 0361 766762, 766 743, 7472 762/3
How could we not do spa/ massage when in Bali right? Hahah!! One of my friends have been to Bali a few times and he recommended a cheap and good place. Name of the place is called Cozy in Kuta area. For 1.5hr of full body massage, it cost only IDR86,000 (S$12!!!)!! The other highly recommended massage is the head, shoulder, neck massage with foot reflexology – 1.5hr cost IDR76,000 (S$11). They have bathing facilities too! Hiyoh…. Tell me where can you find in Singapore????
Ok, I must admit, for the price we paid, the massage place was totally frills-free. Don’t expect beautifully decorated individual rooms like you’d see in Singapore. They separate each bed with drawn curtains – just one bed in each “compartment”.
Was the massage good? YES! The masseurs’ strength was consistent throughout! We did twice in 2 days ha! Had wanted another on the 3rd day but we didn’t have time ;(
Contact (call to book in advance):
Cozy
Jln Sunset Blok A/3 (North Simpang Siur)
Tel: 0361 766762, 766 743, 7472 762/3
Beach/ Place of interest
1. Black sandy beach in front of Anantara, Seminyak
2. White sandy beach at Dreamland
The vicinity is still be developed so nothing much. Waves were HUGE - good only for surfing, and swimming prohibited. Oh, if you want to use its beach benches, it cost IDR20,000 per bench. Use of toilet cost IDR3,000 per person.
The vicinity is still be developed so nothing much. Waves were HUGE - good only for surfing, and swimming prohibited. Oh, if you want to use its beach benches, it cost IDR20,000 per bench. Use of toilet cost IDR3,000 per person.
3. Tanah Lot
Famous for sunset more so than the temple itself ;p
Water rafting
IDR250,000 per pax including transport, rafting (5km) and lunch. Took us 1+hr from Pat-Mase to Ayung River where the rafting was. Ayung River is great for beginners or first-timers and it is so. Too easy, we thought. So, next time, we could go for the advance level rafting! Haha!
Though it was supposed to be a half day trip, the actual rafting duration was about than 1hr (including time when we stopped in the middle of the River for a break). Other than the usual safety gear, they’d also give each group a water-proof bag for you to put your valuables you want to bring along (the rest can go into their lockers). You can also bathe - they also provide shampoo and shower foam (don’t ask me what brand or its quality).
IDR250,000 per pax including transport, rafting (5km) and lunch. Took us 1+hr from Pat-Mase to Ayung River where the rafting was. Ayung River is great for beginners or first-timers and it is so. Too easy, we thought. So, next time, we could go for the advance level rafting! Haha!
Though it was supposed to be a half day trip, the actual rafting duration was about than 1hr (including time when we stopped in the middle of the River for a break). Other than the usual safety gear, they’d also give each group a water-proof bag for you to put your valuables you want to bring along (the rest can go into their lockers). You can also bathe - they also provide shampoo and shower foam (don’t ask me what brand or its quality).
Lunch was buffet style with just a few dishes. From the stack of brochures we took from the airport, we reckon this was the cheapest deal and so we didn’t expect much. Oh, all the rafting guides are all well-built and most are quite good looking hahaha!!!
While half the group went rafting, the other half (with kid and one pregnant) went Tanjung Benoa for sea sports. They said it was fun and more importantly, cheap! Jet ski, para-gliding cost only US$10 per activity! I don’t think Bintan/ Batam or even Phuket would offer such activities at this price, right?
Food
1. Bebek Bengil, in Ubud
Famous for crispy duck. The locals call it ‘dirty duck’, I don’t know why. But it wasn’t cheap loh.. IDR63,000 (S$9) excluding 21% GST. Since it’s a local specialty, if you like, can try loh.. after shopping at Ubud! Just tell the driver the famous crispy duck in Ubud and they’d know ;)
Crispy duckling, with choice of potatoes or rice
View of a padi field, just beside the crispy duck restaurant - so you can enjoy the view while enjoying the food too!2. Warung Made (pronounced as ‘ma-deh’), in Seminyak
Famous for its Nasi Goreng and Ginger Tea. We forgot to try the Ginger Tea haha! I had Strawberry Lassi instead. Very good!
Nasi Campur (pronounced as 'cham-poh') which I think it mixed rice lah hahah!
Nasi goreng which was great!3. Ku-de-ta (pronounced as ‘ku-deh-ta’), in Seminyak
Famous for enjoying sunset while sipping sunset drinks, which were quite reasonable. Drinks were good!
Famous for enjoying sunset while sipping sunset drinks, which were quite reasonable. Drinks were good!
My drink, called Lychees (lychee with mascarpone cheese!) Very nice leh... I never knew we could 'drink' mascarpone cheese like that!4. TaKe (pronounced as ‘ta-keh’), in Seminyak
Fantastic Japanese food, recommended by my friend's friend!! Very fresh seafood, and cheaper than in Singapore, of course!
Stir-fried clams - not so good but the rest was yummy!
Lobster roll
Dragon roll
Pork belly with vege - oh my, the fats just melt in your mouth! Haha!
One big boat of sashimi!!! Darn good!
Ox tongue which you pan-fry on the hot stove. First time eating ox tongue for most of us - none of us regretted!!
