Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 246

GETTING AROUND
Bemos The dark-blue Tegal-Kuta-Legian bemos (at least
hourly; 5am-8.30pm) only cover a clockwise loop around
Kuta, leaving out most of Legian and all of Seminyak. Flag
them down at any point along this route; expect to pay
around Rp5000.
Taxis and drivers The most reliable metered taxis are
the light-blue Bali Taksi ( T 0361 701111; note that almost
all drivers turn off the meter uno cially after midnight;
expect to pay at least Rp50,000 to get home from a night
out no matter how short the distance). The informal taxi
service offered by the ubiquitous transport touts is rarely
cheaper for short trips but can be worthwhile for longer
journeys and day-trips (around Rp450,000/day).
Motorbike and bicycle rental Tour agents and touts
offer motorbikes (from Rp50,000) and bicycles (from
Rp20,000) for rent.

budget choice, with plain but clean, fan-cooled rooms
with fridges and hot water; some more expensive a/c
options ar e available t oo. Relatively quiet, yet close to
the action. Rp150,000
Hotel Lusa Jl Benesari T 0361 753714, W hotellusakuta
.com. Large, well-run hotel with a range of rooms, inclu-
ding cold-water, fan-cooled “economy” options (rooms
with hot water c ost an extra Rp60,000 or so), and a nice
garden and pool. Rp275,000
Masa Inn 31 Poppies 1 T 0361 758507, W masainn.com.
If you're looking for a touch more comfort, but don't want
to break the bank, Masa Inn has a/c, mid-range rooms, two
pool s and a rest aurant. Good-value singles (Rp300,000)
too. Rp500,000
Hotel Sorga Gang Sorga T 0361 751897, W hotelsorga
.com. The rooms in this rather old hotel look a bit shabby,
but the fan rooms in a three-storey block set around a
small pool and restaurant still offer good value for the
price (thoug h the cheapest ones only have cold water).
Rp220,000
Suka Beach Inn Jl Benesari, off Poppies 2 T 0861
752793. This backpacker favourite offers spartan fan-
cooled rooms (though don't expect “l uxuries” such as
towels) in blocks surrouding a large pool. Rp140,000
Un's Hotel Jl Benesari, off Poppies 2 T 0361 757409,
W unshotel.com. Popular mid-range place where the
least expensive rooms come with fans, T Vs and hot w ater.
There's a pool and a good restaurant too. Rp575,000

ACCOMMODATION
The biggest concentration of inexpensive accommodation
is in Kuta, along Poppies 1, Poppies 2 and Jl Benesari. Legian
has good-value places with pools and a/c; Seminyak is more
sophisticated and pricier.

4

KUTA
Anemone Gang Sorga T 0361 754683. Spick-and-span
rooms, all with a/c and hot water, in a qu iet family co mpound
with a tiny pool. Breakfast not included. Rp160,000
★

Bendesa Jl Legian T 0361 754 366, W bendesa
accommodation.com. A cut above most of the competition,
with a range of decent-sized rooms in a l arge, leafy co mplex
around a pleasant pool, and friendly staff. Rp200,000
Hostel Kempu Taman Ayu II Just off Jl Benesari
T 0361 754376, W hostelkemputamanayu2.com. Solid

LEGIAN AND SEMINYAK
Blue Ocean Jl Double Six T 0361 730289. Basic and
shabby fan rooms (some with kitchens) whose real
attraction is their prime location on the beachfront road.
There's a surf school on the premises. Staff are lai dback to the
point of being horizontal. Breakfast costs extra. Rp300,000
Inada Losmen Gang Bima 9, off Jl Dhyana Pura and Jl
Raya Seminyak T 0361 732269, E [e-mail].
Top-value losmen on a quiet leafy lane, with a dozen large
and clean but dark roo ms set rou nd a garden yard
complete with a koi pond. Rp150,000
The Island Gang Abdi at Jl Legian T 0361 762662,
W theislandhotelbali.com. A boutique hostel run by
friendly, laidback Australians and Brits. The cool white
rooms are set around an infinity pool and dorm beds have
fabulous thick mattresses. Rates includes a free massage
for those in the private rooms and for backpackers staying
at least three nights. The perfect place to relax for a few
days and meet new friends, tho ugh it's not the qui etest
place in town. Dorm Rp250,000 , double Rp600,000
★

HOT SHOPPING
Jl Oberoi (often referred to as Eat Street
thanks to its plethora of trendy restaurants)
is Bali's very own Rodeo Drive - though
rather than established designers, this is
the place to find up-and-coming design
talent from all over the world. Popular
designers include the French brand Magali
Pascal (daily 10am-10pm; T 0361 736147,
W magalipascal.com).
If you're looking for something more
than the beachside market stalls in Kuta,
head to the colossal, seafront Discovery
Shopping Mall (Sun-Thurs 10am-10pm,
Fri-Sat 10am-10.30pm; T 0361 755522,
W discoveryshoppingmall.com) on Jl
Kartika Plaza, for clothes from known
labels, as well as local designers. You'll also
find books, crafts and gifts here.

Raja Gardens Jl Abimanyu, next to Santo Mikael Church
T 0361 730494, E [e-mail] or E walker808id
@yahoo.com. An excellent hotel well worth stretching the
budget for, with large, spotless (if a little bare) rooms with
fans (a/c costs Rp100,000 extra) set around a lovingly