Calling Lien and anyone else in S''pore

[Harriet]

I''m debating between 2 days in Bali, Koh Samui and Bintan. One factor is how long it takes to get there. Any input?

 

[elle]

Bintan''s the closest - less than an hour by ferry - but isn''t your FI prone to seasickness? Both Bali and Koh Samui are about 2 hours by flight. LOVED Bali - it''s mysterious and magical esp up in Ubud but would worry about safety issues and it''s beaches are not great. Would pass on BIntan - the Banyan Tree had great service but it was old and the beach wasn''t great. Samui is on my list of to sees - but the pictures are tdf and everyone I know who''s been there raves about it - only complain is that it''s gotten too popular. Hth.

 

[Harriet]

Hi Elle,
I''m concerned about safety in Bali too. There''s a stunning new hotel in Koh Samui, but the only direct flight gets in at night, which is a waste. My DF isn''t coming with me, so the ferry ride won''t be an issue. I''m surprised you don''t care for Banyan Tree. Which type of villa were you in?

 

[Independent Gal]

Awww! I wanna go too!

 

[Harriet]

You can with with me.

I''ll probably be rattling around in this one:
http://www.banyantree.com/bintan/villas_bayfrontpool.htm

 

[Harriet]

LIEN....

 

[Phoenix]

Sorry, Harriet, just saw this thread.

Personally, I am not sure, I''d go alone to these places. There is a safety issue, from a bomb attack point of view, with Bali. But all three, I am not sure are that safe for a female to venture to alone. If you really want to go anyway, I''d say Bintan is the least risky. I''d make sure you arrange for a hotel pick-up at the ferry terminal.

All three places are not that far or difficult to get to from S''pore. As someone else said, I recall it takes something like 2-3 hrs.

Does that help?

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/12/2007 4:56:37 AM
Author: lienTN
Sorry, Harriet, just saw this thread.

Personally, I am not sure, I''d go alone to these places. There is a safety issue, from a bomb attack point of view, with Bali. But all three, I am not sure are that safe for a female to venture to alone. If you really want to go anyway, I''d say Bintan is the least risky. I''d make sure you arrange for a hotel pick-up at the ferry terminal.

All three places are not that far or difficult to get to from S''pore. As someone else said, I recall it takes something like 2-3 hrs.

Does that help?

Yes, it does (though you''re scaring me a little). Naive question -- why do you think it unsafe for a lone female traveller in Koh Samui and Bintan? I''m going because I need some time off by myself and won''t leave the resort. Besides, have you see the new Four Seasons in Koh Samui?

 

[Phoenix]

Sorry, Harriet. I didn''t mean to scare you off. It''s just my paranoia going into overdrive (having grown up in London, I''ve become extra cautious and it has served me well, but sometimes I think I can go a bit OTT). If you''re just going to stay within the resort and not venture outside, you should be ok.

Four Seasons are always amazing and never disappoint.

 

[Harriet]

Nah, I''ll still go. I need the time off.

 

[sparkles]

Hi,

Do you really want to bother...how bout RITz, Shang at sentosa or the beaufort. I''m sitting here with a very stiff and saw back having spa and pampering thoughts. lol

 

[Harriet]

Too late -- I''ve already booked the Banyan Tree. Daytrip there for a massage. It''s the best one I''ve ever had.

 

[elle]

Sorry Harriet - missed your qn. I see you've already booked BT. Daytrip sounds like good idea. Are you spending the day at the spa?

We had a seaview with just the outdoor jacuzzi - 3 years ago. Rooms furnished BT style, location was very tranquil, spa and massages were out of this world but I felt the room was more rustic than luxe and not well maintained - or maybe it was part of the rustic charm? The bathroom - I am very particular about baths; had like mold on the windows etc. Plus it didn't help that we could very clearly hear moans of ecstasy coming from a nearby villa - it made me not want to use the jacuzzi. Had to tell my then 2y/o it was a cat - then she wanted to rescue it. Not fun.

Actually if you wanted something closer, check out The Sentosa. We rented at the 2bdrm pool villa and had a pool party for my dd's b'day. Everything was MUCH nicer than BT, esp the bathrooms! Plus it was pretty cool to have peacocks wandering around us! The spa's nice there too. But the best part, you can cab it back to mainland!

Eta: Only downside is The Sentosa is inland.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/14/2007 2:22:59 PM
Author: elle
Sorry Harriet - missed your qn. I see you've already booked BT. Daytrip sounds like good idea. Are you spending the day at the spa?

We had a seaview with just the outdoor jacuzzi - 3 years ago. Rooms furnished BT style, location was very tranquil, spa and massages were out of this world but I felt the room was more rustic than luxe and not well maintained - or maybe it was part of the rustic charm? The bathroom - I am very particular about baths; had like mold on the windows etc. Plus it didn't help that we could very clearly hear moans of ecstasy coming from a nearby villa - it made me not want to use the jacuzzi. Had to tell my then 2y/o it was a cat - then she wanted to rescue it. Not fun.

Actually if you wanted something closer, check out The Sentosa. We rented at the 2bdrm pool villa and had a pool party for my dd's b'day. Everything was MUCH nicer than BT, esp the bathrooms! Plus it was pretty cool to have peacocks wandering around us! The spa's nice there too. But the best part, you can cab it back to mainland!

Eta: Only downside is The Sentosa is inland.

I'm spending 2 nights -- I need some solitude. I was suggesting a spa daytrip to Sparkles.

How did you stop your daughter in the end? We were there in the summer of '05, and were extremely impressed. Maybe we havd lower standards! I stayed in the Villa-on-the-Rocks the last tiem. This time, I'm splurging on a pool villa, so I'll never have to leave it.

I'll look into the Sentosa. Maybe my folks will want a night there. Thanks!