Monthly Archives: September 2023

Bali Hotels. Seminyak, Indonesia.

Asia, ,

The Grand Mercure in Seminyak is as fresh as a new-born babe. Just nine months old and a stone’s throw from Seminyak Beach. But why worry too much about the beach when you have a swim-up bar of which you can comfortably nestle yourself onto warm mosaic seating, then order almost whatever you like. And if you’re early enough, you’ll be smug as a bug on a rug … sipping on a cool beverage.

A Deluxe King-size Bedroom is truly affordable luxury with this five-star property and a bonus – drumroll please – a balcony which is a real treat to watch those amazing sunsets in the early evening.

The property features 269 well-designed spacious rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, Spa and three stunning outdoor pools. The Grand Mercure Seminyak has it covered with friendly staff who know your name in no time.

Bathrooms are of the utmost importance to those who enjoy a deep-soak bathtub or an easy accessible shower. Again, spacious and comfortable making the daily routine something to really look forward to.

Who doesn’t love breakfast? An array of delicious accompaniments of which can be found at the buffet to lure any diehard westerner who prefers the usual hum drum of bacon and eggs. Why travel if not experiencing taste sensations such as a noodle soup with all those little added extras such as spring or fried onions, chili, mung bean spouts and perhaps topped off with a hard-boiled egg.

With a sea breeze wafting up from the nearby beach and a view of the hotel’s pool, make sure you’re up early to enjoy the breakfast buffet when it’s not so busy.

A Grand Ballroom and another five Meeting Rooms is perfect for any kind of event or function which requires catering. With an extensive treasure trove of ideas from the coordinators, there’s surely an agreeable fit for purpose.

A short walk down the street will take you to a myriad of shops, market places and various eateries. Money changers are abundant, but look for banks for the best and safest cash exchanges.

Nope not interested. I bypassed the Vegemite toast on this day and was seeking a more spicy, authentic traditional dish from the local eateries.

So how much is 28,000 Indonesian Rupiahs? On today’s exchange with the Aussie dollar, approximately $A2.80 and still great value for food and drinks.

A short five-minute walk to Double Six Beach is where you can find your dose of salt air and cool sea water to ensure there’s that element of ‘beachiness’ in your holiday plans.

Further along the walking track, Legian Beach is another hot spot for visitors and locals.

Colourful colonial homes with an old-style form of architecture can also be found strolling around the streets of Seminyak.

W is for Wow Factor! And that is what the W Bali Hotel is all about. Trade in ordinary for extraordinary at this five-star resort. Located in the heart of Bali’s vibrant fashion and restaurant scene, there’s no shortage of great entertainment and an energetic nightlife. 

The magnificent W Bali Hotel is another luxury resort and part of the Marriott Bonvoy stable. Located within the heart of Bali’s vibrant fashion stores and restaurant scene, it exudes a rich playground and ambience reserved for the elite. Set in an enclosure of secure lush grounds, there’s a serenity and feeling of safety away from the busy streets of Seminyak.

An outdoor spa for one or two to enjoy the fresh air whilst being relieved from your previous stresses. A vigorous massage session is a must for a truly relaxing experience before heading out to the secluded beach area reserved for the property.

I’ve always maintained women should design bathrooms because we love to have our precious amenities in full view within its own special place. For a functional area, this one (room number 303) is again another drawcard for ease and spaciousness. Dual basins for two guests always helps with not clashing in a hurry … although there’d be a race for the deep egg-shaped bathtub! And a seated area for time to sit and contemplate which amenities to try first for the bathing ritual.

A big push from me is the use of refillable bottles of body and shower products reducing the need and usage of single-use plastics. The W Bali Hotel ticked the box here admirably.

Speaking of the reduction of waste…  Goby is a giant see-through fish, installed on W Bali’s beachfront to raise awareness and help reduce plastic in the Bali Ocean. 

Goby helps show what is happening when trash ends up in the sea – undoubtedly in the belly of fish and other sea creatures. And with this, W Bali Hotel tells a simple message; the only fish that should eat plastic is the likes of Goby!

FIRE is one of the finest restaurants to enjoy a layout of delectable accompaniments and cuisine. Take a little advice from the staff and try some of those goodies not readily available at home.

Brunch is my favourite time to eat and there’s an impressive display of condiments along with my main food choices. This time a little more healthy ‘greenery’ than the usual brekky at home.

And of course, having a brekky cooked each morning is absolute luxury.

FIRE really has all the healthy choices too for those of us trying hard to reduce our carbs. Umm I’d bet the plate missing an all-time favourite would have to be mango. But topped up in no time.

Time to say bye to the wonderful W Bali Hotel Seminyak – and it’s onto Lembongan Island.

Stay tuned for Lembongan Island’s resorts and fast ferry ride in the next posting.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Asia,

How to travel to Malaysia and around the country? Malaysia Airlines (MH) have it covered with an abundance of flights daily, both internationally and domestically with streamlined connections, especially through the capital Kuala Lumpur.

This snazzy aircraft at the gate of Kuching airport is a Malaysia Airlines (MH) B737 800 series and was spotlessly clean and comfortable. The staff were friendly and extremely helpful in every way.

Please note; a trip from Kuala Lumpur over to Kuching in Borneo is considered an international flight (because of the relationship to Malaysia), you will also need to clear immigration again going into Borneo and back to Malaysia and onto your country (if travelling internationally).

Of course, different airlines fly in both directions, but ascertain before ticketing, you have enough time to ensure the transfer is viable. Especially if you are using two different carriers with no interline baggage agreement as you will have to collect the luggage and again recheck it for the new onward flight. If in doubt call the airlines you are booked with to be doubly sure. If travelling on Malaysia Airlines, it’s a seamless transition of luggage if ticketed on MH, one of its subsidiaries or alliance partners.

Check with your travel agent or call Malaysia Airlines directly.

Taking the airport train from the Terminals 1 and 2 is a thoughtful option considering the length of time road transport can take. Approximately MYR55 (A$20) the KL Espres train is fast and efficient allowing time to relax a little before arriving into KL Sentral and City Air Terminal, whereby it’s a transit point for the local metro and Monorail train system.

From KL Sentral there’s more options with the Monorail which run overhead of the city’s traffic.

Hint: Bukit Bintang is a fantastic shopping area with restaurants and markets if you’re on the hunt for some last-minute bargains and delicious food.

Clean and affordable in ‘how to get around’ a busy city, this is a fast and effective way in cutting out the daily grind of traffic lights. Have some loose change ready for the ticket machines and you’ll be on your way in no time. Choose English on the display unit (if that’s your language) making it incredibly easy.

And what’s the first stop on everyone’s list of things to do in Kuala Lumpur? No prizes for guessing! One of the world’s most impressive buildings being the Pretonas Twin Towers. They were officially designated as the tallest buildings in the world until they were surpassed by the completion of the Taipei 101 in 2004.

Across the forefront quadrangle, there’s a myriad of Hop On, Hop Off buses to take tourists around a circuit of the city’s main attractions. If you’re short on time, it’s a head start on seeing some of the highlights in one day, especially if there’s a couple of sights such as the Bird Sanctuary and cultural museums which are always a drawcard. Spend as much or as little time as you wish at each stop on a one-day ticket.

A juxtaposition of architectural styles will keep enthusiasts enthralled and always looking upwards.

At the Malaysian Tourism office (not too far from Petronas Twin Towers) you’ll find a plethora of valuable information. Not just about Kuala Lumpur (affectionately known as KL), but all of Malaysia including Borneo and other destinations which could be of interest – along with the best methods of how to utilise transport and accommodation options to suit all budgets.

And, at the end of the day, be ready for a decent strong Arabica-style coffee. No shortage of stylish, clean eateries in KL, along with an endless assortment of food choices to tantalise the taste buds.

Malaysia Airlines being a member of the Oneworld Alliance offer direct services into Australia with onward connections with another member of the team is Qantas.

With seamless transfers between online carriers making the journey hassle free, Malaysia Airlines also have an area at the back of business class; two rows of extra-leg room and the last time I checked at A$90 per sector additional per passenger it seems worth the extra to have a restful trip. So, for an additional A$180.00 to London, makes flying just that much more comfortable. Note: this is not a premium economy cabin, but rows of seats which have added space for those of us who are slightly more robust than some other travellers.

Note: Please be aware if entering Australia, a visa is required if you’re not a national of the country. Also luggage will always need to be collected at the international entry point and then rechecked for the domestic onward flight regardless of airline.

So, with direct services into Malaysia and excellent connections, destinations such as Borneo are uncomplicated and doable. Making your way around is straight forward with English being spoken almost everywhere. Transport is cheap enough and taxis with a meter are certainly affordable. Accommodation standards are extremely high with all budgets being met from backpacker to luxurious in most areas of the country.

Enjoy a trip to Malaysia and return home with a vitality only reserved for those who know how to relish life to the fullest with a swag of memories from a country which is diverse and fascinating.

Photo courtesy of Malaysian Airlines.