by Barrie | August 13th, 2011 Tweet 
One of the latest additions to the Seminyak hotel family just happens to be opulent to the extreme. The W Retreat and Spa Bali is located on Jalan Petitenget and overlooks the ocean but it’s the hotel’s ambience and décor that has everyone talking about this new addition. If a hotel can boast having eco-merit for building on an existing resort and serve only imported bottled water then you can guarantee the price tag per night to stay there is beyond budget travellers.
I read about this hotel in the Age newspaper this morning and was totally blown away with the description of the décor. According to the article, Finished in silver and granite, with splashes of fuchsia, lilac and gold, the lobby looks more like a space-age airport terminal than a beach resort, and, The lower-category rooms fan out above the lobby, each with views over the multi-level WET area and Indian Ocean from their balconies. The more expensive rooms are in a different corner of the property; these gated villas have a private pool and ample living space.
None are cheap; the base category rooms cost from $US423.50 ($397.40) for a garden view without breakfast (add $US60 for this), jumping to $US6100 for the two-bedroom “Extreme Wow” suite.
by Barrie | May 30th, 2011 
Bali is one of those destinations that is ideal for budget travellers with accommodation to suit and places to eat that don’t scare the shit out of your wallet. Bali also is a fabulous place for those who are, shall we say, less worried about money. The constant infrastructure in Bali lends itself to both of these travellers.
Seminyak is renowned as the place for expats to reside in Bali. It is also regarded as the centre along the tourist strip for hip and inventive fashion boutiques, other designer stores and art studios. Seminyak is more upmarket with mostly luxury accommodation and fashionable high-end restaurants and bars. The atmosphere is much more sophisticated and laid-back than Kuta. There is virtually no backpacker accommodation in Seminyak. Budget travellers will generally do better to stay in nearby Kuta or Legian.