The grounds and pool areas are spectacular. The rooms are luxurious but this place is remote and the beach location is not the best. Ask the staff for a personal driver (about 35$ a day to go anywhere you want, gas included) and enjoy the island during the day.

My wife and two girls were delighted with our recent stay at the Ramada-Benoa Bali. The previous disparaging review had my guard up but we found our stay contrary to his experience.

We were given two excellent rooms as part of our four-night Air Asia package. Our rooms were larger and nicer than we expected. They overlooked the lushly landscaped pool area. Welcome drinks and fruit baskets added a nice touch. One small drawback was the very long walk back to our rooms though this ensured a quiet, private experience. Occupany was higher than our previous visit three years earlier but still way off peak pre-bombing levels.

Service was gracious and accomodating with a "we're here to please attitude" abounding. The entire hotel is aging and though not a luxury property, for the price, an excellent value. Breakfasts were also better than expected.

My wife and two girls "splurged" in their spa and each had a six-hour indulgent experience. Our girls will never forget their "princess" treatment. Meals were always taken out and the popular restaurant (on these boards), Casa Luna, left us dissappointed twice. Once they failed to pick us up from the hotel and then we walked out another time before ordering due to inept service.

I had suits tailor-made and found reliable transportation. If you desire this info, e-mail me at: <jimknies@yahoo.com>

My wife and I would return to Bali in a heartbeat.

Have fun till we get there.........

We were told this was a package deal to paradise. No such luck. The hotel is situated alongside a vacant lot. This vacant lot is used as a bush toilet and the smell wafting over to the hotel Ramada is overpowering, especially in the humidity of Bali. Our shower floor had obviously never been washed, as my t-shirts were dirtier after their rinse than before I started! Added to this was a giant scorpion behind the bathroom mirror and the really average breakfasts. Needless to say we checked out after 3 of the 7 nights and moved to the splendid hotel Conrad a few hundred metres up the road.

Beautiful hotel located near end of the Tanjung Benoa peninsula, just past Nusa Dua in Bali. Though a bit remote as others have noted, there are several inexpensive and good small restaurants in walking distance (Mini Restaurant and Casa Luna both recommended). Several restaurants offer complimentary taxi service to and from the Ramada.

Very clean; bed very comfortable. Staff very friendly and gracious, but if you find anything except this anywhere in Bali I would be surprised. There is a small safe in room (set own four digit combination). AC worked fine. Hot water at all times and plenty of water pressure. Very large shower stall; two shower heads (stationary and hand held). Linen and towels all clean and excellent. Standard toiletries provided; hair dryer provided. TV has reasonable selection if care about this, including BBC and CNN and HBO.

All rooms have a balcony with sitting area; I recommend asking for a second floor room. There are elevators and I saw no hindrances to anyone that might be using a wheel chair.

Had dinner one night at hotel; reasonable (though bit higher than outside restaurants, of course) and very good. Breakfast buffet is good if not memorable; plenty of food, always fresh. Coffee and daily fresh fruit excellent. No flies and pleasant dining areas. Always immaculate.

Pool not very large but when we were there, never crowded. Grounds are beautiful and very very nicely maintained - the serene and beautiful walk to room from the front desk was always nice.

Beach across street - clean, private, guarded, and will not be bothered by beach hawkers. Food and drinks available at beach and pool from mid-day till around 7:00pm. Plenty of water sports outlets available on both sides of hotel - will be asked about interest in as soon as step foot on beach.

Daily free shuttle to Kuta; hourly shuttle to upscale shopping center in Nusa Dua. Taxi to Kuta about $12 each way. No problem finding taxi; recommend Blue Bird.

Occupancy rate at all hotels in Bali right now noticeably low. Ramada had mostly Taiwanese groups while we stayed there but others as well. Occupancy I think was probably below 20% - never crowded in any way.

If you have not visited Bali since bombings, biggest difference that is evident is guards - they are outside all hotels and restaurants, patrol hotel grounds, etc..

Return to Bali! They need us and the people are as gracious, welcoming, and warm as ever, with an amazing culture set among a beauty (in the countryside) that is unsurpassed. Don't let the terrorists win. Bali economy is suffering - they need visitors to return.

This hotel would not work for those seeking lot of activity and close proximity to club scene or similar but it is an excellent value and I think just right for a family or couple seeking an affordable, relaxing holiday away from all the hustle and bustle.