Mini TR - Bali flying Garuda Y staying at the Conrad

[Daver6]

MrsDaver6 and I decided we don't like winter in Perth and needed some R&R somewhere warm. We stayed at the Conrad in Bali last year (she was HH diamond and we were treated well) and loved it. Via a HH status match earlier in the year, I was matched to HH diamond.

We saw a Hilton sale on and managed to book the most basic room at the Conrad for about US$139/night. Within a few days the rate dropped a little further. Unprompted I received an email from the hotel advising me that they would reduce the rate. Excellent customer service.

Last year we flew to DPS (from PER) on Virgin. I was VA SG and MrsDaver6 WP. VA no longer fly to DPS so that was a shame. J*, no thanks. Been there, done that. Tiger, no chance. Air Asia, no thanks...I value my life over saving a few dollars.

Alitalia has a status match promo early this year too. So both myself and MrsDaver6 were matched to their equivalent of SG. Being a Sky Team member we thought we'd give Garuda a whirl for the flight. They are now the only full service airline flying the PER - DPS sector and the only offering J too. Add to that the only wide body (A333). Not the cheapest option but the price includes 30kg of bags in Y and a feed. So we booked.

More to come shortly...

 

[Major]

Boarding pass scanned

 

[Wayne Herring]

Look forward to reading more. About to fly with them from SYD to DPS for the first time this weekend, also did the Alitalia status match from VA SG.

 

[Daver6]

Our trip didn't get off to a great start though. Flight departing PER at 0750. Up early and requested an Uber. Not too many around at 0515 in the morning, but one took the job and was 10 minutes away. After about 5 minutes he seemed to just stop moving for about 7-9 minutes. Then moved a bit more so we headed out to wait. As we got to the street he cancelled. Tried to book another Uber, but didn't see any around. Finally one took the job 5 minutes away. Same bloke! This time I called straight away, but he declined the call and then cancelled the job. At this point MrsDaver6 order and Uber Black so we could just get to the airport. Rather frustrated.

I contacted Uber and reported the issue. Their response (and they considered the matter closed) was:

Thanks for letting us know, David and I'm very sorry to hear you experienced multiple cancellations. I know this can be frustrating when you're ready to ride.

Available drivers are expected to accept trip requests. Be assured that your feedback is helpful as we work to improve the efficiency of our system.

If you have other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us again.

Far from satisfactory in my opinion and I've let them know that.

I had a few things to claim the GST back. Some was clothing and in my checked luggage. Having been through it before I knew that I just need to go to the customs counter prior to check-in to get the goods sighted and receipt stamped. Being earlier, it is unmanned and you need to use the phone to call someone down. I rang...for about 3 minutes before they picked up. I was told they are too busy and not to worry. They don't need to sight the goods. Ok, no problem.

Head to the Garuda check-in counters. A small but decent size queue for Y, but we can use the priority check-in which was empty. For the record, the booking had our Alitalia FF numbers on it. Get to the counter, provide passports and FF cards. As we are being checked in the guy implies that we've queue jumped. I point to the cards and say we are Sky Team Elite. He seems satisfied and checks us in.

Status didn't really seem recognised. I had to enquire as to which lounge we use and whether we need passes to get in. Answer was the QF lounge and yes we do, which he organises. He also informs us we need to be at the gate an hour prior to boarding. Given our late arrival at the airport, this was going to mean minimal lounge time.

More to come...

 

[Daver6]

We head to immigration and it becomes clear why they were too busy to come sight the goods. The queue is so long, that it snakes out of the customs hall into the retail area. There is no fast track in PER

We wait....and wait. They now have e-gates for departures, but only three out of about 10 are operating. The place is a circus. We eventually get through and head to the TRS refund desk. Another lengthy queue with just a single person doing it. Not looking promising. After standing in line for about 5 minutes the rather grumpy lady announces that it is possible to just fill out a form and drop it in a box. Felt a bit silly for not being aware of this option, so promptly did this and headed to the lounge. It does seem like it leaves the system open to abuse and the good are not sighted.

Entered the QF lounge in desperate need of a coffee. The lady at the friend desk was brilliant. She informed us that there is no need to be at the gate so early and that there would be announcement. Boarding was meant to commence at 0720 and she said we'd likely be called a little later.

The QF international lounge is pretty average, but I really just needed a coffee. Landed up having some eggs and bacon too for good measure. Boarding was called so we headed to the gate. There was a long boarding line, but the priority queue was empty. Straight to the front, boarding passes scanned and to our seats.

Now, I'm not sure why, but suspect because Garuda in Y is not the cheapest option, but there was a distinct lack of bogans on board. Happy days.

 

[Daver6]

It was goodbye rainy Perth



It only struck me part way through the flight, but leg room was actually quite generous. I'm 5'10. Seatguru tells me seat pitch is 33-34 inches in Y. Not bad at all!


I was really impressed actually. It was like I was being in the early 90s flight. Pre-departure orange juice was served. Once in the air, basic amenity pack was given out (3.5 hour day time flight), included socks, mask and ear plugs. In flight entertainment system seemed pretty responsive. I'm not one to usually make much use of them, but it seemed good enough. Menus and a refresh towel (think a large KFC one) were handed out. Meal service and I opted for the Indonesian over western breakfast. Again, not bad at all for Y and proper metal cutlery you could actually use.

The rest of the flight was uneventful and we arrived bang on time into DPS. Queued perhaps 5 minutes for immigration, collected our bags which had a priority tag on (and came out near the beginning). Nothing to declare and we soon spotted our driver with the Conrad sign. Now I know a taxi would be cheaper, but for US$22, I don't have to worry about turning up without local currency and its just convenient. The car is clean and cold and bottled water is provided. In about 20 minutes we arrive at the hotel.

 

[Daver6]

Check-in at the Conrad was a little bit interesting. I wasn't able to check-in online. My HH account and everything shows me as diamond.

Check-in is normally at 3pm and we got to the hotel about 12:30pm. So not having the room ready is to be expected. As we are checking in there is no mention of an upgrade at all. I was being patient and waiting till the end to say something as one never knows. We are being shown a map of the resort (even though we did mention we were here just a year ago or so). As they point out the suites lounge and told its only for suites guest, MrsDaver6 piped up mentioning that we should have access as diamonds. At this point the lady says their record only shows us as gold. I didn't actually have my card with me (wasn't sent one and have requested one), but logged on to the HH app and showed her. I did have the status match email is needed too.

What was interesting is I'm not sure how I ever landed up as HH gold. When I did the match to diamond, I was surprised to find out I was gold as previously hadn't done anything to achieve that level. Regardless, the lady said she'd need to check the system in the back office, but since our room wasn't ready, invited us to the reflections lounge to wait.

We headed to the lounge and relaxed for a bit. In the end, we were upgraded to a suite in the suites wing. Winning. I think that's about as big an upgrade as possible. Last time we received a king ocean suite which isn't part of the suites wing. The only downside is it is a twin room, but they pushed the queen size beds together, for what is now, the biggest bed I've ever slept in. So in the end, very happy.

I'll post some pictures of the room in the next few posts. I'm happy to answer any questions about this trip, the hotel, etc.

 

[Daver6]

Some pictures of the suite

 

[Daver6]

 

[Daver6]

Some views around the resort.

In the suites pool. Rin on the bottom and the suites lounge above

Wedding chapel

The fenced off area is the private suites section of the beach.

Main lagoon pool

Ocean front restaurant, 8 Degrees.

 

[Daver6]

More of the main pool

Suites pool from our room

Suites pool

 

[Daver6]

Between 3-5pm tea is served at Rin for suites guests and diamonds. Only thought to take a picture after making a start


Otherwise a coldy by the pool is a good thing


Between 5 - 7pm coughtails and canapés are served in the suites lounge.

 

[JessicaTam]

It looks like after the hurdles of getting there were overcome, you were well looked after.

 

[VPS]

wow that is some bed

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[Aeolus]

Nice photos, thanks for sharing. What are the prices like at Conrad's restaurants? Looking at staying later this year.

 

[Daver6]

Nice photos, thanks for sharing. What are the prices like at Conrad's restaurants? Looking at staying later this year.

All the menus are available online via the Conrad Bali website. Prices are a bit cheaper than Perth. So not a bargain, but not outrageous either. Diamond/suites guest receive a 15% discount.

If you have lounge access, you could probably get away without the need to spend any money on food. Breakfast at Rin is excellent. A decent feed will see you through to afternoon tea. Then evening coughtails and canapes could see you through. Of course, eating is, at least for me, half he fun of travelling. There are several local restaraunts on the street right nearby. I've not sampled them, but can only be cheaper. For variety one could head to any of the other resorts up or down the road too to eat.

 

[kermatu]

Conrad looks stunning. Great pics and info.

 

[Daver6]

On the recommendation of a friend we went to lunch at Sardine in Seminyak Sardine Restaurant Bali

They only take bookings over the phone, so we got the concierge to book. As it turns out, it wasn't overly busy at lunch time, but booking never hurts. We took a taxi there which including a tip, cost us the princely sum of $15 and another $1 for the toll bridge. Took about 35 minutes from the Conrad.

We arrived a little early, so sat on a couch over looking the rice paddy and had a beer. The lunch and dinner menus are different, so do keep this in mind. I started with the the yellow fin tuna tartare while MrsDaver6 has the sashimi plate. For mains I went the pan friend snapper and MrsDaver6 the kingfish. I gave the local Chardonnay a go. While not terrible, it wasn't amazing either. Second glass I stuck with a known quantity...white Burgundy. Dessert I went for the sorbet.

Food prices by Bali standards were expensive, but really very reasonable. Beer was cheap, wine no so much. $11 for the local wine and $18 for a glass of the white Burg.

All up, highly recommended. Really enjoyable food in a great location. If you avoid wine, then the cost of the meal isn't expensive at all.


The view from my beer drinking spot

 

[Daver6]

Always time to be a wine ponce

 

[Daver6]

This is the drinks selection from the suites lounge available between 5-7pm. You'll note the insert on the bottom. This changes every night. Last night was daiquiri night. In my opinion, an excellent range of options available. White and red wine is also available, but I've not even considered that. Managed to squeeze in five coughtails last night.