First of all - a huge news to all who is going to book NBB - the main pool is already operational from December 14. I was leaving December 13, they started filling in water - I was so lucky to observe the renovation during my whole stay, lucky me!
Believe me, without a main pool any resort is a torture, their two small pools across the road do not save the situation at all as they are far, small, inconvenient and shallow. Not good at all. Staying on the beach was a torture too, as the sand was hot and incandescent like a good frying pan, the is lukewarm and not refreshing at all. Together with pool renovation they closed pool showers - so guests had zero chance to rinse salty water from their bodies after swimming.
All this without a trace of honest word on their official site where ANY works/ renovation/ remodeling of the resort MUST be clearly explained and announced during reservation process. This shows lack of care, personal touch and true commitment from management and sale department of the hotel.
To the review then............
1/ Check -in was OK, check -out was a disaster - a girl (Fomaya) at check out without a blink included into my final bill airport transfer (which is 2,5 times more expensive than taxi fare) . When I pointed out on it, the only explanation that was given - I THOUGHT YOU NEED IT - that`s all - she thought I needed it without asking me, without consulting me etc and etc. It was HER idea totally! And I am pretty sure if I did not mention it and insist on erasing from the bill, none would give me that transfer that I already paid.
Horrible attitude.
2/ I booked tropical terrace room. What did I get? In reality the room is SMALL, the bathroom is actually the size of the room, but none told that I was going to live in the bathroom. The room itself was dusty, damp, smelly, full chipped furniture and of stains on the couch . They`ve got the funniest AC position in the entire Universe - somewhere in the ceiling niche between the room and the bathroom, as a result the room itself is not served by AC at all. The only thing that can save you from suffocation is to switch on ceiling fan, a sure guarantee of running nose and cough at the end of your vacation.
I was completely disappointed with room and requested a meeting with a manager on duty. The meeting though was arranged at once.
2/ Manager on duty Bpk. Ketut was all help and understanding. He upgraded us to poll villa. That`s where our vacation really started.
Greatest thanks to Bpk. Ketut.
3/ Pool villas are gorgeous, as it seems they are rarely used or better cared to. As the main pool was in the process of floor tile change our private pool, however small, was a savior, a bliss and eternal joy during my stay. Villa features a bedroom, an open concept bathroom with jacuzzi, an open living room, a plunge pool with two sunbeds and a gazebo. When you enter you see a small waterfall with koi fish at the bottom. Koi were always hungry and appreciated so much when we brought some bread from the breakfast to feed them. Every villa equipped with two TVs (plaza in the bedroom), two ipod docks, coffee machine, tea kettle, fridge with minibar, assorted glassware, plates and silverware. All you need.
In the bathroom you find a HUGE number of different size towels of plushy peach color (in the tropical terrace room I spot only worn and washed out pale gray rugs pretending to be towels), amenities are all in figurine green glass bottles - very stylish and romantic looking.
4/ The sea. A biggest surprise - the sea is actually SWIMMABLE in any time of day despite tide level low or high. The NBB has a unique location and they are very happily positioned on the beach from this point of view.
In the sea not much of a marine life, we only saw sea snakes (the staff say they are harmless but look quite capable of some unfriendly action) - to keep clear from them as they lurk in seaweed, just have always clear sand under your feet. There will be no problem. At the high tide try to venture further but better bring your mask and snorkel - only with swim goggles you are still uncomfortable. Further to the sea from sand/ seaweed border you can find BEAUTIFUL sea stars and some occasional fish.
5/ Food. I tried several restaurants in the street (they a SLIGHTLY) cheaper than eating at the hotel and honestly can nor recommend any. At the Tree and The Pavillion I saw three well fed rats attending some wall hindu decorations, naturally the animals believe that food belongs to them and hindu deities will not complain. Assuming the fact that ALL restos share the same street and evidently the same rats I ate at the hotel only afterward.
Hotel food is nice, pizzas are even delicious, like very much grilled vegetables salad with olive oil. Kelapa muda on the beach served on the chilled plate is very enjoyable too.
Breakfast is exceeded my expectations, was rich, delicious, well presented and variable from day to day. Really enjoyed homemade yogurts, waffles and freshly squeezed juices.
6/ Cheats and touts. They are everywhere in Bali - restaurants, money changers, convenient stores (the cashier girl deliberately charged me Evian water bottle instead of Nestle (5 times cheaper) and only laughed when I rejected her cheat), beaches - check and double check your bills, money, keep an eye on your belongings and purse every time. Local people attitude toward visitors is getting worse with the time, unfortunately. Balinese nowadays see tourists as a mere idiots that are good only for being cheated and overcharged . Very poor attitude and the wrong one as well.
7/ Bali collection - do not go there. Full of gloomy looking Russians with their weird girls on highest heels i`ve ever seen in any resort around the globe. Restaurants are overpriced, souvenirs are HUGELY and ridiculously overpriced.
8/ Internet is chargeable, but they offer two stalls in the lobby that are free. The traffic is slow though. But my laptop easily picked up some unsecured network, so i`ve got no problem with being on-line.
9/ Garuda Indonesia sucks. Delays as ever.
10/ As usually I`ll be happy to answer your question if you have any.
Shonefeld
