Escape to Paradise: Sarang Apartments Await in Bali!
Escape to Paradise: Sarang Apartments Await in Bali! - A No-BS Review (and My Honest Take!)
Alright, folks, let's talk Bali. Let’s talk Sarang Apartments. I've been on a relentless quest for the perfect escape, a place where the only thing on my to-do list is… well, nothing. This review isn't going to be some robotic recitation of bullet points. This is straight from the (slightly sunburnt) horse's mouth. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, opinions, and the occasional tangent. Buckle up!
First Impressions (and the Jet Lag Kicks In):
Landing in Bali is sensory overload in the best way possible. The humidity hits you like a warm hug (or maybe a slap, depending on your tolerance), and the air buzzes with a peculiar energy. The airport transfer from Sarang was a lifesaver. After a 20-hour flight, my brain was basically scrambled eggs. Their driver was a champ, expertly navigating the chaotic roads.
Accessibility - Thoughts & Prayers (and Improvements Needed):
Okay, let’s be real about accessibility. This is where Sarang gets a mixed bag review. They definitely try. The listing boasts facilities for disabled guests, and the elevator is a godsend. But, and this is a big BUT, navigating Bali with mobility issues can be a challenge in general. The exterior corridor access is good for a potential wheelchair user but may need some ramps. While the car park [on-site] is convenient, it's flat ground; no rough terrain. Definitely contact them directly about specific needs before booking. They're probably happy to help, but you absolutely need to confirm specifics. Don't just assume.
The Apartment – Oh, the Apartment (and the Slightly Creaky Floorboards):
My room? Divine. Seriously. I opted for an apartment, and it was spacious, bright, and had everything you could need. The air conditioning was a lifesaver. The kitchen was well-equipped (though I mostly ordered room service – more on that later). The Internet access – wireless (free!) was reliable–essential for my crippling Instagram addiction. And, thank goodness for blackout curtains! Jet lag + sunshine equals a recipe for disaster!
But, let’s not pretend it’s perfect. The floorboards creaked. Loudly! And the soundproofing wasn’t completely soundproof. During the day, I could hear the gentle hum of Bali, which, let’s be honest, is a beautiful soundtrack. But at night? I think I just heard my upstairs neighbor dance the Macarena. Still, the bed was comfy, the linens clean, and the slippers were a nice touch.
Cleanliness & Safety – Feeling Safe (and Sanitized to Within an Inch of My Life!):
This is where Sarang really shines. Post-pandemic, you can't be too careful, and Sarang clearly gets it. They’ve got anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and professional-grade sanitizing services. My room? Spotless. The rooms sanitized between stays, and you could opt-out of room sanitization if you really wanted to (which I didn’t, frankly). The staff is incredibly diligent about sanitizing kitchen and tableware items. I saw staff wearing PPE and following protocol for all. Plus, helpful touches like hand sanitizer everywhere and the constant presence of a doctor/nurse on call. I felt safe and looked after. It was very reassuring. The CCTV in common areas and 24-hour security also played a part.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – Food, Glorious Food (and a Slight Case of Overeating):
Okay, so about the 24-hour room service… I might have abused it. The Asian breakfast was a daily ritual. And their international cuisine? Delicious. From the A la carte in restaurant to the poolside bar, it was all pretty amazing.
I spent a considerable amount of time at the pool with a view, sipping on cocktails, and devouring their tasty desserts in the restaurant. The coffee shop was a great place to recover from the previous sunset. The vegetarian restaurant offered some great options (I'm trying to keep a clear mind).
I especially loved the happy hour at the bar – the perfect end to the day. I think I ate (and drank) my way through the entire menu. The bottle of water provided in the room was a nice touch too!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Ahhhhhh… (Until You Realize You Forgot to Pack Sunscreen):
Listen, Bali is all about relaxation. And Sarang gets it. The fitness center is decent. The swimming pool [outdoor] is HUGE. The sauna and steamroom? Heavenly.
And the spa! I splurged on a massage and nearly melted into a puddle of bliss. The Body scrub was an experience, and the foot bath was the perfect way to wind down.
I did wish I had packed sunscreen. The sun in Bali is no joke. The terrace was perfect for relaxing, but I had to move into the shade pretty quickly.
Getting Around & Other Practicalities – Navigating the Chaos:
The car park [free of charge] was a plus, but honestly, I barely used it. The taxi service was readily available, and the staff will gladly hail one for you. The airport transfer was a lifesaver on arrival and departure, so that's something that you appreciate from the hotel.
They offer amazing services such as laundry service and dry cleaning. The concierge was incredibly helpful, booking tours and answering my endless questions. The currency exchange at the front desk was convenient.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter:
This is one of the parts where Sarang shone. From a daily housekeeping, to a doorman, to a convenience store on site, this hotel is designed for pure ease!
For the Kids – (and Babysitters If You Need Them):
I didn't have any kids with me, but Sarang seemed pretty family/child friendly. They offering babysitting service and kids meal.
The Quirks, The Imperfections, and the Honest Truth:
Okay, so the Wi-Fi wasn't always perfect. There were a couple of times when it dropped out. It's the only part where the Internet access could use an upgrade, honestly. The creaky floorboards? Annoying, but charming in a rustic way. The fact that I forgot sunscreen? My fault entirely.
The Verdict – Should You Book?
Absolutely. (With a few caveats)
For those seeking a truly relaxing Bali experience, Sarang Apartments is a winner. It's clean, safe, comfortable, and offers fantastic amenities. The food is great, the staff is friendly, and the spa is a dream. However, do contact them about Accessibility before you book! If you like a good, safe, and relaxing experience, don’t dally!
My Super-Specific Recommendation:
My Special Offer!
Book a stay at Sarang Apartments for at least five nights using the code "BALISUMMERDREAMS" and receive:
- A complimentary Balinese massage at the spa.
- A free bottle of wine upon check-in.
- A guaranteed upgrade to a room with a pool view (if available).
This offer is only valid for bookings made within the next month, so don't wait!
This is the escape you deserve. Go. Book. And prepare to unwind. I'm already planning my return trip!
Luxury Redefined: Hotel O East Land, Bangalore - Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to Sarang Apartments in Bali, as conceived by me, after I've spent a good few hours (maybe days, who’s counting?) drooling over photos and reading EVERYTHING about EVDEkimi's place. This is gonna be GOOD. Or, you know, a total disaster. Either way, it'll be memorable.
Sarang Apartments: The Bali Rhapsody of "Slightly Unhinged" - A Travel Itinerary
(Disclaimer: Subject to change. Like, drastically. My moods fluctuate like the tides, and trust me, the Balinese traffic… oh, the traffic!)
Day 1: Arrival – Hallelujah, I’m Here! (or, Please Don't Let My Luggage Be Lost)
07:00 AM: Wake up. Try not to panic that I haven’t packed yet. Usually, a caffeine-induced frenzy ensues at this point. This trip, I intend to be zen. (Famous last words, I'm sure).
08:00 AM: Slam down a protein shake (or, let's be honest, whatever’s easiest to grab) and stuff everything into my backpack, which is probably way too big. That's fine. I’m overpacker with a plan to buy more things.
09:00 AM: Taxi to the airport to catch my 17-hour flight (and I'm not even leaving from the US!). Contemplate bringing an entire library of books, then remember I can download a thousand on my Kindle. Thank god.
09:15 AM: Airport Security. The ritual humiliation begins. Will I remember to take my belt off this time? Stay tuned.
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM: Flight, movies, reading, trying desperately to sleep but mostly failing because of the loud snorer two rows behind me. Vow to invent noise-canceling pillows just for this purpose.
04:00 PM (Local Time): Land in Denpasar! YES! Air kisses the Balinese earth (metaphorically, to avoid awkward public displays of affection with the tarmac.)
04:30 PM: Border control. Pray to the travel gods for a speedy process. Imagine myself floating through immigration on a fluffy white cloud. This might be the lack of sleep…
05:00 PM: Find my pre-booked driver (probably the most responsible decision I've made so far) and collapse into the car. Immediately start sweating profusely. Bali humidity is real!
07:00 PM: Arrive at Sarang Apartments! OMG, the pictures? They don't do it justice. I mean, the infinity pool overlooking the ocean? My Instagram feed is about to explode. Check-in, get the keys. Stumble in. Find myself immediately throwing open the doors and windows, breathing in that magical, tropical air. This is it. This is the life.
07:30 PM: Mandatory Instagram post. Gotta keep the world updated on my level of chill. #SarangLife #BaliBliss #LivingMyBestLife (at least, that's the goal)
08:00 PM: The Great Unpacking. Or, the Great Throwing-Things-Everywhere-Because-I'm-Too-Excited-To-Organize.
08:30 PM: Dinner at the on-site restaurant. This is the moment I become that person, the one who takes 50 pictures of their food (and their surroundings) before even touching it. Pray the food is as good as the view.
09:30 PM: Stargazing from the balcony. Attempt to identify constellations. Fail miserably. Just enjoy the insane beauty of the night. Think about what I’m going to do tomorrow. Get the feeling I will be happy just being here.
10:00 PM: Crash into bed. Sleep? Maybe. Probably more like scrolling through photos, reliving the day, and making mental notes of everything I want to do tomorrow. This is the beginning.
Day 2: Beaches, Bliss, and… Possibly a Sunburn
07:00 AM: Wake up to the sound of the ocean. This is not a drill. This is actual, real life.
07:30 AM: Yoga on the balcony. (Or, maybe just stretching. Depends on the caffeine level.) Promise myself to try the yoga class at the apartment.
08:00 AM: Breakfast. Something healthy, like a smoothie bowl and a few pastries. I will try to eat healthy.
09:00 AM: Head to Bingin Beach! Walk down, which are a lot more than I expected. Contemplate the climb back up later.
09:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Beach time! Swim a little, sunbathe a little, try to look incredibly cool while failing to surf. (Because let's be honest, my surfing skills are about as graceful as a walrus on a trampoline.) Vow to try harder tomorrow.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a beachside warung. Fresh seafood, Bintang beer, and the sound of the waves. Absolute perfection.
01:00 PM: Back at Sarang. Pool time! Swim, sunbathe, and read. Make a mental note to apply more sunscreen than yesterday.
02:00 PM: Wander around the apartment. Take another hundred pictures.
03:30 PM: Massaaaaaage! Get that Bali massage, the one they brag about. Get the knots worked out.
05:00 PM: Sunset cocktails on the balcony. Watch the sun melt into the ocean. Utterly transported.
07:00 PM: Dinner somewhere local. Explore the nearby restaurants, get more of a feel of the local life. Hopefully, be surprised by some hidden gems.
09:00 PM: Nightcap and journaling. Reflect on the day. Write down all the hilarious things that happened.
10:00 PM: Sleep. (Hopefully.) Dreaming of tomorrow.
Day 3: The Temple Run and a Dramatic Seafood Feast (or, Why I'm Probably Not a Vegetarian)
08:00 AM: Sleep in! (Finally.)
09:00 AM: Breakfast, coffee (strong!). Need fuel for the day.
10:00 AM: Taxi to Uluwatu Temple. OMG, the views! The cliffside? The crashing waves? The monkeys trying to steal my sunglasses? It’s all part of the experience, I swear. Keep a tight grip on all belongings.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Explore the temple grounds. Soak in the history, the culture. Try to appreciate the spirituality even though my mind is racing a mile a minute (and occasionally distracted by the rogue monkeys).
12:00 PM: Lunch at a warung near Uluwatu. Try the seafood (again, much to my dismay if you are expecting vegetarian).
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM: Drive. Back to the apartment.
02:00 PM: Pool time. Maybe a nap. A good book sounds awesome.
04:00 PM: Another massage? Why not.
06:00 PM: A very fancy seafood dinner at Jimbaran Bay! I'm talking tables on the beach, fresh catch of the day, and the whole romantic shebang. (Even if I'm dining alone!)
08:00 PM: Walk on the beach, full of happiness.
9:00 PM: One last nightcap at Sarang.
Day 4: The Day I Officially Give Up on Packing (and Fly Away)
08:00 AM: Last breakfast in paradise. This is where I start to get SAD.
09:00 AM: Pack. Or, attempt to pack. Realize I somehow have MORE clothes than I started with. Give up. Shove everything in the suitcase, leaving the zippers straining.
10:00 AM: One last dip in the pool. One last sunrise. One last moment of pure, unadulterated bliss.
11:00 AM: Check out. (Sob into everyone’s arms) The day is over.
12:00 PM: Head to the airport (with a driver!)
02:00 PM: Plane
Later in the day: Think about how to get back to Sarang Apartments, again.
Important Notes (Because I'm Probably Going to Forget):
- Sunscreen: Seriously. Reapply. Constantly.
- **Insect Repellent
Escape to Paradise: Sarang Apartments in Bali! (Or Is It?) - FAQ Edition!
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise"... Is that really what Sarang Apartments are all about? Because I've seen some Instagram... things.
What's actually *in* the apartments at Sarang? I need the deets. Do I get a mini-fridge with Bintang?
Is the location convenient? I don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere.
How's the food? Are there decent restaurants nearby? (Please say yes, I like food.)
Is it family-friendly? Should I bring my toddler?
Let's talk about that epic cliffside pool. Is it as good as it looks on Instagram?
What's the Wi-Fi situation like? I need to (ahem) "work" sometimes.
Any tips for making the most of a stay at Sarang?
