This post is sponsored by the all-inclusive Bali hotel Grand Mirage Resort and Samabe Bali
This is a family holiday to Bali full of firsts.
OK so it may not be our first holiday to Bali with kids (it is our second). The previous time Lewis was a toddler and you can read about that trip to Bali with Toddler HERE.
It is however our first time to Bali with a school aged child.
The idea of visiting Bali in March all came about when the all-inclusive Bali hotel Grand Mirage Resort contacted me about coming over in order to write a some posts about their hotel and sister hotel the Samabe Bali. This would be my first series of sponsored posts resulting from a famil trip. Whoa Hoo!
You can read about our stays at both of these all-inclusive Bali hotels here:
One of the great things we love about staying in both these resorts is that we are on their all-inclusive packages. This means all food, activities and entertainment are included.
We have never stayed on an all-inclusive package before – normally preferring to venture out and explore. However we learn that this offers a great option especially for a short getaway like we are doing for 5 days.
We don’t have to navigate the poorly maintained streets in order to find a meal from a restaurant we are unsure about, and I love the fact that on the nights when we are heading out to see a show like the Fiesta Latina at the Rama Stage or the divine Devdan Show I can order Lewis a room service meal prior to going out as it will be too late for him to eat after the show.
I am really loving the all-inclusive activities at the Grand Mirage Resort. For the first time Lewis uses the games room (he starting to get too old for the kids clubs) really enjoying playing air hockey, pool and table tennis.
I enjoy the cooking demonstrations and yoga. Ok I’ve been to yoga before at a resort but I have never made use of all the additional demonstrations.
The non-motorised water sports are also included and for the first time we try ocean kayaking.
We head down to the beach front kayak hut and put on life jackets. Steve and Lewis board one kayak and I am in another with one of the friendly staff. As we paddle out round the first groin the waves of the passing motor boats rock us. Paddling further along the shoreline the boats towing flying fish, banana boat riders and para-gliders continue to zoom past increasing the swell ever so slightly but it is too much for Lewis he is not enjoying the rocking sensation and begs to return to shore. Whilst this first may not have been a huge hit I do like that we are trying new activities as a family.
The other new activity we try is having some family fun in the Thalasso Bali Spa. Steve does not like massages so opted for the Aquamedic pool while Lewis and I had a massage. Lewis loves his massage so much that he joins me for another one when we are at the Samabe Bali Resort a few days later.
The Samabe Bali is a huge hit with our family and the first time we have experienced such decadence from a resort. With a suite larger than our 1900’s inner city home. The suite has sweeping 180º ocean views, a butler who is on call 24 hours a day and (Lewis’s favourite) a buggy to take us wherever we need to go around the resort.
But all too soon our getaway is over and we are back on the Garuda Indonesia flight home and it is the first time since Lewis was a baby that he has not suffered from air-sickness Yeh!!!
*DISCLOSURE: This post was sponsored by the all-inclusive Bali hotel the Grand Mirage Resort and Samabe Bali
If you would like to read more stories and see more photos from our recent getaway to Bali go to Bali with Kids – ALL the travel stories
It all sounds wonderfully luxurious and relaxing!! A butler on call? Amazing! But what does a butler actually do??
Oh the butler Kirralee unpacks your bags, takes your laundry off to be laundered, orders you a buggy and helps with any other whim.
Sounds awesome!
Most definitely Kirralee
Holidays are a great excuse to do ‘firsts’ and often they lead to seconds! 🙂
Thanks for joining in #wednesdaywanderlust
Yes Malinda a holiday can often give you the opportunity or motivation to try something new.
I’m with Lewis – the buggy sounds like the best part. Not that the rest doesn’t sound great too but those buggies are terrific. D and I had one when we stayed at Qualia a few years ago and it was great fun.
the buggies definitely do add some fun Lyn
I love Bali and all inclusive sounds like just the ticket!
It was perfect for our getaway Sammie
I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never been to Bali before even though I did once long ago learn Indonesian at TAFE. Sounds like you had the perfect relaxing trip away – very jealous right now!
Don’t be too ashamed Kirsty, it was only a couple of years ago when I first ventured there myself – preferring to travel to places far away. But for a getaway you can’t beat the proximity to Aus.
I must admit, Bali has never really been on my list of places to visit. Possibly hindered by all the news of things that happen there but also because I see it as being so close that I can ‘go anytime’…silly isn’t it!
I use to always feel that way as well Zita, but now having been twice, I can really see the benefit for a total relaxation holiday.
Very cool that you got to do that because of the blog!
That’s living the dream isn’t it? 🙂
Most certainly is Jess. Now how to get another one?
I’ve never fancied Bali, I’m convinced it would be prickly-heat heaven, and I hate that! But your photos look fabulous. I’ll rethink it!
Yes it is definitely a tropical heat up there with some months being far worse than other. Make sure you do your research for best times to travel.
I loved reading this as it brought back so many happy memories. We honeymooned in Bali 5 years ago and had the most amazing time. I’m hoping we can take the children when they’re older as I’m not sure we could cope with the flight at the moment!
#mondayescape
I’m glad i git to bring back so many happy memories of your time in Bali Sam
I’ve never been to Bali so this is definitely on the list and it’s good to know there are some great resorts to go to which are child friendly. Did you get to see much of the island? Hear it is beautiful. I love holidays for doing lots of ‘firsts’ – things you may not do back home. We recently had a ‘butler’ when we had a suite and I had not idea what to ask him to do… we just got him to book us the restaurants/spa…even though we could have easily done it ourselves… we’re pretty low maintenance so can imagine some people have very high demands for them. #mondayescapes
There are loads of family friendly resorts on Bali – too many to list. We didn’t see much of the island on this short getaway but are planning on going back for longer later in the year and will be checking it all out.
I love an all-inclusive package – I think it’s worth its weight in gold when you have children who want drinks and ice-creams all the time! I love how Lewis loved a massage like his mum! He has great taste. I haven’t been to Bali in over 15 years, it’s definitely somewhere I would like to return to!. Thank you so much with linking up with the very first #MondayEscapes
I really enjoyed your first #MondayEscapes Ting, I will be joining up next week.
Bali sounds like a relaxing place ! One of my friend told me she was so disapointed by Bali, because there was rubbish everywhere. Did you have that feeling ?
Sadly Gin, through out much of South East Asia there is rubbish everywhere partly due to the fact that many are still developing countries.
I traveled in Malaysia and I had that feeling as well. So it’s the same everywhere 🙁
Well not everywhere Gin. We travelled to Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian state of Sabah on the island of Bornio – one of the things that impressed us was the cleanliness. You can read about our trip here: http://toddlersontour.com.au/2013/03/kota-kinabalu-with-kids/
Thanks for the link 🙂
You’re welcome Gin
We’ve only been to an all inclusive once, but we did not have a butler or a buggy 🙂 That was in Spain. Sounds like a nice place to go on pampered, spoiled vacation. Thanks for sharing your comments and your photos.
This was our first all-inclusive hotel Jolanta and thoroughly enjoyed being spoilt.
This would be the perfect way for the kids and I to visit Bali. Somewhere we can relax and regroup, and I love that everything is included so there are no nasty surprises at check-out!
It was the perfect getaway location Bronnie.
Oh wow, a resort like this sounds wonderful!! Looking forward to do something like this on our next holiday I think!
Thanks for linking up with #wanderlust again this month I hope it was as great for you, as it was for us having you!! Our next one is this Wednesday. You can sign up for a reminder here if you want: http://carbis.com.au/wanderlust/
Thanks for the reminder for the start date for next month Talia.