Where to stay in Bali

QUESTION: I want to take my family on holiday to Bali. I have been advised that we should stay in Kuta. Do you agree? If not, which area would be best for a family holiday? - Gregory Dwyer

ANSWER: The Kuta area is the main tourist zone in Bali, with plenty of shops, hotels, guest houses, bungalows, restaurants and bars. It is particularly popular among backpackers and travellers on a budget, as it offers great value and fun experiences. The main Kuta beach, overlooked by the Hard Rock Hotel, is the most populated beach with surfers, hawkers and families. Neighbouring Legian provides a quieter holiday experience, but also has plenty of shopping and nightlife.

Further down the coast, the trendy Seminyak area is for those who value boutique hotels, great restaurants, stylish bars and the chic nightclubs. This is the Bali of the jet-set and the gay crowd, but also offers great villa accommodation for families who like privacy and 'doing their own thing'. Set on its own peninsula is the Nusa Dua area, which is home to a string of large four and five-star hotels with all the facilities of top-class resorts. They probably best capture the Bali you see in advertisements; cocktails bars set alongside sparkling pools and couples walking hand-in-hand along palm-fringed beaches. These resorts are very safe and offer great facilities for children, but may not suit those who prefer the bustling island-life atmosphere that the other areas offer. So, choose the area that suits your family best, and enjoy your island holiday.