Has anyone been to Indonesia with young child?

[jazzyazzy]

Hi

We're planning on going to Indonesia for 5 weeks in June but there are so many islands that sound amazing that we're getting a bit confused. Can anyone recommend anywhere that is child friendly but not too much of a top end resort. We'd like to know that we're in Indonesia and not just somewhere hot with a pool.Though that sounds nice right now with all the rain here.

jazzy, I cannot say I know Indonesia that well. But what aspects of an Indonesian holiday appeal to you? I would say that if you are in an Indonesian resort, particularly high end, you will KNOW it. The look and feel is just so, well, unique. The Balinese gardens for one ...

I take your point. It's just that before children we used to travel around countries with a backpack staying in fairly simple but gorgeous places and we once stayed in a plush hotel in Sri Lanka and I was a bit uncomfortable with the subservience of the staff but I'm open to ideas and new experiences, especially not having done longhaul with a child. Can you recommend any accomodation or areas in Indonesia?

We went to Bali last summer but ds's quite old-10 and 7.
We did stay in top end resort but hired a driver for alot of the time and had some truly memorable adventures. I too was a backpacker jazzy but now I like to get home to cocktails and ensuites I'm ashamed to say!
But it was without a doubt the best holiday of my life and I've had a few!!
The boys still ask nearly every day when we're going back.

I spent a few weeks in Bali and loved it. My favourite place is Ubud. The balinese are lovely people and its child friendly. You can hire a driver very cheaply to show you all the wonderful places. I'm very envious!

jazzy, how old are your dcs?

I too recommend Bali. It is generally really child friendly. I went there pre-children. But I know people who have brought their toddlers/pre-schoolers and had a fantastic time.

THe last time I visited was 10 years' ago so things may have changed.

For beaches and beach-type resorts, you have Kuta beach - which is the main tourist drag and very commercialised - think people trying to sell you trinkets and things all along the beaches.

For quieter more exclusive beaches and up-market resort, there is Nusa Dua.

Ubud (thanks yogi, I forgot the name), is further inland and is the cultural heart. It is less commercialised with more rustic accommodation. Perhaps this is more the thing for you.

I took DD to Bali and Lombok when she was just 1. We stayed in cheap places and were there for 10 weeks. I'd been a few times so knew where I was going.
We went to Kuta and Ubud in Bali and Senggigi in Lombok and Gili Trawangan.
All fantastic places and the people are so friendly and incredibly helpful. They will fuss over your DC a lot though which may annoy them depending on their age. DD loved it but she was at an age where she was happy to be passed around.
The only luxerious place I've ever stayed in over there is the Novotel in Kuta, Lombok (there's a Kuta on both islands) and while it was lovely and a great 4 day break on a 10 week trip, I much prefer the atmosphere that comes with family run places especially when you have kids

Brilliant, thanks for all your recommendations. I'm really excited about going now and can't wait to get to some sunshine and sand.

We spent 3 weeks in Bali pre-dd, and it was the most fantastic holiday ever.
The Balinese LOVE children. Waterbomb park is a great day out (water park- loads of swimming pools, lazy river type thingy)

BTW you will all need jabs - see your GP ASAP, as some of them need a gap in between.

We enjoyed learning to dive too, and climbing the volcano.... though perhaps not for teenies- its active, as we founf out to our cost.