The properties available through Intouch Real Estate are located within a range of areas throughout the island.
Kuta Legian Seminyak Canggu Kerobokan Ubud Sanur Nusa Dua

KUTA

Times have changed and Kuta has grown up, gone are the unmade roads and open drains. Footpaths, although narrow, run both sides of the main streets. The hawkers are still there - part of the character of the place. Sarongs and T-shirts are still sold but now there are CD shops, boutiques, small trendy bars and restaurants and even Department Stores. Kuta boasts the worlds first "themed" Hard Rock Hotel.

Imagine going into a huge one level shopping centre that would take about 45 minutes to walk from one end to the other with small walkways branching off in every direction, now add cars, motorbikes and the odd temple ceremony. This is what the middle of Kuta is like except it doesn't have a roof. Just find a small café (Warung), sit back and watch, it’s great!

The hawkers in Kuta can be aggressive, but if you don't want to buy - don't make eye contact. Don't say anything and there will generally be no problems.

The beach at Kuta is wide and usually has good surf in the late afternoon. Kuta beach isn't really a place to sit if you don't like crowds. In keeping with the Kuta theme, it is more of a social occasion, where you meet the locals and other tourists and you don't have to move for anything - the hawkers will bring it to you. Late afternoon is best about 3 - 4pm, sunsets, soccer games, and just a great place for a walk.

If being involved and having everything close by; if you want to party or just shop, Kuta is the place. Even if you don't stay there, don't go home without visiting Kuta at least once, maybe twice... three times?

LEGIAN
Legian stretches between Jalan Melasti and Jalan Double Six and is what may be described as the cosmopolitan area of Bali. The beauty of Legian is the range of accommodation that is on offer virtually there is something for everyone. The beachfront hotels are really beachfront and most have their pools towards the beach areas or large lawn areas covered by trees overlooking the beach. It is usually not necessary to be a patron of the Hotel to use these facilities - just ask.

The restaurants are many and varied and some of Bali’s best can be found here. The shopping is more boutique style. It is best to wander the side streets and browse for many items including casual wear and beach fashions, antiques, handicrafts and souvenirs. There are still hawkers here but unlike Kuta, Legian is a much more relaxed atmosphere.

The nightclubs and bars in this area come alive on particular nights and it is the best place to go if you want to catch some of the excellent local bands or if you are into 90’s dance music.

It is always nice to walk along the wide beach in the late afternoon, wander past the endless soccer games and tourists setting up cameras to catch the magic sunset.

The beach is wide in Legian but it is not white. Like most beaches in Bali it has a greyish color caused by volcanic silica. It is not dirty, just not white - a walk along Legian beach is one of the most colourful and vibrant beach walks in Bali. A typical day on the beach will include vendors, masseuses, beach boys, high waves and strong currents.

If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere with beachfront restaurants which are perfect to sit back, have a drink and watch some of the best sunsets and then go to a great local restaurant for dinner - this is the place.

SEMINYAK, KEROBOKAN & CANGGU
Seminyak is only just coming of age, it is only approximately 15-20 mins walk along the beach from the shopping of Legian and Kuta. For couples, it is a perfect place to stay. Until recently these areas were entirely rural, mostly residential. Good, off-white, sandy beach with powerful waves and some strong currents, and less crowded the further you move to the north of Kuta. The number of hotels, good - but reasonably priced - restaurants, Bali's most interesting pubs and discos, shops selling casual wear, furniture, antiques, decorative items and handicrafts; is increasing fast.

Recommended for visitors who wish to be somewhat away from the tourist crowds but appreciate easy access to the restaurants and shops of Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta. Access to other parts of the island is as equally easy and you don't have to pass through crowded Kuta.

Throughout Seminyak and Kerobokan, and in the beautiful, yet still rural areas, stretching further north to Canggu, you will also find some of Bali's most attractive vacation villas. There are a number of properties here that really go out of their way in terms of service, location and room size.

Seminyak is a quiet, peaceful area and even though local restaurants and shopping are very close by, they are far enough away not to lure you from the poolside lounge overlooking the ocean. Rather, just wander to one of the massage and spa pavilions for maybe one or two hours of pampering.

The beach here is an extension from Legian and is a great place for an afternoon walk or, as most guests do in this area, grab a lounge or beach chair while you prepare to wander down the beach to La Lucciola for a late lunch while you watch the sunset.

UBUD
Ubud is often talked about as a nice place to go for a day tour, however if that is all you do - you will miss out on the total experience of one the best places to stay in Bali. From Ubud, you are close to; whitewater rafting, mountain cycling, jungle trekking, lake kayaking, monkey forest, visiting Besakih, Bedugul, Kintamani.

The town of Ubud is to Bali what Jogyakarta is to Java – culturally speaking. Ubud is where the most accomplished painters, dancers, musicians, carvers and weavers live and work, and there are a number of very good museums and art galleries. Art is the main attraction to Ubud with many and varied galleries throughout the village - from traditional to contemporary and everything in between. The Neka Art Museum is the most famous, but it is also worth having a look at his son's gallery, Komaneka, in Monkey Forest Rd, which specialises in contemporary young artists.

Ubud is great introduction to the people of Bali, the barter system, and just the Balinese way of life in general. The markets in Ubud are well known, as are the many small art shops where the pieces are produced by the villagers on-site.

Because of its location at the base of the mountains (about 19 miles or 30 kilometers north of Denpasar) temperatures are slightly lower than in the lowlands, and year-round rain showers help to grow lush tropical vegetation. The restaurants here are some of the best in Bali and the settings are magical. Lunch in a small restaurant overlooking a river some 1000ft below and have dinner in a restaurant that is a tropical garden illuminated by small candles.

The town itself has developed rapidly during the past decade, and today the main roads are lined with art shops, handicraft and souvenir shops, as well as many restaurants and cafes - but no hawkers. Until late afternoon tourist groups and other day-visitors are roaming shops and eateries. After sunset, Ubud becomes very quiet and peaceful.

Beautiful private villas, many of which are located in Sayan - a few miles away, overlook the picturesque Ayun river valley. All the properties have a character and location which is unique and all have a Balinese flavour.

SANUR
The best way to describe Sanur is like a small Balinese mountain village - by the sea. Sanur has one lazy street which winds its way behind the beachfront hotels, dotted with small restaurants, and shops which cater for every taste.

Up until 1991 Sanur was the favoured area by the majority of tourists to Bali. With the advent of resorts in Nusa Dua and the Kuta side of the Island, it was relatively forgotten except for those who new better.

Sanur is one of the best places to stay in Bali if you are looking for some relaxation but still having the convenience of local shops and restaurants - without the constant hassling from hawkers. It is easy to travel anywhere from Sanur, the frenetic shopping and bartering and nightlife of Kuta is only 20mins away by taxi, Ubud is only 40mins, and the airport 20mins.

The beach in Sanur is protected by a reef so is very safe to swim but only at high tide. At low tide, rock and some reef become exposed. The beach is white sand and quite wide. The best part about the beach here is the views offered across the water from a number of small hotels and the restaurant at the Raddin.

If you are looking for small Balinese style villas with perhaps a thatched roof or a resort style property with beautiful gardens, you will find it in Sanur. If shopping and eating in a laid back, relaxed style, contained within peaceful surroundings is what you are looking for, this is the place.

NUSA DUA
An exclusive area built primarily for luxury resort style properties. It’s a great place if all you want to do is relax, unwind and forget the world you left behind. Despite popular myths in recent years, there are many shops and restaurants in Nusa Dua. Bali's southern peninsula is where you find most of the island's international 4 and 5 star hotels – set in a manicured (not traditionally Balinese) garden environment.

Quite nice beach with shallow water, no high waves. All kinds of water sports and an 18-hole golf course. Restaurant choice is limited outside the hotels and price is generally slightly higher than the Kuta, Sanur areas but you can walk to Galleria – the main restaurant area without being asked to buy anything. Some more reasonably priced reaturants are located in adjacent Tanjung Benoa and Bualu village. No night life to speak of.

Shopping is split between the clothing markets at the front of Nusa Dua where you can barter for anything from socks to copy watches; and the designer stores of Galleria.

Nusa Dua is only 25 minutes from the airport and 35 minutes from all the shopping and life of Kuta. Taxis to Kuta cost approximately 15,000 Rp, so it’s very easy to enjoy the best of both worlds.

If up market villas and extensive resorts with huge pools overlooking the ocean; or being able to walk to a golf course, is what you visualize for a holiday, this is the place.