Villa versus Hotel
Since the year 2000 the villa accommodation industry has emerged as competitive & cost effective holiday accommodation option for holiday makers in Bali. In previous times a holiday in magical Bali meant a visit to a Travel Agent to book a "package" deal where the holiday maker stayed in one of the huge hotel & resort complexes mainly found in Kuta, Legian & Nusa Dua.
With the availability of online accommodation websites & consumers take up of broadband internet services this has allowed holiday makers direct access to villa properties that were not traditionally promoted by the travel industry. This online "connection" has been the conduit for the phenomenal growth of the villa accommodation industry in Bali.
Added to this was that holiday makers became aware of just how affordable a villa holiday is compared to the traditional hotel/resort holiday. Staying in a hotel or resort for a week can be a very "inflating" experience to your next credit card statement. Meals, drinks, room service, tours & laundry are far more expensive than what you would pay outside of the complex. Also everything you purchase or use in hotels & resorts is topped with a 21% government & service tax. A one week stay in these complexes can add up to a rather nasty shock when you go to "pay the bill" when checking out. Suddenly your inexpensive holiday package deal becomes a "credit card blowout".
Villas on the other hand provide many of the things that you would pay for in hotels & resorts for free. Free breakfasts, free laundry, free shuttle services for shopping excursions & airport transfers, usually provide tours at much cheaper rates, free childcare/babysitting (some may charge but very inexpensive in comparison) & free DVD library. The other huge cost saving villas can provide is the staff can purchase provisions for all your meals from local supermarkets or markets as well as buying your beverages at local prices.
If you are travelling with children or friends & you have multiple room requirements then this is where villa accommodation really "shines" in the savings department. If a family or group of friends secures a 4 bedroom luxury villa at around $350 per night this reduces the individual room night to only $75 per night. In comparison to some 4 & 5 star hotels this alone can save you at least 30-60% over the period of your stay in Bali.
You will be pleasantly suprised by the savings you will acheive in accommodation & living expenses when staying in a your own private villa...& your credit card will have way more fuel for your shopping expeditions :)
