look at alam shanti outside ubud.. fab..

take room yumma and gangga and one other room... that will give you a huge private pool and the best rooms in the house..

we also like the pan pacific resort on the west coast..

WHere is your conference being held? I'm guessing Nusa Dua, a sterile tourist beach enclave that caters to such things. If so, stay someplace really different, like the area outside Ubud. Views over lush rice fields and a river valley, and located in the cultural center of Bali. Lots to see and do.

While Bali has bad much tourist development, there is still magic to be found.

Thanks rhkkmk for that recommendation. Yes Kathie it is t Nusa Dua. Having read some other threads I'm actually now thinking of splitting our time and maybe do say 3 nights at Ubud and 4 nights maybe at Seminyak? What do you think?

Personally, if I had already spent a week at a beach, I'd rather be inland by Ubud. But if you want another beach stay you can certainly do that.

storm, why wouldn't you normally choose Bali for a vacation? Maybe if you explain why Bali doesn't sound like your cup of tea we can tell you what to avoid.

I think 3/4 or 4/3 Ubud/beach sounds good. I like Seminyak and think it has a lot to offer in the way of long sandy beach, picturesque surf and sunsets, lots of nearby restaurants, clubs, shops, spas. This is where your kids will want to be.

There are some very nice resorts right on the beach but they tend to be pricy. There are also many, many choices in boutique hotels and villas that are near, but not on, the beach. For your larger group a villa would be ideal.

If interested in researching villas, I'd start with the Laksmana group or with this website. I prefer the Petitenget area.
http://balihomeparadise.com/

For resorts, The Legian in Seminyak and the Samaya are very nice (but costly). The Colony which is across the road from the beach is charming and a good value.

In Ubud there are fewer villas but plenty of villa/bungalow style resorts. Again prices are all over the place. I like the Alila, the Komen group, the Alam Sari and the Samaya. I'd also go with the area outside of Ubud vs right in town, but both have their advantages. Uma Ubud in town is also nice.

The conference will run for four days so I'll arrive most likely the day before. I'll be working so I'm not expecting to see too much of the beach during the conference. That's why I thought if we headed over to Ubud after the conference that will be a nice unwind and then the beach for a bit of shopping, dining etc.

As my airfare is being paid for I'm thinking I might spend a little more than I normally would on accommodation. Airfares from Oz are quite reasonable. So will check out your suggestions thanks Marmot and thank you Kathie for your input - I had heard that Nusa Dua was probably not where you'd want to holiday so thanks for confirming.

We get a lot of Groupon type deals come through for Bali - lots - today there was one at Ubud - The Mansion Resort Hotel & Spa - three nights in Governor's Room for $629 AUD with breakfast, afternoon tea and quite a few extras - sounds pretty good?

I haven't been to the Mansion but I've seen their website and ads. I little too ornate for my taste. I'm not sure who their target customer is, but I think I'd look into it a little further before confirming.

Rates all over Bali will depend on the month. Right now Bali is very quiet, and everything is discounted. Rates will go up at Easter/Spring Break and again in July/August.

Thanks Marmot - our conference is end of September so just into low/shoulder season I think.

Check some of the usual hotel discount sites like www.agoda.com and also a Bali-specific one, www.balidiscovery.com for hotel prices.

September/October is normally low-ish season but this year there's a huge APEC conference in early October followed by the Ubud Writers festival in mid-October. These will affect bookings all over Bali in the weeks before and after, so it's best to make your plans as soon as possible.

Oh thanks for that heads up marmot!

I take small tour groups there on a yearly basis. I would suggest that if there is a group of you and you want access to great child minding etc, that you would book a villa. In Seminyak there are some great villas called Eden at the Beach. I have used them 3 times and highly recommend them. You have your own staff who cook for you if you want them to, will organise your breakfast every day. You can get in room massages etc, you are a 5 minute walk from the beach where there are a number of great restaurants that can be walked to along the beach. Also Seminyak is very busy, so this takes you out of that - and you just take a cab for 5 minutes into the main part of town when you feel like it. In Ubud, the best hotel I have ever used is the Royal Pita Maha. It is beautiful, the staff are fantastic and I would recommend this in a heart beat.