On arriving in Kuta alone and with nowhere to stay I was worried, however the local people pointed me to a beautiful B&B for the night helped with my bags and everything.

The next day the home owner walked me and her dogs and some chickens to my hotel (who really should have picked me up from airport) Delayed flight meant they missed me. But they soon rectified that with flowers and cocktails, and the remainder of my stay went without a hitch I was catered for in every way.

Would definitely go again.

Kumala Pantai is situated in Legian and is very reasonably priced. The back of the hotel is on the beach which is separated by a paved promenade. Along the beach walkway there are many lovely restaurants to choose from. Also out the front of KP and a short walk there are so many restaurants you'll be spoilt for choice.

This hotel has grown in the past year and now has two new 3 story blocks (SG & S blocks) which face each other and a pool in the middle with pool bar. This area is more often used for families. There is also a new H block and apartments which has recently opened. However, the apartments don't have a balcony and they face the street. H block faces the drive way.

The older original part of the KP has four blocks of 3 story buildings. Y & B which face a large pool and A & NS blocks are in a garden setting and near the pathway which leads to the restaurant.

KP has a predominantly Australian clientele and is very popular and booked up over a year in advance. It used to be more of a couples hotel but with the new blocks which include more family rooms the hotel has lost the 'couples feel' and the pools are often lively.

We booked direct with the hotel but emails can be a bit slow and sometimes it is quicker to ring or fax. Kumula Pantai allocate rooms on booking, so if you have a particular room choice or category and it's available they will block it. It's important to know that there no lifts at KP.

The buffet breakfast which is included in the daily rate can be taken in the restaurant or at the outside restaurant which overlooks the beach.

Staff are lovely and nothing is too much trouble.

All blocks have Balinese names and NS is short for Nakula Sahadewa and Y is for Yudistira and so on.

We stayed in a ground floor room in Y block. It had a king bed, table and chairs, TV and a safe. Our patio overlooked a fish pond and pool. Bed linen and towels are changed everyday and the room was spotlessly clean. Marble bathroom with a separate walk in shower as well as a bath. Pool towels are available at the pool bar.