Where to stay in East Bali

Toby, Maya, Ika, Jevon, Ika’s mother and myself, will be going to East Bali for 2 days. East Bali is one of the best parts of the island (although I also have a soft spot for Tabanan).

Here are some of the things I will have to consider on this trip:
We have 2 young kids.
The temperature is hot, so some people will want AC.
Too much driving around won’t be good.
I don’t want to spend a ton of money.
Some internet access would be wonderful.

Thoughts on places we could stay:
•Padangbai – the pro’s are its easy to get to. Plenty of cheap guest houses, and 2 nice beaches right there, plus some slow internet. The cons are limited choice of AC accommodation.
•Candi Dasa – the pro’s are plenty of cheap / mid-range accommodation. There are AC options and many places to eat, plus some slow internet access. Con’s are it’s not my perfect vision of Bali and is the most touristy part of East Bali.
•Amed – the pro’s are its natural beauty, quiet atmosphere, choice of good places to stay, with AC rooms, and some slow internet access. Con’s are Amed is far from Kuta and outside of your hotel, there’s not much for a family with kids to do.
•Tejakula – pro’s are a very quiet part of the NE coast, a couple of nice places to stay only, including Poincianna Resort (which has double beds only). Con’s are there is nothing outside at all except the black sand beach, very far from Kuta.

If it was just up to me, I’d go for a cheap a fun place like Good Karma, at Selang Beach near Amed. What I expect will happen, is that we go to the hotel in Candi Dasa, where I swam in front of a while back. Next night wee might stay at Good Karma (bamboo shacks on the beach, no AC) and if other people need AC, they can stay at the top of the cliff at Blue Moon Villas (restaurant, pool, AC). Sounds like a plan Stan.