what are your personal experiences in Bali, and which would you choose for a first time vacation, Nusa Dua, Sanur, any others?
You'll be glad to know that Bali isn't a big place so, no matter where you stay you can drive to different areas fairly easy. To give you an idea Nusa Dua is in the south of Bali, and it's the most touristy place in Bali featuring only high-end resorts, while Sanur retains more charm by being less touristy, though there are many amenities and good resorts to choose from such as the Hyatt. If you don’t want to drive in Bali, you can hire a tour guide with a car, which won't cost a fortune and they will take you just anywhere and give you tons of information about the island.
Bali deserves the award for the best city in Asia. I have experienced the ambiance, culture and the friendliness of this city during my long vacation at Bali resorts.