My recent trip to Ubud gave me the chance to check out some of the budget accommodation options. I quickly reviewed guest houses (homestays) in 3 different areas close to downtown. Firstly I stayed at Puri Jati Homestay on Jl. Hanoman and visited many of the other guesthouses on that street. I visited 3 guesthouses on Jl. Kajeng, the funky little street off of Jl. Raya Ubud. Lastly I checked out some places on a small alley of off Jl. Penestenan, in the west of Ubud.
Needless to say there is a lot of repetition, both in what is offered and price. I don't think reviewing every guesthouse in Ubud is going to reveal any secrets and this brief look gives a realistic view of the scene.
What have we learned from this exercise? Well there are plenty of budget guesthouses, that are 50,000rp and up. They are not in any hotel booker, don't expect to see them on any other website in Bali. Most are extensions of a family compound where the family still lives. An excellent way to observe the culture, right from the start of the day when a family member will give offerings and prayers, to the little bits of life that occur like the preparing of traditional food and religious events.
Most of these places offer a basic room with fan, twin or double beds, hot water, breakfast. Being located downtown makes life a lot easier on people without transport. Another thing is that for people on RTW trips who want to relax as well as explore, when you are only paying $6 a day you won't feel too guilty for not having a productive day.
Staying slightly out of town in Penestenan costs more. People are prepared to pay for that rice field / Bali village feel. There are also some fine hotels in places like Campuhan and Sayan. In fact the Best Hotel in the World (the Four Seasons Sayan) according to Travel & Leisure, is only 15 minutes from downtown.
I have visited very nice place for 150,000rp too, such as Nick's Homestay 2 off of Jl. Raya Ubud. You have plenty of options and I hope the guesthouse guide helped those without Donald Trump's wallet.
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Homestay where you stay with Balinese family
i am arriving in denpasar at 2:30 am jan.12. i dont want to go to denpasar or kuta beach, and i am wondering if it is reasonable to go to ubud at that time, how long it would take, etc.
also wondering if it is possible to rent a little place somewhat out of town for weeks or a month. i dont object to walking 30 minutes or so to town for supplies. also wondering how real is the threat of malaria, and where it is the best to avoid it. myself and two children had malaria in hondurus some years back. not something i would want to repeat. i dont take profilactics anymore because it only made the malaria treatment harder the last time. thanks for any input.
Yes… you are better off getting a place here in Jl Hanoman and the accomodation is kind of in the alleyways… lovely little treasures… settle there for a few days and explore the housing situation… the library which is not far has more friendly information about accomodation. Come straight to Ubud. Marlaria… hmmmm is that a joke or ??? Just watch what you eat and bring the aeroguard, its great. Am in Ubud and plan to stay a little longer… you will be arriving just three days after we leave for Sydney. Been here since 12 December and leaving on 9th January. Ta
Craig.
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