Kultur Umalas Hostel

Water pressure was barely there, from both the bidet and the shower, just tiny spits. The air conditioning wasn’t cold enough, and the whole place felt like it might fall apart. It reminded me of a “bedeng,” the Indonesian term for a temporary plywood shelter for construction workers. Street noise was so loud I couldn’t sleep. Three hours after I’d fallen asleep, an unfriendly staff member with bad breath knocked on my door just to tell me the gate code.

The mattress was comfortable and the lighting was good. That’s about where the positives ended. The room wasn’t clean, the toilets and showers were grim, I found hair in my bed, and the pillows were really small. You can hear people talking in the next room, and my upper bunk shook whenever the person below me moved even a little. They advertise breakfast, but it was just a loaf of cheap bread and cheap jam. Bali has so many good places to stay, and this capsule hostel wasn’t for me. The photos and recommendations had set my expectations too high. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

I’ve picked Kultur Umalas for both of my last two Bali trips. I spent a month in the female dorm in 2023 and was happily surprised by how clean and cozy it was. The staff were friendly and easy to chat with, and the lounge worked well for both getting work done and hanging out with other guests. In 2024 I stayed over two weeks in a private room. It was compact, just right for living solo, and had a smart TV and wifi. The internet was slow sometimes, but that wasn’t a big deal. The location is very handy too, about 7 minutes from Seminyak and 5 from Berawa and Canggu. The two loyal dogs, Blacky and Upin, were a lovely bonus, so cute and friendly, and part of my daily routine. Best stay, 5/5. I keep recommending it for longer visits. Thanks so much, Kultur, much much much loveeee.

The standard private room had a cozy, thoughtfully designed interior, and the water heater and Netflix made the stay more pleasant. It could use regular maintenance, though. Thank you!