Batur Homestay and Lodge

The hosts were kind and helpful throughout. We could get fresh tea and coffee whenever we wanted, and someone tried to help with each request. The staff also acted quickly when problems came up, which we appreciated. Still, the room and bathroom made it hard to feel comfortable. The bathroom was very damp and smelled strongly musty, almost like mold. The bathroom door was hanging halfway off its hinges, the sink faucet kept coming loose, and the shower wouldn't drain, leaving a large flood after a short time. These seemed like obvious issues that should be properly fixed, and possibly weren't new. We found the Mount Batur tour quite expensive, so my husband and I bought a ticket and hiked on our own. That was completely manageable for us, and nobody pressured us to book the tour. But we were asked not to tell other guests that hiking without a guide was possible. We booked based on the many good reviews, and I wish we'd known these things beforehand. I don't like leaving a review with so little positive to say, because the people were very friendly, but the condition of our room and bathroom was disappointing.

The guide was awful and couldn't keep up with us, and the track itself wasn't difficult enough to need a guide or their service. 700k/pax is an outrageous price. You can get your own route for free with the Pocket Earth app. Honestly, the hike isn't worth it, and I'd think twice about doing it at all. That money could've gone toward Nusa Dua.

There were lots of flies and insects in our room, and the whole hotel area was full of flies. The room had holes in the wall, making it very cold, and the floor stayed wet. Breakfast was horrible, and the cooking area was very dirty, so I wouldn't recommend eating there. We booked a standard room through Agoda, but on arrival the owner said we had to use a shared bathroom, which hadn't been mentioned on Agoda. We paid an extra IDR 200,000 per room for a private bathroom, but that room was in very poor condition too. The staff were quite friendly and helped check our bike when its brake bins failed. Still, the service and cleanliness overall were very poor. The location is good for a Kintamani jeep tour.

The peaceful, quiet surroundings made it easy to unwind, and the pool added to that relaxing feel. My room was clean and very comfortable after a long day. It was missing basics like soap or toiletries, which was the only downside. Still, a really nice place to stay and one I'd recommend. 🌿🤍