Sari Bali Cottage

I stayed here for almost a year, and the owner was really kind and helpful. The garden was a lovely hidden gem, well-watered and trimmed each season. It's pet-friendly too, and my two cats enjoyed playing there with the other cats and dogs. The place is in busy Kuta, close to bars, cafes, clubs, and the beach. I used to run at Kuta Beach every morning and loved the location. Rent was surprisingly cheap compared with other guesthouses and houses nearby. The room had a big fan, aircon, water heater, a spacious shower room with a sink, toilet and large mirror, plus a makeup table, wardrobe, and another table under the TV. I rented a room with a balcony, so I also had an outdoor table and two chairs. There's a pool, though I never used it because a man spent nearly every day and night beside it, which made me uncomfortable. Maybe I'm just a private-pool person. The kitchen had a chiller that wasn't in good condition and a free stove, a big plus at this low rent. The parking area was large and had CCTV, which could be checked if there was a problem. Cleaning was weekly. Usually I'd come home to a fresh, clean room and new bed covers, though sometimes the balcony still had dust. Most staff were smiling and helpful, but some gossiped about tenants to other tenants. I heard it repeatedly from my room while working from home, and found it disrespectful. Electricity used to be fine, but it kept cutting out when people used more power than their rooms could handle. In the last two months, it sometimes went off seven times in less than an hour. Rooms could have aircon, a fridge, and an electric stove, and cheaper products often need more voltage. I hope they've fixed it now. I'd been told families weren't accepted, but my neighbors included a family with two kids and a couple who were starting a family. There was sometimes drama in other rooms, including a couple fighting almost every month. I found it entertaining to make fun of them. Like anywhere, I met all sorts: nice people, someone who acted nice but talked behind my back, and someone unpleasant. My advice is to trust yourself and not waste time on their drama. I hope this honest review helps anyone looking for a place in Bali. I was happy staying here, and if I'd had a different room, I might have given five stars.