Villa Eliska Sari Sumberkima

We could barely sleep because the room felt like an oven. The buildings are all brick and concrete, and they sit in the sun from morning until evening, so the walls and floor soak up too much heat for the air conditioning to cool the place down. The vents are also badly placed: cold air escapes through the door vents while the heat stays trapped inside. The building design just doesn’t work. There must be better places to stay nearby.

The setting was a highlight for us. Elsika Sari helps rebuild a coral reef and plant trees on a nearby dry hill. The owner is Balinese, and the place felt self-developed rather than like a big corporate operation. It was our favorite place to stay in Bali, and we hope to return someday. :) We rented a scooter for 70k per day, which covered 24 hours and came with helmets. Wi-Fi was free. The staff were welcoming and professional, and happy to answer questions about the area. Our room was fresh and very clean, with a high ceiling, lovely architecture, a big window for sunlight, and reading lamps on both sides of the bed. The air conditioning was new and worked quickly. The bathroom was just as clean, with towels provided and a fancy shower whose water was a comfortable temperature. Breakfast came in American or Indonesian options. We chose Indonesian: six sweet, nicely made pancakes with coconut pieces, local fruit, and tea or coffee.

We had the place to ourselves, and the staff were so thoughtful. When we ran out of toilet paper, they brought more without us having to ask, and they even supplied a clothes hanger. It’s a brand-new, very clean homestay, quiet and peaceful because it sits well away from the road. Really nice place for a low price. We’d happily recommend it. Ludo & Mathilde

We had a great stay and hope to come back. It’s an affordable place in the north of Bali with surprisingly good facilities, and the staff were really nice.