Tepi Sawah lodge Hostel

I fell for this place and ended up extending my stay. Oemah Tepi Sawah is tucked into a gentle hillside among rice fields and jungle, a little paradise if you love nature. Dewi and her wonderful staff cook delicious fresh meals and can arrange cooking classes. There’s also a yoga shala with an amazing view. It became my favorite place in Bali, and will stay in my heart. I’d been riding my scooter around the beautiful Batukaru area when rain caught me, so I ducked into a small cafe and searched for somewhere to sleep. On Google Maps, Oemah Tepi Sawah looked just right, far from everything, with an amazing aerial view. I hadn’t booked, and simply turned up to ask for a room. Dewi greeted me warmly, showed me around, and offered tea while I waited for the room. My little house was made of natural stone. The bedroom was bright and very spacious, the bed huge and super comfortable, and I loved the open air shower. The terrace was perfect for tea, a book, and the sounds of nature. Geckos, frogs, crickets, and fireflies were around at night, with cicadas in the morning.

A simple, cute little house among rice fields and trees, and for me it felt like a dream. The nights seemed clearer and calmer, with no noise, and the weather was always lovely. I was so impressed by the owner and staff too. They were kind, responsive, and pure hearted. I’d love to stay here again and again.

We came across Oemah Tepi Sawah on Google Maps while looking for a Christmas break from work. I contacted Ibu Dewi to ask about dinner time and cost. We’d only booked one night, but after arriving we decided to stay an extra night. During our stay there were two families with young kids, who slept in the two-bedroom compound, and later another family with a child checked in at the last minute. Our cabin was clean and nice, and the bed was comfortable enough for a good sleep. The green surroundings, rice fields, and nature were exactly what we wanted, and the place met our expectations. It was rainy season, and the parking area, which fits about four cars, was just enough for us. Dinner included one of the best sate lilit we’ve had on the island, made with minced chicken, spices, and coconut, and it wasn’t spicy. We also had cap cay, Chinese style mixed vegetables in tomato chicken broth. The next day we went to Jatiluwih and did our own tracking. It wasn’t the green fields season, but it was still nice. Villagers were selling chips made from cassava, banana, taro, and other things. We had lunch there, then continued to Kampoeng Jalak Bali at Tengkudak, stopping at a cafe before heading back to Oemah. Ibu Dewi and her team are lovely, and you can feel how much care goes into the place. Pineapple trees are easy to spot around the grounds. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves nature and wants to see Balinese village life. We also talked with a villager working in her rice field next to Oemah. We’ll come back someday to share the place with friends, and maybe family too.

The massages and options for exploring places to eat and the rice terraces were really good. Mama Dewi was a wonderful host, and the location and surroundings made it easy to relax and enjoy an authentic central Bali experience. Definitely worth a stay!