Subak Tabola Villa

The hotel combines an authentic feel with real comfort. We enjoyed morning yoga, the beautiful pool, and the best massages of our trip. They work with local people for all of it. I’m very glad we chose to stay here.

The service really made this feel like more than a room and a bed. Everyone remembered our names from the start, and they balanced friendly conversation with respect for our space while working hard to take care of every need. The little touches were lovely: a welcome drink, a warm handwritten greeting on a leaf, towels folded into animals each day, and Balinese flip flops to wear indoors. Such thoughtful hospitality. I didn’t book any spa services, but my breakfast companion, who’s a massage therapist, said the massage was incredible and she was thrilled to be the client for once. The food was delicious, every dinner was tasty. The grounds are spectacular, with lush green views, mist, farms, ponds and lily pads, trees, and flowers. It felt like stepping into the kind of paradise I’d read about as a kid. The rooms are gorgeous, from the terrace beds and carved doors to the comfortable bed, bathtub, and outdoor shower. They had everything I could need, even hair conditioner, thank you! Sidemen is spectacular and still feels unspoiled, a peaceful escape. The countryside is so beautiful I spent hours sitting on the bed, staring out. When staff wanted to lower the blinds because it was raining, I asked them to leave them up because I couldn’t get enough of the view. Walking around Bali can be interesting with no sidewalks, but it’s doable if you’re careful. The incline is steep, so you can also take a quick ride to cooking classes, the market, temples, rice paddies, and other activities. The atmosphere felt authentic to the place. This was my first stop in Bali, and I couldn’t have asked for a better start. It felt like stepping into my childhood idea of what Bali would be like, and it was, it is. Magical, you’ll never want to leave.

We wanted to treat ourselves and relax after three weeks of backpacking, and this was the perfect choice to finish our Indonesia trip. The room, porch, grounds, and views were stunning. Staff were so helpful and friendly, even packing fantastic breakfasts for our early airport departure. We rented bikes from them to explore the beautiful Sideman region, and the roads weren’t too scary, highly recommend it. The restaurant was lovely, other neighborhood spots were easy to walk to, and the massages were great too.

It was so quiet and peaceful that I just wanted to lie on the little bed outside my room and take it all in. My room looked toward Mt Agung. The staff gave us a warm welcome and were helpful with everything. The foot massage with jasmine oil was absolutely mind blowing, and I enjoyed the pool late in the afternoon. We had good breakfasts and lunch there, took a village and rice field walk with staff one afternoon, which I highly recommend, and did a yoga session too. This was the first villa in Sidemen. The rooms are cozy and nice, but the bathroom equipment and furniture could use renovation.