Umala at Bisma

The rooms were lovely, and we’d definitely stay again. It’s close to Ubud’s busy streets but still very peaceful, and the friendly, chatty staff made us feel welcome right away. Breakfast was included. Nothing fancy, but it hit the spot. A mirror in the room would’ve been handy since the bathroom mirror fogged up after showers. We also noticed a few dead flies on the wall that could’ve been cleaned before we arrived.

The staff are super nice and never pushy or annoying, which is the main reason I’d choose this place again. We’ve extended our stay three times, left for a four-star hotel, then came back and extended a fourth time. It’s the only place in Bali where we really felt at home. The bed is nice and clean, the hot water has good pressure, and the rooms fill with light and sunshine at sunrise. We felt amazing here. The pool is cold, but we liked it, and the location is great for walking everywhere.

The pool was small but never crowded, and it was a lovely way to cool off. We also used the handy laundry service, and the aircon worked brilliantly. The room was compact but comfortable, with a good shower and strong water pressure. We stayed five nights, and the location made it easy to walk to everything while still being quiet. The staff were kind and helpful. Housekeeping could have come more often: the bins overflowed and made the room smell, and we needed fresh towels, bath mats, drinking water for brushing our teeth, and toilet paper sooner. There was nowhere in the bathroom to hang towels to dry. We also found ants and other bugs in there, probably because the hotel is in the jungle. Monkeys often come onto the balcony, so keep the door shut and belongings off it. It was an enjoyable stay, with a few things that could be improved.

The monkeys, geckos, and flying bugs are all around, so keep that in mind if you’re not comfortable with them. We had no problems with our belongings, though we were told one key can open several doors, so it’s sensible to keep an eye on things. The staff were so welcoming and chatty, and made the place feel homely. We had a very pleasant stay and would recommend it.