Villa Sonia Bisma

The location gave us easy access to massage places, restaurants, markets and shops, while the hotel itself stayed peaceful and private despite being close to central Ubud. Reception were kind, attentive and ready to help. We slept well on the comfortable bed, which was carefully made, and the air conditioning worked perfectly. Monkeys were our lovely, beautiful neighbours. A few things made the stay simpler than we'd hoped. The breakfast was basic, the bathroom could have been cleaner, and the pool didn't feel clean or inviting. Some advertised services, including massage, weren't available while we were there. Hot water took 10-15 minutes of running the shower and taps, which felt wasteful. There was also a little gecko in the ceiling; we know that's common in the tropics and not the hotel's fault, but its nighttime noise disturbed our sleep. At checkout there was some confusion over an extra 100,000 IDR charge, though it was eventually resolved. We appreciated the quiet atmosphere and friendly team. With more regular care and maintenance, the place could be a gem, but guests should expect a simple stay, closer to 2.5-3 stars.

The bathroom was enormous, about as big as the room, and most places are within walking distance. The street is very noisy, though. Monkeys can be pretty aggressive and come onto your balcony, which has its own charm. Breakfast was the biggest downside, a bit dull compared with other places.

We had a pleasant two-night stay in the suite. The room was spacious and very clean, with a smart TV and an especially comfortable bed. Monkeys came to the balcony as a bit of Little Zoo entertainment, but they didn't bother us. The western breakfast included with the stay was disappointing, so I'd pick the Indonesian option instead, which was better. We couldn't get warm water, leaving us with cold showers on rainy days and a bathtub we couldn't really use. We asked staff twice to fix it. All in all, still a nice stay.

We were very happy with our stay at Sonia Bisma in April 2024. The hotel was spotless, including the rooms, and its location beside the monkey forest meant we saw monkeys every day. Most of Ubud's key spots were no more than a 20-minute walk away. The staff were very friendly, and the hotel pool was cleaned daily and lovely to swim in. Our room had plenty of wardrobe space, a safe, and a terrace with a small fish pool just outside. It also came with a kettle, daily coffee, two bottles of water, two tea bags, cups and glasses. The large bathroom had a shower, bathtub and lots of toiletries, including shower caps, shampoo, shower gel, soap, combs and toothbrushes. There was a hotel restaurant menu in the room, along with massage offers, laundry prices and information about events in Ubud. The massages were especially good. A charming place, highly recommended.