Vimala Ubud Hotel

The staff were genuinely nice and attentive, which makes it frustrating that the management seems to have a serious problem. My room wasn’t clean, with dirt and hair left by previous guests. The bathroom seemed fine at first, but by the second evening it smelled so awful I nearly threw up and couldn’t use it. The extractor fan comes on with the light, makes a really loud noise and looked filthy, a clear lack of maintenance. There’s a fountain on the ground level that makes a constant racket, from early morning until late evening. The restaurant also plays very loud, repetitive Western music with a lot of bass from 8-9am until after 10pm. It comes into the rooms, woke me on my second day and made it hard to get an early night. I don’t understand why visitors in another country and culture have to listen to loud, low-quality Western hits. Even classical music at a reasonable volume, with less bass, would be better. Music loud enough to carry into rooms where guests are paying to rest makes no sense. The restaurant is often empty, and I think that music is one reason people aren’t invited to enjoy a meal there. Staff also drag loud chairs and tables around at 8-9am without pads on the legs, which doesn’t help with sleep. I’m taking the time to explain all this in the hope management considers it and makes changes that improve the guest experience and help the business. Please get rid of the loud music and turn off that bloody fountain 😅

The staff were friendly and helpful, and they showed real Indonesian hospitality. But I don’t think I’d return or recommend this hotel. There were ants on the bed, someone else’s facial hair in the sink, and the foot towel was dirty. The bathroom didn’t look like the photos, either. I’ve stayed in cleaner hostels. I could hear traffic from the main road at night, as well as everything from the guests in the adjoining room through a locked connecting door. My stay was short, from a 9 pm arrival to a 7:30 am departure, so I couldn’t make use of the included breakfast, which starts at 10 am. I’d booked a standard double room based on the hotel’s pictures, but got twin beds instead, and they couldn’t change it for me.

The staff deserve 5/5, and the location is fair at 2/5. I’d give the amenities 3/5, but the property itself gets 1/5: water leaked in the washroom, the exhaust fan was extremely noisy, and the rooms weren’t pleasant. I think hotels should put more effort into making their spaces appealing and comfortable.

Best hotel of our Bali trip by far, and such good value for money in the Ubud area without giving up comfort. My friend got very sick, so the staff upgraded both of our street-side rooms to royal suites with complimentary balconies and bathtubs to help him rest. I wasn’t sick, but they upgraded me too. They looked after us so well, I can’t say enough. Indonesia can be proud of this place. Highly recommend it.