Bali guest houses

Bali’s guesthouses provide excellent budget accommodation. Also known as homes-stays, they are often within the grounds of local family houses and so there is a nice sense of authenticity and sincerity at these places. Also, costs are quite low and sometimes, meals are included.

Cold water showers and basic rooms are the norm – visitors should not expect huge luxury – but there are few complaints about the price for a night’s stay in a Bali guesthouse, which is rarely more than USD5.

Guesthouses in Bali are located all over the island. Even in the middle of busy Kuta and Legian, plenty of families open up spare rooms and spaces out back of the main house for visitors. Large groups are discouraged but couples are welcome. Some Bali guest houses are suitable for young families and the Balinese love children so an added bonus is the option of free babysitting!

However, visitors should bear in mind the old adage that you get what you pay for. While Bali guest houses are cheap and informal, and some can be quite memorable, many do not even come with ceiling fan let alone air conditioning and sometimes, a flat rubber mattress is what passes for a bed. Also, security can be an issue as though most families that operate guest houses are perfectly trustworthy, rooms are not always able to be locked.

The good aspects to Bali guest houses though include the fact that when every other hotel in town is full, it is almost always possible to secure a cheap room at a guest house. If a lower level of comfort and no protection from noise is not a problem, this kind of accommodation in Bali is really the way to go.

Also, some Bali guest houses are real gems and the families that run these places are very friendly and interactive. This makes for a memorable experience that some people would prefer over the anonymity of staying in a luxury five star hotel.