The backbone of any trip is accommodation. Where you stay will determine whether an experience is positive or negative. Bali has so many accommodation options that it can sometimes be a headache determining what to pick.
I will attempt to break down the three main accommodation options and the advantages of picking each.
1. Resorts, Hotels, and Villas
5 star hotels in Bali, luxurious villas and high-end resorts are uncountable. They are all over the island and it is just a matter of picking one. However, there are considerations one should take into account.
The first step is deciding between a hotel, a villa or a resort because they do not mean the same thing. A resort goes above the basic accommodation and meals requirement by providing relaxation and recreation. A resort will provide additional activities such as sports, entertainment, shopping, massages, and spas because the goal above all is to ensure that the visitor relaxes.
A hotel provides the bare minimum: lodging and meals. Luxury hotels provide a bit more but a common denominator with hotels is the lack of privacy. The advantage, on the other hand, is that hotels are less costly.
A villa is a private luxury residence that can be rented. In Bali, one can rent a self-contained villa where you do your own cooking and cleaning. Alternatively, luxurious villas with a concierge, cleaning services, and meal services can also be rented. The benefit of a villa is the privacy.
The second step, after choosing among the three, is deciding on the area. Choosing an area in Bali will depend on the activities you plan on undertaking. Kuta, for instance, is considered a touristy place full of shops, markets, clubs, and bars. Seminyak, on the other hand, is a trendy place, with world-renowned restaurants.
The idea is to do adequate research, then to pick the best possible place that is central to all the activities you plan to accomplish. Once you decide on a place, and you had earlier decided on a villa, for instance, then it simply becomes a matter of booking.
2. Hostels
A hostel is a budget-oriented accommodation catering to a specific group of people for example tourists or students. Hostels in Bali are mostly located by the beach and are perfect for a lone traveler or a backpacker.
Advantages of hostels include,
- Less costly.
- Strategic location, for instance, near tourist attractions.
- The chance to meet new interesting people from all over the world.
- Reasonable entertainment such as swimming pools, TV, and
It is important to note that despite the advantages, a hostel has one major disadvantage—the lack of privacy. For example, you can be in a room with five other people that you have probably never met before.
3. Homestays
A homestay is someone’s house—often a local— which has been renovated or reorganized such that it contains an extra room often rented out to tourists. The owner of the homestay usually lives in the same space just a bit removed from the rented room.
Homestays are quite popular in Bali especially for visitors or tourists who have planned activities that cannot allow them to have a central accommodation. A good example is a tourist whose main goal is exploring as many temples as possible. Because the temples are all over the island, one homestay after another is a viable option.
The benefits of homestays include,
- A degree of privacy.
- Costs between twenty to thirty dollars.
- A chance to meet new exciting people and make friends.
- Hospitality because meals and guest services are part of services the owner of a homestay provides.
Homestays do not have any major disadvantage other than the possibility of neighbors who might inconvenience you if you prefer solitude.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the above three main accommodation options available in Bali and their merits and demerits will help you make the best possible choice on accommodation.
