I have been a regular visitor to the Lodge for years, and can highly recommend it to anyone interested in staying in a peaceful, natural area, where butterflies will float by you, where the staff are always kind and caring, where you will eat a delicious breakfast looking over the treetops and where, mostly, you will have the gorgeous secluded swimming pool to yourself.More
We spent one night here after 10 days elsewhere on Bali, then 7 days on a liveaboard dive boat, before heading to the airport. If you prefer the traffic noise of the city and want a TV in your room, this is not the place for you. Very good food in an open dining room upstairs, made to order. A total of 8 rooms, all on the terrace level. Balinese outdoor shower. Efficient, quiet air conditioning. Totally comfortable bed. Set amongst a multi-specie forest. Clean pool. A taxi ride from anywhere, but only "minutes" from the airport (probably 25 to 50 minutes depending on traffic).
Dear Friends,
We wish to send you a belated thanks for your review about our Udayana Lodge property. You emphasised many of the important aspects of endeavors.
Alan Wilson,
Founder and Chairman,
ECOLODGES INDONESIA
We had a great 5 night stay at the Kingfisher Ecolodge. It was good value for money and our family of 4 stayed in two very comfortable rooms. There was a beautiful common seating area with a full library of books and magazines where we would read in the evenings and help ourselves to beverages in the bar fridge where we'd just write down what we took. Up on on a hill it was quiet, with only the jungle sounds breaking the silence. The staff was friendly and helpful and we ate at the restaurant several times where the food was very nice. The chaos of Kuta seemed a long ways away even though it's close the way the crow flies. The traffic issues in Bali mean that Kuta takes a while to get to. Jimbaran beach was a short drive away with Santos, the friendly driver, often available to take you. If you want quiet yet close to the action, this is the place.
Dear Friends,
I am catching up on reviews of our Udayana Lodge and wish to thank you for your report emphasisng to us as managers the gentle peace and quiet of this place.
Alan Wilson,
Founder and Chairman,
ECOLODGES INDONESIA
This was my second stay here and it didn't disappoint - it's a beautiful little hideaway, where you can feel the stress leaving you as you walk through the door. The owners are unobtrusive but kind and welcoming, and the staff look after you with genuine warmth. If you want television, nightclubs and direct access to the beach then this won't be for you, but if you want greenery, plenty of space and a lovely atmosphere then you should try it. There aren't many places where you can sit at breakfast and watch sunbirds feeding in the tree-tops at eye-level just a few meters away - this is one of them!
The ride to this lovely little lodge was a bit bumpy due to recent construction around the area but it is well worth the visit.
Located in a university campus, Udayana Eco Lodge (locals recognise this place without the "Kingfisher") is so peaceful and tranquil that I could not believe I was just 15-20 minutes away from the bustling airport and Kuta.
I was greeted by super friendly and helpful Kadek who also speaks good English, she immediately made me felt at home. All 10 rooms are on the ground floor with lovely garden view. The rooms are spacious and all are equipped with garden bath and recycle bins. There is also a little kitchen, guests can refill their bottles and make coffee or tea.
The upper floor is all common area with a large living room with cozy sofas and loads of books to read. There are a lot of nature-related books and magazines, some are even written by the founders of the lodge!
Restaurant serves very good seafood. Ask the staff for recommendation and you will not be disappointed. If you fancy cold drinks, you can help yourself at the Bar. They trust clients to record on the checklist and charge when you checkout.
Since the lodge is surrounded by natural plantation, I have seen different types of plants, birds, frogs and butterflies. There is also a nice swimming pool and a few routes around the lodge which you can walk and watch birds and butterflies. Borrow a walking stick from the office and go either early morning or late afternoon. You may also ask a professional birdwatcher to accompany you if one is available (an advantage to be staying in the university area!).
One of the highlights of my stay is to meet with one of the founders, Mr Alan Wilson. During breakfast, he will walk around and greet everyone warmly. He kindly shared with me his story and vision in setting up and expanding the eco lodges (Udayana is not the only one!). I really admire his effort in helping the locals to be benefited by the ever growing tourism whilst preserving the natural beauty of Bali.
Alan said, to him this lodge is the truly 5-star experience of Bali. I cannot agree more.
This place is a world away from the hustle and bustle, high up and away from it all. Close to the airport so a great place to begin or end your holiday in Bali.
It can be a bit tricky to find the first time, as others have said, so if you are coming under your own steam make sure you get directions from them first.
However it is just a short taxi ride to Jimbaran centre (temple/market/beach) and ths staff are happy to call taxis for you whenever you need one.
The upstairs dining and library area is beautiful, with the hotel rooms being fairly standard but well appointed. There's a big emphasis on environmental issues such as recycling which we really welcomed. I wish all hotels had opportunities to recycle like this.
We were travelling with our 3 year old daughter and although the atmosphere was very quiet when we arrived, staff made her feel welcome, even getting out a toybox which kept her occupied! She also loved the gardens and of course the pool which is in a lovely secluded spot down the hill a bit.
Breakfasts are lovely. All meals are beautifully presented with lots of nice touches. At first we thought the fixed menu dinner sounded expensive at 150,000 Rp per head, but it was absolutely delicious and the service excellent, so it was well worth it. And much more refined than the tourist traps down on Jimbaran Bay!
