Hello!

I am heading to Bali for my long awaited (have spent 10 months apart) reunion with my Kiwi boyfriend.

We are getting into Denpasar late, about 2100, but I still figured we could catch a taxi straight to Ubud from the airport. I picture Ubud being the place where we want to be if all we are going to be doing the first few days is hang with each other in the hotel, take walks and eat.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

1. Should we head somewhere closer to the airport for the first night? (is Ubud too far to go there late from airport?)

2. Is it reasonable to take a taxi from the airport to Ubud? (both in logistics and price?)

2. Any recommendations for someplace cheap (reasonable) to stay in Ubud that we would still have good privacy and reasonable comfort? (we are backpacker budget, somewhere around $20 a night)

Family Guest House is what you're looking for. It's on Tebesaya, a little less than 1km east of Ubud's center. It's a cozy, quiet little place with lots of green gardens, set in the middle of the rice paddies. Staff are very kind and friendly, and double rooms are spacious with nice beds. They cost $8/night when I was there, but that was just after the big bombing - a Google search says they're $15 now. There are some gorgeous walks through the rice paddies from this hotel. The rooms all come with a little terrace, with a couch and garden.

A taxi from the airport won't be any problem. There's a desk there with prepaid taxi vouchers for everywhere on the eastern part of the island, including as far away as Lovina, on the north coast.

Here's a review of Family Guest House, with booking information.

Cheers! That sounds perfect. I appreciate the feedback

If I were to go to Ubud again, I would definitely spring for a room at the Honeymoon Guest House! (I was traveling with my brother and didn't want to stay anywhere with "honeymoon" in the name, but after seeing it, I regretting that line of reasoning.) It is little more, about $35/ night, But it is really lovely and very romantic. We attended a cooking class there – yummy - and some of the folks staying there showed us around the grounds and in their rooms. Beautiful!!

We stayed at Nick's, just about 3 doors down from the Honeymoon. It is closer to the $20/night, but not nearly as romantic…

Thanks for the info. I think $40 a night is our max budget and I found the honeymoon to be a little more than that. I'm thinking of booking a room at Sri Bungalows. I've read good things about it and it's centrally located. Also says it has a bathtub and hot water =)

Anyone have feedback on:

How important is it to be "centrally" located? Will it be a hassle to be 1km away from the center?

Is Ubud a good place to be on the weekend? (i.e. markets, etc.)

Any recommendations for massages?

Cheers!!

Hope this gets to you before you leave.
Yes its a hassle to be be 1M from the center. You may have to use taxi's or shuttle from your hotel, which runs on their time.
Ubud is a great place:
Places to eat: Lotus (great food and view), Cinta's great food and mojito's (happy hour) Cafe Des Artiste, which is right next to the Honeymoon I thing.
Museum: Neka, Blanco and Arma.
Walk thru the rice fields (its free you don't need a guide) the entrance is right around the corner from the Cafe Lotus, nice long walk but worth the experience.
Jazz Club - check out whose playing, food is cheap, drinks are expensive, except the beer. John