I'm booked at the Ubud's Alam Shanti (Yamuna room) for January 2014. Some girlfriends and I would be there to celebrate a birthday.

Now, critters and insects are ok... but I'm a little (ok very!) leery of monkeys, given the open concept. I've read various reviews of monkeys dropping by the verandah to "share" breakfast and other close encounters. For those who have been there, is this a common occurrence? How avoidable are these creatures?

I'm very close to cancelling my booking just worrying about this issue...

I'd appreciate some comments or experiences from those who have been at Alam Shanti before.

Much thanks.

I don't remember any close encounters with monkeys at Alam Shanti, and we definitely ate breakfast on our veranda every am.
Don't let fear of monkeys deter you from this gorgeous lodging!
You will love it there!

We have stayed in the Yamuna several times and I don't recall any monkeys. It has been 2 years since we were there, but are planning to go back next year ( already booked). The bats do like to come and hang after dark, but by morning when you are eating they are gone. Fabulous place...relaxing having breakfast over looking the rice fields.

Thank you both. I guess I don't feel so panicky today. Will stick with the booking.

Im also booked there in Nov for 4 nights. OMG Remember,u r in a Forest area were all sorts of wildlife call it home!!Im sorry, no way around that!Im more afraid of human type!

I cant wait to see them!Thats why im going!!!

Bob,
Are you sticking us in the monkey palace?

THERE ARE NO MONKEYS AT ALAM SHANTI!!!

you are reserved in the same room as this lady HI.

Does Linda know??

not at the same time and I now see it's a man..

We loved our time at Alam Shanti - but we stayed on the side nearer the monkey forest and when we were having some snacks/drinks one evening a large monkey did come right up and when we ran inside and shut the glass door it tried to get in and one of the staff scared him off with a slingshot!Apprently they have developed a liking for salty snacks because tourists have fed them We also didn't like walking through the forest to get to the village so we used the shuttle bus. I certainly wouldn't cancel your booking because its a beautiful place to stay, but if you don't like monkeys (I don't)then you might want to use the shuttle instead of walking.

first I have heard of this experience and I have stayed there several times..

I have heard how aggressive they are within monkey forest, but never at AS.

I always use the shuttle or my private driver

I don't like monkeys

linda told me that she was first attracted to you because of your monkey-like behavior.

Alam Shanti is indeed a beautiful property. A great time was had.

A monkey appeared on 2 out of the 3 mornings we had breakfast on our verandah (Yamuna room).

The first one was as huge as a dog and just ambled past us slowly before disappearing above (gone upstairs?).

The second one was medium-sized but approached us before leaping onto our breakfast table and proceeded to eat our bread and then dig into the yoghurt for bananas. It stayed till the staff came with slingshots a good 5 minutes later. We had plenty of time to take dozens of photographs of it eating our breakfast... it did not care nor move until the slingshots appear. We had to replace 1/2 of our breakfast.

All in all, wasn't as scary as I feared. But yes, the monkey incidences are not rare at all. Other times, we saw them on the property as well... on the paths and on trees. None were vicious nor aggressive.

So I guess we just order a sling shot with out breakfast and the problem will be solved. It is so nice eating out on the veranda.

Wow. But what better place to face down one's fear of monkeys than Alam Shanti. Glad you enjoyed your stay! Such a beautiful place.