impacked

Next Month we're going to Ubud for 2 weeks. I've book a hotel for the first 3 nights and then we want to rent a home. It's just my husband and myself.

We do want: a traditional style, a comfortable bed and air condition (since I understand it will be very hot.

not over $150 a night, not grouped with other rental homes or at least not visible, with out without a pool is fine.

There are a Zillion web sites but would love a recommendation.

Many Thanks for your time or suggestions.

Kathie

Watch for marmot to respond to your question. She lives on Bali now and she has recommended rental agencies to other people.

impacked

Thank you, Kathie. Where or where are you Marmot, I'm looking for you.

marmot

Most of the big rental agencies only handle larger, more expensive properties.

This is a good place to start for individual house and villa rentals:
http://www.balispirit.com/resorts/
Trip Advisor or Airbnb are also possibilities.

Don't be put off by the phrase "luxury villa." It's all context. Rental houses are just generally called villas and Balinese classify any place that foreigners stay as "luxury." Some are quite modest.

I think it's good that you'll be there and can check out the property before you commit as it's difficult to gauge the location and upkeep from photos.

For the checklist:
Access to a car and driver if you're in the countryside
Cellphone service, wifi
Hot water
Security guard
Breakfast

I wouldn't eliminate the concept of a villa group or the guesthouse of a larger villa. Villas require a range of services -- some combination of housekeeper, maid, gardener, maintenance, cook, driver, security guard. The villa compound is the best way to share services.

impacked

Thanks, for your time and help. And, also liked your suggestions regarding villa groups. While reading some of the descriptions it just seemed like a hotel complex with but individual. But, get your point.

When we get to Ubud is there a place where we can find a bulletnin board with lisings?

marmot

There are bulletin boards all over Ubud in cafes and coffee shops, but I'm sure you don't want to use up your holiday looking at villas. Web services and local newspapers and magazines are the best place to find up to date bonafide listings.

Unfortunately, in your price range you're going to come across some unacceptable properties that are quite different from the way they were advertised.

There's just so much variation in location, construction and upkeep that it's difficult to characterize the best arrangement. Some hotel/resort villas are private and lovely, some are lined up next to each other and shoddy.

Property maintenance is a constant battle in the tropics; heat, rain, humidity, insects and other pests can cause a lot of damage. You need to find an owner or management company who cares.

I might also mention that you may not need aircon as long as there a good cross breeze and a reliable mosquito net. It's a personal thing: I wouldn't use aircon in Ubud, but my husband couldn't sleep without it.

If by "next month" you mean November, occupancy rates should still be low, so it's a good time to shop around. If you mean December you should book as soon as you can.

Cicerone

I lived in Bali for about 6 months several years ago. I found my house in Ubud by asking the front desk clerk at my hotel, who took me around on his motorbike to see several owned by "cousins". So consider that alternative as well as the bulletin board and website route. Do this on your first or second day. I agree that the only way to really be sure is to see it yourself. Don't rent on a website without having seen it.

My house was by a little rice paddie near the village of Penestanan. It was a one bedroom 2-story house, quite basic but clean and quite comfortable. It had a lovely upstairs balcony looking onto the rice paddie, and a downstairs porch with a daybed in a little garden. It did not have air con but I did not find that necessary. It was quite comfortable at night. It also had no running hot water, but really that did not bother me at all, heating water in a big pot was fine. If you are only there for less than 2 weeks, I don’t see running hot water as a “must” have. The rent included a young girl who did my laundry, which was quite helpful so I would suggest adding that to the list.

I rented a bicycle and used that to get around; I don't think a car is necessary. (I did not cook much, as there are so many restaurants in the area that are not expensive. If you plan to cook a lot, then a bicycle for daily groceries won't work, but you can hire a bemo driver for grocery trips.)

Wifi can be nice, but there are also many cafes where you can get it for the price of a cup of coffee. If you are on the internet all day, you are missing the point of Bali, IMO. Cellphone coverage is quite good in the Ubud area in my experience, so I don't think that would be an issue.

MmePerdu

I found a little house in the paddies, also in Penestanan, by walking the paths there and asking people. I found a great one and spent several weeks there. Less by a long shot than the price you mention. It's a way to do it if other methods don't pan out for you.

impacked

Thank you all for your response. I'm so excited to have so many options. We will be there November 22 to Dec 4. When we travel we don't normally have the options to be flexible as far as accommodations since we have our schedule all planned because of what we want to do and see. This trip is mainly to relax, explore, walk and culture.
I plan to shop for beads and jewelry fittings (since I make global jewelry for a living) and take a few jewelry classes. My husband agreed to take a cooking class and may take a woodworking class on his own. We figure there is more than plenty to do to keep us busy and entertained but at a much slower pace than normal.
Thanks for your suggestions and knowledge!!