Abangan Bungalow

The best thing about Abangan Bungalows is the beautiful and serene setting by the river, surrounded by tall trees and tropical foliage. Vibrantly colored bougainvillea and frangipani trees line the pathways of the hotel. Balconies of the bungalows offer a lovely vantage point of the surroundings and a quiet space to read and relax. The pool gets plenty of sun and the setting is laid back and quiet but unfortunately the few lounge-chairs laid out around the pool are dirty and old. Aside from the pool, the only other facility on the property is the hotel lobby, which doubles as the breakfast restaurant. While the lobby's walls are covered in paintings mostly done in traditional Balinese style, it's a bit untidy and worse for wear. This is a clue as to the overall style here, and the hotel is fairly run down on the whole, including in the rooms. Most guests are couples, though some families pass through as well, taking advantage of the larger units. 

Abangan Bungalows is just a short 10-minute walk from Ubud Palace and the central market. Daily dance performances are held at the Puri Dalem temple, right next door to the hotel. The area nearby has a few restaurants and spas that are lined up along a small laneway amongst the rice fields. Cantika Spa is a seven-minute walk from the hotel along the laneway. Its setting is idyllic and the spa uses all natural and homemade products. Farther up the laneway is Sari Organic vegetarian restaurant, with  panoramic rice-field views. The trailhead to the Campuhan Ridge -- a famous area hike -- is a five-minute walk from Abangan Bungalows. One of Bali's oldest museums, Puri Lukisan is just a three-minute walk from the hotel. The Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a five-minute drive from the hotel. Attractions that are farther afield include the picturesque Tegalalang rice terraces, a 25-minute drive away, the ancient Gunung Kawi temple, a 35-minute drive away, and Tirta Empul water temple, a five-minutes drive from Gunung Kawi. Kuta and the airport take about 80 minutes to reach from the hotel by car.

Abangan Bungalows has 13 private and spacious bungalows. While rates are reasonable, you get what you pay for, and in the case of Abangan Bungalows that means tired and run-down rooms that are poorly cleaned and maintained. Interiors are simple, and decor includes white walls, both modern and Balinese paintings, and ceilings covered in wood paneling and woven bamboo. Furniture in the bungalows includes a wardrobe, a dressing table, and a simple wood bed. Fabrics certainly look held over from an earlier time. 

Of the three types of bungalows -- Fan-Only, Air-Conditioned, and Family Rooms -- the newest are the Air-Conditioned Rooms. Still, it doesn't translate to much and they're located in the front of the property, which is noisier and less private. All bungalows lack TVs, fridges, Wi-Fi, and coffee- or tea-making facilities. A favorite feature for previous guests are the balconies, which face the river and include daybeds and other seating. Bungalows had peeling paint and moldy walls when we visited, and many guests report dirty bed sheets, broken showers, and lots of mosquitos, which can be problematic as the beds also lack mosquito nets.

Bathrooms feature shower/tub combos and porcelain sinks with little to no counter space. The floors are tiled in an old brow-and-black faux-stone linoleum, and we saw mildew in the grout and caulking. They had a slightly unpleasant smell as well.

The Abangan bungalows is a simple budget hotel with minimal facilities and common areas that are limited to the pool and the lobby area. The pool is small, but gets decent sun throughout the day and is surrounded by greenery. However, seating is limited to a few old and dirty lounge chairs. A free and simple breakfast includes eggs, toast, banana pancakes, and more. It's served in the hotel lobby, where there are a few tables and chairs set up. Wi-Fi is free, but reportedly very spotty, though sometimes a signal can be found in the lobby.