Swasti Eco Cottages

Situated in the quiet village of Nyuh Kuning, not far from the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Swasti Eco Cottages has a secluded and peaceful feel. The hotel is firmly committed to its environmental and eco-conscious principles, and has an organic garden, practices recycling, and uses natural cleaning products. The lush grounds feature koi ponds, coconut palms, shrubs, and frangipani along with other colorful flowers. Rooms and public spaces are constructed with local wood and bamboo, and have a playful "eco-chic" feel, with colorful murals on many of the walls. The laid-back vibe carries through inside and out, and the small freeform pool is a relaxing place to unwind, bordered by lush greenery, a thatched-roof gazebo, and a deck with colorful lounge chairs and umbrellas. Popular with vacationers, its a particularly good choice for families; many of the bungalows are big enough to fit four beds, plus the property has a pool, a grassy play area, and sheep, goats, and rabbits for the kids to enjoy. 

Swasti Eco Cottages is in the small village of Nyuh Kuning, which has a few wood-carver shops, restaurants, and warungs (convenience stores). The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a five-minute walk away and is one of the most popular sights in the Ubud region. It's about a 10-minute drive (or 15-minute walk by going through the Monkey Forest when it's open) to the center of Ubud, with its shops, restaurants, cafes, and yoga centers. The northern end of town, where the Ubud Market and Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) are located, is a little under 15 minutes away by car. This area is Bali's artistic heartland, and there's plenty of art to see throughout the region. Just west of Ubud Palace is Museum Puri Lukisan, showing modern traditional Balinese paintings and wood carvings. A five-minute drive from the Swasti, the Agung Rai Museum of Art displays Balinese, Indonesian, and European artists and has botanical gardens. Blanco Renaissance Museum is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Ngurah Rai International Airport, outside of party-centric Kuta, is about an hour away by car.

Swasti Eco Cottages has 14 rooms and bungalows constructed of local timber and woven bamboo. Decor is rustic, but playful, with mirrors, Balinese art and decorative objects, and bedspreads in hues of green, blue, and gold. Rooms are clean and quiet and get good natural light, but due to the hotel's jungle location, there can be occasional mosquito and bug issues -- each room does have mosquito netting around the beds. Rooms are generally in good condition, but some are a little musty and show wear and tear. All rooms have fans, and many also have air-conditioning. All units have terraces, with some featuring views of the neighboring rice fields, and some offering direct access to the garden. Other variable features include private gardens with fish ponds. Aside from those nice-to-haves, the 14 rooms don't offer much in the way of amenities; there are no TVs, minibars, or coffeemakers, though they do have drinking-water dispensers. Bathrooms are clean and spacious, with ample counter space around the sinks. Some rooms and bungalows have open-air bathrooms with outdoor showers and/or bathtubs. The hotel wants guests to have a rustic, low-tech, "away from it all" experience, so Wi-Fi is not offered in rooms and is only available in the lobby and restaurant until during limited hours.

Swasti Eco Cottages serves a breakfast buffet with a decent, but not mind-blowing, selection of items like eggs, Indonesian fried rice, toast, muesli, and crepes. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner with a wide variety of Balinese, and international fare. The menu has fresh juices, raw desserts, chicken and seafood dishes, plus lots of gluten-free and vegan options. Ingredients are sourced largely from the hotel's organic garden, where everything from beans to passion fruit are grown. 

The hotel also has a freeform outdoor pool, too small for a real swim but a refreshing spot to cool off from the Balinese heat. The full-service spa includes a sauna and a wide variety of treatments like manicures and pedicures, facials, traditional Balinese massages, Thai massages, and coffee scrubs with cardamom and cinnamon. Daily yoga classes are available in the yoga hall, and the property offers classes in Balinese dance, cooking, batik-making, wood carving, traditional offerings, and kite making. The staff can also organize nearby tours including rice field walks, bicycle rides, hill climbs, river rafting, and elephant-back treks. The hotel has regular Balinese evenings with authentic dinners and entertainment like Legong dancers and shadow puppets. On-site parking is free and WI-Fi is free during limited hours.