The Open House Bali

The contemporary style found at The Open House is unexpected in sleepy Jimbaran -- more like something you'd expect to find in an urban setting than just off of the beach. Modern elements are paired with Indonesian details like handcrafted tiles, rustic wood furniture, and tropical gardens. The color palette and design have been meticulously planned -- from the street-style artwork and modern murals dotting the walls to silkscreened textiles. Exteriors are pleasant, too, with manicured greenery and pool providing a tranquil place to relax. The slow-moving pace in Jimbaran seems infectious -- while the hotel is sophisticated, it still offers guests a laid-back, unpretentious environment. During our visit, the hotel was almost fully booked but felt empty and uncrowded during the day, when guests tend to gravitate toward the beach. At mealtimes, the hotel fills back up, and the intimate restaurant offers a cosy place for guests to mingle. Couples and solo travelers make up the bulk of the clientele -- not surprising as there's a bit of charming romance to the place -- though families pass through as well.

The hotel is located in a small fishing village in Jimbaran, just a two-minute walk to the beach. It will be easy find for most taxi drivers, as it is right off the main road and down a small quiet lane right next to the village temple. Jimbaran is famous for it's seafood BBQ's and white sand beaches -- the area is popular with families and couples looking for a low-key beach destination near the popular tourist hubs of Kuta and Seminyak and only a 15-minute drive to the airport. There are plenty of hotels and resorts to choose from, but the dining options are limited and not on par with the chic restaurants found in Seminyak up the coast. Jimbaran doesn't have much in the way of nightlife and tends stay much quieter than it's rambunctious neighbor Kuta, which is only a 30-minute drive away and offers a huge variety of shopping, dining, and nightlife. A 30-minute drive in the opposite direction are the dramatic cliffs of Bukit, which has some of the best surf spots on the planet and picture perfect white-sand beaches. On the way up to the Bukit from the hotel, the road passes Jenggala, a famous ceramics factory that offers daily ceramics painting classes and beautiful ceramics on sale in its large show room. 

The rooms are minimalist and uncluttered -- although compact -- and come with all of the necessities. Despite the size, balcony doors open and keep all rooms bright and spacious. Quality teak hardwood furniture with retro-minimalist silhouettes adds a fresh dose of style that pairs nicely with aqua-green handcrafted tiles and rustic tree-branch coat racks. Beds sit on wooden frame and are covered with soft linens plus blue and yellow silk-screened throw pillows. Spacious balconies have tables and chairs along with views of the pool. The upstairs rooms are quieter and more private in the daytime, when the pool is busiest, though having the pool just ten steps away from the balcony may be equally appealing. Standard features include coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, air-conditioning, and ceiling fans. Unfortunately, the bathrooms are a common complaint. The long wooden vanities and vessel sinks are open to the main body of the room, while toilets and walk-in showers are only separated from by frosted glass panels -- privacy can be an issue, especially when sharing the room with a friend.

As a small boutique property, The Open House lacks many of the facilities found at larger properties, though most of what's on offer are nice to have. The 18-meter (60-foot) pool has lots of lounge chairs and gets plenty of sun throughout the day. Nearby, an open-air bamboo pavilion contains two massage tables, though it isn't very private and only has curtains sectioning it off from the pool. The beach is a long stretch of white sand that's good for long walks or runs, and is a great place to learn to surf -- the sand-bottom breaks are forgiving for novice surfers. Surf lessons, board rentals, and other beach activities such as fishing and snorkeling trips can be arranged. The hotel also lays out beach chairs for guests to use, though trash can wash up on the bach in the rainy season. 

International and local dishes are available at the restaurant, which is open all day. Food is well presented and the reviews from guests are consistently positive. For an alternative place to kick back, the hotel has a reading space with cushions on the floor and a simple selection of books and magazines. 

The hotel also offers a free daily yoga class taught at either the pool or on the beach, and a handful of other paid activities such as cooking lessons, village tours, and full day excursions. Guests wanting to explore on their own (who have a valid international driving license) can rent mopeds directly from the hotel. The Wi-Fi was strong when we tested it during our visit and it was easy to find parking in a quiet lot nearby.