Bali Starling Homestay

On another recent trip to Bali, I again wanted to seek out a place to stay that was some way off the beaten track. After a few search missions on Google, I came across Bali Starling Homestay. I was instantly struck by the decor of the rooms, the delicious breakfasts offered and it's location in Pantai Berawa. I like nice clean attractive rooms, I love a good breakfast and the area around pantai berawa is a favourite of mine so it seemed like I was on to a winner. When we arrived we were greeted by the owner Mike, from Holland, who showed us to our room and showed us the rest of the facilities. Our room was bright, spacious, clean and cool. There was an upstairs communal eating area, with a balcony overlooking a green open space and beautiful blue sky and another outdoor seating area. With a total of four rooms at the homestay, I knew that it was going to e peaceful and quiet and I wasn't disappointed. With it being situated down a small alley, there were no sounds of traffic either. Mike was a great host and also helped us rent a motorbike. A stay at Bali Starling also comes with free access to Canggu Club where you have a range of facilities including a nice big swimming pool. Mike also prepares your breakfast every morning and the choice is excellent, so much so that you really don't know what to choose. There's homemade granola, fried eggs and bacon and ciabatta sandwiches to name a few. Each breakfast comes with fresh fruit, juice and coffee or tea. I wasn't disappointed with a single choice they were all delicious and a refreshing change from the regular fare offered at many other hotels or guesthouses. From the homestay, it was a short motorbike ride to the beach where you can walk along the waters edge, watch the surfers or just find a nice tree to lie under and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Next time you're in Bali and you want a great priced homestay that feels like a home away from home, definitely consider a stay at Bali Starling. 

The room

Seating area in room

Bathroom

Communal area

View over green space

Fried eggs and bacon

Avo ciabatta

BLTE (bacon, lettuce, tomato and egg ciabatta)

Buttermilk pancakes with banana and palm sugar syrup

Lubdhaka Canggu Residences

Coming from Jakarta, this was the first time in a long time that I needed to sort out accommodation for myself in Bali. I wanted somewhere quiet and peaceful, not to far from the beach, a bike ride away to Seminyak and a spacious room. Lubdhaka Canggu residences fulfilled all those needs perfectly. From when we were greeted at the airport, to our breakfast served in front of our room every morning, the service from the staff was impeccable and everyone was friendly and welcoming. Canggu is still a wonderful place to stay because, for me, it is still far from the  madding crowd in Kuta, you drive past open green areas and rice fields and you feel like you are still in what little is left of Bali long ago. The position of this hotel on Batu Bolong means that you are a 5 minute bike ride to Echo Beach, famous for surfing but also perfect to have a meal and sit and listen to the waves. The rooms  have their own entrance, with a soft seat area out front where you can sit and are hidden by cascading green foliage. At the exceptionally good price of Rp. 350,000 I would certainly recommend anyone who wants to remove themselves from the Kuta craziness to consider this place...you won't regret it!