Eco & Community Care for Bali, It’s People and Our Guests.

We believe in supporting the planet and its inhabitants whenever possible. Whether it is to help people or animals in need, improve knowledge or preserve planet Earth.

Tri Hita Karana is the Balinese principle that humans must respect all aspects of life around them to be balanced and in harmony with each other. This concept is believed to preserve the culture and environment of Balinese people even through rapid changes happening now.

See translation below;

Tri = Three  Hita –  Cause. Karana – Prosperity or Happiness,  

Harmony with God – Harmony among people – Harmony with nature or environment

So in Bali, it is believed that these are the three key elements that cause humans to achieve well bring, happiness and prosperity.

We are lucky to be able to live and holiday in Beautiful Bali. At Bisma Cottages we have made the below conscious decisions to follow Tri Hita Karana.

Harmony with Nature and Environment

1. Guests have unlimited drinking water available when staying at Bisma Cottages. We recommend BYO water bottle.  
2. One time plastic bottles for guest drinking water have not been offered since 2017. We use a refillable glass water bottle.
3. Tree free toilet paper. We use 100% bamboo fibre and zero wood pulp biodegradable toilet paper.
4. Bisma Cottages coasters on balcony tables are made from recycled chopsticks.
5. Staff tshirts are made from 40% Recycled Plastic & 60% Cotton.
6. Pots for plants are made from recycled plastic.
7. Linen is changed once every 3 days for water conservation and reduce detergent pollution to the waterways.
8. Pillows are placed in the sun weekly and changed on a regular basis. 
9. Canang or daily offerings used at the property’s temples do not include any items plastic wrapped.
10. We do not use any pesticides, no mosquito fogging or Baygon. Instead, we spray an essential oil mix that deters mosquitos.
11. Cleaning products used are eco friendly using white vinegar, bicarb soda. Windows are cleaned using microfiber cloth, not index
12. Even though Bisma Cottages ma be small we are actively trying to reduce air, noise and light pollution. We ask guests to turn off lights and AC when outside the room. This includes turning off balcony lights at night as we are trying to protect Fireflies that are currently endangered. We turn off pool lamps and most exterior lamps at 11pm.
13. Rubbish bins are in front of our property so visitors and locals can dispose of rubbish correctly.
14. Weekly we drop recyclables to the Ubud Recycling Depot set up by the local community Lean more HERE
15. Mattresses are regularly steamed to keep condition clean and healthy.
16. In 2018 when the pool deck required replacing, an environmentally friendly product was selected rather than wood. Conwood is made from a mix of recycled materials including plastic and sawdust.

Harmony Among People

1. Bisma Cottages is proud to be a low tox accommodation creating a healthier environment both for Bali and our guests without compromising comfort or care.  We understand that now more people have a higher sensitivity to toxins and allergens (our owner is one of these!) so are committed to helping travelers book a stay in Ubud with peace of mind. 
2. Bath products are vegan, cruelty free & plant based filled with natural oils, butters and plant extracts that are sustainably sourced mainly in Bali and all over Indonesia. Each non toxic ingredient is carefully researched and of the highest quality. No irritating chemicals or toxins such as sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, palm oil or any other harmful ingredients are used. Products are not tested on animals. https://savara.co.id/.
3. Laundry can have a big effect on the environment and us humans. Our laundry is washed with energy efficient machines using non toxic biodegradable detergents to preserve fabrics with minimal environmental impact. Clean laundry returned to is not wrapped in plastic such as the case in many other Bali laundries and our partner even sends a paperless invoice.
4. Bedside lamps are Non LED in warm yellow tone to give guests a more calm environment inside rooms. The sim is to transition all lamps to Non LED.
5. Jalan Bisma is not a government road. In 2019 businesses formed a committee to manage road maintenance. In 2019, 2022 and 2023 there have been road maintenance projects arranged by the committee solely from funds from local business owners including Bisma Cottages. 
6. Sole Family helps disadvantaged people of Bali. Bisma Cottages is the Ubud drop off point for persons wanting to donate goods or monies. See https://solefamily.org/wishlist/ for current items in need.
7. Cute Sole Teddies are available for purchase at Bisma Cottages for IDR 150,000 each. 100% donated to Sole Family
8. Bisma Cottages donates USD 1 per night to SoleFamily so staying with us can help make a difference to Balinese people in need.
9. Our tour company Ubud Traveler donates USD 1 per booking to SoleFamily so touring with us can help make a difference to Balinese people in need.
10. One of the attractions to Ubud is the fantastic Festivals. We believe these festivals are important for both cultural and economic reasons. To date complimentary accommodation has been provided to Bali Spirit and Ubud Writers Festival for hosting festival performers
11. Accommodation vouchers are often donated to support causes such as; Indonesia – Stella’s Child, Gili Eco Trust, Class Room of Hope, Bali Hope Ultra, Bali Childhood Foundation. Mothers & Baby House, Living & Learning Orphanage, Project Karma, Sole Family, Villa Kitty. Australia – Camp Quality.
12. We are a small business and have made the decision not to be listed on the big online agents eg. Booking.com, Agoda, Air BNB, Expedia etc. We consciously support other small businesses. If you want to learn more about the accommodation industry and how best to make bookings read HERE