By Harry Mooney, Age 9 Last week my family and I went to Bisma Cottages in Ubud and had a hell of a lot of fun even though we were only there for 2 days. In Ubud you can go on this amazing tour to see Mount Batur, ride a bike through villages and rice paddies and try lots of coffee and tea. Some really good places around Bisma are Umah Pizza, Putri Spa and the Ubud Market. I loved my stay at Bisma Cottages, it was like we had the swimming pool to ourselves.
By Jada Anver (14 years) I came to Ubud excited for the monkey forest, but little did I know, there was so much more! Bisma Cottages was beautiful and quaint, the staff were lovely, we always had the pool to ourselves and I had delicious banana pancakes every morning. 
But the highlight wasn’t only the hotel, It was everything surrounding it. There was the Ubud market, amazing restaurants and the Ubud Monkey Forest, all close to the hotel. There was so many shops nearby and the Ubud Market was an amazing experience . I learnt how to barter and had a chance to see the culture. We also went to heaps of amazing restaurants, I can’t pick my favourite. Whether it was eating dinner with the view of the rice paddocks and the setting sun, or having chocolate crepes at night overlooking the busy street. I loved every part of it! 
Ubud is NOT a place for only for relaxing, it is a place for non-stop adventure too. We went on a 24km bike ride all down hill, our tour guide stopped at spots we could experience the culture and how Balinese people live. We went inside a Balinese home, a school and a village. The monkey forest is absolutely incredible. They will climb all over you, and it was so much fun. We also went white water rafting which which was so thrilling. Overall the activities around the hotel are a must do. We had a really nice driver who is the Manager at the hotel who took us to all these places. 
Ubud is my favourite place in all of Bali (and I have been to Bali 18 times) this hotel is the best place to stay if you want to be near everything. I had heaps of fun and never will forget this trip to Ubud. Definitely a holiday to remember.
With an increased focus on health and wellness Ubud is fast becoming a world recognized place to spend some ‘ me ‘ time. There is such a wide range of holistic treatments, yoga classes, meditation and spiritual experiences that ‘ every ” ‘ body ” can find what suits their needs. Bisma Cottages is a small oasis located in central Ubud. Guests can arrange many of these experiences after consultation with the Manager who himself is a meditation and Reiki practitioner. The intuitive blind healer is a resident healer here who has a gifted intuitive, awareness and touch. During each individual session she assess and assists with emotional and physical issues and may make recommendations for appropriate herbs to treat various conditions. This may include her families secret herbal oil blend that has been passed down from her grandfather, a Balinese healer. Accompanied by an assistant both women work harmoniously to realign and release any blocked energy pattern through body work or reflexology. The session could take 60 until 90 minutes depending on individual assessment. With translator assistant the healer will provide suggestions related to health and well being. 
Another very special ritual to experience is a water purification. Tirta Empul or Holy Spring Temple is only 30 minute drive and included in Bisma Cottages Highlights of Ubud Day Tour. Their Manager who is from the area will prepare the offerings required and personally escort guests. Having grown up here he is not only informative but can tell his own stories about attending Balinese Hindu ceremonies at this special place all of his life. This day is usually the most memorable of everyone’s Bali holiday. Bisma Cottages has six rooms in total. Four cosy, wooden Balinese style air conditioned abodes and two larger deluxe rooms with open lounge areas to accommodate families or travellers who are keen for a little more room to relax. One of these spacious options is located on the upper level and features huge picture windows to take full advantage of the rice field view. Each room is afforded its own en suite bathroom, beds are blissfully comfortable, complete with mattress toppers, and mosquito nets. You would do well to find a bath tub in Bali that boasts a better view than that of Bisma Cottages’ 2nd floor deluxe cottage ! 
Secluded and nestled between the buildings is a pristine pool area with sun beds and aqua bean bags so you can lie back, cool off and soak up some Vitamin D. Being a smaller property has its benefits and at Bisma Cottages you rarely have to share the pool area with other guests giving you private pool time without the price tag. Plus any time you feel like a complimentary cuppa, just call Ketut and he’ll bring it right to you. Experiences are why we travel and after having a Ubud ‘ tree change ” you will leave feeing relaxed and recharged and ready to conquer the world ! BISMA COTTAGES Jalan Bisma No. 35, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Ph: +62 (361) 473 1607 Email : reservations@bismacottagesubud.com Website : www.bismacottagesubud.com
It’s no secret that Ubud is the emerald jewel in the crown of the Island of the Gods. Though merely an hour at most from Seminyak, it’s a world away from the madding crowd and mayhem of Bali’s more Southern tourist haunts. And what better way to enjoy a tree change than to spend a few days at an intimate boutique hotel in the heart of this culture rich community. If you are keen to experience a little more than just four boring walls of a high end hotel room, I recommend a stay at Bisma Cottages. With its delightful joglo style rooms, this quaint accommodation house is picture perfect! Pretty stone pathways wind past manicured gardens to private wooden cottages complete with verandahs on which to kick off your shoes, relax and absorb the atmosphere of the ‘real’ Bali, minus any incessant whine of motor bikes. Secluded and nestled between the buildings is a pristine pool area with sun beds and aqua bean bags so you can lie back, cool off and soak up some rays. Bisma Cottages is located along Jalan Bisma, a quiet and serene street, yet literally a ten minute walk to the centre of the action. Surrounded by boutique style accommodation, there are no obnoxious, concrete monstrosities here to block your views! It may be only small, but Jalan Bisma plays host to a treasure trove of tasty eateries, art galleries, working rice fields, top quality spas and even an organic market garden. Wide enough to accommodate only a minimal amount of local traffic, it’s quiet and safe for one to walk, talk and take in the sounds, sights and smells of the Ubud experience.
There are six rooms in total at Bisma Cottages; four cosy, wooden Balinese style air conditioned cottages and two larger deluxe rooms at the rear of the property with open lounge areas to accommodate families or travellers who are keen for a little more room to relax. One of these spacious options is located on the upper level and features huge floor to ceiling windows to take full advantage of the beautiful rice paddy view. Each room is afforded its own en suite and you would do well to find a bath tub in Bali that boasts a better view than that of Bisma Cottages’ 2nd floor suite! Beds are blissfully cushy, complete with mattress toppers and mosquito nets. Rooms have fridges to keep your beverages frosty with hair dryer, iron and board all available on request. Deluxe rooms both have TV and DVD player with the latest releases available from reception. Any time you feel like a complimentary cuppa, just call Ketut and he’ll bring it to your door. Bisma Cottage hospitality makes you feel like family! A light breakfast is included and delivered to your room each morning, breakfast on the balcony is a lovely start to the day. 
Seriously spoilt for choice, travellers to Ubud have some of Bali’s best restaurants to select from and a recent trend has seen internationally renowned chefs the likes of Chris Salans, Will Meyrick and Will Goldfarb swapping Seminyak for Ubud to share their latest culinary adventures. With Hujan Locale, Locavore and Room for Dessert only minutes away from your hotel, the struggle is real people, and deciding where to dine does indeed become a dilemma! Priced to please, a stay at the intimate Bisma Cottages is easy on the pocket, yet despite its minimal tariff, this budget, boutique beauty offers everything you need to experience the essence of Ubud. So it’s no surprise that rooms fill quickly and advanced bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment. With Bisma Cottages’ popularity on the rise, word is out and guests returning for repeat stays now tend towards booking online directly to secure their preferred room! 
To experience your own slice of mountain paradise, check out their website: bismacottagesubud.com or follow them on instagram @bismacottages for their latest accommodation deals and up to the minute events in the area. If there were to be any regrets regarding my blissful Bali escape to the mountains, it would only be that I did not plan to stay for longer. Three nights is really the minimum one needs to stay to be able to truly appreciate the beauty of Ubud and it surrounds. Still, there’s always next time……… BISMA COTTAGES Jalan Bisma No. 35, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Ph: +62 (361) 473 1607 Email : reservations@bismacottagesubud.com Website : www.bismacottagesubud.com