Booking your Ubud accommodation…what’s best Direct, Online Agent or Travel Agent ?
An often asked question in chat groups is how best to book Bali accommodation. We also get asked from Bisma Cottages guests why we are not listed on Online Travel Agent’s (Booking.com, Expedia and Agoda)
So, its time to share the pros and cons for booking with an OTA, Travel Agent and Direct.
General Info
OTA – Use templates and do not allow hotels to write their own descriptions. This is so they can use key words for search optimization. This means the best or unique features of the property are often not highlighted.
Travel Agent – will have recent info and photos as is provided by hotel. Often description is limited due to space so you are getting a summarized description.
Hotel – Will always have most up to date info and photos from hotel on website and particularly social media.
Note: Google take photos from other websites and mix them …not date order from most recent to older.
Location – A recent study says location is the first factor people look for when searching for a hotel. OTA, Agents and Hotel do all rely on 3rd party maps eg. Google. Whilst these apps give a good general location, they are not always 100% accurate in Bali (apple maps is definitely not reliable in Bali yet. So when arranging transport to your accommodation it is recommended to use a driver that works for the hotel or is from the area. The last problem you want, particularly after a long flight is not being able to find your accommodation.
Price – OTA and Agents cannot offer unique packages, inclusions, benefits or services as they have set rate structures, policies and procedures.
Examples that are not promoted via OTA’s or Agents.
- Bisma Cottages offers specialized packages that include tailored tours, experiences and other inclusions for solo travelers, adventurers, and families.
- Bisma Cottages offers Free Floating Breakfast for minimum 3 night stays.
- Bisma Cottages provides yoga mats in all rooms.
- Monthly (or longer) special rates.
OTA – A strategy by some OTA’s is offering a low price as click bait and then adding tax.
Travel Agent – Most promote complete packages. Airfares, airport transport, accommodation, and other inclusions. Always inclusive of tax.
Hotel – Hotel will offer wider range of rates and packages as mentioned above. Bisma Cottages quotes tax inclusive, it has never been our policy to add tax after quoting a room rate. If a cheaper price is available via an OTA or Agent usually the hotel will price match or even offer cheaper.
Booking Process
OTA – definitely finalized quickly including payment. Beware many OTAs link to each other so the booking may not always be via the OTA you thought. Also consider affiliate sites, booking.com is strongly into recruiting companies and influencers with high number of followers to link to their site in return for a commission.
Travel Agent – speed and ease of booking process will vary agent to agent depending on how automated they are. Big benefit is that you have a human to speak with for any questions and if things go wrong.
Hotel – some hotels will be reliant on online booking systems and in this case booking and payment is via hotel website. Questions would need to be emailed or sent via Whats App. Bisma Cottages stopped using a booking system in 2020. Bookings can now be made via email, social media messenger, google or what app. Direct messaging is considered to be the way of the future as consumers want questions answered quickly. This suits perfectly with Bisma Cottages as we aim to provide a more personalized service compared to larger Ubud hotels.
Payment
OTA – Offer many payment options via safe and convenient payment gateways.
Travel Agent – this will vary depending on country but most agents seem to be preferring credit cards and so do customers so they can get frequent flyer points.
Hotel – will probably be more limited with payment options which is not by choice. This is why many small properties are compelled to use a OTA. Many banks and credit card companies nowadays just don’t want to deal with small business. Big hotels definitely take credit cards, many will accept transfer an all will be happy to take cash 😊 Most properties will take at least two different forms of payment.
Cancellation and Refunds – Due to the corona virus travellers have learnt some very important lessons in this area when canceling or delaying their holiday.
OTA – only have one set of cancellation and amendment policies which is chosen by the customer at time of booking.
Travel Agent – Are bound by the terms and conditions in their contracts with airlines and hotels. Since agent rates are generally low, cancellation penalties are usually 100%. Due to COVID19 most airlines and hotels did allow credits.
Hotel – whilst we can speak for all hotels most in Ubud we know during to COVID either refunded or gave the full amount as a credit to be used within a specific time. Bisma Cottages gave guest two years to use any monies paid in full.
Note: Using your travel insurance is the best way to get monies refunded if cancellation is beyond your control. Travel Insurance will cover no matter the booking source.
Communication/Service
OTA – The customer cannot contact the hotel direct and vice versa. OTAs are all about growing their own database and maintaining marketshare.
Travel Agent – it is very difficult to agents to have knowledge of every Bali hotel. Some may try and push you toward hotels they feel comfortable selling or get a better deal. We recommend to book with a travel agent has recently travelled to Bali.
Hotel – The hotel knows their property better than anyone so it is definitely better to book direct if you have special requests. Hotels will also upgrade customers who booked direct before those who have booked with an agent. If you are a returning guest definitely book direct as the hotel should have you recorded as a guest. If not make sure they know about it !!
In Summary
OTA – good for searching and doing research. Find a few hotels you like and then contact direct.
Travel Agent – if you want a package with flights, transfer and loads of value adds book with a travel agent.
Hotel – Direct is always best for communication, price and service. Most hotels respond to Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs and of course email. Whats App is the most widely used direct messaging service in Bali. Look out for phone contact numbers +62 8xxx and this will also be used for whats app. Unless the rate is a super deal hotels are happy with deposit and balance paid at check in. So save your money until arriving in Bali.
Bali was closed for international tourism for 2 years. Domestic tourism was promoted during 2021. During this time no assistance or consideration was given by OTAs. Properties were advised to offer bigger discounts to attract bookings. The commission combined with tax and minimum discounts is now 39%.
Being a boutique property at Bisma Cottages we want to give the best most personalized service for our guests from start to finish (and beyond ) During 2022 it has been a pleasure to help and get to know our guests prior to arrival. We have been able to presend valuable info about money, transport, healers, wellness etc. For these reasons plus many others there is no going back !!
Any questions ? Contact Us
Intagram @bismacottagesubud
Facebook @bismacottages
Whats App +62 812-3896-0803
*The blog is the opinion of the author and is for information purposes to educate readers about accommodation booking services.
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.
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 : 
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 :