Gajah Biru Bungalows

Set in a quiet artist's village, Gajah Biru was converted from a private residence, helping to give the collection of buildings and bungalows an intimate, humble vibe. Palm trees, shrubs, and flowers create a lush and inviting setting. Balinese statuary dots the grounds and there are several outdoor sitting areas. There's not much in the way of action here, but the main swimming pool serves as a bit of a social hub. Still, given pool's small size and limited seating, the atmosphere around stays quiet. The hotel's style is rustic and traditional, with thatched ceilings and lots of stone, plus a few artsy details, like the unicycle stools at the front desk. Welcoming touches include a glass of fresh watermelon juice at arrival.The hotel draws mostly couples with its private and romantic setting, pool, and quiet location in charming Penestanan. There are no kid-specific amenities, but families benefit from the big rooms. 

Gajah Biru Bungalows is located in Penestanan, an artist's village west of central Ubud. Numerous restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and shops are a short walk away. The hotel is a little under a five-minute walk from the Blanco Renaissance Museum, the house and studio of the famous Bali artist Don Antonio Blanco. The Campuhan Ridge Walk is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Museum Puri Lukisan shows traditional Balinese paintings and wood carvings -- it's a little under a 15-minute walk away. The center of Ubud is about a 20-minute walk, or a 10-minute ride on the hote's free shuttle. Sights in town include Ubud Palace and the Ubud Art Market, along with all manner of yoga studios, cafes, and restaurants. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel, south of central Ubud. Expect a 70-minute drive to Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The Gajah Biru has 12 bungalows that area available as suites or villas. Rooms have a rustic-modern look and make good use of materials like wood, tile, and stone. Many rooms have hardwood floors, and abstract wall art adds punches of color, along with vibrant throw pillows and cushions. The bungalows are surrounded by tropical plants, and all have balconies or terraces overlooking the greenery. Floor plans are spacious, and feature living and dining areas. Some suites are split level, with the ground floor overlooking a fish pond and water fountains. The Jasmine Suite has its own swimming pool. In-room features are solid, and include air-conditioning, ceiling fans, free fruit baskets, coffee/tea makers, toasters, mini-bars (with room for cold storage), CD players, TVs and DVD players (free DVDs are available). Some TVs are old tube units, and while Wi-Fi is free of charge where available, it's not accessible in all of the bungalows. Villas have kitchens, bales (Balinese gazebos), and outdoor sitting areas. Bathrooms in all rooms are spacious and include shower/tub combos. Some have separate showers and tubs.

The Gajah Biru offers two outdoor swimming pools: a main swimming pool at the center of the property and the Jasmine Pool which is available to all guests when the Jasmine Suite is not booked. A free breakfast includes Indonesian, Indian, and Western fare and can be delivered to the room upon request. There is no lunch or dinner service, but occasionally the staff will cook a free Indian meal for dinner. The Gajah Biru has a small on-site spa with a good range of treatments for a fee. A free shuttle runs every couple of hours during the day to Ubud Palace and central Ubud. The hotel also has a laundry room, scooter rental, airport transfer (for a fee), free nearby parking, and a library with computer for free guest use. The staff can offer tourist assistance and arrange mountain biking and cycling tours and jungle and hiking treks.