Review: Tiing Bali Guesthouse, Kintamani

Tiing Bali Guesthouse isn't really a guesthouse at all. It’s a collection of affordable and charming little wooden huts with private balconies overlooking Mount Batur and Lake Batur in Northern Bali.

We paid around 510,000 IDR per night, with breakfast included. We opted for the King Room which has the best views. Here is our full review.

Our Thoughts

The highlight of Tiing Guesthouse is undoubtedly the view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur, which could even be enjoyed from the comfort of our bed. This uninterrupted view was best in the morning when it was accompanied by breakfast served on our private balcony.

The bed was far more comfortable than we expected and the cabins have everything you might need for a short stay. Overall, staying here is great value for money.

However, with fairly basic facilities, a lack of hot water, and a steep journey to get there, it’s best suited for more adventurous travellers who aren't looking for anything too lavish.

If you want something a little more luxurious but still affordable, we'd recommend Mountain Peak, Kintamani. These modern cabins have more home comforts and a similarly great view of Mount Batur.

Location

The main highlight of Tiing Bali is the view you get from the huts. They are located on the inner edge of the crater that surrounds Mount Batur, Bali’s second-biggest volcano.

This means that you have an incredible panoramic view that extends from the towering volcano all the way across to Lake Batur.

Tiing Bali is just a short distance from the centre of Kintamani and can be reached in just a few minutes by car or scooter. Although it's a little too far to walk.

Despite being close to the town, you are very much in the middle of nature. Expect a soundtrack of crickets and geckos throughout the night.

As Tiing Bali is on the inner edge of the crater, the drive from Kintamani is mostly downhill. The final stretch down to the property is particularly steep, but manageable provided you have good brakes and are a confident driver.

The Accommodation

The huts themselves were spacious but fairly basic. Surprisingly, the large double bed was one of the most comfortable we've had in Bali. Opposite the bed is a small shelving unit with a TV.

There was a large ensuite bathroom with grey stone walls and a tin roof, giving it a rustic outdoorsy vibe. Although, the lack of hot water on the night we stayed was a big downside. We can survive with cold showers for a day or two, but any longer than this would be too much.

Note: I have seen other reviews that mention they did have hot water so this could have been a problem with our hut.

There is no air conditioning in the cottages, but this isn’t a problem as Kintamani gets pretty cool in the evenings. If you do get too hot, there is a ceiling fan. Although we didn’t use it at all during our stay.

The huts are made from wood, so keep in mind that they may not be entirely free of bugs. We didn’t have any major problems as we were cautious about leaving any food lying around that might attract them.

There was a kettle with tea and coffee provided. Wi-Fi reached the room but was intermittent, so there were times when we would need to switch to mobile data to use our phones.

The highlight of the room and place where we spent the majority of our stay was the spacious balcony with its small table and chairs. It's impossible to get over that view!

The Staff

The lady who checked us in, presumably the owner, was very welcoming and the level of English was sufficient to get by.

We didn’t have much interaction with her during our stay but it appears that you can book most of the tours in the area through her.

The front desk is not open 24 hours, however, there is a WhatsApp number to contact out of hours should you need help.

What Else is Included?

There were few other facilities at Tiing Bali other than an old-looking swing (because it wouldn't be Bali without a swing). Don't expect a swimming pool, spa, or laundry facilities.

There was an area that looked like a restaurant with a beautiful rooftop terrace. Although this didn’t appear to be in use during our visit (maybe because it was off-season). Some reviews mention eating here so there's a possibility that it opens occasionally, but we recommend eating out in Kintamani rather than relying on it.

The owner had a small shop near reception where she sold soft drinks and snacks (including water, beer, crisps, and instant noodles).

The price we paid included breakfast which was served on our balcony around 9am. Emily and I opted for omelettes which were basic but tasted great. The fresh air and beautiful volcano view while we ate was the highlight of our stay.