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A Home in Ubud
In a market filled with luxury and service, with star ratings and users
reviews, there is a place for down to earth, straight forward, sticking
to the basics, keeping it simple accommodation, and when you find it,
grab it, as it is something that’s a delight to come across. So says Now!
Bali’s Alistair Speirs after staying in D’Omah in Ubud.
Some thirty years ago a young
entrepreneur from Australia set out to
make his fortune in Indonesia, and in
the course of time founded Indonesia’s
biggest travel agent (Pacto), created a
major handicraft industry exporting
from Java, helped many deserving
causes, and then decided to get into the
hotel business. Now with two properties,
one in Jogjakarta and the other in Ubud,
the latest dream is developing.
For those who don’t know, Ubud is
the centre of arts and culture in Bali (at
least as far as the visitors are concerned!)
and has always been considered to be
somewhere to seek peace and quiet.
This has led to the development of many
luxury boutique hotels, mostly at the
very top end, in contrast to the basic
homestays where the travelling public
used to have to stay in since there was
nothing else.
Enter D’Omah, nicely bridging the
gap with a truly “Ubud” hotel that is
more like a village than a hotel, with
plenty of space and leafy walkways, with
villas dotted about like village houses,
with charming relaxed staff who make
you feel at home, with an unpretentious
air and an unhurried atmosphere.
128 | MAY 2011 www.nowjakarta.co.id
The villas are simple, homely, wellfurnished
and comfortable. It would
be hard to find something lacking in
the amenities and furnishings but it’s
family style so don’t expect a six star
experience, that’s not what we are here
for. We are here to experience Ubud at
its most relaxed.
The food is organised by the
personable manager Mendez, who
also has his own restaurant around the
corner, Warung Mendez. And it is more
than sufficient to start the day well and
ensure you don’t need to move if you
don’t want to. But in a village populated
by some very fine restaurants, that’s hard
do!
But a hearty breakfast, served in
your villa, starts the day off well. A swim
in the large, cool pool keeps the blood
flowing, and a relaxing massage in the
cute, little spa at one end of the property
should leave you fit and ready to face
Ubud’s galleries, musea and shops. And
the location, just up behind Blanco’s
Museum, ensures you are in the action
in minutes while still being off the
beaten track. All in all, a good choice
for a value-driven family seeking an
authentic experience.
PHOTOS: D’OMAH