Koi Hotel And Residence: Rest And Rejuvenate In Denpasar, Bali

Friendly staff at your service

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The first thing I noticed as I entered Koi Hotel & Residence’s main lobby is how friendly the staff are. Yes, Indonesia and Bali in particular are known for people’s hospitality. But this place takes it to another level. They make you feel like you are at home. The hotel provides common toiletries like soap and shampoo but no toothpaste or a toothbrush. When I asked them, they offered to go get them for me at nearby supermarket.

The main lobby is not hard to find. As you drive into the hotel’s main gate from Jalan Mahendradatta, you will find the main entrance by the parking lot. And right by the terrace, there’s a reception desk where you can find all the information you need about your stay.

The rate per night may be different depending on how you book the room. I found that I got a better deal, saving around 20,000 IDR per night (approximately 1.5 USD) compared to the hotel’s walk-in rate since I booked just a couple days before on Booking.com. And even if I extended my stay, they would still give me the price I got from the website.

Authentic furniture and decoration

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Besides the friendly staff, the hotel’s lobby also gives you a homey vibe. To me, it felt more like someone’s front porch with a nice view over the swimming pool rather than a hotel lobby. And you’ll even find a small pool with Koi fish right by the lobby, reminding visitors of the hotel’s name.

The tables are made of wood and they are surrounded by traditional-style furniture and decor such as Balinese barong masks and a small statue of Balinese gods. Just chilling here by the pool gives you the feeling that you are far from the city’s buzz even though you are literally just a few steps away.

If your booking deal comes with breakfast included, I suggest you to enjoy the feast right here at the hotel’s lobby instead of in your room. There’s nothing better than starting your day with your choice of a cup of hot beverage while listening to the sound of fish swimming in the pool. And if you’re traveling alone, the friendly staff are ready to listen to your stories or answer your questions about Bali’s popular tourist destinations.

Simple, cozy rooms with enough space for your luggage

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The thing about affordable hotels is that most of them don’t provide enough space. So, if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, it can be a nightmare. But that’s not the case with Koi Hotel and Residence. There are two types of rooms available: the standard double room and the deluxe room. A standard room, like the one I booked, costs around 300,000 IDR (approximately 22 USD) per night. The bed is spacious, more than enough for two. However, if you’re sharing the room, you should consider your privacy preference since the bedroom and the bathroom are only divided by a wall, a glass partition, and thick curtain with no doors.

For about a 50,000 IDR (approximately 4 USD) difference, you can get the deluxe room, which has even more space. The bedroom is located one story above the living room and bathroom so you’ll have more privacy. The deluxe room also comes with a balcony overlooking the swimming pool.

Even though the room’s front door is a sliding glass door, once it is closed and covered by the thick curtains, outside noises don’t get through and you won’t suffer from sleepless nights.

What's on Jalan Mahendradatta?

Located on Jalan Mahendradatta Number 107, Koi Hotel and Residence is right across from a cafe called Monjali. It offers a great ambiance with all kinds of modern food available. They stay open until around midnight, so you’ll be rescued from your midnight food craving.

Besides Monjali, there are other restaurants on this main street that you can find within walking distance. Just keep in mind that this is a pretty busy road, so you should be very careful while crossing the street, whether you are on foot or in a vehicle. The safest and easiest way to get food is to order from the hotel or using the online taxi app, Gojek or Grab, which are pretty popular among locals. The best part is that they can deliver food right to your hotel room’s doorstep!

But once your adventurous spirit is ready to take over, there are many spots you can explore nearby. For instance, around 10 minutes away by motorcycle, there is a one-stop food court, called Jebak, with all kinds of cuisine. Read more about it in this article: Jebak: Affordable Food Court In Downtown Denpasar, Bali.