Bali's CUTEST Tiny House Getaway: OYO 90512 Awaits!
Bali's CUTEST Tiny House Getaway: OYO 90512 Awaits! - A Brutally Honest Review (Plus, Should You Actually Go?)
Okay, so you've seen the Instas. You've scrolled through the perfect pictures of Bali's "CUTEST" Tiny House Getaway, OYO 90512, and now you're wondering if the reality lives up to the hype. Let me tell you, I've been there. I've wrestled with the tiny house concept, the Balinese heat, and my own expectations. And I'm here to give you the unvarnished truth. Let’s dive in, shall we?
First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof):
Finding this place felt like a treasure hunt. GPS was… optimistic, let's say. The "accessible" part? Well, that’s where things get a little dicey. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone with serious mobility issues. Think cobblestone paths, steps, and the general "rustic charm" of a tucked-away Balinese spot. Accessibility = Mildly Challenging. But, for a backpacker like me? Fine. Not ideal, but doable.
The Tiny House Itself: A Love/Hate Affair:
The photos? They’re pretty accurate. The tiny house is cute. Think Instagrammable charm. You’ve got a little porch, a cozy interior, and… well, not much space. I felt instantly claustrophobic. Then again, maybe my expectations were too high. Let's be real, I am a person who sprawls.
Inside the Tiny Walls:
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank GOD!), Alarm clock (useful), Bathrobes (nice touch!), Bathroom phone (who uses this?!), Bathtub (miniature, but it's there!), Blackout curtains (lifesaver!), Carpeting (a bit dusty, but hey!), Closet (barely there, but functional), Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Complimentary tea (always appreciated!), Daily housekeeping (a definite plus!), Desk (a tiny surface to work, not a spacious workplace), Extra long bed (didn’t quite feel extra-long for me, and I'm only 5'10"), Free bottled water (hydration is key!), Hair dryer (surprisingly good!), High floor (nope!), In-room safe box (appreciated), Interconnecting room(s) available (didn't even know that was a feature), Internet access – LAN (LOL!), Internet access – wireless (WiFi, thank you!), Ironing facilities (a tiny ironing board - good enough!), Laptop workspace (see Desk), Linens (decent, but wear and tear present), Mini bar (no, or maybe empty?, not sure), Mirror (yup, needed to check my face), Non-smoking, On-demand movies (nope!), Private bathroom (absolutely! very nice), Reading light (appreciated!), Refrigerator (small, but functional), Safety/security feature (again, a good thing!), Satellite/cable channels (limited, but hey, you're in Bali!), Scale (really?), Seating area (a small sofa), Separate shower/bathtub (see tiny bathtub), Shower (works!), Slippers (nice!), Smoke detector (good, good!), Socket near the bed (yes!), Sofa (small), Soundproofing (not perfect, but okay), Telephone (nope!), Toiletries (basic, bring your own!), Towels (sufficient!), Umbrella (important!), Visual alarm (I didn't see any alarm), Wake-up service (available), Wi-Fi [free] (crucial), Window that opens (always important!).
- Room Sanitization: They say rooms are sanitized between stays. Honestly, I hoped so. You get used to the Bali 'dust' pretty quickly.
Cleanliness & Safety:
- Cleanliness and safety: I'll give them points for the effort. Hand sanitizer everywhere, and they seem to be taking hygiene certificates seriously. But you know, it's Bali. You're never quite sure.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I didn’t see them, but I hope they existed.
- Breakfast in room: Probably not, but available nearby.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Possibly, but not the focus.
- Cashless payment service: Okay.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes, that sounds good.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good if you need.
- First aid kit: Probably available.
- Hand sanitizer: Yes! Everywhere.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good.
- Hygiene certification: Some.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Probably not much.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Hard to tell.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: I hope so.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Doubtful.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Hopefully!
- Safe dining setup: Not sure.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Probably.
- Shared stationery removed: I think so.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I hope so.
- Sterilizing equipment: Maybe??
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (aka: Where's the Food?):
- A la carte in restaurant: Probably adjacent restaurants.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Possible.
- Asian breakfast: Probably more than anything.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: See adjacent restaurants.
- Bar: I think.
- Bottle of water: Included (usually).
- Breakfast [buffet]: Not at my time.
- Breakfast service: Possibly.
- Buffet in restaurant: Doubtful.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: You can find it.
- Coffee shop: Nearby.
- Desserts in restaurant: Possibly.
- Happy hour: Maybe.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Many near the property.
- Poolside bar: Good luck!
- Restaurants: Multiple nearby.
- Room service [24-hour]: Not exactly.
- Salad in restaurant: Good chance.
- Snack bar: Probably.
- Soup in restaurant: You can probably find it.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Definitely.
- Western breakfast: Probably.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Good chance.
This is where things get interesting. There’s no actual restaurant in the tiny house. It’s all about the nearby experiences. There were some restaurants offering breakfast. But finding them was a little tricky. I ended up wandering around, starving, until I found a place serving nasi goreng. It was divine. Dining = Explore, Don't Expect.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (or Don't Relax, It's Bali!):
- Ways to Relax:
- Body scrub: Probably find it.
- Body wrap: Possibly.
- Fitness center: Nearby, but not in the tiny house.
- Foot bath: Maybe.
- Gym/fitness: nearby.
- Massage: Yes, absolutely.
- Pool with view: Not really.
- Sauna: Nope.
- Spa: See Massage.
- Spa/sauna: See Massage.
- Steamroom: No.
- Swimming pool: I think there is one.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Again, think
- Things to do:
- Poolside bar: Maybe.
- Restaurants: See Dining, Drinking, and Snacking.
I came to Bali to be pampered I thought. So I was very keen on finding the relaxation zone. There’s a bit of a "rustic charm" here which translates to "no spa on-site." The real thing is, you're likely to find a spa nearby. I got a Balinese message, it was incredible! Relaxation = DIY + Proximity.
Internet & Connectivity (Because We're Still Tethered):
- Internet access: (Wi-Fi is available, and usually good!)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Thank goodness!
- Internet: Wi-Fi!
- Internet [LAN]: Whoa, no
- Internet services: Yes.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Yes.
The Wi-Fi? Actually reliable. I managed to upload a ton of Instagram stories.
Services & Conveniences That Matter (and Some That Don't):
- Air conditioning in public area: Likely.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Not here.
- Business facilities: Uh. I doubt it.
- Cash withdrawal: Yes.
- Concierge: See front desk.
- Contactless check-in/out: Good.
- Convenience store:
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is a BALI-FIED MESS, courtesy of yours truly and, let's be honest, the gloriously chaotic OYO 90512 Tiny House Bali. Prepare for the real deal.
Day 1: Entering the Tropical Thunderdome (Kuta, baby!)
8:00 AM: Landed, bleary-eyed and reeking of stale airplane air. Took a deep breath. Bali. It's real. Found my driver, who promptly blasted some Indonesian pop that sounded suspiciously like a disco hit from the 70s. Instantly fell in love. The drive to Kuta? A beautiful, sweaty, scooter-filled ballet. My luggage, bless its soul, probably took a more scenic route.
10:00 AM: Arrived at OYO 90512 Tiny House Bali. "Tiny" is an understatement. It's more like a cozy, beautifully cramped… abode. The AC is humming like a distressed bumblebee. My initial thought? "I can totally live here, provided the shower is decent." Spoilers: The shower is… an adventure. (More on that later.)
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Unpacked (minimally). Suffered a minor existential crisis about my questionable packing choices. Attempted to conquer the wifi. Failed. Gave up and went, "Screw it, I'm on Bali time!" and wandered into the bustling madness of Kuta.
1:00 PM: Lunch at a warung near the beach. Ordered Nasi Goreng. Ate it. Loved it. Spilled some on my shirt. Classic. Watched the surfers. They… were good. I felt like a beached whale by comparison.
2:30 PM: Attempted to walk along Kuta Beach. The heat was intense. The vendors were more intense. I got a massage. It was amazing, mostly because I really, really needed a massage. The masseuse's tiny hands were a revelation.
4:00 PM: Back at the Tiny House. Shower time! (See? I promised.) The water pressure was… optimistic. But the water WAS cold, which was a godsend. Learned a valuable lesson: tiny houses + low water pressure = strategic showering.
6:00 PM: Sunset drinks on the beach (finally mastered the wifi!). Chatted with some dreadlocked Australians. Bali already felt like home.
8:00 PM: Dinner at a beachfront restaurant. Seafood. Bintang beer. Bliss. Got lost in the magic of the fire dancers. Fell asleep the minute my head hit the pillow.
Day 2: Temple Troubles and Monkey Mayhem (Uluwatu & Ubud… maybe?)
8:00 AM: Woke up. Sun in my eyes. Achy muscles. Bali hangover (the good kind). The AC unit is still humming valiantly.
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Tiny House. Instant coffee (bleh) and pre-packaged pastries. Decided I would be finding a better breakfast solution.
10:00 AM: Day trip! Decided to go to Uluwatu Temple. First problem: traffic. Second problem: the driver was a maniac. (Honestly, I think every driver in Bali is a race car driver in disguise.)
12:00 PM: Uluwatu. Breathtaking. Seriously, the ocean and temple… wow. Then the monkeys. Oh, the monkeys. They are cute… and they are thieves. Witnessed a poor tourist lose her glasses to a particularly cheeky primate. I clutched my sunglasses for dear life.
1:00 PM: Surfed some, or at least attempted. Mostly floundered. But the ocean view! The experience was exhilarating.
3:00 PM: Had originally planned to check out the Bali Swing, which looked great; but traffic on Bali is no joke, So I enjoyed some more time on the beach.
5:00 PM: Finally settled (less adventurous activities; or perhaps, a few hours to be lazy).
7:00 PM: Dinner at a hidden gem warung recommended by a local. The food was incredible. (Tried something with tempeh that blew my mind!) I am absolutely loving this life.
Day 3: Ubud - The Land of Rice Terraces and Spiritual Awakenings (Maybe)
8:00 AM: Woke up feeling like a new person. Ate a great breakfast. I love this life.
9:00 AM: Decided to try a cooking class. Learned some Indonesian cooking techniques that will hopefully impress my friends back home.
12:00 PM: Visited a sacred holy water temple and was a little intimidated. Beautiful, if a little hectic (and let’s just say I’m not sure I fully understood the ritual).
2:00 PM: Wandered the Ubud market. Got hopelessly lost. Bought a scarf I probably don’t need. Bargained like a pro (or at least, I thought I did).
4:00 PM: Rice terraces!!! Majestic. Green. Peaceful. Sat and stared. Did some deep breathing. Officially felt "Bali-fied."
6:00 PM: A massage (obsessed).
8:00 PM: Dinner. Stumbled upon a restaurant with live music. Sang along to songs I didn’t know the words to. Everything felt perfect.
Day 4: Farewell, Bali (Almost)
8:00 AM: Spent the morning packing, and then went to a beach.
12:00 PM: Had more Balinese food.
2:00 PM: Headed to the airport.
6:00 PM: Landed in my own bed.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
Bali. It’s not perfect. It's chaotic, exhausting, and sometimes a little overwhelming. The wifi is iffy. The showers are quirky. But the people are amazing. The food is heavenly. And the vibe… the vibe is pure magic. Did I have a spiritual awakening? Maybe. Probably not. Did I get completely lost in the beauty and the chaos of it all? Absolutely. Will I go back? Without a doubt. And hey, if that little Tiny House is still available? You know where I'll be.
P.S. I'm still finding sand in my suitcase. Worth it.
Varanasi's Hidden Gem: Hotel Samman - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Okay, spill the beans. Is this place REALLY as cute as the pictures? I'm talking *Bali Instagram* cute?
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because the "cute" factor is... complicated. Listen, the *photos*... they're *good*. Like, the photographer deserves a medal good. The angles, the lighting, the strategically placed frangipani... it's all there. In reality? Well, it's definitely a tiny house. And "tiny" is the operative word here. Think: "cozy" if you're feeling generous, "slightly cramped" if you're being real. The charm? It exists! That's what saves it. But don't expect a sprawling villa. Expect... a very well-styled, slightly-less-spacious-than-advertised experience. I walked in, and my first thought wasn't a gasp of awe; it was more a "Huh. Alright then." and immediately I fumbled for my phone to catch the light. You might, too.
So, location, location, location... is it actually *conveniently* located, or am I gonna spend my entire vacation stuck in traffic?
Ah, the eternal Bali question! Let's just say "convenient" is always relative. OYO 90512 *IS* in a pretty decent spot, but Bali traffic is a beast. Think of it this way: you're close to the things you *want* to be close to – beaches, restaurants, maybe some yoga studios (if you're *that* person). But getting there? It's a gamble. I distinctly remember one day, attempting an incredibly chill, low-key trip to Finns Beach Club. What should've been a breezy 15-minute scooter ride turned into a sweaty, honking, bumper-to-bumper HOUR. *That* was rough. So, factor in travel time. And maybe invest in some earplugs for the scooter. Trust me.
Tell me about the amenities. Is the Wi-Fi strong enough to actually, you know, work?
Ah, Wi-Fi. The bane of every digital nomad's existence. Let's be real: the Wi-Fi in Bali is... inconsistent. Sometimes it's blazing fast, and you're answering emails like a boss. Other times? You're staring at a spinning wheel of death, questioning all your life choices. Now, I *can't* promise you the speed of the US of A. But for basic browsing and sending the odd photo, *most* of the time, it's perfectly acceptable. I managed to watch a couple of Netflix episodes during a tropical storm (because, dramatic, right?). The best part? The outdoor shower, *perfect* to be in when you are waiting for the internet to work!
The AC... is it strong enough to combat the Balinese heat? Because I'm a sweaty mess.
Okay, listen up, fellow sweat demons. The AC is... adequate. "Adequate" being the key word. It does its job, but don’t expect arctic chills. Bali is steamy, and the tiny house is… well, tiny. So the AC has a smaller volume to deal with, which helps. However, there's no perfect AC unit. There’ll be at least a few moments during the day, or morning, where you’re just going, “Ugh… it’s warm in here.” You know? But, hey, it *is* Bali. You're practically signing up to sweat. Embrace it! Otherwise, just invest in some lightweight, quick-drying clothing and a good attitude. That’s a tip I’ve learned, personally.
What’s the vibe? Is it party central, or somewhere I can actually relax?
Definitely on the chill side. This isn't a party hostel, thank goodness. It's more of a "find yourself" kind of place. It's quiet. The perfect get away. Except when the neighbor starts playing a loud version of "Hotel California" at 3 a.m. – I'm not even kidding. So, mostly relaxing. Mostly. As I was writing this, I heard the "Hotel California", it was definitely the neighbor.
The breakfast! Is it worth waking up for?
Breakfast... depends. It's generally pretty simple. Usually, some kind of toast with a tropical fruit platter, sometimes with eggs. Nothing fancy, but the fruit is usually fresh and delicious, that's the biggest plus. I'm a big breakfast person (yeah, I’m that guy). Sometimes it feels like a grab-and-go situation, but hey, it's fuel for adventure, right? Don't expect a Michelin-star meal, but you won't starve. And hey, you're in Bali. Explore the warungs (local restaurants); grab a cheeky Nasi Goreng for breakfast. Then, you can have breakfast again at OYO. It’s the Balinese way.
Okay, let's get specific. What about bugs? Are they a problem? I HATE bugs.
Alright, bug-averse humans. The answer is: Bali is tropical, and bugs *exist*. I mean, it’s the reality, you can’t escape nature. The tiny house does a pretty good job of keeping them at bay, but you might find a mosquito or two. It's just a fact of life. Pack bug spray, use the mosquito net (really, use it!), and try not to scream too loudly when you see a particularly large gecko on the ceiling. The geckos are your friends; they eat the other bugs. So, yeah, bugs are *a thing*, but don't let them ruin your vacation. Remember, you’re there to see a new places, to experience a new place, embrace it.
I'm a solo traveler. Is this place safe?
Generally, yes. I'd say the area around OYO 90512 is pretty safe. Bali, in general, is a safe place to travel, especially for solo travelers. The staff is friendly, the area is well-lit, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Still, always use common sense. Don't flash your cash, keep an eye on your belongings. Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Trust your gut. If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation, you always have that right. Use the same street smarts you would anywhere else.
