Escape to Paradise: Your Private Ubud Pool Villa Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dissect this hotel like a particularly juicy mango. And trust me, after spending a week there, I've got a story (or ten) to tell. This isn't your sanitized, perfectly polished hotel review; this is the messy, honest, and slightly hysterical truth. Get ready for a bumpy ride.
Let's Talk Aesthetics & Access - The Bare Bones (and I mean, BARE, sometimes)
First things first: Accessibility. They claim wheelchair accessibility. But here’s the real real. The lobby? Mostly fine. The restaurants? …Eh, it depends. Some are smooth sailing, others require a slalom course of maneuvering. And the elevators? They exist, thankfully. But let's just say if you're reliant on a wheelchair, call ahead and be very specific about your needs. Don't assume – trust me.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: More on those later. Let's just say, the idea is there. The execution… well, it's a work in progress.
Internet – The Lifeblood of Modern Existence (and My Sanity)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And the Internet access – LAN is also there, if you're into that sort of thing. Seriously though, the Wi-Fi was pretty darn good. I streamed a LOT of bad reality TV. No regrets. And hey, Wi-Fi in public areas, always a plus. Because let's face it, even on vacation, you check your damn emails.
Now, the "Things to Do" (and More Often, "Things to Want to Do")
Okay, okay, let's get to the juicy parts. I LOVE a good pampering.
- Fitness Center: (Rolls eyes) It's there. Kinda. The equipment looked… well-loved. And the air conditioning seemed to be on sabbatical. But hey, you can technically work out.
- Pool with view: Now we're talking! This was pretty glorious. The pool did have a stunning view, even if I spent most of my time trying not to splash the folks around me. (Sorry, lady in the giant sun hat!)
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Okay, so the spa was a proper spa. Full blown. The Sauna on the other hand.. I gotta be honest, just felt like a really hot room. I'll come back to this later.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor],
- Massage: I booked a massage (for science – obviously). This was probably the best massage I've ever had. The masseuse was a magician with knots. I'm pretty sure I levitated for a solid hour.
- Body scrub, Body wrap: Didn't try them. But hey, they're there!
Cleanliness and Safety – Because Let's Get One Thing Straight: I'm a Germaphobe.
Okay, this is important. After the, you know, a global experience, I'm extra sensitive to hygiene.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good. Very good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Excellent.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. I felt like I was bathing in it by the end of the week.
- Hygiene certification: Check. (Or at least, they claim to.)
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Phew!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yay.
- Safe dining setup: Yes to this!
- * Anti-viral cleaning products: Good. Very good.
- * Daily disinfection in common areas: Excellent.
- * Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. I felt like I was bathing in it by the end of the week.
- * Hygiene certification: Check. (Or at least, they claim to.)
- * Rooms sanitized between stays: Phew!
- * Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it.
- * Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yay.
- * Safe dining setup: Yes to this!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – My True Loves
Okay, deep breaths. This is where things get interesting.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet. Oh lord, the buffet. It had EVERYTHING. Waffles! Bacon! Eggs! Pastries! Fruit! My inner child did a little dance. My waistline, on the other hand… (sigh). The Asian breakfast options were particularly good too, I tried everything.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Coffee was decent. Tea was… tea. The coffee shop was a lifesaver for an early morning caffeine fix, which I desperately needed.
- Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant: Okay, so there were multiple restaurants. One Asian place was a straight-up delight. Another was…trying. I'll leave it at that.
A La Carte: Looked okay. Not something I remember with fondness or disgust, so I assume it was fine.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless their hearts. I ordered pizza at 3 AM one night. It arrived surprisingly fast and was surprisingly edible. I'm not proud of it, but I'm also not apologizing.
- Poolside bar: Crucial. Absolutely crucial. Nothing like sipping a cocktail while gazing out at that glorious Pool with a view.
- Happy hour: Yes! Because who doesn't love discounted drinks?
- Snack bar: For those mid-afternoon cravings. Essential.
- Vegetarian restaurant: There was a vegetarian restaurant.
- Western cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant: There's a fair selection of food, and I'm happy for that.
Services and Conveniences – The Stuff That Makes Life Easier (or Harder)
- Concierge: Super helpful! Got me out of a jam when I lost my phone. (Don't ask.)
- Laundry service: Thank goodness. I packed light and needed it.
- Daily housekeeping: They kept my room spotless, which was a feat, considering the mess I tend to make.
- Elevator: Essential.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See "Accessibility" above.
- Cash withdrawal: Super convenient.
- Currency exchange: Okay, good.
- Doorman: Someone opens doors for you.
- Elevator: This exists, thank goodness!
- Luggage storage: Thank you!
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Easy to access
- Business facilities: Not really on my radar this trip.
For the Kids – Because Some People Actually Travel With Them
- Babysitting service: They have it. Good for them.
- Family/child friendly: Yep.
Available in All Rooms – The Nitty Gritty
- Air conditioning: Absolute MUST. It was hot.
- Alarm clock: Useful
- Bathrobes, Slippers: Soft and lovely after a long day.
- Bathroom phone: Weird.
- Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub: Good
- Blackout curtains: Excellent for napping.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Again, essential.
- Free bottled water: Always a plus.
- Hair dryer, Mirror: Yep.
- In-room safe box: For your valuables.
- Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Thank goodness!
- Ironing facilities: Necessary.
- Mini bar: Always a nice option.
- Non-smoking: Yay!
- Private bathroom, Toiletries: They provided everything.
- Refrigerator: For keeping snacks cold.
- Seating area, Sofa: Nice to have.
- Soundproofing: Crucial.
- Telephone: You can actually call people!
- Wake-up service: Useful.
The BIG question:
Is this place perfect? Nope. Does it have its quirks? Absolutely. Would I go back? Maybe. The pool and the massage alone almost made it worth it. But go in with your eyes open. And pack your patience.
SEO Optimization (Because I Have To…)
- Keywords: Hotel, Spa, Swimming pool, Accessible, Room service, Restaurant, Free Wi-Fi, Fitness center, Massage, Restaurant, Breakfast, [Specific Location]
- Title: [Hotel Name]: Honest Review - Is This Hotel Worth It? (Accessibility, Spa, Food & More!)
- Meta Description: My unfiltered review of [Hotel Name], covering everything from accessibility to the pool with a view, the spa, the food & the Wi-Fi. Read before you book!
My Honest Offer (I'm talking to MYSELF here):
Okay, look
Elenor's Home Bandung: Your Indonesian Dream Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is the raw, the real, the possibly-slightly-crazed journey of yours truly through… well, it's through Private Pool Green Flow Villa 2 in Ubud, Bali. Prepare for a beautiful mess.
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lagged Bliss, and the Quest for Coffee That Matters
- Time: 7:00 AM (ish) - Landed in Denpasar. Dear God, why is "ish" so frequently used in describing anything I'm doing? Because I can never tell the time.
- Event: Customs. Survived. My backpack vaguely resembled a bomb. Looked guilty. Didn't even have anything illegal. Just… a lot of stuff.
- Transportation: Picked up by a grinning driver with a name that sounded like a tropical breeze (I think it was "Kadek"?). The air felt thick and floral. I’m already in love.
- Time: 9:00 AM - Arrived at Green Flow Villa 2. Holy. Mother. Of. Pools. The photos? Lied. It's MORE beautiful. I think my brain leaked a little happiness.
- Event: Settling in. Unpacking? No. Dumping. The mosquito net is… a complex art. And I have no idea how to do it!
- Imperfection: Managed to accidentally set off the AC with the wrong fingers at the wrong time.
- Quirky Observation: The Balinese cats are judging me. I can feel it. Especially the ginger one who clearly runs this place.
- Time: 10:00 AM – The Great Coffee Crisis of ’24 Begins!
- Event: Spent an hour desperately searching for coffee. REAL coffee. Not the instant sludge that’s apparently the national sport of tourist hotels. Found a place called “Seniman Coffee” - I think it's a real bar or something – good beans, bad espresso machine.
- Anecdote/Emotional Reaction: The first sip. Pure, unadulterated relief. Jet lag has a dark side, mostly involving mood swings and the uncontrollable urge to nap at inappropriate moments. Coffee saved me. For now.
- Time: 12:00 PM - Lunch (finally food)
- Event: Lunch at the villa, ordered from a local warung. Nasi Goreng. So perfect. I think I ate it too fast.
- Messy Structure & Stream-of-Consciousness: Ugh, the heat. This humidity will melt me. Need more water. Did I pack sunscreen? Oh, I'm pretty sure that this is the best moment of my life.
- Time: 2:00 PM - Pool Time!
- Event: Wallowing in the infinity pool. Utter bliss. I may have let out a little squeal of joy when I first got in the water. I'm not ashamed.
- Opinionated Language: Seriously, if you're not booking a villa with a pool in Ubud, you're doing it wrong. End of discussion.
- Time: 5:00 PM - Massage
- Event: Relaxing massage in the villa. It was the best.
- Time: 7:00 PM - Dinner
- Event: Tried a new restaurant. It was good, but i missed the villa.
- Time: 9:00 PM - Bedtime and journaling.
- Event: Sleep with mosquito net. It worked!
Day 2: Temples, Terraces, and the Threat of a Monkey-Related Incident…
- Time: 7:00 AM (ish) - Wake up. Sunlight streaming through the windows. The birds are ridiculously cheerful. Ugh.
- Event: Morning Coffee (of course). Trying to find the best coffee again.
- Transportation: Hired a driver (another lovely person with a name I can't quite remember) to take me to the Tirta Empul Temple.
- Time: 9:00 AM - Arrived at Tirta Empul.
- Event: The temple. Amazing! So much happening and so much to see.
- Imperfection: I forgot to bring a sarong. Rookie mistake! Had to buy one. Now I look like a confused tourist, but a slightly less confused tourist.
- Quirky Observation: the water is so clean! I almost wanted to go for a swim.
- Time: 11:00 AM - Tegalalang Rice Terraces.
- Event: The Terraces were so beautiful.
- Time: 12:00 PM - Monkey Forest.
- Event: The Monkey Forest. Okay, this is where things got interesting. Monkeys everywhere. Cute, but also… potentially thieving.
- Anecdote/Emotional Reaction: Saw a monkey snatch a tourist's sunglasses. Pure chaos and I was terrified.
- Messy Structure & Stream-of-Consciousness: I'm a bit scared of those monkey's. Is that a monkey staring at my water bottle? Do I have snacks in my bag? No. Thank God.
- Time: 1:00 PM - Lunch
- Event: Enjoy lunch!
- Time: 3:00 PM - Return to Villa.
- Event: Pool time.
- Time: 7:00 PM - Dinner
- Event: Tried a new Warung for dinner.
- Emotional Reactions: The food was okay, but the vibe was too loud. I miss the peaceful stillness of the villa.
Day 3: (The Repeat Day): Yoga, Art, and the Pursuit of Inner Peace… or at least a good facial.
- Time: 7:00 AM (ish) - Morning Coffee again (yes, a habit).
- Event: In-villa yoga class. Amazing. The best. The instructor was incredible!
- Opinionated Language: Yoga with a view of the rice paddies? Life doesn't get much better, people!
- Event: Exploring the Ubud Art Market. Lost in the chaos of colors and crafts. Bought something that I really do not need but I have a strange desire to own.
- Messy Structure: I'm starting to think every day here is the best day. The people are incredible, the place is beautiful, and the weather doesn't matter.
- Time: 1:00 PM - Lunch
- Event: Lunch at the Warung a bit further away. Best gado-gado I've ever tasted!
- Time: 4:00 PM - Facial and massage.
- Event: The facial and massage - absolute bliss.
- Time: 7:00 PM - Dinner
- Event: Dinner.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: I just feel so grateful right now. I can't believe how amazing this is. I don't want to leave.
- Rambles: What do they even put in massages to make you feel like this? How has my skin gotten so good? Maybe I should move here. All this could be real!
(And so on…)
Yes, this is what it's like to travel with me. Unplanned, messy, and full of moments where I'm just utterly, gloriously lost in the beauty of it all. Enjoy the journey. And tell me your story.
Gapyeong's Hidden Gem: Secret View Pension's Unbelievable Views!
So, what *is* this whole thing about? Like, the actual, you-know-what, *thing*?
Ugh, fine. Look, it's... a way to answer some common (and, let's be honest, often *annoying*) questions. People have them! And, well, I got asked a lot of the same ones, so I figured, why not just... write them down? Save me the headache of repeating myself a thousand times. Consider me a digital information dispensing robot. (Except, you know, with more feelings. Probably.)
Who ARE you, anyway? Are you a bot? (Please, please tell me you're not a bot.)
Okay, first of all, the bot thing. No. Absolutely not. Though I definitely *feel* like a bot some days, trapped in a loop of answering the same questions. I'm... well, let's just say I'm someone who's seen a few things. Let's leave it at that. The internet is a weird place. I'm a person with a weird situation, okay? Let's leave it at that.
What's the biggest misconception people have about [the thing]?
Oh, the biggest? Oh, that's easy. That it's all rainbows and unicorns. It's not. It's not even remotely close. There are days I want to scream into a pillow. Actually, a lot of days. People think it's some kind of effortless fairytale. They never get it until they're in the thick of it and suddenly they're like, "Oh. *Ohhhhh.*" and then... *sigh*.
What's the best piece of advice you could give someone new to, well, *any* of this?
Run. (Kidding! Mostly.) Okay, seriously though? Be prepared to learn. Be patient. And for the love of all that is holy, find something to laugh about. You WILL need it. Believe me. Because sometimes, you're just gonna want to curl up in a ball and cry, and you can't do that *all* the time. You gotta pull yourself up by your bootstraps and say, "Okay, world, hit me with your best shot," even when you *really* don't want to.
What's the hardest part about dealing with any of this?
The hardest part? Hmmmm... Ah, the hardest part is that relentless, gnawing feeling of... well... *everything*. The pressure, the doubt, the feeling like you're constantly juggling flaming chainsaws on a tightrope. It’s exhausting. It gets in your head. Some days, it's harder to get out of bed than others. But you do, because what choice do you have?
Okay, so, how do you actually *do* X? Like, the nuts and bolts of it?
Alright, alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty... (deep breath). Okay, so the first thing you *supposedly* do, is... Ugh. (I'm just going to say it's complicated and leave it at that.) Seriously, it makes more sense to me, let's just say it's like juggling live fish with boxing gloves on while writing a Haiku. And the fish keep flipping out and squashing your fingers. Look, it rarely goes according to plan. Plan A? That's the dream. You usually end up somewhere around Plan C, with a bunch of bandages.
Have you ever wanted to quit? (Be honest.)
Honey, if I had a dollar for every time I wanted to throw my hands up and scream, "I'M DONE!" I'd be on a beach somewhere, sipping a ridiculously expensive cocktail. There was this *one* time, ugh... let's just say it involved a computer, a deadline, and a whole lot of tears. I was so close to just deleting everything and disappearing. Just... poof. Gone. But then, you know, you take a breath, and you remember *why* you started in the first place. For me, that's the key. It's the tiny voice that whispers, "You've got this." Even when you don't believe it.
What's surprised you the most about all of this?
Honestly? The sheer resilience of the human spirit. Seriously. People, for all their flaws, can be astonishingly, incredibly, mind-blowingly tough. I've seen folks overcome stuff that would break a lesser person. It's... humbling. And it's a constant reminder that, even when things feel impossible, you're probably *not* alone in the struggle.
Do you have any regrets?
Regrets? Oh, sweet Jesus, yes. A whole catalog of them. But dwelling on them won't do me or anyone else any good. I made some bad calls, learned some painful lessons... some people I may have hurt, and some things that I wish I'd handled differently. But you can't rewind time, can you now? So you learn, you grow, and you try to be better. That's all anyone can do.
Is there anything *good* about this? Seriously.
Okay, deep breath. *Yes*. There are good moments. There are *great* moments. The fleeting ones, the ones that make you go "Whoa." When you see a lightbulb go on and have someone share their soul with you for whatever reason. There's a weird satisfaction. And believe it or not, there's a great community of people involved.
So, what's next?
Who knows? Honestly,Book Hotels Now
