Tepi Sawah Lodge & Retreat

Beautiful property, very friendly and accomodating host. I liked the open kitchen, the concept of an open washroom, the peace and quiet there and of course their most adorable dog Piko. I could also use the kitchen facilities for cooking a porridge or the refrigerator for storing fruits which was very helpful. As a guest, I felt welcomed all the time and by every member of the staff there. Putu the guide with whom I went on hikes was wonderful too. There are a couple of delightful walks one can do from the property without any guide- there's Subak Piak ricefiels about 2 kms away on the left and Mount Batukaru temple about 2 kms on the right. Jettiluwih rice fields are about 8 kms away. Putu guided me through a jungle and that was amazing. We saw many different birds and butterflies as well. Tepi Sawah is a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle that one encounters in South Bali. Jettiluwih is a UNESCO world heritage site and it would be a pity to miss it on a visit to Bali, and Tepi Sawah is an excellent base to visit Jettiluwih. There are several walking trails one can choose once in the rice fields of Jettiluwih ranging from short to very long. Since I stayed in Tepi Sawah, I could do the very long trail and it was very enjoyable. Dewi was very responsive to any request and helped me to find a driver at short notice to go to Jettiluwih and at excellent rate. She also helped me get a driver to go to Sanur. I loved everything and was really sad to leave. However, there are two things which if there, would have made me give them a score of 20/10! and that would be 1/ AC in the room- it was extremely hot when I stayed and staying in the room (I was is the wooden cabin) during the day feels like staying in an oven. I used to stay in the open areas therefore, which was better temperature wise but that limits the things one can do. 2/ Internet in the room - internet is only available near the kitchen area, and my room was near the other end. Hence I preferred to spend most evenings in the open area near the kitchen area for internet browsing or calls and not unexpectedly, i got bitten by several mosquitoes. Nevertheless, Tepi Sawah is a delightful place in so many ways and I will be very happy to return.

Spent 2 nights at Tepi Sawah and it was nowhere near enough! The lodge is absolutely amazing- the guest houses are situated in between rice terraces and are so comfortable, homely and authentic. It is very green and natural, and so peaceful just sitting on the balcony admiring the view and sounds of nature. While the lodge and village is magical, the warmth and kindness definitely made the place. Staying with Dewi and Adi was like staying with family. We chatted, shared stories, I learnt how to cook delicious traditional dishes (the best part- the ingredients were just plucked from their garden), tried the local coffee and red rice, and palm sugar too. They also helped me organise transport by one of their friends from the village, Putu, who also showed me around the UNESCO listed Jatiluwih rice terraces, butterfly house, Batukau temple, and was so friendly and informative. There’s more to do as well- like jungle hikes and hot springs. I’ve left feeling both inspired and touched by these people, and already wanting to return!!