🇮🇩 Tabanan, Indonesia
Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar
📍 Tabanan
Photo: official website
Your stay — Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar
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The Property — Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar
Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar is a tidy three-star operation in Tabanan’s quiet rice-belt, built around a long blue pool that catches the afternoon sun. The lobby feels like a breezy open-sided pavilion with polished concrete floors and a rack of local surf magazines—more workaday surfer pit-stop than dreamy boutique. It suits travellers using Tabanan as a cheaper base for central Bali’s temples and western coast breaks, not people looking for nightlife or luxury linen.
Chronicles of Tabanan
Tabanan was a small royal seat in the 19th century, known for its water temples and irrigated rice terraces that UNESCO later recognised as a cultural landscape. The Dutch took control in 1906 after a bloody puputan (mass suicide) by the local royal family, then remade the town as an administrative and market centre. Post-independence, Tabanan stayed agricultural while Denpasar boomed, but a 2021 road upgrade cut travel to Canggu and Tanah Lot to under an hour. Today the old market still runs daily, and the palace grounds (Puri Tabanan) host dance performances on Saturday nights.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tabanan guide →Best months
April and October: rain is slight, humidity dips below 80%, and crowds between Nyepi (March) and Christmas are manageable.
Peak / festival surge
August: Australian school holidays and Bali’s dry peak push hotel occupancy high; Swell’s room rate often doubles to $80-100/night. The Sanur Village Festival and Kuta fireworks drive domestic traffic too.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: still dry (100-120mm rain) but 30-40% quieter than August, with standard room rates back to $35-50. The heat is even, no squalls.
Weather & packing
Southern Bali has a microdry pocket in July-Agust, but Tabanan’s inland valleys trap mist until 10am — expect high humidity by lunch. Pack two lightweight, quick-dry shirts per day; one to sweat in, one to change into after a rain shower.
Live City Briefing — Tabanan
- A new direct bus from Tabanan terminal to Ngurah Rai airport started June 2025, runs every 90 minutes for 50,000 IDR — far cheaper than taxis.
- Tanah Lot temple’s beach access path was repaired after the 2024 monsoon, so low-tide crossings are open again, but crowds are still heavy until 5pm.
- Rice harvest season in Tabanan’s Jatiluwih terraces begins mid-June; fields are golden and threshing noise continues until dusk — book morning visits for calm.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the pool, away from the street. These give you pool access and some green outlook without the ground-floor foot traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or bar — these pick up noise from check-in, music, and late-night drinkers. Also skip rooms facing Jalan Raya Tabanan if you're a light sleeper.
Best views
Pool view rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor — you see the water and garden, not the car park or road.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors are quietest — far enough from street and bar noise, close enough for stairs if the lift is slow.
🔊 Noise notes
Tabanan town has moped traffic from early morning until late evening. The bar plays music until roughly 11pm on weekends. The lift mechanism is audible on the 1st floor landing.
Insider tips
1. Request a top-floor room (3rd) to minimise street noise and get a sliver of rice-field view over neighbouring roofs. 2. Earplugs are worth packing — the property has thin walls and the local roosters start at dawn.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar
Complimentary WiFi is available throughout; speed is adequate for browsing and messaging but may struggle with streaming during peak hours (around 19:00–21:00). No login required—just accept the terms.
There is no lift. The property has two storeys with stairs only.
No printed newspapers. A free digital copy of The Jakarta Post is available via a QR code at reception. The building is a modern beachfront structure with no heritage significance.
Standard check-in from 14:00 to 22:00. Early arrival can leave bags from 07:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs IDR 150,000 (subject to availability).
Free luggage storage is available at reception for same-day arrivals and departures.
No step-free access. All rooms are upstairs via a single flight of stairs. Ground-floor public areas (bar, pool deck) are accessible by a short ramp from the car park.
Free on-site parking for about 10 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park is at Nyanyi Beach (200m walk, IDR 5,000 per day). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: IDR 15,000 per person per night, collected at check-in.
Deposit & card hold: A 50% deposit of the first night's rate is charged at booking. At check-in, a refundable damage hold of IDR 200,000 is placed on your card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: temple (779 m · ~10 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Luhur Pakendungan (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Batu Mejan (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Batu Bolong ᬧᬸᬭ ᬩᬢᬸᬩᭀᬮᭀᬂ᭟ (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use ATMs in Tabanan town or authorized moneychangers; avoid airport or tourist bureau rates as they are poor.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and supermarkets; smaller shops and warungs prefer cash; contactless is rare.
Not expected but a 5–10% tip at restaurants or a small rounded-up amount for drivers or hotel staff is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local warung kopi with small black coffee (kopi hitam) for around IDR 5,000–10,000.
Nasi campur (rice with mixed sides) from a local warung for approximately IDR 20,000–35,000.
Main dish of fried rice or mie goreng at a basic local eatery for IDR 25,000–40,000.
Malam minggu night market in Tabanan town centre and roadside food stalls along the main roads.
Super Indo or local mini-marts (Indomaret, Alfamart) are common in Tabanan.
Pasar Tabanan market for inexpensive local clothing and batik; no big high-street chains.
Minibus (bemo) for IDR 5,000–10,000 per short trip; from Ngurah Rai airport, take a pre-paid taxi to Tabanan for about IDR 200,000–300,000 total or a Kura-Kura bus to Mengwi then a bemo.
Eat at warungs not tourist restaurants; use bemos instead of private drivers; buy drinking water in bulk at supermarkets.
Good to know — Tabanan
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 17992.31 · IDR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tabanan, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Any location in southern Bali → Ashram Hotel, Tabanan
💡 Use Gojek rather than Grab in Tabanan—more drivers. Be ready to walk 50 metres from the main road; the hotel's down a narrow lane.
Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) → Ashram Hotel, Tabanan
💡 Pre-book via the hotel to avoid haggling. The fixed price includes tolls. Cash only, no credit cards.
Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) – or anywhere → Ashram Hotel, Tabanan
💡 Bargain to 450k if you're paying cash. Ask for someone who knows Tabanan's back roads—Google Maps often tries to route you through muddy rice-field paths after rain.
Kuta or Ubud Perama offices → Tabanan town centre
💡 Leaves you at Tabanan market, a 15-minute ojek ride from Ashram. Book a day ahead; seats fill fast with surfers going to Balian.
About Tabanan
Wikipedia ↗
Tabanan Regency (Indonesian: Kabupaten Tabanan, Balinese: ᬓᬪᬹᬧᬢᬾᬦ᭄ ᬢᬩᬦᬦ᭄, Kabupatén Tabanan) is a regency (kabupaten) of the province of Bali, Indonesia. It has an area of 839.33 km2 and had a population of 478,390 in 2024 census. It is bordered by Badung Regency to its east, Buleleng Regency to i...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar?
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the pool, away from the street. These give you pool access and some green outlook without the ground-floor foot traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or bar — these pick up noise from check-in, music, and late-night drinkers. Also skip rooms facing Jalan Raya Tabanan if you're a light sleeper.
Is Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar noisy?
Tabanan town has moped traffic from early morning until late evening. The bar plays music until roughly 11pm on weekends. The lift mechanism is audible on the 1st floor landing.
Which rooms have the best views at Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar?
Pool view rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor — you see the water and garden, not the car park or road.
What are insider tips for staying at Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar?
1. Request a top-floor room (3rd) to minimise street noise and get a sliver of rice-field view over neighbouring roofs. 2. Earplugs are worth packing — the property has thin walls and the local roosters start at dawn.
What time is check-in at Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar?
Check-in at Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary WiFi is available throughout; speed is adequate for browsing and messaging but may struggle with streaming during peak hours (around 19:00–21:00). No login required—just accept the terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar?
IDR 15,000 per person per night, collected at check-in.
Where can I eat cheaply near Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar?
Nasi campur (rice with mixed sides) from a local warung for approximately IDR 20,000–35,000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Swell Hotel, Pool & Bar?
Minibus (bemo) for IDR 5,000–10,000 per short trip; from Ngurah Rai airport, take a pre-paid taxi to Tabanan for about IDR 200,000–300,000 total or a Kura-Kura bus to Mengwi then a bemo.
When is the best time to visit Tabanan?
April and October: rain is slight, humidity dips below 80%, and crowds between Nyepi (March) and Christmas are manageable.
Top Attractions in Tabanan
💡 Come before 9am to see the best range of fruit and morning vegetables. Haggling is standard but keep it light.
💡 Ask for a guided tour from the caretaker – he speaks basic English and knows the history of each piece.
💡 Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the tour groups. The garden benches are good for a quiet rest.
💡 Go at low tide to walk across to the rock's base. The crowds thin out by 6pm on weekdays.
💡 Arrive at 7am to have the trails mostly to yourself. The morning light hits the green terraces perfectly.