Your stay — Gekkos Ubud
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The Property — Gekkos Ubud
Gekkos Ubud is a serene, budget-friendly guesthouse tucked down a quiet lane south of Ubud's centre, with a small pool framed by frangipani and a restaurant that leans into Balinese home cooking. The lobby is a breezy, open-sided pavilion with rattan furniture and a faint clove scent from the garden — it feels more like a local homestay than a hotel. It suits travellers who value a calm base within walking distance to town and don't need luxury; rooms are simple, tiled and clean, with mosquito nets. The USP is its location: a 10-minute walk to the Ubud Monkey Forest and a 15-minute stroll to the Ubud Palace, away from the main road noise.
Chronicles of Ubud
Ubud grew from a small cluster of temples and royal palaces into the cultural heart of Bali during the 19th century under the ruling Sukawati dynasty, who promoted art and dance. The town's architectural evolution is defined by traditional Balinese compounds — walled family homes with shrines and carved gateways — alongside modern boutique hotels and yoga studios built into rice terraces from the 1930s onward. The arrival of Western artists like Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet in the 1930s turned Ubud into a hub for painting and performance, a legacy that persists in dozens of galleries and nightly kecak dances. Today, its contemporary identity balances spiritual tourism (meditation retreats, organic cafés) with a gritty, congested main road and an expanding network of craft boutiques and co-working spaces.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ubud guide →Best months
April and May offer clear skies and lower humidity than the peak season, plus smaller crowds at the Ubud Palace and Monkey Forest. September is also excellent for dry weather and fewer tourists than July–August.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are Ubud's busiest months, driven by European summer holidays plus the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival in late October. Hotel prices at Gekkos Ubud can double from a low-season £25/night to £50/night. The Bali Arts Festival runs June–July in Denpasar, drawing day-trippers to Ubud.
Budget shoulder season
October and November see discounts of 20–30% at budget hotels as the rainy season begins, with patchy showers but still warm afternoons. February is another good shoulder: it's the low tourist season, rice terraces are lush, and hotel rates drop further.
Weather & packing
Ubud is at 600m elevation, so nights can drop to 22°C, which feels cool after a hot day. Pack a light rain jacket or compact umbrella — afternoon tropical downpours are common even in July from 3pm to 5pm.
Live City Briefing — Ubud
- Ubud's main road, Jalan Raya Ubud, has been partially pedestrianised on weekends to reduce traffic jams outside the Ubud Palace; check for temporary one-way diversions, especially on Sundays when the Ubud Art Market draws crowds.
- A new direct bus service from Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) to Ubud via the 'Kura-Kura' bus network started in early 2026, costing around 50,000 IDR (£2.50) one-way, with a stop 500m from Gekkos Ubud on Jalan Hanoman.
- The Ubud Monkey Forest closed sections after a series of aggressive macaque incidents in early 2026; visitors are now required to secure all loose items (bags, glasses, phones) — a weekly afternoon closure from 1pm to 3pm for staff training is in place until October 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Gekkos Ubud, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper-level rooms (2nd floor or above) on the side facing away from Jalan Raya Penestanan Kelod. The hotel is likely a low-rise (3-star, Ubud), so top floor rooms minimise street noise and offer better air flow. Ask for rooms with a garden or pool view rather than the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Jalan Raya Penestanan Kelod. The road carries local scooter traffic (two-stroke engines) from early morning, and ground-level rooms get dust and exhaust fumes. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft or staircase if the data suggests a lift—3-star hotels often have thin walls there.
Best views
Rooms overlooking the hotel's garden or rice paddy views (common in Penestanan area) offer the best scenery. Street-facing rooms look onto a busy road with shops and scooters. Request 'garden view' or 'rice field view' if available—checkons before booking.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and above (assuming a 2-3 storey building, common in Ubud). The highest floor with no lift noise and minimal street sound is best.
🔊 Noise notes
Jalan Raya Penestanan Kelod is a main road in Penestanan, connecting to Ubud centre. Scooter traffic starts around 6am and continues until late evening (11pm). Occasional nightlife noise from nearby bars (trendy in Penestanan). Mosque announcements from nearby temples at dawn can be heard in the area. No data on a service entrance, but assume deliveries to front entrance early morning.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel if possible and request a top-floor garden room well in advance—rooms with paddy views often get snapped up by photographers. 2. If you're on a motorbike, check if the hotel offers free or cheap parking; many 3-star Ubud properties have limited on-street parking and will charge extra.
- 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 — Gekkos Ubud
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 10 Mbps) for all guests; no paid upgrade. Login via room number and surname.
No lift – two-storey building with stairs only; no historic restrictions.
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical papers; building has a small open-air lobby with shared verandah overlooking a ravine.
Standard check-in 14:00, check-out 12:00. Early bag-drop allowed from 08:00. Late check-out until 18:00 costs IDR 350,000 (weekday) / IDR 400,000 (weekend).
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; multi-day storage not offered.
No step-free access – main entrance has two steep stairs; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or lifts. Not suitable for guests with limited mobility.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at Ubud Lotus Temple (20-min walk), IDR 10,000/hour or IDR 50,000 overnight (no valet). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person is paid separately at airport/online, not collected by hotel)
Deposit & card hold: First night’s room rate charged as deposit at booking; IDR 500,000 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Pura Dalem Penestanan (454 m · ~6 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Gunung Lebah (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Beji (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Taman Desa Sayan — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Don Antonio Blanco Museum — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Open Stage — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
BlueBearBali Skate Park — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Guardian — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Fruits — 692 m · ~9 min walk
Perama — 2.1 km · ~27 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use authorised money changers in Ubud centre or major banks like BCA; avoid airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels, restaurants and shops, but less so in warungs and markets; bring cash for small purchases.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% in restaurants; small tips for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi Bali at a local warung: around 10-15k IDR.
Nasi campur or mie goreng at a warung: 25-35k IDR.
Simple Indonesian mains like ayam betutu or sate: 30-50k IDR.
Jalan Gootama and the night market near Ubud Market for satay, bubur ayam and pisang goreng.
Bintang Supermarket or Coco Mart for basics; smaller convenience stores (Indomaret, Alfamart) are everywhere.
Ubud Art Market for batik, sarongs and affordable cotton clothes; hard bargaining expected.
Bemo (minibus) around town 5k IDR per ride, or hire a scooter from 50k IDR/day. From the airport: shared shuttle (Perama) around 50k IDR or local bus to central Ubud.
Eat at warungs not tourist restaurants. Bargain at markets firmly but politely. Use ride-hailing apps sparingly as drivers often cancel in the centre; walk or scooter instead.
Good to know — Ubud
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18099.05 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
UbudWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ubud, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Gekkos Ubud
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Guardian — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Ubud Monkey Forest area → Ibunda Inn and Spa, Ubud
💡 Set pickup point to the main road, not the inn's lane – drivers often cancel if they can't find the side street. Cash is fine, but have small bills.
Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) → Ibunda Inn and Spa, Ubud
💡 Book through your hotel or Klook for a fixed rate, avoid drivers at the arrivals hall who charge double. Shared shuttle makes a rest stop at a coffee plantation – buy nothing, it's a sales pitch.
Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) → Ibunda Inn and Spa, Ubud
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter inside baggage claim – 450k to Ubud is standard. Don't tip extra, the price is fixed. Late-night arrivals add 50% surcharge.
Perama Bus Terminal, Kuta or Denpasar → Perama Ubud stop (Jl. Hanoman), then 10-minute walk to Ibunda Inn
💡 Buy your ticket a day ahead at any Perama office – they sell out. The Ubud drop-off is a 700-metre walk to Ibunda Inn; take a local motorbike taxi (ojek) for 10k if you have luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Gekkos Ubud?
Request upper-level rooms (2nd floor or above) on the side facing away from Jalan Raya Penestanan Kelod. The hotel is likely a low-rise (3-star, Ubud), so top floor rooms minimise street noise and offer better air flow. Ask for rooms with a garden or pool view rather than the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Gekkos Ubud?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Jalan Raya Penestanan Kelod. The road carries local scooter traffic (two-stroke engines) from early morning, and ground-level rooms get dust and exhaust fumes. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft or staircase if the data suggests a lift—3-star hotels often have thin walls there.
Is Gekkos Ubud noisy?
Jalan Raya Penestanan Kelod is a main road in Penestanan, connecting to Ubud centre. Scooter traffic starts around 6am and continues until late evening (11pm). Occasional nightlife noise from nearby bars (trendy in Penestanan). Mosque announcements from nearby temples at dawn can be heard in the area. No data on a service entrance, but assume deliveries to front entrance early morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Gekkos Ubud?
Rooms overlooking the hotel's garden or rice paddy views (common in Penestanan area) offer the best scenery. Street-facing rooms look onto a busy road with shops and scooters. Request 'garden view' or 'rice field view' if available—checkons before booking.
What are insider tips for staying at Gekkos Ubud?
1. Book directly with the hotel if possible and request a top-floor garden room well in advance—rooms with paddy views often get snapped up by photographers. 2. If you're on a motorbike, check if the hotel offers free or cheap parking; many 3-star Ubud properties have limited on-street parking and will charge extra.
What time is check-in at Gekkos Ubud?
Check-in at Gekkos Ubud is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Gekkos Ubud have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 10 Mbps) for all guests; no paid upgrade. Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Gekkos Ubud?
None (Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person is paid separately at airport/online, not collected by hotel)
Where can I eat cheaply near Gekkos Ubud?
Nasi campur or mie goreng at a warung: 25-35k IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Gekkos Ubud?
Bemo (minibus) around town 5k IDR per ride, or hire a scooter from 50k IDR/day. From the airport: shared shuttle (Perama) around 50k IDR or local bus to central Ubud.
When is the best time to visit Ubud?
April and May offer clear skies and lower humidity than the peak season, plus smaller crowds at the Ubud Palace and Monkey Forest. September is also excellent for dry weather and fewer tourists than July–August.
Top Attractions in Ubud
💡 Haggle firmly but politely – start at 30% of the asking price. Go at 8am before the tour buses arrive. Avoid the stuff sold near the palace, it's mass-produced.
💡 Pop in for 15 minutes between 9am and 5pm when the lotus flowers are open. No sarong needed – they lend them at the entrance for free.
💡 Start from the north end near the Ibah Hotel for a quieter stretch. The walk is about 2km round trip but you can extend onto dirt trails if you want more.
💡 Leave your sunglasses and loose items in your bag. Monkeys will snatch them. Go after 4pm when it's quieter and the light is softer for photos.
💡 Skip the busy main path – take the steep stairs down to the left of the waterfall for a quieter spot to swim. Go early on a weekday to avoid crowds. Bring swimsuit and towel.