Ubud’s Monkey Forest is world famous, and there’s no doubt that it can be tempting to stay as close to the loveable little critters as possible.
So, that’s where Komaneka at Monkey Forest comes in, doorstepping with our little simian chums in the heart of Bali’s cultural capital, Ubud.
We sent out our team to find out if living among the tree-climbing critters is all it’s cracked up to be, and this is what they learned while they were there.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of Komaneka at Monkey Forest
All reviews are completed using a uniform procedure and consistent judging criteria. This commitment to consistency keeps things fair for every accommodation and simplifies your comparison process.
Hotel Type: Luxury
Area of Bali: Ubud
Star Rating: 5-Star
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 3,200,000 IDR (approx. $200 USD or $320 AUD) per night, with the proviso that rates vary by room and by season
Komaneka at Monkey Forest Address: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Komaneka at Monkey Forest Website: Komeneka
Room Types: Suite, One Bedroom Villa with Private Pool
Facilities: Terrace, Garden, Valet Parking, EV Charging Station, In-Room Breakfast, Spa & Wellness Centre, Shuttle Service, Pool with View
Cleanliness and Maintenance
We know that resorts have to grow and improve, but we also think they should be legally obligated to tell you that they’re undergoing massive renovations before you book.
The issue here is not that the cleaning and maintenance teams don’t do good work; they very much do. But the amount of dust and dirt coming in from the building work would be impossible for anyone to stay on top of.
Sleep Quality
The construction work only goes on during the working day, and you can be reasonably thankful that in Bali this starts fairly late, but if you like a lie-in, you are completely out of luck.
The rooms are big and comfortable, and the beds are great, but the sound of building comes through the walls for most of the day.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
While we can fault management for the lack of information regarding the building works, we can’t fault the staff for doing an excellent job in the face of serious challenges.
They are the epitome of Balinese warmth and hospitality, and they really do want you to have an amazing experience, even if the odds are stacked against it at the moment.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
The check-in and check-out process is just fine, and there’s no doubt that this isn’t a big enough resort for anyone to get stuck at the front desk for very long.
They can also help to store luggage after you vacate your room if you want to spend more time in Ubud before moving on.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathrooms are excellent, and the construction work won’t stop you from getting clean. The towels and toiletries are nice, and the water pressure is consistent with plenty of hot water.
Value For Money
We’d need to come back again one day, after the building works are finished, to fairly assess this. For now, we’re going with “OK” value for money, but if you like to sleep the day away, you’ll probably think we’re being generous.
There’s no lack of sympathy in the team for a hotelier trying to do better, but at the same time, it is what it is from a guest perspective.
Food And Beverage Execution
There’s not much in the way of food availability at this hotel, and honestly, that’s a little disappointing. Sure, there’s plenty of facilities within walking distance, but we can’t see how you get a 5-star rating with this little choice.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
Ubud is amazing, and you’re just around the corner from the Monkey Forest, which is a big draw. It’s also possible to see monkeys in the hotel grounds and occasionally right up close to your room.
However, the area is super popular, and there can be big crowds at attractions. There’s also a genuine problem with traffic when trying to enter or leave the town.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
The facilities and amenities here are as promised, but there’s a serious shortage of them. Given the price of the rooms, we’d expect more, particularly with all this construction to be endured.
Overall “Personality”
At the moment, this is really hard to assess as the construction overwhelms any other impression of the resort. We’re going to leave this mark at “acceptable”, until such a time as we can come back and review this place when it’s finished.
However, we can see some people being very unhappy that they chose to stay here until the work is complete.
Summary: Our Overview Of Komaneka at Monkey Forest
If only Komaneka at Monkey Forest had beeen clear about the building work going on, we’d have timed our review for a different part of the year.
However, it’s probably good to know that it’s currently taking place and we’d strongly suggest checking that it’s over before you book at this resort.
Grading: Decent 4-Star
FAQs
Is Komaneka at Monkey Forest Family Friendly?
Yes, Komaneka is child-friendly, and kids of all ages may check in with their parents and guardians.
However, we have to note that kids over the age of 12 are charged as adults at this property and that while a cot for a toddler is free, extra beds are chargeable at a rate of 500,000-900,000 IDR per night, depending on the age of the occupant.
There are also no child-friendly facilities, babysitting, kids’ club, etc. at this hotel. So, we’d suggest that there may be better family-friendly hotels in this part of the world than Komeneka.
Final Thoughts On Komaneka at Monkey Forest
Komaneka is a lovely resort, and it is nice to see monkeys regularly during your stay, but it’s very important to keep your windows and doors closed and to bear in mind that these are wild animals, not pets.
Monkeys can be pretty aggressive at times, and you don’t want to spend your holiday tracking down rabies jabs.
If you can live with the risk, however, we’d be happy to recommend Komaneka, which is a very nice resort, at least it will be, once the construction work is finished.
