August 2007, Switzerland

Hello Suzan,
Thanks for your email! We already feel at home at the Swallowhouse and really enjoy the quietness and the beautiful surrounding. It’s truly the right spot to do some work! Wayan and Putri are lovely people and take good care of us. The table and chairs just arrived a few days ago, they fit in the room nicely. The Internet is working again after some problems with the phone.  After a quite cold and rainy phase, the weather has cleared up and the sun is shining again...

Greetings and catch you later!
Michael & Caroline
http://www.wegpunkt.ch/site/

December 2008, Mendocina California
Even though it was raining when I walked the path to the Swallow House, the serenity and loveliness of the place could not be diminished.  Set in the rice fields, surrounded by beauty, we were met by Wayan and his lovely wife who
showed us around and offered us tea.  It was unforgettable.
Paula Stuckens 

Serenity! A piece of heaven;
what else can I say?     

                              January 2008, 2009  Ontario, Canada

            I've been to Swallow Guesthouse twice in between my visits to Ubud and Padangbai.  I love the culture (and shopping) of Ubud, and being a Pisces, of course the beaches of Padangbai suit me well.  But, Swallow Guesthouse house provided me with the serenity I needed to ground myself,  to have the time to enjoy the beautiful sunsets, the rice field walks, enjoying Putri's awesome cooking, and I will never forget the kindness and gentleness of the Balinese people who allowed me to step into their culture for a short period of time.   Nor can I forget the time that I watched a farmer head back to his home after his day's work with a trail of ducks following behind him in a straight line - (I have the picture to prove it!).  How could that not make me smile?

 

So in my hectic Canadian world, I find that I can easily revisit Swallow Guesthouse in my mind and truly focus on what it is  important to me in my life.  Who knows, perhaps one day I may find myself writing my memoirs or writing poetry again as I watch the sun set while sipping my cup of Balinese coffee at Swallow Guesthouse.

 

Thank you Suzan, Wyan and Putri for sharing your dream with me!

 

Rhonda

For the month of May 2009 ,  Quebec Canada

Thank you Suzan, this is a very charming place.  I'm very pleased with it.  Peace and quiet, very beautiful environment and friendly staff, that's perfect! Wow!  We would like to thank you for this nice and relaxing guesthouse.  Your team (Wayan, Putri and Made) is very lovely, friendly, available and helpful.  I wish you the best for the future with many new tourists!

 The only thing that some tourists might find difficult is the "extreme sports" at times, trying to manage with the motorbike on the muddy pathway leading to the Swallow house.  It has been raining almost every day lately, and it's a little bit difficult to drive.

 Please find attached a few pictures that Ennog took. I hope you will like them.  You will see the kitchen outside, on the terrace.  Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance to take the pictures inside, but I visited the place with Wayan and it's very beautiful, especially the open air bathroom.  Very nice!  Good job.

 Wayan has started to drive a car but only a little bit.  He has not recovered completely yet from his heartstroke.  But he's doing better and better.

 I'm leaving with good memories from the Swallow guesthouse,

Thank you again!

Isabelle and Ennog

10 days in July 2009 from Sydney, Australia

Wow what a great lifestyle... your website is what attracted us to the place.. there are so many highly commercialized websites for resorts in Bali that have no photos of local people so we were very happy to find yours, as it has the personal touch !  Really enjoyed Putri's cooking and the house was lovely if rather huge !  The only thing I found hard was the 4am chanting from across the fields... apart from that it was lovely.  I will let my friends in Australia know about it.

Also we took a trip on the motorbike to  Mount Batur which was very memorable, especially the hot springs where you can sit in a hot pool of crystal clear water and have a substantial lunch for $10AUD. Stopping on the way, Wayan introduced us to his friend with an organic farm where vanilla beans, coffee & local teas can be purchased at very reasonable prices.
It was lovely.
Thanks
Susan Standen

September guest: Yoshiko from Tokyo Japan

I returned to Japan yesterday. I always start to miss Bali right after left Bali.  This is my impression about the Swallow house.

Environment:

I really love walking down the winding path to Swallowhouse from the main road, under rambutan tree and see gecko flee in to the grass.   I learn up close how water is distributed to each rice patty.   I see locals place offerings on the rice paddies and pray, people pass through the path to work on their rice paddies, kids smile and say 'hi!'. ...It's very fun to find, see and feel those small things when I take one step out of the house.

Room and Facilities:

One of my favorite spots is the small space that faces rice paddies.  I always feel like walking into rice paddies barefoot.  I don't worry I can get hot water while washing my hair, and room is clean, no need AC. Also unlimited internet connection with low price, too.

Hospitality:

I really enjoy just being here, chat or eat with some old local friends, and also new people.   Putri picked me up from Ubud, cooked delicious lunches...she is always trying to help me and is very kind.  Wayan and Putri are willing to tell and show  many things about Balinese life, culture, customs. I really sorry that I couldn't have stayed longer this time.

This place is very nice place to be away from crowds, spend slow and quiet time with alot of nature.

Your friend,

Yoshiko http://eye4you.exblog.jp/

"It's perfect for me to study, better than I dreamed it would be."

Already one month that I stay in this wonderful place…When I was trying to find a place from internet in France I was looking for a charming place, quiet, where I could feel Bali and meet people.  My dreams became real as soon as I arrived into Swallowhouse. I was very lucky to find the perfect place I was looking for.  For all guest, a small message: don’t feel shy to go into Pesalakan and other small villages around, you will meet a lot of nice and friendly people who would be pleased to meet you and don’t worry about the speaking, a lot of them can speak English or a least they will try their best to do so.  So if you hear about volley ball competition go there and assist or about ceremonies in the village temple, join and you might discover the traditional dance and music from Bali. 

A special message for Wayan who never loses his smile and who was really nice with me when I asked many questions about the culture and place to go around and to Putri which gave me to enjoy the best Balinese meals I had in Bali!  I don’t forget Made which was very nice and always helped me when I needed it.  Thanks to Suzan for welcoming me and for making this place so special.  I will remember our nice lunch talks.     Luc Michel from Reunion Island, France

Aug & Sept 2009

Pagi Suzan,

Yesterday we went to Putri and Wayan's for Dinner,it was fantastic,you know for sure...I really fall in Love here with your House,such a quiet and wonderful Place on earth.  Hope we see us again next Winter here in the Swallow-House,and enjoy your Day and your life ..all the best from here to You .... big Hug ....Peter

    Germany ,  Nov 15th, 2009 - April 2010

   

"Thanks dear.  We sure enjoyed travelling with you again.  Your house is SUPER! Love Mom and Dad"
JULY 2010

TOUR:  Sanur - Nusa Lembongan -  Swallowhouse -  Padangbai

Salamat Pagi, Suzan;

We are enjoying our stay immensely at Swallowhouse. The house is beautiful, clean and dry, the rhythms of the rice paddies are a wonder and is truly the real Bali. The power and the internet was a challenge for about 7 days but finally we found the right mix of solutions and I am very happy with the outcome ( we do have both Mac running with help from Rama the IT guy from Ubud he is very good). 

Thank You for checking in on us.    We are seriously considering coming back to Swallow house for another stay.

 

Tom and Suzannah 

September 2nd - 29th, 2010

From New York, USA



We had a wonderful time in Bali.

So good to see Wayan so well.  And Putri and the kids - Tiari is so grown up now.

The Swallowhouse is way beyond expectations.  Those new bathrooms are amazing.

This time we stayed in more upmarket accommodation for some of the time and SH is up there with the best.

Certainly the feeling is luxurious - and classic guide book views of rice fields from every window - and the watertank is gone - Wayan was very keen for you to know.  So uninterrupted sunset views.

September 23, 2011 Simon Browne

"The "real" Bali at it's best!"

From the time we arrived at the airport until we departed we were treated with incredible hospitality. Wayan, our driver was very knowledgable and quickly learned what we were interested in seeing and doing for the time we were in Bali. All of our meals were served and cooked at the house and were native dishes. We were even invited to their home and religious services.
The house, surrounded by rice in a rural area, was large, comfortable and quiet. We felt like we saw the "real" Bali.

The Irishes July  2011

"Peaceful home in the real Bali"

My husband, my kids and I were guests in the Swallow house in august this year. We had an amazing stay there. The house is in the middle of the beautiful rice field and it is one of the most peaceful places that you can find. The house is very clean and it has everything you need. Be ready to experience the real Bali. The house is close to the village where you can walk and it is also about 15 min drive from Ubud.
If you are traveling with teenagers, unless they are not into nature... they might get bored there... My 13 year old was fine and loved, however you should onside that.

The best thing about the Swallow house is Wayan and Putri - the couple that takes care of the house. Wayan's wisdom and knowledge about everything in Bali is unbelievable. Anything you might need he can find for you - rent a car, driver, mobil phones, food, etc. One of the best things for us was driving around with him as he knows everything and can tell you the most interesting and beautiful stories about Bali, the Balinese people and their rich history and traditions. He should be a travel guide.

His wife Putri is the best cook on Earth. She prepared delicious breakfast and dinners for us almost every day. She cooks authentic Balinese and Indonesian food with the most organic ingredients you can find.

We love them and we will try to keep in touch with them.

I would strongly recommend The Swallow house for people that are looking to experience the real Bali - Bali with no tourist, no noise etc.

It was a life changing experience for us to be there and to be around Wayan and Putri and to witness the simplicity and beauty in their relationship and in their life and connection to everything around and nature.

Tatiana August 2011

"Do yourself a favor and consider this place. 100% Recommended!"

This place is truly an excellent one to stay in, close enough to Ubud to be accesible yet far enough away to maintain the peace. I wanted something laid back and quiet to just relax and chill out and that's just what happened. The location is fabulous and the guesthouse is clean, bright and well laid out with everything you need. Wayan, Putri and Made are about as good as it gets as hosts, available when needed yet at no time obtrusive. I love Bali, I love the people and I love this place. 

Peter  Dec 2011

"The art of Nothing - beautiful!"

As I read the guest book at swallow house, I realized that every guest has a different meaning to their stay. So I will not say what I was looking for in my stay but I sure found what I was looking for.

I stayed two weeks at Swallow House. One week Sunrise Suite; One week Sunset Suite. It is the people you work with which really make the difference.

Susan-
A wonderful and interesting person to work with who has the true ‘Bali Spirit’. I made my booking several months in advance we exchanged several e-mails over the months about my stay. We never got to meet as she was traveling but she went so far to make sure our stay was a success when I arrived.

Wayan-
Wayan also known as ‘Mr. Chill Out’, by many guests. He picked us up at the airport and arranged all of our transportation. Sometimes after work he would stop by the house and chat with us. He really knows everything about Bali, Temples, Rice, Ducks; he has an answer for everything.
He actually invited us to his house for dinner and then to temple for ceremony. When we went to temple it was straight out of National Geographic, no tourist at all, this was true Bali. All of the people in the temple were so warm and interested in us. Once in a lifetime experience.
His daughter’s came to Swallow House to make ‘offerings’ several time depending on the ceremony or event.

Puturi-
I admit I have never quite understood the big deal of ‘Organic’, until Putri cooked for us. Theses we the best meals and you can taste the difference in the fresh food she buys every morning. We had breakfast and dinner every day; the dinner being so huge. Just and amazing cook, I cannot begin to explain how wonderful the food is!
When my partner got sick she took him to the Western Doctor in Ubud. Purchased medicine and delivered it to the house. She is a quiet shy lady, with the most caring heart.

Sunriuse suite –
We stayed here the first week, I am a morning person and loved watching the sunrise at 5:30am. Loved to watch all the farmers coming and going to the fields. Watching the ‘Duck Parade’ as the Ducks were taken out to the fields. Loved breakfast in the Meditation Hut.

Sunset Suite-
This is where we stayed the second week. Amazing 360 degree views. I just spent the entire day reading and watching the world go around from the lounge chairs outside. Loved the semi-outside bathroom. It is a really big two room place. I definitely preferred the Sunset Suite but both have advantages and both were completely fine to stay in.

This will appeal to 1% of travelers, it really is the “True Bali” ; It is very very remote. My partner was a bit scared at night as is was so remote, but for me I loved it! Place some tours or rent a motor bike from Wayan.

Thanks again for everything; Susan, Wayan, Putri, definitely one of the most unique places I have stayed in my life.

Scott Dec 2011