Renting a Villa in Bali Without Surprises: How to Find the Right Place the First Time
27.05.2025
Bali isn’t just a dream island — it can also feel like a gamble when it comes to renting a villa. Stunning Instagram pictures, amazing views, and tempting prices on Booking or Airbnb may not match reality: mold on the walls, noisy construction next door, and painfully slow Wi-Fi.
Here’s how to choose a villa wisely, avoid wasting time and energy, and why working with professionals like Guardian Travel Services is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.
This guide was created by the team at Guardian Travel Services — a personal concierge service based in Bali
We support relocations, long-term stays, and vacations from A to Z — from helping you choose a villa to renting a vehicle. We work with Russian-speaking clients and beyond.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
We live in Bali and know all the local details. We’ll help you settle in safely, comfortably, and with care.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Property search and rental for any duration
- Visa support, insurance, and help with legal stays
- Long-term stays for couples, families with kids, and solo travelers
- Transfers, car and bike rentals
- Weddings, events, corporate retreats
- Custom routes around Bali and other regions of Indonesia
- And much more
We live in Bali and know all the local details. We’ll help you settle in safely, comfortably, and with care.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What to Know Before You Start Looking
Before choosing a villa, it’s important to answer a few simple yet crucial questions:
- What are your travel dates?
- What is your budget?
- Who’s traveling: a family, couple, solo traveler, or a group of friends?
- What kind of vacation do you want: active, quiet, with kids?
- Which areas are you interested in? (Central Bali, Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, etc.)
- Do you need a pool, kitchen (open or closed), garden?
To fully understand your request, we usually schedule a detailed video call. There are a lot of nuances, and personal contact helps. If that’s not convenient — we can chat via text.
If you’re just considering a move to Bali, check out our in-depth step-by-step guide
It covers where to start, how to calculate your budget, and what to watch out for
Why You Shouldn’t Search for a Villa on Your Own
Experienced travelers often think they don’t need help — until they realize they do. The housing market in Bali is very specific.
FIRST: INSTAGRAM ≠ REALITY
Photos often don’t reflect reality. They might be taken before construction began nearby or when the villa was brand new. In reality, you might find worn-out furniture, a musty smell, cracked walls, and mold. Bali has a humid climate, and if the house is poorly ventilated, it can "rot" in a single rainy season. Mold appears everywhere and is hard to get rid of.
Photos often don’t reflect reality. They might be taken before construction began nearby or when the villa was brand new. In reality, you might find worn-out furniture, a musty smell, cracked walls, and mold. Bali has a humid climate, and if the house is poorly ventilated, it can "rot" in a single rainy season. Mold appears everywhere and is hard to get rid of.
Mold appears everywhere and it is difficult to get rid of it
SECOND: CONSTRUCTION EVERYWHERE
The island is developing rapidly. Even if it’s quiet during your visit, a month later they could dig a huge foundation next door. Only ongoing monitoring can provide guarantees.
The island is developing rapidly. Even if it’s quiet during your visit, a month later they could dig a huge foundation next door. Only ongoing monitoring can provide guarantees.
THIRD: WI-FI MIGHT EXIST, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT WORKS
Remote work from Bali is popular — but slow and unstable internet can ruin the experience. We check the internet speed in every room using speed tests, review the provider, and assess the coverage.
Remote work from Bali is popular — but slow and unstable internet can ruin the experience. We check the internet speed in every room using speed tests, review the provider, and assess the coverage.
FOURTH: A GOOD LOCAL PARTNER SAVES YOU MONEY
Airbnb and Booking charge 15−20% in commissions. We offer lower rates by working directly with villa owners and managers. Plus, payments are made in IDR (Indonesian Rupiah), avoiding losses on currency conversion.
Airbnb and Booking charge 15−20% in commissions. We offer lower rates by working directly with villa owners and managers. Plus, payments are made in IDR (Indonesian Rupiah), avoiding losses on currency conversion.
What’s Included in the Rental Price
The price typically includes:
- Rent — base cost
- Deposit — refundable, usually $ 100 to $ 500
- Utilities — usually electricity is paid separately (~$ 80−100/month depending on AC usage)
- Villa maintenance — gardener, cleaning, pool service are usually included
- Internet — usually included, but we always double-check
Optional services: private chef, nanny, tutor, laundry service
Many clients rely on outdated info online: "Villas used to be $ 1,000 a month". That’s no longer the case — even old and unrenovated ones may go for $ 3,000−4,000 or more. It’s important to discuss real budgets, not dreams. And the longer you stay, the better the deal — long-term rentals often come with significant discounts.
How We Inspect Villas Based on Client Requests
After receiving your request, we select 10 villas and send you the options. You choose 7, and we personally inspect them before booking.
WE ASSESS:
- Furniture and its condition
- Smell in the house (humidity, mold, mustiness)
- Kitchen and bathroom condition
- Internet speed in every room
- Nearby construction
- Photo accuracy
- Any custom requests (desk height, gap between bed and wardrobe, etc.)
Yes, we even taste the tap water — seriously. We check filtration, ventilation, and all the little details that affect quality of life. Even if we inspected the villa a month ago, we’ll go again before check-in — just in case something changed: construction started, a smell appeared, or something broke.
If you work remotely, we’ll check if the villa has a proper workspace. If not — we’ll arrange one. Families with kids get safe options, e.g. pools raised above ground level.
Why Choose Guardian Travel Services
- We only work with vetted villas and owners
- We personally check photos, video, smells, noise, Wi-Fi
- We legally protect our clients
- We get the best deals thanks to our volume and connections
- You pay in local currency — no conversion losses
- We provide full support during your entire stay
- We assist with extras like chefs, nannies, transfers, excursions
Renting a villa in Bali isn’t just about clicking "book" online. You need to account for the climate, infrastructure, risks, and local specifics.
Guardian Travel Services is your trusted partner in Bali. We help you save time, stress, and money — so your stay on the island is truly enjoyable.
Want to know how much your ideal villa will cost and get a list of real options? Message us.
Questions
WHO SIGNS THE RENTAL CONTRACT, AND HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK?
Usually, we act as your service provider, but the rental agreement is made in your name. Payment is through our legal entity in Indonesian Rupiah to avoid currency conversion losses. Contracts are available in English or Russian. We only work with trusted owners who value their reputation.
Usually, we act as your service provider, but the rental agreement is made in your name. Payment is through our legal entity in Indonesian Rupiah to avoid currency conversion losses. Contracts are available in English or Russian. We only work with trusted owners who value their reputation.
WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG DURING THE RENTAL?
If you accidentally damage something — like breaking furniture — the cost comes from the deposit. But if something breaks due to wear and tear (e.g. pipe bursts, appliance fails), the owner covers it. We stay in touch the entire rental period and always help — you’re never left on your own.
If you accidentally damage something — like breaking furniture — the cost comes from the deposit. But if something breaks due to wear and tear (e.g. pipe bursts, appliance fails), the owner covers it. We stay in touch the entire rental period and always help — you’re never left on your own.
WHAT IF MY PLANS CHANGE DURING THE SEARCH?
It happens — maybe you planned a family trip, but now you’re traveling solo. In this case, we’ll offer a new villa search tailored to the new situation. It will be a separate service, but we’ll offer a personal discount. We’re flexible and always find a solution.
It happens — maybe you planned a family trip, but now you’re traveling solo. In this case, we’ll offer a new villa search tailored to the new situation. It will be a separate service, but we’ll offer a personal discount. We’re flexible and always find a solution.
WHAT IF NOISY NEIGHBORS MOVE INTO A NEARBY VILLA?
Bali has a "quiet hour" — noise is prohibited after 11 PM. You can contact the police or the local community authority (banjar) to resolve the issue.
Bali has a "quiet hour" — noise is prohibited after 11 PM. You can contact the police or the local community authority (banjar) to resolve the issue.
