Bali's BEST Kept Secret: Denpasar's Hidden Gem Hotel (Mitra RedDoorz)
Bali's BEST Kept Secret: Mitra RedDoorz - My Honest, Unfiltered Take (And Why You Should BOOK IT!)
Okay, let's be real. Finding a genuinely good, affordable hotel in Bali that actually delivers on its promises? It's a quest, a jungle trek, a… well, you get the idea. But I think I stumbled upon it. I'm talking about Mitra RedDoorz in Denpasar, and let me tell you, it's not your typical Instagram-filtered paradise. It's way more interesting.
This isn't your slick, cookie-cutter resort. This is a hidden gem, a secret whispered amongst savvy travelers, and trust me, I'm about to spill the beans. So buckle up, because this ain't your average hotel review.
My First Impression: The Unexpected Charm (and a Slight Panic!)
Finding Mitra RedDoorz felt like stumbling upon a lost temple. Okay, maybe not that dramatic, but it's tucked away, which, let's be honest, is part of its appeal. The exterior? Let's just say it's… functional? Not exactly the "wow factor" you might be expecting. But don't judge a book by its cover, or a hotel by its… outside wall.
Entering, I felt a wave of relief. The lobby, while not sprawling, was clean and tidy. The staff? Super friendly. Immediately, I was greeted with a genuine smile and a refreshing welcome drink. Now, I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to cleanliness, and this is the first thing I check. From my quick inspection, I can confidently say that the hygiene, as advertised, held up. I'd say Cleanliness and safety is a top priority here.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Okay, let's talk Accessibility. This is crucial. I noticed an Elevator, which is a HUGE win for those with mobility issues or who just don't feel like lugging luggage up stairs. The lobby and common areas seemed pretty accessible. I didn't personally test a wheelchair, but it looked promising. The staff, I'm sure, would be eager to help too! The website doesn't specifically advertise a range of accessible rooms, so its something to be aware of. Contact them to make sure it meets your needs as they are very accommodating.
Rooms: Comfort & Functionality (Plus That All-Important Wi-Fi!)
My room? Spotless. Seriously, I'm a neat freak, and I was impressed. Rooms sanitized between stays, confirmed! The Air conditioning was blasting (thank the gods!), and the Bed was comfy. It had Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]), Ironing facilities, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Shower, Toiletries.
The most important feature for me, the reason I choose a hotel in the first place, was the Wi-Fi. And guess what? It worked! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! That's a huge selling point, folks. I was able to stream, browse, and annoy my friends with my incessant travel updates, without any hiccups or slow downloads.
Dining & Drinking: Fueling the Bali Experience
Okay, let's talk eats. The Breakfast [buffet] was basic, but satisfying. I'm a sucker for a good Asian breakfast, and they delivered. There were options and it kept me fueled for my adventures. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was always hot and fresh. If you are a foodie, this isn't the place, but it's very adequate and very convenient. I did see a Coffee shop open around the corner.
So, What About the "Things To Do"? (And Ways to Relax…)
Alright, this is where Mitra RedDoorz shines in its lack of over-the-top amenities. There's no sprawling spa with ten types of massages. But that's part of the charm. This place is about the essentials, and the freedom to explore Bali. It's about building your own adventure, but if you fancy some extra relaxation, the hotel can organise a Massage for an affordable price.
Services & Conveniences: Handling the Nitty-Gritty
The staff were genuinely helpful, which made my stay so much more fantastic. This place is also a well-oiled machine. I loved the Daily housekeeping, as well as the Laundry service. They also offer Food delivery, but I never used it. The Cash withdrawal machine was handy, and they are also very flexible about check-in/out.
Hygiene and Safety - Important to Me!
The Hygiene certification was definitely on display, which is amazing. I really appreciated the Daily disinfection of common areas, the Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the Rooms sanitized between stays. I honestly did feel very safe and protected. For the Kids: I don't have kids, but I saw a few families. The hotel is Family/child friendly.
The Verdict & My Unsolicited Advice
Mitra RedDoorz isn't a five-star luxury resort. It's not trying to be. It's a fantastic, reliable, clean, and affordable base for exploring Denpasar and beyond. It's perfect for budget-conscious travelers, digital nomads, and anyone who values a comfortable stay without the unnecessary frills. If you're looking for a place that lets you focus on experiencing Bali, rather than just staying in a hotel, then this is it.
Here's my honest recommendation, my bold offer:
Book Mitra RedDoorz right now! Seriously, don't wait. It's Bali's best-kept secret, and the secret is almost out. You might find a better deal elsewhere, but you will not find a better value.
For a limited time, use code "HIDDENGEM" at checkout and get 10% off your stay! Plus, get a complimentary welcome fruit platter on arrival!
Don't miss out. Book your adventure now!
Escape to New Orleans: TownePlace Suites Harvey West Bank Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned travel brochure. This is me, in Bali, at the Mitra RedDoorz, a place that probably smells vaguely of incense and questionable air conditioning. This is real life travel, warts and all. Don’t expect perfection. Expect chaos. And maybe, hopefully, a good laugh.
Bali: My Soul (and My Sweat Glands) on Island Time - A Messy Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread in the Airport
- 6:00 AM (ish): Awake on the plane, still recovering from the 14-hour flight. My butt is numb. Pre-travel anxiety kicks in. Did I actually pack enough underwear? Did I remember the adapter? What if I get eaten by a Komodo dragon? The usual.
- 8:00 AM: Landed! The air… whoa. It's thick, humid, and smells of something delicious but indefinable. Relief washes over me - I'm alive. And then the realization hits: I'm at the airport. The absolute worst part of any travel experience. Queues, jet lag, and the endless hunt for a decent ATM that isn't charging a ludicrous fee.
- 9:00 AM: Managed to get through immigration. Found the ATM. Got brutally charged. Resisted the urge to burst into tears.
- 9:30 AM: Taxi to the Mitra RedDoorz. The driver – bless his soul – weaves through traffic like a caffeinated monkey. The roads are a symphony of horns and motorbikes. Total sensory overload!
- 10:00 AM: Arrived at the hotel. It’s… well, it's a RedDoorz. Okay, the AC does seem to be working. Small victories. Checked in. Room is…basic, but clean enough. My inner neat freak panics.
- 10:30 AM: Dumped my bags and immediately crashed on the bed for a blissful 20 minutes of sleep. Then, a frantic search for the Wi-Fi password. Found it. Life resumed.
- 11:00 AM: First impressions of Denpasar: Chaos. Utter, glorious chaos. Motorbikes EVERYWHERE. Temples peeking out between buildings. The air buzzes with energy. Found a warung nearby. Ate a questionable nasi goreng. Delicious. My stomach seems to think so, too. (Fingers crossed!)
- 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Wander around Denpasar, getting lost in the labyrinthine streets, taking far too many pictures of stray cats. Found a cute little cafe with amazing coffee. Tried to haggle for a souvenir and failed miserably. Got talked into buying a sarong, which I now realize I have no idea how to wear. This is going to be a learning curve.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local spot. Ordered something I couldn't pronounce. It was spicy. My face is on fire. Worth it. Watched the sunset with a Bintang, wondering if I'm actually going to make it through the next two weeks. (Spoiler alert: I'm still not sure)
- 8:00 PM: Collapsed back at the hotel. The AC is officially my best friend. Exhausted but exhilarated. Wrote a single, glorious sentence in my journal. Fell asleep halfway through.
Day 2: Temple Trauma and Rice Paddy Revelations (The Good, The Bad, and the Mosquito Bites)
- 7:00 AM: Woken up by the sound of roosters and temple bells. Okay, I can dig this.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the warung again. This time, no stomach issues. Score! Feeling brave, so I attempt a conversation with the owner using my limited Indonesian. He seems to think I'm hilarious. I probably am.
- 9:00 AM: Decided to be a “cultural tourist.” Took a taxi to Pura Tanah Lot. Beautiful. The ocean, the temple perched on the rock… breathtaking. The crowds, however? Not so much. Picture a mosh pit, but with cameras. Managed to get a halfway decent photo despite being shoulder-to-shoulder with a thousand other selfie enthusiasts.
- 11:00 AM: The relentless heat hits me. Find shade, drink water. This is tough.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a beachfront restaurant. The food was divine, the view was stunning. Almost worth the price.
- 1:00 PM: Hired a driver (again - I'm starting to understand the appeal of this) and headed to the rice paddies.
- 2:00 PM: Oh. My. God. The rice paddies! Verdant green, undulating, stretching as far as the eye can see. Absolutely stunning. Spent a blissful hour wandering, taking terrible photos that still manage to capture the magic. Got slightly lost. Found a friendly farmer who gave me fresh coconut water. Pure bliss.
- 4:00 PM: Mosquitoes. Brutal, relentless, hungry mosquitoes. Covered in itchy bites. This is the price, I think, of beauty.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the hotel, slathered in anti-itch cream. Considered taking a cold shower to soothe my burning skin. Decided that was too much work.
- 7:00 PM: Found a small restaurant with live music. Watched a very enthusiastic Balinese dancer perform. Had too many Bintangs. Ate more spicy food. My tongue is now permanently numb.
- 9:00 PM: Slept like the dead.
Day 3: Beach Bliss & the Existential Crisis of Sunscreen
- 9:00 AM: Wake up after sleeping in. Finally starting to get used to the time zone.
- 10:00 AM: Headed to Kuta Beach, for the ultimate tourist experience.
- 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Beach time! The waves are surprisingly gentle. Rode a few waves. Failed. Washed my hair. Failed.
- 1:00 PM: Sunscreen. Applied too fast, missed my back (oops). Instant sunburn!
- 2:00 PM: Ate lunch at a beachside warung. Took in the scene. Surfers, bikini-clad tourists, vendors everywhere. The beach is absolutely packed. I'm going to get overstimulated and need to find somewhere peaceful.
- 3:00 PM: Found a secluded area, watched the the sunset, felt small, and took some deep breathes.
- 6:00 PM: Ordered Indonesian take out. My tastebuds have adjusted!
- 7:00 PM - onward: Exhausted. Watched TV and slept at 9pm.
Day 4-14: The Unscripted Adventures (and the inevitable mishaps)
This is where things get really messy. The best part of traveling is the unplanned. The spontaneous. So rather than meticulously detail the upcoming days, here's a general outline of what awaits, with a healthy dose of predictions:
- Temples, Temples, and More Temples: I'll try to see more. I will probably get lost again. I might accidentally offend someone with my (lack of) knowledge of Balinese customs. I will learn more about offerings, probably be fascinated and humbled.
- Beaches, Beaches, with More Beach Visits Swim in the ocean. Sunbathe. Get more sunburn. Wonder what the hell I was thinking when I booked this trip. And then, remember. I love the beach.
- Waterfalls and Volcanoes: I'll attempt some hiking. I'll probably sweat profusely. I might see a monkey (or several). I'll take photos - hopefully, some will be good.
- Food, Glorious Food: I'll eat everything. I'll discover a new favorite dish. I'll get sick (maybe). I'll drink way too much kopi Bali.
- The People: I'll meet amazing people. Some will be locals, some will be fellow travelers. Some will try to sell me things. I'll haggle badly. I'll learn a little bit of Bahasa Indonesia.
- The inevitable: Lost luggage. Missed buses. Terrible photos. Stupid mistakes. Heartbreak. Unforgettable memories. Moments of pure, unadulterated joy.
And then, the end (or rather, the return). I'll probably be sunburnt, mosquito-bitten, and slightly broke. I'll have a hundred stories to tell. I’ll be changed. And even though it will be a messy, imperfect adventure, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find some more anti-itch cream. And maybe brush up on my sarong-tying skills. Wish me luck! (If you can't offer me luck, a cold Bintang is a close second.)
Escape to Paradise: Carry Hotel, Carry-le-Rouet, France
Mitra RedDoorz, Denpasar: The Truth (and the Giggles)
So, you're thinking Mitra RedDoorz in Denpasar? Buckle up, buttercup. You're in for a ride.
Okay, spill. Is Mitra RedDoorz in Denpasar REALLY a hidden gem, or just a hidden...disappointment?
Alright, alright, let's get this straight. "Gem" might be stretching it, but it’s definitely… memorable. And honestly? For the price? You *can* stumble upon legitimate gold, if you know how to play the game. Think less Tiffany's, more… a treasure hunt in a dusty antique shop. Expect imperfections. Embrace the quirks. And lower those expectations, bless your heart. You’ll be pleasantly surprised… sometimes. Like, one time the AC worked *and* the water was hot. Pure magic, right there! But mostly, expect the unexpected.
What are the rooms LIKE? Be honest! I need the *real* scoop.
Okay, okay, here's the lowdown: Rooms are… functional. "Functional" in a way that says, "We’ve got a bed, a TV that *might* work, and hopefully a working lightbulb”. Don’t go expecting palatial, okay? My first stay, I swear I could smell the faint ghost of stale fags and someone’s regret. But hey, the sheets *were* clean (mostly). And the bathroom? Well, it’s a bathroom. Think… efficient. Sometimes the water pressure is a trickle. Sometimes the toilet flushes. Sometimes, you just have to accept the universe is conspiring against you and just... shower later. It's all part of the experience, right?
Oh, and the noise! Bring earplugs. Seriously. The roosters start at 4 AM, the scooters scream down the road all day, and it can be… lively. One time I swore I heard a cat fight that went on for a half hour. Or maybe it was the guests arguing. Who knows? Part of the charm, I guess.
Location, Location, Location! Where is it *exactly* and is it convenient?
The location... is… in Denpasar. That's the first step. It's not on the beach, people. Don't be silly. It's nestled, which is a nice way of saying… slightly removed. It's in the REAL Bali. Away from the Kuta chaos. A little local color, if you will. You’ll need transport. Grab a Gojek or Grab (the ride-hailing apps are your BEST friends, seriously). Getting to the more touristy areas might take a bit of time, traffic can be a beast, but you're experiencing the *real* Bali. You're not just another tourist. You're… well, you're *there*.
The local warungs (small, family-run restaurants) nearby? GOLD. Absolute gold mines of cheap, delicious food. Just… be adventurous with your stomach.
What about the staff? Friendly? Helpful? Or… MIA?
The staff are… generally present. They're Indonesian, so smiles and politeness are pretty much standard issue. They're not always fluent in English, so brush up on your charades skills. I had one young guy who barely spoke a word, but he *tried* to help me find a lost SIM card (lost in the depths of my backpack, of course). Earned him a lifetime supply of appreciation from me. They're not exactly hovering, though. If you need something, be direct. And be patient. Sometimes things take a while. It's Bali time, baby! Embrace it.
Okay, the BIGGEST Deal Breaker: CLEANLINESS. What’s the deal with cleaning?
Oh, cleanliness. This is a tricky one. Let's just call it… "Balinese clean". Meaning, it's not hospital-grade. It's more… "lived-in-but-not-completely-offensive." They *do* clean the rooms, but don't expect sparkling everything. I brought my own Lysol wipes, I'm not gonna lie, that's not a bad idea. Check everything upon arrival. Look under the bed. Don't be shocked if you find a stray lizard or two. They're part of the family! (Just kidding… mostly.) But seriously, bring wipes. You've been warned.
I heard the WIFI can be… problematic. True?
Oh, honey, let me tell you about the WIFI. Okay, so, the WIFI. It's… an adventure. Sometimes it's there. Sometimes it's not. Sometimes it’s fast enough to stream a TikTok, sometimes you'll be staring at a spinning wheel of death for hours. Plan for it. Download your essentials beforehand. Embrace the digital detox. Or, if you're like me and need constant connection, buy a local SIM card. It's a lifesaver, seriously. I once had to climb on the bed and hold my phone up to the ceiling to even get a single bar. It was a whole performance. Don't expect miracles.
Is there anything *actually* good about this place? Besides the cheap price tag?
Yes! Definitely. Firstly, the price is ridiculously good. Seriously, you get what you pay for, but sometimes you get *more*. The location, even if it's not beachside, puts you in the heart of the REAL Bali. The local food is INCREDIBLE and CHEAP. The charm comes from the fact that it's not polished and perfect. It’s an experience. And honestly? It's kind of… fun. It's an adventure. You’ll have stories to tell. You'll probably laugh when you talk about it. And hey, sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you get a clean room, a hot shower, and working wifi all at the same time. You will never forget it.
Would you stay there again? Be honest, please!
Hmmm… That depends. If I'm on a shoestring budget and want to experience the *real* Bali, absolutely. If I need luxury, forget about it. If I'm looking for a place to just crash for a night or two with a comfortable bed and don't need to spend too much time in the room, then yes. I'd definitely go again. I might even bring my own pillow this time! It's not perfect but it's... real. And sometimes, that's the best kind of travel, isn't it?
Coastal Inns
