The moment I decided to travel to Bali, I had no intention of following the typical Bali location Eat Pray Love trail, but that didn’t stop my journey from becoming just as transformative. With only two weeks to put together a plan for a trip that would last at least two months, I had to make decisions quickly and trust my instincts.
The first step was to figure out how long I wanted to stay in Bali, and it became clear right away that one month on this stunning Indonesian island would be the minimum.
From there, things started to fall into place. Slowly, piece by piece, I began building the puzzle that would become my travel itinerary.
There were four areas in Bali where I had to find accommodation, but in this article, I will talk about the most beautiful of them, Ubud.
So many amazing options that it took me much time to get to the moment when I hit the “book” button with all the confidence.
Update: In the meantime, I spent another month here recently and concluded that you need at least 3 weeks in Bali to enjoy everything it has to offer.
With so many alternatives and 6 nights to spend in Ubud, I thought it would be good to split the time in 2 and look for 2 different accommodation units, 3 nights for each one of them.
So, if I didn’t like one, I would still have a chance with the other, and at the same time, I would not get bored as long as I change the address and the decor.
How I ended up spending a few days at Liyer Spirit House | Bali location Eat Pray Love
That’s how I came across the Liyer Spirit House, which, from an intense study of the pictures, seemed to me the ideal place to live peacefully.
Set just 10 minutes’ walk from Ubud’s center, with a beautifully decorated garden, an infinity pool overlooking banana leaves, and a palm tree forest, a price more than decent, and a total of a whole absolute serenity, which seemed like detached from the descriptions made of Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat Pray Love best seller, Liyer Spirit House convinced me to press that button I mentioned earlier.
But guess what? I was more than shocked to find out that, in fact, I came to live by chance, at the hotel complex of the famous medicine man and palm reader, the old Balinese with an imperfect but conquering smile, Ketut Liyer, one of the key characters in Elizabeth’s book in which she talked about her spiritual journey.
Update: In the meantime, I returned to Bali for another month of exploring and once again chose to stay at Liyer Spirit House for a few days. This time, I found the place slightly changed, so throughout the article I’ll include updated photos and information.
Although I had a sensation of deja vu right from the moment I installed myself in the room, my mind didn’t think so far as to think about this scenario.
I didn’t even find out the information since the first day spent there, but in the second, during a regular breakfast conversation with the hotel manager.
About Ketut Liyer, the old healer from Eat Pray Love
With the enthusiasm of finding the news, it also came the disappointment, when I was told that the old man died a few months before my arrival, at the age of 102.
Since then, his heritage, both material and spiritual, has been taken over by his son, Mr. Nyoman.
For those of you who may not have read the book and have not seen the cinematographic production inspired by it, starring Julia Roberts, I feel obligated to make a very brief summary. Although I’m sure that if you’re reading this article, you already know what I’m talking about.
Eat Pray Love is about Elizabeth, a New Yorker with a career as a writer. She has a husband, and a seemingly balanced life.
Although her life was quite normal and beautiful on the outside, she felt empty on the inside, so she divorced and decided to travel for a year in Italy, India, and Indonesia in an attempt to find her desire to live intensely and to rediscover herself.
The last destination on her list was Bali, the place where she meets Ketut Liyer and she falls in love with a Brazilian businessman.
As it happens with almost every article, the introduction takes up half of the content, so yes, it’s time to move to the reasons for which I gladly recommend Liyer Spirit House for your upcoming Balinese vacation.
Bali Location Eat Pray Love
As I have already mentioned, the hotel complex is very conveniently located just a few minutes’ walk from Ubud‘s center and other points of interest such as Ubud Monkey Forest, Ubud Market or Ubud Palace.
It is part of Pengosekan village, a very quiet place with a community focused on art and traditional Balinese life. In all three days, I felt like walking on the streets of a picturesque and welcoming place.
About Palm Reading at Liyer Spirit House | Bali location Eat Pray Love
On my first visit to the old healer’s home from Eat Pray Love, I didn’t necessarily want a palm reading. I already knew he was no longer with us, and the thought that his son had inherited his gift didn’t bring me the certainty I needed. Something inside me hesitated, as if my soul wasn’t yet ready to open a door to that unseen realm.
Still, on my second visit, I decided to give it a try. His son had also become quite popular, and I figured, since I was already staying there, why not? The reading began with a small ritual on his part, a calm and solemn gesture, after which he took my palm in his hand and went straight into the predictions.
I can’t say I learned anything concrete or got any specific dates, but his words were quite positive, like a gentle breeze that brings hope. He spoke about the future as if it were already illuminated, but at the same time, I kept my sense of realism. I don’t think we should cling to such promises, no matter how magical they may seem, but rather build our future based on the choices we make today.
I’m not sure how much a reading costs now, but I paid 300,000 IDR at the time (around $15). I could’ve also opted for a blessing at the end, for the same price, but I chose not to. Maybe because I felt the greatest blessing was already there: the quiet of a morning in Ubud and the courage to simply be present.
These were my initial thoughts about the hotel and the room:
If I had to describe it in the simplest way, I’d say that from the outside, it might seem unremarkable, but the moment you step through the gates, you’re struck by how beautifully everything comes together. The atmosphere, the details, the peaceful energy… it’s all been thoughtfully designed to create a truly special place.
Aside from the temple and the original home of Ketut Liyer, part of the famous Bali location Eat Pray Love, there are two main buildings and several charming bungalows. Unfortunately, the bungalows were fully booked during my stay, which was a bit disappointing because they looked absolutely lovely.
ALSO WORTH READING:
In Bali, bathrooms without a roof are pretty normal.
At first glance, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with my choice when I discovered that the bathroom in our room had no roof.
I had already heard about Bali’s famous open-air showers and always admired, quietly, the people who enjoyed them so freely. But for me, it was still a challenge I wasn’t quite ready to embrace.
With no bungalows available and the other building under renovation, I decided to go with it and make the most of the experience. After all, staying near the Eat Pray Love shooting location in Bali came with its own kind of charm and adventure.
Update: On my second visit, the bungalows were no longer part of the hotel, but the existing rooms had been renovated and looked much nicer. Even the pool had been slightly redesigned.
Still, don’t imagine it was a completely open shower. On the contrary, the bathroom walls were impressively high, probably close to three meters, but the absence of a roof still gave me a bit of anxiety at first.
Of course, avoiding a shower for three days wasn’t an option, so eventually, I gave in and went for it.
And honestly? It was divine. I’ve already shared the full joy of that experience in my article about the things you absolutely must do in Ubud, so I’ll just say this: try it at least once. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
First Visit to Liyer Spirit House (these rooms no longer exist today)
The room itself was decent in size, with a comfortable bed, but the design didn’t particularly stand out. However, it definitely scored high when it came to keeping a pleasant indoor temperature, something I really appreciated in Bali’s heat.
Just outside, we had a small terrace paved with cool sandstone, offering a bit of privacy thanks to bamboo dividers. It was simply furnished with a table and two chairs, perfect for enjoying a quiet moment.
In front of the building, a neat little lawn stretched out, dotted with flowers and occasionally visited by a few charming hens that wandered around like they owned the place.
Second Visit to Liyer Spirit House – This Is What the Accommodation Looks Like Today | Bali location Eat Pray Love
The rooms feel completely different now. Tastefully renovated, they’ve gained a fresh, bright, and welcoming atmosphere. Everything seems designed to make you feel at home without being over the top.
The beds are large, soft, and restful, the furniture is discreet, just enough to be practical without cluttering the space. The décor is simple yet tasteful: white walls, high ceilings, and sliding doors that open directly onto an exotic garden full of greenery and peace.
We were lucky to get a room just a few meters from the pool, and each morning began with sunlight filtering through the leaves and the soothing sound of water.
This time, I liked it even more than the first, and I think that if I return to Bali, Liyer Spirit House will once again be “home.” It has already become a small ritual in my travels.
Breakfast at the Eat Pray Love House in Bali
The story repeats. Same noodles, same exotic fruits, same relaxing atmosphere, same kind people.
I don’t know if it makes sense to repeat, but Bali is a paradise for my taste buds. Mmmm, I still feel the flavor of rice with soy sauce.
However, because I want my articles to fully reflect my honesty, a minus in terms of breakfast at Liyer House, would be a slow service.
Although the staff is very friendly and eager to meet your requirements, it seems to me a bit lethargic in the moves and I think it would be a plus if they would improve something in this regard.
Second Visit Update: When it comes to breakfast, everything stayed the same 🙂
The Gardens at Liyer Spirit House
I got to my favorite part. I don’t even know how to start and how to formulate, to bring the beauty and delicacy of the Liyer Spirit House gardens as close as possible to reality.
From the green and very well maintained grass, the exotic flowers, the plumeria trees, the banana leaves, the statues embodying the mythological characters to the artesian fountains and the hens that brought joy to us in the mornings, everything looks like a paradise here.
I will certainly inspire myself from this wonderful place when the time comes to move to my house.
Though I am miserably unsuccessful in trying to make an artistic description, I better leave the pictures to convince you.
Garden Update from My Second Visit at Liyer Spirit House in Ubud
I already mentioned that part of the land is no longer part of the complex, so the gardens have also been reduced in size, but their overall aesthetic has remained almost the same. The major difference is that the palm tree view is gone, now replaced by a luxury resort built in recent years.
The pool has also been slightly modified, it’s a bit larger now and still just as beautiful. The vegetation doesn’t seem as lush as before, but this is balanced out by the rooms, which look much better now, and by the koi fish pond, which I didn’t notice during my first visit (I’m almost sure it wasn’t there).
Instead of saying too much, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. They’re much more telling and will give you a clear idea of whether this is a place you’d enjoy staying at for a few days.
Other facilities:
-
- spa and massage
- yoga sessions
- free wifi
- free parking
- organizing tours
- Airport shuttle
Liyer house was an easy, low-budget hotel tucked away from a main road. The staff are very kind, accommodating, and attentive to your needs. The room and bed were comfortable with strong AC. The decor is minimal but it covers all your needs.
While located a bit out of the way, it’s no problem if you don’t mind walking to the more central area. Would highly recommend renting a scooter in Ubud anyway, which could also resolve this issue.
The only thing that left us a bit puzzled was that we seemed to be the only guests! A little odd since it is travel season but we still felt very safe.
The additional information is very helpful. By the way, the photos are wonderful. Thank you for sharing.