The village of Kuta has changed dramatically since the first modern age travelers drifted in in the early 1970’s. Back then the small gangs running between Jl. Legian and the beach were just sandy tracks, complete with palm trees, cattle and crater sized potholes. Getting to Legian meant going to a completely different village. Nowadays the Kuta-Legian-Seminyak strip is one contiguous sprawl.

The actual village of Kuta (now a very rich village) is bordered by Jl. Bakung Sari at the southern end, Jl. Melasti at the northern end, Jl. Pantai Kuta to the west and Jl. Tanjung Mekar to the east. Given that rents are highest for beach front hotels and hotels located on major streets, the cheapest accommodation can be found along the narrow lanes they connect Jl. Legian and the beach.

Bottom end prices for guest houses on Poppies I & II and Jl. Benesari are around 40,000rp. Gang Ronta, the narrow gang that connects Poppies I & II has a selection of budget places, most of which are clean, simple with fan and cold water shower, perfectly okay for most of the year.

Staying in budget accommodation along one of the small gangs (lanes) means you do not have to worry about pre-booking. Simply take an airport taxi to Poppies Lane (price around 30,000rp) and check out a few places. Christmas and New Years are busy, but ordinarily you’ll find somewhere. Staying between the main street and the beach has its advantages. Restaurants, bars, shops are all within easy reach, as is the Perama bus office located on the bottom section of Jl. Legian.

Many guest houses and hotels will try to sell you day tours and motorbike rentals. The area around Poppies II & Jl. Benesari are the staging areas for surfaris to other parts of the island and Indonesia, with plenty of businesses offering packages.

Some of the popular guests houses in the Kuta are include Kedin’s II (0361-763554) located on Gang Sorga, another small gang joining Poppies I & II (via Gang Ronta & the beach end of Poppies I). On Poppies I proper many people have recommended Ayu Beach Inn (0361-752091), located close to Gang Sorga, down a long driveway. Gang Sorga is also host to Suji Bungalows (0361-765804) and Hotel Sorga (0361-751897, both of which are decent places offering a choice of fan or AC rooms with hot water.

Jl. Benesari, accessed by following Jl. Pantai Kuta up one more block from Poppies II, is the location of Un’s Hotel (0361)757409. This good value place offers large well furnished rooms, swimming pool, lush gardens. Un’s has a decent restaurant (The Balcony) attached also which is popular with families and surfers (photo of Kelly Slater eating at Un’s on the wall).

One of the ‘old school’ places to stay in Kuta, that has endured due to its good reputation and great location is Poppies Cottages (0361-751059). Poppies has very nice cottages set in lush, well kept gardens. There is a small swimming pool, internet access and library. Located on Poppies I close to Poppies Restaurant and TJ’s Mexican. Poppies Restaurant isn’t a budget place but does great food, including the best mie goreng in Bali!

Walking around Kuta you will discover many more value for money places to stay, some which renovate and change hands, creating a dynamic and interesting set of options.