How the Website Works
This page explains how Betterplace operates in Bali. We help you discover and book verified homes and trusted local services. We do not own the businesses listed.
1. Criteria to Be Listed on Betterplace
We only show places and services that meet clear standards for reliability, availability, and safety.
Homes and Vacation Rentals (villas, apartments, townhouses)
To appear on Betterplace, a home must meet all of the following:
- Open to the general public for short-term stays
- Has an official name and a single, permanent address in Bali
- Open a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks per year
- Clear ownership or written management authorization to list and accept guests
- House rules, maximum occupancy, and check-in instructions are published and provided to guests
- Basic utilities in working order (water, electricity, and typical Bali-standard internet for the area)
- A private or clearly assigned bathroom for each booking
- Basic safety information declared (for example, local emergency contact, fire extinguisher, where applicable)
- Currently open, or taking reservations for a confirmed future opening date
For staffed or “full service” villas, the listing must also include:
- On-site or on-call staff during stated hours
- Periodic housekeeping is included unless stated otherwise
Specialty Lodging (shared spaces, hostels, co-living)
If a place offers shared dorm-style rooms or shared facilities, it is shown as Specialty Lodging.
- Shared spaces must be clearly disclosed in the title and description.
- We do not present shared rooms as private villas.
Things to Do, Drivers, Classes, and Tours Shown on Betterplace
To be listed, an operator must:
- Offer something that is genuinely relevant to travelers in Bali
- Follow our safety expectations and our animal-welfare expectations
- Have an official name plus a published phone number or email address
- Operate at least 12 consecutive weeks per year, or publish a clear seasonal calendar
- Have a public page or profile showing tour duration, what’s included, pickup or meeting point, and price
- Be a registered company or licensed sole proprietor under local rules
We do not take bookings for restaurants or airlines. We may mention them in editorial guides for context only.
2. How Listings Become Bookable
Homes and operators can appear on Betterplace for free once they meet the criteria above.
To accept payments or process reservations through Betterplace:
- The owner or operator signs a booking agreement with a Betterplace affiliate or with a licensed local partner.
- Some homes are also connected through professional property managers or reservation systems. Their calendars and prices sync in real time.
When a listing is “bookable,” you can request to reserve it directly through us.
3. How Search, Sorting, and Shelves Work
Different parts of the site use different sorts of logic, so you can find what fits you fastest.
Homes
Takes into account traveler signals plus Betterplace data. This can include:
- Confirmed availability for your dates
- Listing quality (accuracy and completeness of the info)
- Location
- Price competitiveness in the area
- Calendar freshness (how recently availability was updated)
- Response speed
- Guest ratings were available
Focuses on review quality, recency, and volume.
Shows the lowest partner-reported price for your dates at search time.
Shows places closest to the map point you selected, that are also available for your dates.
Shows some homes or offers that may take into account compensation paid to Betterplace or its partners, plus ratings, availability, prices, and how relevant the listing is to you.
Things to Do
Looks at reviews, ratings, page views, and how relevant the activity is to where you are.
May consider revenue from bookings, click frequency, what you’ve viewed on Betterplace, review volume, and quality. New listings can get a short boost so they can be discovered.
Sort by visible price or by how long the activity takes.
Horizontal Shelves You May See
You may see carousels such as:
- Popular nearby
- Similar sponsored properties
- Most booked
- Compare more homes
- Explore popular experiences
Inputs for these shelves can include proximity, availability, ratings, review count, seasonality, how often a home is booked, and, in some cases, revenue. If a shelf or item is influenced by paid placement, it is clearly labeled “Ad” or “Sponsored.”
Partners cannot buy a fixed position in organic (non-sponsored) search results. Sponsored items are labeled.
4. Where Prices and Availability Come From
When you enter your travel dates and group size, we request live price and availability directly from owners, property managers, and integrated partners.
- Results are not guaranteed to cover every offer on the internet.
- Each partner is responsible for the accuracy of the information on their own checkout page.
- Always review the final price, taxes, fees, and rules before you confirm payment.
- Currency and bank fees are handled by your payment provider and may differ from what you see at search time.
5. The Guest Booking Flow on Betterplace
Here’s what the usual flow looks like:
- Search homes using your dates and group size
- Open a listing to review house rules, amenities, and location details
- Send an inquiry or a request to book (as shown on the listing)
- We or the host confirm availability, price for your exact dates, and any add-ons you asked about
- Pay the deposit (secure card payment or bank transfer as stated on your invoice)
- Receive your check-in guide and WhatsApp support contact
- Pay the remaining balance by the due date on your invoice
- Check in and enjoy your stay
Changes or cancellations follow our Cancellation Policy.
Some partner-run tours and activities have stricter terms at checkout. Those stricter terms apply.
6. Payments, Security, and Currency
- Payments are processed through established gateways and banks. Card details are not stored on Betterplace servers.
- Funds are released to owners and partners after defined milestones (for example, after check-in).
- Prices are shown in the invoice currency. Your bank or card provider may apply its own exchange rate and fees.
- You receive an invoice and a receipt by email for every confirmed booking.
7. Reviews and Moderation on Betterplace
We aim for reviews that are real and useful.
- Reviews first go through automated checks (timing, language, unusual patterns) based on our Content & Community Guidelines.
- If something looks off, our content team reviews it manually.
- We may ask a reviewer to confirm that they actually stayed if there is a dispute.
- Owners and managers can publicly reply to reviews.
- They are not allowed to offer gifts, discounts, or money in exchange for changing or deleting a review. If we find that, we remove the incentivized review.
8. Disputes, Issues on Arrival, and Refunds
If There’s an Issue on Arrival
If you cannot access the home or you find a major discrepancy on check-in:
- Contact us within 24 hours.
- Send photos or a short video if possible.
What Happens Next
We coordinate with the owner or manager and propose a remedy. Depending on the situation, this may include:
- Fast fixes
- A partial refund
- Relocation
- Cancellation and full refund for unused nights
How Refunds Are Sent
Refunds are sent to the original payment method where possible.
Bank and card timelines vary by provider.
For refund timing, special cases, force majeure, and examples: see the Cancellation Policy.
9. Compensation and Commercial Relationships
- Homes, experiences, and operators can be listed for free if they meet our criteria.
- To be bookable on Betterplace (to take payment through us), a supplier signs an agreement with a Betterplace affiliate or a licensed partner.
- Suppliers are paid for completed bookings.
- Some placements and shelves are advertising and may factor in revenue. These are labeled "Ad" or "Sponsored."
- Commercial relationships do not change traveler review scores or our safety checks.
10. Ownership of Listed Businesses
Betterplace does not own the villas, apartments, drivers, guides, chefs, or activity providers shown on the site.
We connect travelers to local operators and help with booking and communication.
11. Transparency Notes and Disclaimers
- Availability and prices can change at short notice, especially in peak seasons and during local events
- Photos and descriptions are provided by owners and partners and reviewed by Betterplace for clarity, but real-world conditions can change with maintenance, weather, or upgrades.
- Map distances are approximate. Your check-in guide will include specific directions and location details.
- We do not sell flights. Any mention of flights or airlines is for context or planning only.
12. Contact and Support
WhatsApp: +62 813 7773 2003
Email: hello@betterplace.cc
Hours: Every day, 09:00–19:00 Bali time
We’re here to help with booking questions, arrival issues, and post-check-in support.