I was really looking forward to this trip, but unfortunately, there were a few things that got in the way of a perfect vacation. We had a villa booked, and we were checked in immediately (we arrived at 5 PM). We were greeted with a traditional ceremony and a welcome massage. This was my fifth hotel in Bali, and it had the best welcome experience by far! Generally, the hotel staff are amazing, and the service is top-notch. We absolutely loved our villa; everything was great until nightfall. Some of the villa roofs are covered with a black tarp, and at night, when the wind picks up (which it always does), this tarp flaps against the roof. If you're a heavy sleeper, it won't bother you, but I couldn't sleep at all because of the noise.
We woke up early the next morning because we had a dolphin tour planned and were really counting on a quick breakfast. However, we waited a long time to be served, while other guests who arrived later were attended to. It turns out you can reserve breakfast the evening before for faster service; we didn't know this and left hungry. After complaining at reception, they offered to move us to another villa and gave us a complimentary lunch. And the second villa was absolutely perfect! Complete silence, just the sounds of nature. The villas are beautiful, with scented bath salts, a tropical shower, and every detail thoughtfully designed. The restaurant serves delicious food; breakfasts are à la carte, and you can order extra items for an additional charge, but I wouldn't recommend it as the portions are very filling. We also thoroughly enjoyed lunch and dinner, ordering dishes from the chef, and everything was delicious.
Be aware that there are many stairs at the hotel, and you'll need to climb to get to the restaurant. Also, the hotel is quite far from Lovina, about a half-hour drive. Getting a taxi here is very difficult, as no one wants to come all the way. We rented a motorbike in Lovina and used that to get around. Another strange thing is that there were children at the hotel, even though it's supposed to be adults-only. We saw a family with teenagers check in, and even very young children at lunch. I had booked a separate hotel for my 17-year-old son, only to end up watching kids play ball in the pool at an adults-only resort. I think the hotel was simply being accommodating to inattentive guests, but this could be avoided by requesting all guest details at the time of booking.
Overall, none of this really spoiled the vacation. The hotel is incredibly beautiful, and the staff are incredibly attentive, genuinely trying their best to ensure guests have the best possible experience. My recommendations: if you're a light sleeper, it's better to get a standard room or request a quiet villa. If you're planning a dolphin tour, reserve your breakfast the evening before. Everything else was super. A big thank you to the hotel for quickly resolving all our issues.
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