Aliya Boutique Hotel

I left after one night and moved straight to another hotel. When I asked for a refund for the unused nights, the owner refused. He was responsible for three days, lives in Canada, and apparently thinks everything is fine with his “hotel.” He doesn't seem to care about the place or its guests. The staff were polite, but the rest of the stay was awful. The plywood houses let you hear the neighbors, and the floors creak loudly too. The bed was so soft I sank into it and couldn't straighten up. The blanket was stifling, but without it the air conditioner right beside the bed made me cold. Neighbors talked until 3 a.m.; after I told them to be quiet, I only slept for three hours. At 6 a.m. loud birds and the cold woke me, and I couldn't get back to sleep. I strongly advise against staying here, even for free.

I especially liked how peaceful the setting was, tucked away from the busy, noisy surroundings but close to plenty of good restaurants and wellness centers. The place looks like its pictures and has a tropical feel, with lots of green plants. There's a small pantry downstairs with coffee-making facilities and a seating area overlooking the quiet pool. The setting would suit couples or families looking for somewhere calm. I stayed several days and found the staff friendly and helpful throughout.

We spent a lovely stay in one of the hotel's eight bungalows, surrounded by frangipani trees and other plants. Ours had a bedroom upstairs and a living area below, where we liked relaxing on the daybed. A few restaurants are an easy walk away. We found a scooter useful for getting to the beach and other places. We enjoyed the hotel and would definitely return.

Lia is one of the sweetest hosts here, and the Airbnb is very clean and tidy. The property is beautiful and quiet. The caretakers are helpful, and I'd recommend asking about the in-house spa services. They were very satisfying and worth the money, though the spa is a 6-7 minute walk from the property. There's no shower beside the pool, just a tap with a hose that you can use to rinse off before and after swimming.