Candi Beach Resort and Spa

Iluh was the one person who really made our stay memorable. She was warm, friendly, and sincerely welcoming, and her hospitality made a clear difference. The beachside construction is a major issue for a relaxing seaside visit. From around 8am, large stones are dumped as part of government work, and the noise is constant and hard to miss. We only found out at check-in; guests should be told before they arrive so they know what to expect. The booking process also felt procedural and transactional. It wasn't rude, but there was little warmth or sense of welcome in that first interaction. Around the property, service was functional rather than attentive, which felt short of what I expected from a resort. The property itself is fine, but would I return? Probably not.

The genuine smiles and helpfulness of the staff made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. We also loved the dining, every meal was fresh, full of flavor, and beautifully presented, with an impressive range of choices. The resort has a small, intimate feel, with thoughtful design and a local atmosphere rather than the feel of a huge hotel chain. Green forest and nature sounds surround the place, which made it especially calming. It was a highlight of our Bali trip, a peaceful escape from the crowds that blends Balinese charm and modern luxury. We can't wait to return.

The beach situation had me a little disappointed when we arrived, but the hotel, its facilities, and the kindness of the staff quickly won me over. Krisna, Ani, Ari, Wira and the others looked after us so well. The hotel gives you a ride to Virgin Beach, and I thought it was perfect: a quiet, almost deserted beach with gentle waves and some facilities to enjoy. One of the best I've visited here. I added a few photos.

We didn't check in on the booking date because the beachfront experience being advertised was not what we found out was happening. The beach directly in front of Candi Beach Resort & Spa was affected by major coastal construction and closures, but neither the marketing nor our booking confirmation mentioned that. We had booked in September 2025 for March 2026, and the hotel was still promoting peaceful, paradise-like beach scenes on social media and elsewhere. We found out through social media ourselves, not from the hotel. The works may be government-led, but guests should be clearly warned when the experience is so affected. We contacted the hotel repeatedly to work things out. They acknowledged the beach was closed but kept citing the non-refundable rate and refused a refund. I know my rights, so I kept pushing. Other reviews say guests are apparently asked to sign waivers about the beach at check-in. If you're affected, think carefully before checking in and consider asking Visa or Mastercard about your options. Only after we raised a chargeback with our card provider did the hotel agree to refund us. Weeks later, within a few hours, we received two emails. First they said no refund was due because we hadn't checked in and the booking was non-refundable. Then management said they had re-reviewed the case and would refund us as a “gesture of goodwill”. The timing was striking, since our card provider had already contacted them. They said it would take 14-28 days, but the hotel refund never arrived in that window. In the end, the money came through the chargeback process via our bank. This has also damaged my trust in the wider management group. We're repeat guests at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, which staff had previously told us was a sister property under the same management. We've always loved Maya Ubud, but now I'll seriously question booking with the group again. Continuing to market a tranquil beachfront paradise while knowing how badly the beach experience is affected is a very dangerous game. Future guests should research very carefully before booking. I hope this helps people, because I think the hotel is handling this very wrongly. I always try to be fair and reasonable in my reviews.