Paragon Hotel Seminyak Bali

Videl deserves a special mention. He picked us up from the airport and was calm and honest, helping us with everything throughout our two nights at the Paragon Hotel in Seminyak. We asked for things during the stay and they were delivered with a smile. The room was quiet, with hot showers and air conditioning. We also liked the pool, and the restaurant was good and cheap. The location was close to everything we needed. It was a nice, straightforward start to our time in Bali, and Videl was five stars.

The manager’s response to our complaints left us feeling there was little accountability. When we asked about the gym, he switched on its air conditioner and said repairs were already planned in 1-2 weeks, which was useless during our four-day visit. We asked the booking platform, which listed the hotel as a certified partner, to relocate us because we were unhappy. The manager wasn’t very understanding and offered only an upgrade to a junior suite with a pool view. He said the gym was “out of his hands” because he was just an employee. Isn’t a manager responsible for addressing guest problems? Other reviews showed the gym issue had been around for quite a while, which reinforced our impression of poor management. We accepted the move, but the junior suite was visibly worn and outdated. Some lights didn’t work and needed fixing. Every day we got too few towels and had to call the front desk repeatedly for more. One day they said there were no towels left, then “suddenly” found some after I insisted I needed a warm compress for my wife and they checked with housekeeping. The shower area flooded constantly, and burned-in grime made the kitchen practically unusable. This followed a rough first night. We checked in late and found our room had a connecting door to a room occupied by loud neighbors who kept us awake. The next morning the balcony looked out on a garbage-filled field and a barren, unattractive lawn. The in-house gym was outdated and musty, with more than half the equipment broken and a stained, worn carpet. We questioned how the hotel could be rated four stars compared with other four-star places we’ve stayed. The hotel doesn’t live up to that rating. Facilities are outdated, service is inconsistent, and management showed little initiative. We wouldn’t return or recommend it to anyone seeking a comfortable stay in Seminyak.

The one helpful person at reception earned an extra star from me. When I went downstairs to report the problems, he promptly arranged for new pillows to be brought up. I couldn’t call the front office because the room phone wasn’t working. The pillows were awful, and the bathroom was old and dirty. I checked out first thing the next morning, even though I’d booked two nights, and didn’t think twice. The female receptionist had been cold and unfriendly when I arrived around 11 am, but the male staff member on duty late at night was much more hospitable. This was my first and last stay here.

The staff were helpful, and my room was clean. Breakfast was okay, though some of the food was a bit cold and still yummy. I had a great stay at Paragon with no problems; the location was just a bit far from the places I wanted to walk to.