The Saren

The villa sits a little far from the major attractions, but the peaceful, tranquil surroundings make up for that. I stayed in the 2BR suite room with a private pool, and it was terrific. Service was prompt, and staff from the different departments were ready whenever we needed them. The food was good too. We had lunch and dinner delivered to the room, and both were enjoyable. Perfect for couples :)

The main disappointment was the food. Breakfast through afternoon tea was a letdown, especially the pastries, which I barely touched because the desserts were so poor. The interior also didn't live up to the photos for me. The bathroom, sink, and bathtub felt impractical and poorly thought out. On the other hand, the space was green, peaceful, and quite private, which made it relaxing, and the staff were warm, friendly, and attentive throughout our stay. I especially enjoyed the soothing Balinese massage, with a therapist whose hands were gentle and skilled. You do need to book the spa ahead, since the therapist isn't always on-site. It's an ideal hotel for couples.

The staff were lovely, which made it more frustrating that the property itself is in such rough shape. The Saren looks polished in its photos, but feels dated and neglected in person. There was visible mould around the ceiling cornices and a musty smell in the room. The high ceilings and large windows are promising, but the worn condition undercuts them. Getting a decent night's sleep was hard. The curtains let in the sunrise, with an uncovered glass panel above and badly fitted brackets. The bathroom setup is awkward too: the toilet is far from the sink, the shower soaks the toilet, and the toilet lid still had something left by a previous guest. We were given no bath towels, so had to use hand towels. Outside, the pool was green and not circulating, and the loungers were stained and weathered. The narrow café at the front played loud Top 40s music, and the welcome drink was a neon green mystery the staff called “no sugar, just melon syrup.” We passed on it. There was construction noise nearby as well, which isn't the hotel's fault, but added to the experience. This could be a nice place with proper upkeep, but right now it falls well short of what the photos suggest.

The villa was spacious, spotless, and beautifully designed, with a private pool and a really peaceful feel. Pak Bayu and the rest of the team were so friendly and helpful, and went out of their way to make sure our stay was just right. I'd happily come back and recommend it to anyone visiting Bali.