Tjendana Candidasa Beach & Resort

We booked as a group of friends through Booking.com. About a week before check-in, the hotel messaged us about beach renovations in front of the property. We reached out straight away and were told it was an old message and everything was fine. We trusted that, though it already seemed odd. When we arrived, trucks were still constantly passing to repair the beachfront access, and construction was also underway on the neighboring land. The lack of transparency was the biggest disappointment. When we first asked, there was still time to try to sort out a non-refundable cancellation or make other plans, but we were told there was no problem. We spent much of our first day trying to work out what to do. Management said they were open to refunding us, but told us to handle it through Booking.com, which was difficult on check-in day, especially since we had nowhere else booked. We decided to stay and make the best of it. The hotel offered a 60-minute massage and some table decorations for dinner as compensation. The restaurant food was good, but the portions felt small for the price. The pool needed more cleaning too, since the floor felt slippery and dirty. We tried to enjoy our time, but for a relaxing Bali holiday I think there are better places to stay. Waking up at 8 AM to construction trucks beeping constantly wasn't what we expected.

The views were breathtaking, the food was amazing, and our beautiful, comfortable room exceeded expectations. Every part of the stay felt thoughtful and well looked after. The staff were especially kind and attentive, and went above and beyond to make the trip unforgettable. It was a 10/10 stay, and we’d happily return. A must if you’re visiting Bali.

I booked a candlelight dinner, and the staff went way beyond what was needed to arrange it. They were responsive and responsible throughout, and I’m looking forward to booking again. The resort has such a calm atmosphere, and our stay felt soothing and relaxing. There’s construction happening along the shore, as others have mentioned, but I didn’t hear any construction noise. The pool was good, though it could use some flooring work.

The views were stunning, the bungalows beautiful, and we had a relaxing stay with friendly staff. Our room was pretty old, though, with some rusty bits in the bathroom. There were also lots of bugs and a strange animal sound at night. It didn’t sound like a big gecko to me, more like a squashed rubber duck. For the price it was worth it, and we might come back for the private villa.