The Pandan Tree Villas

I was in villa number two at The Pandan Tree Villas, which I think is the best choice because of its impressively large private pool. The place was spacious, with two large king-bed rooms and all the necessary amenities. I especially loved the refreshing open-air shower. Ady, the host, was friendly and quick to respond on WhatsApp, and the rest of the staff were kind too. I liked being able to request cleaning to fit my schedule instead of having a fixed daily routine. The villa has rustic charm, though it isn’t new and does show some age. It was still comfortable and functional, but anyone wanting pristine, modern interiors should keep that in mind. The lush tropical setting also means ants and small geckos on the walls. They’re a common, harmless part of life in Bali, and I was fine with it, but anyone very afraid of insects or spiders might not enjoy that. It’s a considerable distance from the ocean and busy centre of Canggu. That suited me, as I wanted peaceful nights away from traffic and nightlife. If quiet matters more to you than being right by the main strips, the location is a real advantage. None of these things detracted from my stay. I’d highly recommend The Pandan Tree Villas as a spacious, private and peaceful base for exploring the area.

Ady was the best part of the stay, fantastic and very helpful on WhatsApp. The location was good and very quiet, and overall it was okay. I’ve definitely had worse, but the villa needs maintenance and some TLC, and the reception staff could do with a makeover. The staff didn’t lock the villa or bedroom after cleaning, and I had to ask. The yard flooded in the rain, the gardens were bare and unattractive and need plants. The bed was extremely uncomfortable, with a huge hill in the middle and a deep well where people had lain. The mattress badly needs replacing. One morning, guttering and tiles fell off the roof, and other guttering looked ready to fall. The villa overall needs some upgrading. Don’t order from the in-villa menu, as it takes at least 1 to 1.5 hours, the order was wrong, and the tuna was raw. Better to eat at a local restaurant. In-villa spa treatments were okay. They’re cheap, but you get what you pay for.

We worked remotely from the villa for a month, and it was a great setup. The internet was super fast, with no trouble doing video calls, even two at once. The big garden and living room felt really private, and housekeepers and pool staff maintained them twice a week. Ady was a wonderful host and helped with everything, from scooter rental and a lost key to extra fans and other thoughtful extras. With a scooter, restaurants and shops are a 7-10 minute drive away.

The service was perfect, friendly and so accommodating. They were glad to help with anything to make sure you enjoyed your stay. The private villa and pool were beautiful, with an amazing outdoor bathroom and living area. Definitely the best place we stayed during our time in Bali.