Villa Maridadi Cemagi

We had a lovely 12-night stay here. Families and groups looking for privacy and comfort would find this villa a great choice, and I’d happily recommend it.

I got married here, and it was the best place I’ve ever stayed. The staff were attentive and the cleaning was perfect. I’ll definitely come back someday.

Cemagi really felt special to me. It’s so quiet and uncrowded, with just a few simple warungs and tokos and no real restaurants. That suited me perfectly. You can see the ocean from the living areas and hear the waves. Villa Maridadi is on the oceanfront, though not right on the beach. A dead-end lane runs between the property and the cliffs, ending at a small temple, so there’s almost no passing traffic. The beach is a few hundred meters beyond the temple. It has black sand and is a bit rocky, so it’s not ideal for kids. You also have to cross a small stream on the way. Like other beaches in Bali, it’s somewhat dirty near the temple, but gets cleaner farther along. There’s a nice sandbar where kids can play, and it can feel very secluded. We went three times and saw other people only once. Swimming isn’t safe here because the currents and waves are extremely strong. The villa’s staff were very good. They accommodated meals for both adults and children, and arranged a few special birthday requests. The rooms were excellent and clean, apart from a few bugs, which is usual. There’s a standard car and driver available each day, but traffic through Canggu both ways eats up a lot of time. It’s too far if you want to dine in Canggu or Seminyak every night, or do much shopping. For me, this is a place to unwind and enjoy what the villa offers, leaving outings and partying to other areas. I stayed in March 2018.

We were happy with the villa. The ocean view, the design of the grounds and house, Yola the manager, the staff, and the driver were all highlights. The cleaning was excellent, and the grounds are treated to keep pets away. We only came across small lizards and worms, though there were also flying mice. One thing to keep an eye on is the food basket and what’s used for cooking at the villa. The food culture in Indonesia isn’t as developed as in Europe, and sometimes they cook with ingredients that are nearly spoiled and old oil. The staff were open to feedback and willing to improve the quality. It’s about a 20-minute bike ride to restaurants, with the nearest amenities in Berawa district and Canggu.