Bali Kembali Hotel

This hotel is run down and badly maintained. The pictures must be from years ago because they don't show how the rooms look now. Paint is peeling, there's mold on the walls and roof, and the pool is green. The whole place badly needs maintenance and refurbishment. When I told management about the room's condition, they said I could “just cancel the booking and go”. That's a strange way to handle it. I can't understand how they knowingly offer rooms in this state, and I don't recommend staying here.

I looked at this hotel 12 months ago and thought it was dirty, run down, and had no vibe. I came back and stayed a few nights after seeing the changes underway. The new paths are lovely, gardens are being maintained, rooms are clean now, bathrooms are nice, and staff are smiling. It seems to be under new management control. The little cottage rooms are nice, though the price feels a little over the top for what they are and how old they are, so try to negotiate if you can. They're okay for a short stay. The horrible lumbung huts are another story: wooden coffins with no windows or character. Whoever made them had no idea. The woodwork has gaps and is really crooked, they're so dark you can't see, and the little view hole windows don't help. You'd need the aircon and lights on all day, so they're definitely not environmentally friendly.

This spacious, beautiful 2 BR villa has all the amenities. It works well for one couple, with or without children. The setting is ideal, quiet, and peaceful, and you don't hear traffic even though it's close to the main road.

The private, tucked-away feel is a big part of the appeal, and the gardens and pool are lovely. Hidden Garden Bar is right by the pool for drinks, while restaurants are just up the driveway past Trattoria. The place can be tricky to find, but that also makes it feel secluded. Rooms and indoor-outdoor bathrooms are very basic, though the bed is comfy, there’s air conditioning, a fridge and water cooler, and the room is cleaned daily. The shower pressure is low, but the water gets properly hot. It’s a quiet, relaxed traditional Balinese-style stay in Sanur, with friendly staff who don’t push extras. You can ask them to call Komang for a massage in the private hut beside the pool, and hers was very good. There’s plenty of room to sit on the villas’ front verandahs, and the wifi is strong enough. The accommodation is rustic and some maintenance is overdue, but at the low price that felt fair to me. It suits laid-back guests who like the village feel. It’s Australian family-run, and some new, more upmarket cabins are being built and should be ready soon.