Lestari Residence

The food was amazing, every room was spotless, and the staff were attentive, excellent, and well trained. The pool is great for adults, though probably not suitable for younger children. A fantastic stay at an exceptional place.

The staff were the best part of our stay. We paid extra for drivers, who were always ready to take us places and often helped with the kids or whatever else we needed, out of their own generosity. Adi, the manager, was as great personally as he was in his service. The chef was on another level. Bali has so much good food, but we ate in most of the time because the villa felt like having a restaurant right there. We were two families of four and found this place through a Google search for villas with pool fences. We got very lucky. It’s a resort-like place with beautiful surroundings and enough space for another family, or maybe two. It’s around a 20-minute drive to Seminyak and Canggu, though there are nearby spots for a beer or two. We can’t wait to return. If you’re reading this, just book it, and hopefully the same people will be working there. Thanks to the team, we’ll see you again.

We came for a large event and the villa worked perfectly. The party was a great time for everyone, with delicious food and everything very well organised. The villa itself was great too.

We were disappointed by the value for money at Istana Semer Villa, even though the garden setting was beautiful. The property and its amenities didn’t feel worth what we paid, and we hope the owner takes maintenance more seriously and considers getting reliable hospitality management. The staff were kind and tried to help, but service often fell short. There were more than six staff on site, yet we still had to go out to buy basic breakfast items that weren’t available. After meals, we repeatedly had to ask for the dining table to be cleared. Ants, flies, and cats would get at the leftovers, which made dining unpleasant. There were several upkeep problems: hot and cold water were unreliable, the water supply was dirty, and the old electrical system wasn’t compatible. Hygiene was another concern. The kitchen had insects, greasy surfaces, and dirty appliances. Poor insulation let in noise, mosquitoes, and other insects and disturbed our rest. We enjoyed Bali, but the issues with our accommodation were hard to ignore. We hope they’re fixed for future guests.