Villa Puro Blanco

The best part for us was being able to relax in complete privacy, with our own pool and, in some rooms, fancy bathtubs too. Villa Puro Blanco has a bright all-white look, an open living space beside the pool, and a kitchen with plenty of equipment. My family spent most of our time in that living area. It’s also well placed near Canggu cafes and restaurants, and the price was great. The host and staff were helpful throughout, from booking through checkout, including sorting out transfers and a day tour. We’re grateful we got to stay here and would happily come back.

The pictures make this villa look amazing, but that wasn’t what we found. We didn’t feel like we had a private place because the main door was left open, with people often standing there talking. The staff were around in the kitchen much of the time. When we asked to leave early, they said no, and only the youngest staff member and the security guard were people we could communicate with. Mosquitoes made it impossible to sit in the living area for dinner or a drink. They were everywhere, and we also couldn’t use the outdoor bathroom because of them. I had to use the indoor one. There was a step in one room, so we all ended up sharing the same shower. The kitchen was disgusting, the living area was just okay, and the pool area was okay too. The rooms felt dated. The curtains were old and dirty, the towels had holes, and the furniture and sheets had gone grey or beige instead of white. My family and I didn’t get the stay we’d hoped for. This was the third villa we’d rented in Bali since arriving for the summer, based on the agency’s recommendation, and it was a big disappointment. The owner should take care of the villa instead of making money from it.

We cancelled the reservation after seeing the condition of the villa, and our holiday was lost. My in-laws had travelled all the way from Sumbawa for nothing, and we were truly disappointed. The place costs far too much for what it is. The villa looks very different from the photos. The bedsheets were yellow, the curtains looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in ages, and all the sofas were dirty. The property wasn’t being maintained. Two AC units were broken, and the other two were too small for their rooms. Staff admitted this. Only the unit in the smallest room worked properly. Getting there was difficult too. It’s down a very narrow alley, where the parking is full of motorcycles, and to leave by car we had to reverse along a long stretch. Fields nearby meant lots of mosquitoes, so repellent was burning around the place and smoke filled the villa. That didn’t feel safe for a child. I asked about early check-in, but staff didn’t reply after their phone call. At first they wouldn’t refund our payment. After we reported the case and called Airbnb, things changed, but we still received only almost 50% of the total. We weren’t in a position to bargain, so we had to accept it.

It’s a peaceful, mostly residential neighborhood, so it worked well for a quiet break and some time to switch off. The villa is spacious and airy, with a pool, and the host and staff were friendly. The beach is under five minutes away, and there’s a supermarket and a few places to eat in the other direction. Paris Baguette is worth trying for the fresh baking. There’s no signboard, so finding the place can be a little tricky, but the Airbnb directions are clear if you follow them. This area isn’t very touristy, which suited us. I’d recommend it if you want somewhere calm.