Melasti Beach Resort & Spa

The carved doors and stonework gave the place a lovely cultural feel, and the rooms were big, with really comfortable beds. I also liked eating breakfast while looking out at the ocean. But after four days, enough little things had gone wrong that we changed hotels. The first breakfast was great; the rest were dismal at best, though the eggs were perfect every day. Our air conditioning barely worked. When we asked about it, they offered us another room, but it smelled so strongly of mould that I couldn’t breathe in there. The bathroom tap kept leaking, and although we asked to have it fixed, it wasn’t. Water covered the bathroom counter, so I kept putting clothes down there by mistake and getting them wet. Our room was right by the pool, but we couldn’t use that one because there were no steps to get out and the handrails were broken. The other pool had steps and rails, but so much gunk that I wondered if its filter was broken, like our AC and tap. The music by the pool was exceptionally loud, all the time. We asked for it to be turned down and were told to check with management the next day. We did, and the volume came down for a little while. I was travelling with my mother, who struggled with the broken paths and trip hazards. The staff were absolutely lovely, as usual, apart from a couple who seemed too tired and didn’t want to be there anymore. I wanted to support a Balinese-owned property, but it feels like someone has stopped caring, and the place is getting more run down. My mother had been staying here for 16 years, but sadly, never again. I feel really sad for the Balinese people and the staff who may eventually lose their jobs if people stop coming and the place shuts down.

The location is the big draw: Melasti Beach resort n spa is right on the beachfront, and we stayed two extra nights after coming over from Sanur with other expats for a function. The staff were as helpful as ever, the beds and pillows were fine, and I was happy enough in the end. I hope you enjoy a local break or an overseas holiday there too, since the location is perfect. The rooms at the back are dated. In room 235, the upstairs toilet leaked through the ceiling onto my shoulder when I got up for a 2 a.m. piddle. The old main pool has yellowed tiles, some of which are lifting, and towels seemed as precious as gold. Breakfast was ordinary and basic. I ordered eggs one way and got them another, poached instead of fried, though they were soft. Would I go back? Probably not, unless an expat mate arranged it again for a group needing lots of rooms. I usually just say to give a place a try, but I’ve gone into unusual detail this time. If you do go, I’d choose one of the two-story, four-room bungalows nearer the beachfront.

The room was really comfortable, and the staff were super friendly throughout my stay. With beach access, pools, and a great atmosphere, the place felt much more expensive than it was. Such a pleasant surprise for the price.

Great spot right across from Legion beach, and Asmer has some of the best seafood on the beach, just a short stroll through the resort for dinner. The place is very dated, though. It needs a thorough water-jet cleaning and definitely new mattresses.