Kelingking Parama Resort

Dinner at the hotel restaurant was a mistake. The Greek salad was awful, and I didn’t even try the shrimp salad. It came in a martini glass with three lettuce leaves, some random sauce, and two boiled shrimp on top. The service needs serious attention. The room we were first given was impossible to stay in. It reeked of synthetic air freshener, apparently sprayed from at least two cans. My eyes burned and I could barely breathe, so I rushed out and told the staff we couldn’t use it. They said we’d have to wait while they prepared another room. We couldn’t wait then, because we were already late for sunset, but when we came back later they gave us a different room without the awful artificial smell. We’d arrived late and wanted to check in quickly to catch the sunset, but first they insisted on serving a welcome drink and preparing the room. The drink was cheap orange juice diluted with water and ice. When we explained we were running late and needed to drop our things and go, we were finally shown to the room. Even the entrance was frustrating. Several people greeted us warmly, but refused to let me park my bike in a spot where another bike was already parked, saying it was for cars only. I asked why I couldn’t park beside the other bike, and they smiled without answering. The gravel-and-stone road to the hotel was bad, but that was the least of the problems.

The sunsets were magical, and the pool has a lovely view. The water was cloudy one day, though. The restaurant served excellent food, with garden tables that felt romantic. You’ll need transport to go anywhere, which also makes the location very tranquil and puts most west coast attractions within reach. The property was managed with real care. Staff welcomed us and were extremely helpful, the gardens were immaculate, and our room was spacious, clean, and had lovely views. Thank you for making the stay so comfortable and enjoyable.

We had maintenance problems in the room, including worn furnishings, leaking faucets, and unclean sheets. WiFi was very unreliable, and the food was repetitive, with small portions and often disappointing breakfasts. The property is remote, with few places to eat or things to do nearby unless you have your own transport. I also felt that many of the good reviews came from guests being pressured to write them at reception, with staff hovering over them.

It was a disappointing way to end what had otherwise been an exceptional stay in Bali. The property wouldn’t offer a refund or another solution, even though the disruption was outside our control. The response felt inconsiderate and disheartening, especially compared with how other Bali accommodations handled guest concerns and last-minute travel problems. We only found out one day before checkout that the property would observe a “silent sea day,” when no ferries would run. We had a flight booked that evening, so our original plans were no longer possible. We immediately asked for help or at least a partial refund for one night, but management declined.