Rock 'n Reef Hotel

Getting to and from this little hotel is the main drawback. It sits in the cliff, reached by a narrow, steep trail, and it's tough if you're not very fit. The staff weren't very nice when we arrived and didn't answer the phone for hours beforehand, though things were okay once we got there. The room was clean and in good shape, and the view was great. We had a great stay.

We left just three hours after arriving at 11 pm, at 1:00 am, because the smell of black mold was suffocating and we were worried about our health. We lost $800. There were no staff around to help at that hour; otherwise, we might have tried to sort it out with them. The damp and mold seemed severe enough that some walls felt soft and crumbling beneath peeling paint. It looked as if they had simply painted over the mold. We contacted the owner, but nothing was done, no refund was offered, and we weren't given a reason. We couldn't communicate directly with the owner. Cantelle was the only helpful staff member. We contacted them through booking.com, and they passed our photos and concerns along, but nothing came of it. We have stayed in many places in bali for a quarter of this price with much better hygiene. The dirty sheets, mold contamination, mud in the tiled shower, and unsafe stairs are inexcusable at almost luxury prices. We booked through booking.com and didn't see the reviews there that described similar problems, because its reviews were deceivingly positive. Other reviews said people couldn't get their money back after leaving, and that's what happened to us too. The staircases are steep, narrow, and unstable in places, with some sections almost completely without railings or barriers. Large suitcases barely fit, so carrying luggage up and down is difficult. This place isn't suitable for children, older people, or anyone who needs accessible paths. There are much better places to stay in bali with good beach access. I wouldn't risk the health problems you could develop here.

We came for our honeymoon, but the room was neglected: dirty sheets, damp walls with peeling paint, and a bathroom where the shower head sat beside the toilet with no cabin or glass screen. The toilet got soaked whenever we showered. There were no slippers, either, which felt surprising and unhygienic. The reception shared an area with the kitchen, and cleanliness there seemed questionable. There was no phone or contact number for staff, so you had to walk to reception if you needed anything. Later that night, we found several lizards in the room. Monkeys on the roof above us ran around and screamed loudly all night, which was frightening and very disturbing. My wife was so scared that we left at 10 PM that same night, despite having paid almost $700. We asked for at least a partial refund, but the staff were no help. There are more professional hotels nearby for half the price. I strongly advise against staying here; it could turn a honeymoon into a nightmare.

The balconies have an unobstructed ocean view that the big hotels nearby can't compete with. Our room was wonderful, breakfast was delicious, and the staff were lovely. Even with the doors shut, we could hear the ocean, and I haven't slept that well in ages. The place made me feel part of the ocean. Most of the employees were women, and they had a real can-do attitude. You have to go down stairs to reach the hotel, so I wouldn't recommend it if you're not fit. It was fine for us, and the secluded, paradise-like feel made the climb worth it. The strong ladies from the hotel can help with luggage. They also rent scooters for a good price. We'll come again!