The Istana

Being able to take things at my own pace and have most things included made my full 2-day stay really lovely. I’m a regular here for yoga and the spa, and I enjoyed waking up to the view and having the spa to myself when the other guests were gone. The dorm beds are huge and comfortable, and the bathroom is beautiful. It’s a great base for surfing Uluwatu or heading out for lunch or dinner, and the back road to ungasan can help you avoid traffic. I think I should start and end every trip here.

The spa is a beautiful place, with a huge pool, fireplace, and views of the cliffs and ocean. I visited for the spa and a soundbath, and appreciated the phone-free policy. It seems like a good idea on an island where everyone is constantly trying to get their next Instagram likes. The soundbath hosts were amazing, but the location didn’t work well for the session. It’s too open, so the sound gets lost, it was windy, and there was distracting pool noise right in front. I had to keep my head under a towel for the whole session to block the wind. Management needs a better solution. Thanks for considering it.

The setting was breathtaking, and the whole visit felt like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. From beginning to end, this diving center was professional and well organized. I also really appreciated their no-phone rule. They’re right that it lets you be fully present instead of trying to capture everything on a screen. Some experiences are better felt than filmed. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something special.

The spa is beautiful, but the way the staff handled a misunderstanding ruined the experience for me. I wanted a relaxing visit to Istana, and instead ended up with one of the most uncomfortable customer experiences I’ve had in Bali. I won’t recommend it, and I’ll never return. When I arrived, I was told about a Friday surcharge of more than 140k. I thought that was a lot, but was willing to pay because the place looked lovely. I was also told not to use my phone, which was fine. What wasn’t clear was the schedule or which activities were included in the already very expensive entrance fee of more than 440k. I was told there would be meditation and a sauna ritual later in the evening, so I assumed things happening inside the spa were covered. I joined a yoga class at one point. No one stopped me or checked a list, and the teacher said nothing. There was no sign that the class cost extra. It also wasn’t a good fit for me physically, so I left early. As we walked out, staff came after us in a confrontational way, saying we hadn’t paid and making it sound like we were stupid for not checking first. For a spa charging this much, I shouldn’t have to ask whether I’m allowed to do every single thing inside, or whether there’s an extra charge. I wouldn’t normally ask if a sauna was included. If a class is openly happening in the spa and nobody says otherwise, I’ll assume it’s part of what I paid for. Misunderstandings happen, but the response was the worst part. Instead of explaining politely, staff got rude and kept saying it was our fault and we should have known better. We weren’t lying or refusing to talk. We genuinely didn’t know. They also apparently took security camera screenshots and used them during the argument, which made me deeply uncomfortable about my privacy. It turned into a huge scene over roughly 9 euros. Completely unnecessary, unprofessional, and very disappointing for a place presenting itself as a premium wellness experience.