White Tortoise Eco Villa's

The people here are what make it special. Rez runs the place with Christina and Kofa, who are always friendly and unflappable, and nothing seems to be too much trouble. The kitchen staff are wonderful too. The meals are delicious, the service is gracious, and they could readily prepare gluten-free food for my coeliac wife. You really should eat here. The villa was clean and tidy, with a private plunge pool to cool down in. It sits high on a hill, surrounded by lush jungle, with sweeping views of the ocean and the town below. It’s a short taxi ride away, around A$6. 11 out of 10, the place to stay in Uluwatu, Bali.

The White Villa was a lovely choice for a romantic escape, and I’d happily have stayed another week. This was our fourth hotel in Bali. The room was gorgeous, with a private pool, sun terrace, outdoor seating where we had breakfast several times, and an indoor bathroom. The bed was comfortable and we slept well. It came with a full minibar, snacks, and a fruit platter. Before we arrived, the White Tortoise team handled my request for a surprise birthday decoration for my boyfriend without a hitch. The staff also carried our cases up the many steps. I had to work during the stay, and they brought room service and drinks I ordered through WhatsApp. The food was lovely, especially the dragon smoothie bowl, which I had twice. We met the owner on our last morning. She was kind and generous, and let me work from an empty villa for a few hours after checkout so I could finish before we left for Seminyak. Otherwise I wouldn’t have had time to get to our next destination.

The staff were lovely and helpful all stay, from arranging airport transfers and activity tickets to sorting out takeaway when we arrived late. The first order was wrong, though, and the replacement arrived cold and spilled. Breakfast at Eco Villas was good, and so was the coffee. We liked the sunrise views, the jungle setting, and the location, which is close to the main town but gives you room away from the busy center. But the luxury villa felt worn. The towels were in poor shape, the linen had marks, and the mosquito nets had holes. I wasn’t sure the light sheets over the bed even protected us, and they were too short to cover it properly. Given the setting and price, I expected better mosquito protection. Noise made sleep difficult. The villas aren’t soundproof, and scooters raced by through the night. We expected nature sounds, but not that. I wouldn’t return, though someone else might enjoy it.

The jungle setting and private pool made for a mostly peaceful stay, and I liked the refillable water bottles and low-waste approach. Staff were friendly and accommodating. I had breakfast and lunch brought to my room several times, and they were happy to cater for gluten-free food and no bread. They could even bring early eggs, plus a coconut or coffee by the pool. It’s an easy scooter ride to the main areas. There can be noise at night from nearby restaurants, and sound carries through the thatched roof over the upstairs bedroom. They provide earplugs, and I mostly slept well. The stairs up to the villa and inside the room to the bedroom make this a poor choice if you have mobility issues. It’s a beautiful place, and I’d love to return to Uluwatu.