Putra'Lebah Amed Guest House

The owner showed me the room I’d looked at on agoda and said it was 300. Then she showed me another room and quoted 285. When I checked in, she said it was 485. She greeted me, but the experience was really sad and unpleasant. It’s slow season, with no tourists, yet you’re being greedy. Your God will not forgive for you.

The restaurant was a highlight for us, with fresh fish available at every meal and the best food we had in Indonesia. My friend and I felt so comfortable here that we extended our stay twice because we couldn't bring ourselves to leave when we'd planned to. The place is clearly family-run, and the staff were warm and kind. This was the best part of our trip, and we'll be back.

The only thing I really liked here was the bathtub, and that wasn't enough to make the stay worthwhile. I paid almost 5 million rupiah for what became one of my most disappointing holidays, and regretted booking 11 non-refundable nights by the second day. I stuck it out, then moved to Blue Earth Village for another seven nights. It was beautiful, with lush plants, a pool, and happy animals around, and I’d strongly recommend it. The location has some pluses and minuses. Shops, cafes, and restaurants are close, and the place is right in front of the beach, though the beach wasn't very clean. It can also be frustratingly loud, and the neighbours kept staring. Breakfast was basic but filling, with fruit, juice, and a choice of eggs or pancakes. The room faces a big road, so traffic was insanely noisy, and neighbours played party music until dawn. The AC blew straight at the bed and set off my sinuses, so I had to postpone and reschedule my diving. At the same time, Bali's heat and humidity make it almost impossible to manage without AC. There were so many mosquitoes I couldn't sleep well, the mosquito net didn't help, and there was no repellent. I had to ask staff to spray some when they cleaned. Although there are windows, I didn't feel comfortable leaving the curtains open. People passed by and peered in, and my window directly faced the staff's rest area, where they lay down or slept. Even with the curtains open, the cramped buildings blocked most sunlight, so there wasn't much healthy natural light. I didn't feel comfortable sitting on the terrace either, since it was so close to where people were. The garden and many things in the room need proper maintenance, including a broken glass window. There was no water or fridge, and no proper parking. I had to wedge my motorbike into a random little empty patch, which made parking and leaving a hassle. The room WiFi was almost nonexistent, frustrating since I needed to work, so I used my phone internet instead.

The food was a real highlight, all of it delicious and authentically local. The tuna with coconut sauce stood out in particular. My fiancé and I stayed a few days at Putra'Lebah Amed Guest House and had a wonderful time. The owner was so welcoming and friendly that we felt at home right away. We were right on the beach, with lovely views, especially at sunrise, and the sand just outside. The main street and local activities were close by too. Our room was comfortable, and the AC came in handy on warm days. We also loved the spacious bathroom and its bathtub overlooking the beach. We'd highly recommend it for a peaceful, enjoyable stay in Amed.