Mandala Desa Boutique Resort

The room was plain but roomy, and we had a great view over the rice fields from our second-floor room. The staff were very friendly, and the location among the fields made for a quiet stay close to Bali Zoo. We did run into a giant cockroach, and one night couldn't get the mosquito light to work, so the mosquito was hard to deal with. That's perhaps part of staying in farmland, though I wish the doors sealed better against bugs. Hot water also ran out partway through our showers. It wasn't a huge issue in summer, but we'd have needed to change our habit of leaving the water running if we wanted to avoid cold showers. Despite those little annoyances, I still recommend the place.

We didn't try the horseback riding, but it was nice having the horses around the property. The outdoor showers were an unusual feature, with plenty of privacy, and the local market was an easy 10-minute walk away. My husband and I had a really restful stay. The hosts communicated well and helped us arrange transport whenever we needed to go somewhere. Service was top-notch, the WiFi was excellent, and the pool was a lovely place to relax. Thanks for being such kind hosts, I'd recommend staying here.

We made good use of the swimming area, and the staff brought afternoon tea and snacks right to us by the pool. The included breakfast had a nice range of choices, especially useful over a few days. We also ordered dinner in our room, with a varied menu and very reasonable prices. The bird park, reptile park, and zoo are nearby, but I'd come back even without those attractions. We were there for three nights and would gladly have stayed longer. Jan, his family, and the hotel staff were all so pleasant. Our villa was clean, spacious, and private, and the kids loved feeding the horses. I'd happily recommend Mandala Desa and stay again when we're back in Bali.

Our kids were excited to see the horses behind the resort, which was a trip highlight, although riding wasn't an option. We stayed in the second-floor villa and woke to a beautiful view and birdsong. It was a lovely quiet place, with fewer than five rooms, and the staff made the experience feel personal. Yan (or Jan) greeted us warmly. Contact them on WhatsApp before you arrive so they can get ready for you. Since the resort is away from the main road, you'll need to drive to eat out. We chose to have dinner there instead, and it was excellent. Breakfast was lovely too, especially the fresh orange juice and good coffee.