Octopus Villas

The biggest disappointments were the repeated leaks and how we were treated when we raised them. Water came through the roof into our room and bathroom when it rained. They fixed it quickly after I asked, but it was only temporary, and it leaked again the next day. The owner said geckos had eaten their way into the roof, which I understand can happen in this setting. Still, we felt as if we were asking too much. She offered three free massages, then left our message unread when we suggested a different compensation, which didn’t feel professional. We stayed around 10 days and did have a good time overall. We wanted somewhere quiet, and liked the private garden by the beach, the pool, chill area, cool air-conditioned room, and coral reef for snorkeling. We rented two scooters at reception, which you need to get around, and found a good nearby warung. Its owner drove us around one day. The towels smelled as if they’d stayed wet too long, and we had to ask for clean ones rather than getting them daily. The food was nice but took a long time, an hour or more, to arrive. If you need a Grab taxi, look for one in advance. These may not seem like huge issues, but for what we paid, we expected more.

It’s very relaxed here, with pretty, quiet villas, comfortable beds, nice pools, and wonderful staff. There’s a small reef out front, a black sand beach, and lovely sunsets. There aren’t any restaurants or warungs nearby, so the meal package is your only option. The food is good, basic fare. There isn’t much else to do, though the waterfall is a must-see.

The customer service disappeared when we had a problem, including during a last-minute emergency. We felt they didn’t care at all. The villa is isolated, there’s nothing around, and Grab drivers won’t come here, so we had to use the in-house drivers, who charged double. Our driver was unpleasant. The pool was dirty, the sheets were never changed, even during menstruation, and the towels smelled musty. In the main room it was unbearably hot, with only 1 out of 3 ceiling fans working. There was no privacy, despite what the listing suggested. This stay was a nightmare, and I can’t recommend it. I have no idea how they got a 5-star rating, but it certainly wasn’t based on customer experience.

A lovely place for a quiet break surrounded by nature. The villa, meals, and service were excellent, and the staff were incredibly helpful. Best of all, the private pool is just 10 meters from the sea. Pure bliss.