Avalon Villa

The gardens and grounds at Avalon Castle and Spa were peaceful, green, and clearly cared for. The staff were welcoming and genuinely lovely, and the castle has plenty of charm and potential. It's a shame the accommodation made the stay so uncomfortable. A strong damp, moldy smell hit us as soon as we entered the room and never went away, making it hard to relax or sleep. The bathroom smelled bad too, and there wasn't enough hot water for a proper bath. Cleanliness didn't feel up to standard, and we could hear everything from the villas above and beside us. The food wasn't good for the price, and the property is isolated, with few nearby alternatives. My daughter and I both ended up with lots of bug bites, possibly from the bedding, which concerned us. The setting and staff are wonderful, but the smell and cleanliness need attention and maintenance before I could recommend staying here.

I was glad this was only a one-night stay. The breakfast was okay, and the river view was beautiful, though the riverbanks were covered in trash. There are wooden bungalows that look fairly new, so perhaps those might be more comfortable, but I wouldn't count on it. The photos are misleading, and the place felt like it was falling apart and needed cleaning throughout. At first the room seemed fine, until I went into the damp, smelly bathroom. The faucets were rusty, nails stuck out of the floor, baseboards and tiles had fallen off, the towels were holey, and the balcony chair belonged in the trash. The curtains were partly transparent and didn't cover the windows fully. There was no soundproofing: I could hear the neighbors, and people walking around in the lobby above me late at night made the glass shake. I had to sleep with earplugs. The air conditioner was right above the bed and blew straight onto my head. The pool area was dangerous to walk through, with construction and things falling apart. Wi-Fi only worked in the lobby. The hotel is rated four stars, but perhaps it was like that ten years ago, not now. I tried to find something positive, but couldn't beyond the okay breakfast. I've stayed in many hotels in Bali, and this was by far the worst.

I'm glad I didn't let the negative reviews put me off. The room, food, and service were all fantastic, and I'd happily return. It's a well-maintained cabin or lodge with an open bathroom that's still private. I thought the place was truly amazing.

Be prepared for lots of stairs. The photos are the only good thing about this accommodation, despite how beautiful it looks. I regret ignoring the bad reviews, especially since so many of the same problems keep coming up. The owners know about them and seem unwilling to improve things. This villa isn't isolated, and outside noise carries right in. During the day we couldn't rest because of people; at night it was insects and animals. Frogs sang by our window every night and kept us awake, and we could hear our neighbors too. The floor creaks throughout, the lighting is dim despite all the bulbs, and the power went out five times in five days. Housekeeping was superficial. Bathroom towels weren't changed, and dinner plates piled up in the room because nobody collected them in the morning. The curtains left parts of the windows uncovered, and people outside saw me changing a few times. The air conditioner is badly placed by the bed and blows right into your face, so you can't leave it on for long. There was only one tea bag for two people, and shampoo and toilet paper were limited, which felt careless. The worst part was waking up to insects everywhere, even in the bed. When I complained, three people just shrugged until the owner or manager, I'm not sure which, came over. She waited for us to suggest a solution, a room change and a refund for one night. She and her husband both seemed unaware of what was happening there, and it felt very unprofessional. I knew I'd made a mistake as soon as I saw the reception area and its toilet. The place is as uncomfortable as it is attractive.