Cendana Resort & Spa

Breakfast was the one thing I didn't enjoy. I ate there both mornings, and the food was too salty. I had Nasi Goring, and eggs and bacon on toast. The room, view, and gardens were beautiful, and the staff were lovely. It felt like a five star resort, right in the middle of everything, with all the sights I wanted to see within walking distance. There’s a loud bar next door that stays open late, but it didn’t keep me awake at all. The bed was so comfortable that I slept like a log, even though I usually wake up a lot.

The location is hard to beat. Cendana hotel sits right in central Ubud but is tucked away from the main road. You can hear some music from nearby CP lounge, though it didn’t bother me much. The swimming pool was amazing and usually quite empty, and the grounds gave it a lovely jungle resort feel. Our second room was nice, with a spacious balcony overlooking the pool. The first room we were given was a different story. We’d booked two beds, and it looked nothing like the pictures. It was extremely old, the toilet was very dirty, and there was mould on the bathroom ceiling. The sheets were yellow and so worn that I don’t think they should still be in use. The only good thing was that it had two double beds instead of two small singles. Pool service was basically nonexistent. A woman sat in the empty restaurant and didn’t come over or offer us a menu, so every time we wanted more drinks or food, we had to go find her ourselves. The shower water also had a very strong, odd smell. I’m not sure why, since we didn’t have the same problem at other hotels in Bali. There’s also a rooster that starts screaming around 6:30-6:45 am. If you’re a light sleeper, you’ll be waking up with it. I’d say Cendana hotel deserves its 3 stars, with definite pros and cons.

The place looks beautiful, and the location in Ubud is great. But the build quality is so poor that sleeping there felt like being in a tent. CP Lounge is right next door, with very loud music and karaoke. It’s the only bar in Ubud open until 3 a.m., and the noise came as a real surprise because it wasn’t clearly mentioned. We’d been told there would be “no noise issue,” but even earplugs from the nearby pharmacy couldn’t block it out. I’d only suggest staying here if you plan to party at CP Lounge until it closes.

We got amazing value for what we paid. The two pools and incredible breakfast were highlights. Our room was dated, but we’d picked the cheapest option, so I still felt it was a great deal. The location is excellent, between the temple and monkey forest!