Kamandalu Ubud

The peaceful gardens, soft rain, and quiet atmosphere made Kamandalu feel like a sanctuary. What I'll remember most is how warmly everyone greeted us, always with a genuine smile. Thanks to Diah, Raka, Chef Wayan, and the rest of the lovely team, including housekeeping and the drivers. When even a small issue came up in our room, it was dealt with promptly and courteously. A truly special stay.

The property is beautiful, spacious, and thoughtfully designed. Even the standard villas without a private pool look lovely, and we appreciated the welcome drinks and turn-down service. My sister and I came for two nights of sightseeing and a relaxing base, and we're checking out tomorrow, after day two. At this price, though, the service and food should be highlights, and they weren't. Communication was a recurring problem. Staff often seemed stiff and unapologetic when something went wrong, and different people gave us conflicting information. The Chaya Spa advertises "25% OFF," but calculates the discount after tax and service, so the actual saving is much smaller than the menu wording suggests. When I asked about it, I got a blunt math explanation. After I declined to book, the response was basically, "so you're cancelling?" There was no effort to clarify things or help. We also missed afternoon tea because of conflicting start times. At check-in, front of house told us 3 PM. Around then, the staff member escorting us said it started at noon and we'd missed it. We checked again the next day and were told 3 PM, so we never got to have it. You have to double-check everything yourself because the staff don't seem to share the same information. The food was mediocre. The coffee tasted like mostly milk, "less sweet" was still sweet, and asking to have the sweetness on the side became a negotiation. The Balinese curry was watery and the rice undercooked. I'm of Asian heritage and have spent several months in Bali, so I'm familiar with the cuisine. At the pool, we were the only guests and were given a menu, then left waiting. We walked ten minutes up to the café to find someone, but were sent back to the pool bar and the same person who'd just turned us down to place our order. The small touches are nice, but standard for this category. For the price, the food and service should be strengths.

The boat ride around the koi pond was a lovely surprise during our two nights at Kamandalu Ubud in a One Bedroom Pool Villa. Arya, our boatman, was kind and shared interesting things about the pond. We also had a romantic candlelight dinner, with excellent food and attentive service, and a floating breakfast in our pool. The breakfast was fresh and delicious, and the peaceful start to the day made it especially memorable. Our villa felt secluded in the greenery, with lots of space, an elegant look, and a private pool that made it easy to relax without leaving. The resort itself was peaceful and full of thoughtful details. We also had a soothing Forest Spa massage surrounded by nature. Thanks to Lestari and Sudiani for their gentle, skilled treatments. The whole team made us feel welcome and cared for, always with a smile. We had a memorable stay and look forward to returning. Kamandalu Ubud would suit couples, honeymooners, or anyone wanting a luxurious, quiet escape in Ubud.

We loved our six nights in the Presidential Villa. Everyone was friendly, the service was amazing, and the staff were always glad to help with our requests. The setting is beautiful and peaceful, and the food was really good, especially the nasi goreng. The only small thing we noticed was that the power outlets could be nearer the beds. We had an awesome stay and would come back.