Maglami-lami Water House

The place itself was decent, but I left unhappy about the lack of care for the environment. The showers drain straight into the sea, and there are no eco-friendly shower products or warnings to bring your own. Plastic is everywhere, including the water bottles they keep handing out, even though bottles are already scattered in the sea. On boat trips, operators drop guests right onto the beach and anchor over coral, damaging it. They also say nothing when people throw bottles in the water, walk on coral, or handle starfish for photos. They don't seem to care. We hadn't known this beforehand, and we wouldn't have wanted to contribute if we had. If protecting the environment matters to you, look for somewhere that describes wildlife-friendly trips and sustainable practices.

The sea views were beautiful and the place was really peaceful. Snorkeling was amazing, with wide stretches of coral to explore. Maglami is a budget-friendly water villa, and I knew in advance there'd be no hot water, so the basic facilities weren't an issue for me. Still, at around €150 a night, I expected a minimum level of service and a villa that didn't leak. Check-in went smoothly, and we'd booked a VIP villa. I asked to switch to another empty VIP villa at the same price, but was told it was reserved for incoming guests, so we stayed in the one assigned to us. A storm came that night, and we woke to wet sheets and a wet bed from a ceiling leak. It was a steady drip rather than a downpour, but uncomfortable enough that we used a plastic bag to catch the water. We reported it the next day and someone patched it. When we then asked for cleaning, they moved us to the other VIP villa we'd asked about, which turned out to be empty after all..... That was confusing. Apart from a brief “sorry” on WhatsApp, there was no compensation or goodwill gesture. The views are lovely, but don't expect much service.

The room was pretty ordinary and the food was too. The surroundings are nice, especially at night, and the staff could smile more. Please keep up the good work and surprise me next time.

We went kayaking around the water house, and there were other activities there too. During our stay, we tried sea walking one day and island hopping the next, with plenty of time to snorkel. The staff helped organize the tour, and check-in and drop-off were seamless. I stayed with my family on my first trip to Sempurna, and it lived up to the photos and expectations. The rooms were clean, the staff kind and helpful, and there was good karaoke and music after dinner. The seafood at the buffet dinner was really good. It's a lovely spot for photos and for enjoying the sea and nature. Sempurna was lovely, and I met lots of interesting people. It isn't as crowded as KK, so we could enjoy the sea activities at a pace that suited us. People, as throughout southeast Asia, were kind, welcoming, and warm. I'd have no second thoughts about choosing Maglami-lami Waterhouse again if we plan another trip to lovely Sempurna.