Indonesian Paradise: Your Luxurious 1BR Pool Villa Awaits (IR65A)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we’re diving deep into a review of this supposed paradise. More like, a messy, gloriously imperfect slice-of-life review, because let's face it, who wants a sterile, robot-written travelogue? Nobody. We want the dirt, the drama, the real deal. And I'm here to deliver.
(Disclaimer: My experience might be different from yours, because life, and travel, are wonderfully subjective. Also, I'm not being paid to gush. This is all my unvarnished opinion.)
First things first, the goddamn internet. I need my internet. I'm a digital nomad, a content creator, a professional doomscroller… you get the idea. Okay, so they promise… Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Sounded promising. And hey, it was mostly true, sometimes. Look, the Wi-Fi was like a moody teenager: sometimes blazing fast, sometimes going offline for existential pondering at the worst possible moment. The LAN option? Forget about it. I, technically, had an internet access, but did it work well all the time? Not exactly. But hey, at least they're trying. Wi-Fi in public areas? Mostly reliable, but, again, not always a speed demon. So, for internet, I'd give them a solid… C+.
Accessibility: Let's Get Real
Accessibility is huge for some people. Does this place deliver? Hmm. Wheelchair accessible? Claimed to be. Did I test this specifically? No. But did I see ramps and elevators? Yes. Facilities for disabled guests? Also, yes, on paper. My Takeaway: If you require full accessibility, call ahead and ask specific questions. Don't trust generic descriptions.
Cleanliness and Safety: Pandemic Blues & Beyond
Alright, the pandemic changed everything, right? So, did this place actually care? Anti-viral cleaning products? Yep. Daily disinfection in common areas? Seemed legit. Rooms sanitized between stays? Pretty sure. Staff trained in safety protocol? Definitely saw staff wearing masks and being generally aware. But… Room sanitization opt-out available? Nope. Probably a good thing, but some people may not like it. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Oh, yeah, it was practically a requirement to enter the lobby. Cashless payment service? Available, thank god. But did I feel totally safe? Honestly, a hotel is a tricky place to feel totally safe. I did feel like they were making an effort, and that's important.
Food Glorious (and Sometimes) Questionable Food
Okay, food. It’s the heart and soul of a trip, isn’t it? Restaurants? Yes, plural. A la carte and buffet in restaurant? Check and check. Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant? Yep. International cuisine in restaurant? They tried. Vegetarian restaurant? Probably options, but not a dedicated veggie haven. The buffet was… a journey. Sometimes amazing, sometimes… well, let’s just say I experienced a questionable scrambled egg incident. The coffee shop? Decent. Poolside bar? Essential. Room service 24 hours? Praise be. But sometimes the salad in restaurant was a bit sad, and the desserts in restaurant were… let’s just say they weren’t winning any Michelin stars. I will say the bottle of water in my room was a lifesaver. But the breakfast takeaway service! This was a godsend for those early morning adventures.
I’d say the food situation is a mixed bag: depends on what you’re looking for.
"Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax" – Or, How I Spent My Days Not Working
This is where things get interesting. They claim to offer Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. Okay, let's break this down…
- The Pool with a View: Absolutely gorgeous. Seriously, I spent hours just staring at it. Pure bliss.
- The Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Decent. A little… sterile for my taste. I’m more of a “hole-in-the-wall spa with a shaman who knows my aura” kind of girl, but it did the job.
- The Massage: Book it. Seriously. I could barely walk out of the room after, the masseuse was so good.
- The Fitness Center/Gym/Fitness: Meh. It existed. I used it a few times to punish myself for the buffet.
- The Body Scrub/Wrap/Foot Bath: Didn’t try these myself. Regret.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference, or, Stuff I Didn't Know I Needed
- Air conditioning in public area? Yes. Needed. Always.
- Concierge? Super helpful. Especially when I needed a last-minute airport transfer, which I totally procrastinated on.
- Daily housekeeping? Excellent. My room was always spotless, which, frankly, is a luxury.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service? Saved my life. I was traveling light.
- Luggage storage? Essential. Always.
- Elevator? Yes, thank the gods.
- Facilities for disabled guests? We covered it.
- Cash withdrawal? Yep. Crisis averted.
- Convenience store? Nice to have for snacks.
- Gift/souvenir shop? Tourist trap, but I get them.
- Invoice provided? Sure, for business travelers.
- Safety deposit boxes? Always a good idea.
For The Kids & Couples
- Babysitting service? Available! The staff seemed very caring.
- Family/child friendly? Absolutely. Lots of families.
- Couple’s Room? Probably. They have every room.
- Proposal Spot? Possibly, depending on your definition of "romantic."
- Room Decorations? Standard stuff
Available in all rooms: The Stuff You EXPECT
- Additional toilet? No, or I was not lucky enough to get it.
- Air conditioning? Yes. Bless.
- Alarm clock? Check.
- Bathrobes? Comfy, yes.
- Bathroom phone? Why? I have no idea.
- Bathtub? Okay, a good one.
- Blackout curtains? Necessary for daytime napping.
- Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. This is all pretty standard, and I'm not going to write an essay about it.
Getting Around: Airport Transfer, or the Art of Not Being Stranded
- Airport transfer? They offer it, thank goodness. Car park [free of charge]? Also, yes! Taxi service? Naturally. Getting away from the property was super easy.
The Quirks and the Crumbs
There were little things, imperfections, the kind that make a place memorable. A slightly wonky door handle. A staff member who looked genuinely happy to see you. A forgotten teacup. Some minor repairs needed in the communal areas. These things, they are a part of life and that is what makes travelling fun.
The Verdict:
So, would I recommend it? Yes, with caveats. It's not perfect. It's not a Michelin-star spa resort. But it's clean, the staff are friendly, and the pool is amazing. Book if you want a generally pleasant, convenient, and relatively affordable stay. Just be prepared for a few quirks along the way.
My Personal Anecdote:
I'll never forget the time I ordered room service at 3 AM, fully intending to judge it ruthlessly. The burger arrived in a slightly dented container, but it was delicious. It was messy. It was perfect. It was real. The realness is what makes this place shine.
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Alright, here we go. Buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is MY Luxury 1 BR Pool Villa IR65A Indonesia brain-splatter, circa right now. And trust me, you're going to feel this.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Tropical Paradise (or, My Luggage is a Jerk)
- 9:00 AM (ish) - Departure: Ugh. Flying. Always a fresh hell. Packed (mostly) light. The usual pre-flight anxiety pangs: Did I remember my passport? (Yes.) Did I pack enough snacks? (Doubtful.) My inner monologue? A constant stream of, "Are we there yet?" but for the entire damn flight.
- 5:00 PM (give or take) - Arrival in Bali (Denpasar): Stepping off the plane, the humidity hits you like a humid, sweaty hug. Okay, Bali, I see you. Customs? A glorious breeze. My luggage? Missing in action. Seriously, the poor thing must be on an impromptu world tour by now. My first emotional reaction? Panic mixed with a healthy dose of "Oh, for the love of all that is holy, please find my clean underwear."
- 6:30 PM - Transfer to the Villa: The driver is lovely, even if he seems a little too cheerful about my bag's MIA status. The drive? Gloriously chaotic. Scooters zip by like angry bees. Temples peek through the lush greenery. The air smells of frangipani and diesel. And the villa… the villa!
- 7:30 PM - Villa Revelation: Oh. My. God. The photos don't even begin to do it justice. The pool? Seriously Instagrammable. The bed? A cloud sent from heaven. My anxiety briefly subsides, replaced by a wave of pure, unadulterated "I'm living the dream!"… until reality crashes back in. No luggage! No clothes! I'm basically Robinson Crusoe, except instead of a deserted island, I'm stranded in a luxury villa, wearing the clothes I wore on the plane. (They're already starting to feel… used.)
- 8:00 PM - Dinner (sort of): Ordered room service (thank God for room service). Ate my weight in noodles and pretended I didn't mind the repeated assurances that my bag will turn up tomorrow, I felt really lonely, my fault for solo travel, but the food was so good.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and the Ongoing Luggage Saga)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast by the Pool: A feast! Fruit, eggs, coffee, all the things I missed terribly. The sun is warm, the pool is inviting, and I'm starting to believe in the power of positive thinking. Almost.
- 9:00 AM - Beach Day at Melasti Beach: Okay, this beach is stunning. The sand is white, the water is turquoise, and the waves are gentle. Spent quite a while there doing nothing but staring at the perfection. Saw some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen, or even imagined! Had a little swim in the ocean, and did some sunbathing, but that was the best part!
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at Warung and beach time! Found a little bar near the beach and had the best seafood I've ever eaten. The views were gorgeous, and the service was more than I could ever ask for.
- 3:00 PM - Back to the Villa (or the ongoing luggage thing): No luggage update! Starting to see it as a personal affront. Called the airline again. More empty promises. My mood? Sulky. Grumpy. Contemplating a solo beach bonfire just to burn off some steam.
- 6:00 PM - Sunset Cocktail: Decided to embrace the tropical vibes and ordered a ridiculously colorful cocktail. Sipped it gingerly, watched the sunset, and contemplated how I was going to manage tomorrow, considering I packed like I was only going for a week.
Day 3: Culture Shock and Waterfall Wonders
- 9:00 AM - Yoga and Breakfast (or, I'm a Bad Yogi): Tried the in-villa yoga session. Let's just say my flexibility isn't exactly what it should be. More stretching than yoga. Still, the view was amazing.
- 11:00 AM - Ubud and the Rice Terraces: Hired a driver (who, thankfully, is not overly cheerful) to take me to Ubud. The rice terraces are breathtaking! Green, rolling hills carved into the landscape. Took approximately a thousand photos. Felt a pang of sadness looking at all the tourists, but then realized I am now one of them, and shut up.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch in Ubud: Found a charming little warung (local restaurant) and ate some amazing tofu and tempeh.
- 2:30 PM - Tegenungan Waterfall: Okay, the waterfall is beautiful, but the crowds are… intense. Managed to navigate my way through the throngs of people, took some photos, and promptly retreated back to the relative peace of the villa.
- 6:00 PM - Massage Time: Thank the gods for in-villa massages! The masseuse worked out all the knots and tension from the past few days. Fell asleep, woke up feeling like a new person. (Almost forgot about my luggage… almost.)
Day 4: Deep Dive into One Experience (that really means something)
- 9:00 AM - The Magic of Seminyak Beach: Seminyak Beach. I'd heard about it, of course. Famous. Trendy. But I didn't realize how much it would grab me. I spent the entire day here.
- Morning: Walked along the beach. The sand, soft and warm, between my toes. The ocean roaring against the horizon. It's loud here. In the best way. I found a little cafe on the sand that sold coffee and I sat there for hours just listening to the waves crash, reading, and watching the people stroll by. It was mesmerizing
- Afternoon: Ate at a little warung that sold the most amazing coconut shrimp. The spices, the textures… I swear, I could have stayed forever. I saw a local man selling kites so I bought one!
- Evening As the sun began to dip, the beach transformed. The sky exploded into a symphony of color. I went swimming. I felt so alive and free! I saw couples walking hand-in-hand, the happy, beautiful little kids laughing.
- Night The party has begun. There are music and laughter filling the air, and I feel a sense of peace. As I watched the sunset, I felt so much happiness that I started to cry.
Day 5: Shopping Spree (and the Potential for Disaster)
- 10:00 AM - Shopping in Seminyak/Canggu: Decided to channel my inner shopaholic. Seminyak is a shopper's paradise! But the crowds are insane, and I keep getting distracted by things I definitely don't need. Ended up buying a silk scarf that I'll probably never wear, but hey, it was beautiful.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at a trendy Cafe: More delicious food! The Avocado toast was on point. But the cafe was so crowded, I felt like I was being herded.
- 3:00 PM - Disaster! or, the reality check: Okay, I'm going to be honest. While exploring the little roads, I slipped. I fell. Badly. Scraped my knee. Ruined my new silk scarf. (Note to self: Bali + heels = BAD idea.) After a brief existential crisis, I bandaged my knee and tried to laugh it off.
- 6:00 PM - Rest and Recuperation: Back at the villa. Binged on movies and ice cream. My knee hurts. My pride is bruised. But hey, at least my luggage hasn't shown up to join the party… yet.
Day 6: Departure (and the bittersweet aftertaste)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast: The last breakfast in paradise. Eating it slowly, trying to savor every bite. Missing my bag and wanting to leave.
- 10:00 AM - Pool Swim and Sunbathing: One last dip in the pool, soaking up the sun. Trying to imprint this feeling on my brain. I'm going to miss this. This whole luxury living is going to spoil me.
- 12:00 PM - Check out: Checking out of the villa. The staff is lovely. Saying goodbye to this little slice of heaven.
- 5:00 PM - Flight: Stepping onto the giant metal bird, I'm tired, sun-kissed, and slightly bewildered by what I've just experienced. Was it perfect? No. Was it messy? Absolutely. Did I love it? More than I thought possible. And my luggage? Still MIA. But, hey, at least I have memories. And the strong belief that, eventually, that bag will turn up. (Right? Right?)
And with that, Bali, it's been
Indonesian Paradise Found: Double Pavilion Breakfast Bliss (#TB)Seriously, What *is* this Thing We're Talking About? (Because I'm Still Not Sure)
Why Am I Even Here? Is This a Cult? (Asking for a Friend... Mostly.)
Honestly, I get it. The internet is a dark, scary place. You can't trust anything! I once spent three hours trying to figure out if a cat could ride a Roomba. Apparently, yes. The internet is full of wonders and also madness. Just breathe, and remember: we’re all just winging it here.
Okay, Fine. But Like, *Why* This Format? Seems a Little... Cumbersome, No?
I’m a rambler, a digresser, a "squirrel!" in human form. So, if things get a little off-topic, just roll with it. We'll (eventually) get back to the pertinent questions.
What are the Best Ways to… *Do* This Thing?
But, let's see... The truth is, it’s a journey, not a destination. The real best way? Just START. Mess it up. Learn. Repeat. Rinse. Repeat. Like that time I tried to bake a cake for a friend's birthday (massive disaster, the oven caught fire). The point is, I *tried*. And we laughed. And that's what counts. Just get the thing done as best as possible, then improve from there.
What Are the Biggest Mistakes People Make When They... Well, When They Do *This* Thing?
Then there's the procrastination. Oh, the procrastination! "I'll do it later," I'd say. "When I'm more prepared." Spoiler alert: I'm never "more prepared." Just jump in! If you're waiting for perfection, you'll be waiting forever.
And (and this one stings a bit) – not asking for help. Thinking I had to do it all alone. Big mistake. Learn to delegate. Ask questions! Let others help, otherwise you'll get burned out like a Christmas tree.
Is There Some Sort of Secret Handshake? I Feel Like I'm Missing Out.
But no. No secret handshake. Just... show up, be curious, and try not to break anything. That's the best advice I've got. Now... where's that pizza I ordered?
Okay, okay... But What About Practical Tips? Like, REALLY Practical?
1. Organize the work before starting it. Sounds obvious, right? But I ALWAYS skip this part. Big mistake. Makes everything so much less chaotic. I failed to organize my closet this week, for example. Disaster.
2. Don't go it alone. See above about the Christmas tree analogy. You will burn out, get frustrated, and probably throw your computer out the window. Find a buddy. A mentor. Ask for advice.
3. Embrace the Mess. Something will go wrong. Accept it. That's where the good stories come from!