The Saren

So disappointing… We arrived for lunch while waiting for the 2:00 PM check-in. As I’m allergic to certain strong spices, I always make sure to mention it before ordering to avoid any issues. I was told that the dish I ordered was not spicy. After waiting an hour for two pizzas (even though there were very few guests to serve), the meal we received was completely inedible due to how spicy it was. The order was sent back, and I had to wait another 30 minutes to get a spice-free pizza. We were already in a bad mood for the rest of our stay, and unfortunately, that was just the beginning. We were shown to our room, which was nothing like the pictures shown online! While the building might have been nice a few years ago, it’s now old and run-down, with no charm at all. We were told we did not have a private pool as we had assumed, but only access to a public pool located by the roadside (something that was very unclear at the time of booking – another guest we met at the hotel had the same issue). Upon arriving in the room, we found it to be on the same level as the main building, very outdated and dirty (see photo). Our booking included a 30-minute massage. I sent a message via WhatsApp to ask about how it would be arranged. I was told someone would get in touch. After spending the afternoon on a sightseeing tour and hearing nothing back, I returned to the front desk. It turns out the staff (completely disorganized, both in the kitchen and in service) had given the masseuse the wrong phone number. As a result, we didn’t get a couple’s massage as expected, but rather had our massages one after the other. I want to emphasize that the masseuse did everything she could to make up for the hotel’s mistake, and I truly thank her – she was the only positive part of this stay! To top it all off, the next morning at breakfast (once again due to poor organization), a mistake was made with our order.

Fully expecting our money back for the WORST villa we have been in. Mould everywhere, smells damp and disgusting.

The fact they’re arguing a refund. 👍

Everything.

Excellent service from pre arrival communication thru to departure. The rooms have a simple, comfortable aesthetic that lends itself to relaxation. The surrounding area is mostly residential and rural and the lack of traffic is bliss compared to other areas. It's actually easy to walk to the beach if you want to (providing you have medium fitness level) and there is a chill rustic beachside bar for late afternoon drinks. We found that the Luna beach club was part way to our morning beach walk and it was a great spot to go back to for lunch, with a stunning set up. The Saren breakfast and coffee was great (was travelling with a serious coffee snob so that was a super plus,). The evening meal we had was enjoyable. Having a multiple plug and USB portal option was fantastic and ideal for work and leisure.

Adore the aesthetic but some clothing storage shelves would be a small improvement to improve comfort. We had an in room massage, which was fine, but there was no music during the treatment so limited the opportunity for a relaxing ambience

I loved this place. The room was fantastic: spacious without being vacuous, well designed, great air conditioning, free of bugs and mosquitos. The staff are incredible and helpful. The location is peaceful. Out of the way enough that you don't step out into traffic and chaos every time you want to leave the house, but close enough to some great restaurants and beaches. I would come back here again.

2 things I would say could have been better: 1) the food options could do with some work. I think having someone curate a better menu would go a long way. The food that is there is tasty though. 2) We had this beautiful out door space with morning sun and a pool, but no outdoor seating. Would have been great to have something there

Good staff

Location.

Swimming pool, choices at breakfast

The people who don't react to our needs. We stayed there for 3 night visit. The stinking smell that was coming from the toilet was not fixed properly and we tried to fixed the problem ourselves.

Room was huge with a bath & private pool! Off the beaten path near rice fields - very peaceful. Great breakfast choices included, delicious coffee, staff were very accommodating and organised transfers for us!

No where to sit by our pool outside eg tanning beds? The drains in the room smelt bad (but that’s most places in Bali)!

The front desk and cafe workers are very polite and helpful. Responded to us quickly and solved some of our issues

Location is far from city. Room arrangement is not user friendly. Toilet is outside if the bathroom, while the open air bathtub and shower to the room caused us to shower in the cold - as hotwater can only last for a few minutes

The design of the whole place

Some maintenance is required

The property was so calm and peaceful. The staff were amazing, I loved the personal touches like making the bed etc before sundown. The breakfast was also amazing. The room was always clean and tidy and staff went above and beyond to provide excellent service. Yes it is is a little far from bars and restaurants in Canggu but it’s less than 20 mins on a bike. We stayed between Canggu and Seminyak before and it usually took 30+ mins to get into the main strip because of the awful traffic.

Loved the Villa, the surrounding scenery, the restaurant which had amazing food, including dessert and good cocktails, the friendly staff. Good cafe down the road too. Great stay for our Anniversary!

The only thing that was a little awkward was the sink not near the toilet, but not really much of an issue… just walked round to it!

The room is according to the photos, the staff is very friendly and accommodating to our needs and request, they are superb! Breakfast is delicious and coffee is amazing :)

As highlighted by others, miscommunication tends to happen. There was a hiccup during check-in as the hotel assured us access to the room would not require a lot of stairs. Still, initially, we were placed in a room where we needed to go through lots of stairs to access it and after trying very hard to negotiate, finally we got a room with easier access (I had to insist as this is a medical risk related request), which we appreciate and we were offered complimentary floating breakfast as well. There was another miscommunication regarding breakfast timings, which they managed to resolve. Hotel management must figure out a way to minimize miscommunication issues because the staff is excellent. Our room also had some cleanliness issues which the staff resolved right away. There was also inconsistency with the service as they left a paper saying we will receive sundown service each evening but that only happened on the first night :/

Beautiful grounds and luxurious pools. Villas are spacious. Hotel staff is gracious and super helpful. Everything is really quiet at night and you feel like you're secluded.

I felt like the Saren was a little disappointing given the elevated standard that I usually judge 4-star hotels at this price point. For example, the bathroom design is incredibly uncomfortable and awkward, there is either too much hot water or too little, and I didn't have adequate toiletries for half my stay. Housekeeping still needs some training when it comes to cleaning and organizing. The location is very remote (but maybe you want that!) -- it's not in Canggu. Some of the villas have direct views into others.

Love the aesthetics of the room and the privacy.

The Aircon generator can be a little loud at night if you are a light sleeper.

unique hotel, good food, helpful staff, and worth it with the price

clean and fresh, quiet location

the pool close to the dorm

We have been missing a table and two chairs in the room.

Very nice and cozy place outside of the hustle. Designed well (Indonesian craftsmanship) to make you feel comfortable. The breakfast in the private pool was a very nice experience. Would like to come back again.

N/a

the service is good here. people are nice.

A very tranquil property and very quiet. Half an hour drive to Canggu area. Friendly staff. Beautiful design overall.

Nothing comes into mind so far

design and cleanness breakfast is great!

nothing

Great location! Surrounded by rice fields and very peaceful yet only 20mins from Canggu for restaurants, beach clubs and shopping

the glass door to our balcony didn’t have a curtain so it was not dark at night time as lights were coming in

the best service in bali, clean, comfortable and value for money

quiet, interesting

Room needs more towel racks and clothes lines to hang wet swimmers and towels. Only hook was in bathroom which would get splashed by shower. A clothes line outside would be great for when it’s not raining. You can never have enough hooks or racks to hang things. breakfast was fresh and so much food but need more vegetarian/meet free options on breakfast and dining menu. very meat heavy but staff were lovely in swapping things out. cocktails were amazing and staff were extremely helpful and always there to assist. pool was also a bit full, would spill into room, a la climate crisis. would also be great to have a water filter or drinking tap in reception/communal area to fill up water bottles as having to constantly ask staff for more water is a waste of time for everyone. As we were there in rainy season a lot of the surfaces were very slippery. this was the same everywhere in Bali, lots of smooth slippery surfaces with no safety mats/warnings of danger. take every step carefully. location is a little remote and taxies/grab a little longer to accept so some recommendations or drivers and other places to eat/visit/info on the area would be helpful. otherwise delightful stay.