I would have been very interested to hear your review for Komaneka since we were almost settled to spend a few days at the Komaneka at Keramas - however after considering all options we decided to spend two weeks next month at a private villa in remote west Bali. Your reviews are very informative and getting us ready for coming to Bali soon.

Thank you, everyone, for reading and for your kind comments. I apologise for not getting back any earlier, I have been rather absent from FT for a few weeks.

That's a very good point! I never quite realised that when I was there

Thanks for reading! I believe that many resorts look very similar because many of the more well-known and established resorts on the island are designed by a handful of mutually-influencing designers that led to the creation of a so-called 'Balinese hotel style' (thatched roofing, warm, cream hues, wooden accents, etc). Being the well-known ones, their style and look were soon imitated by other resorts, regardless local or foreign. A significant number of local hotels run a rather amateurish operation (although there are obvious exceptions), so I could see why international chains could be preferable.

Maya, for instance, has been very highly-regarded in the area, something you've perhaps experienced 7 years ago; although between my two stays (a few months apart), I noticed many inconsistencies and shortfalls. I surely hope that they've made amends to their SOPs now that the island is back and running again, after all, the resort is very beautiful.

I won't go into the details of my stay at Komaneka. My bad experience was my experience, and I really hope it won't happen again. But without going into detail, Komaneka has excellent rooms that I think are very well appointed. The Komanekas at Bisma and Monkey Forest were also very clean, although I couldn't say the same about Rasa Sayang. However, one negative pattern I noticed with Komaneka is how stiff and inflexible the staff were; I got a sense that staff had a very low level of autonomy that really prevents the provision of personalised service�everything felt like an assembly line. In case any incidents were to occur, they will either blame management or reason that they are just an employee and do nothing about it.

I've visited Banyan Tree Buahan during its final stages of construction. I agree that the place is very nice and is built to a high standard. I'd say that the hotel has more of a novelty factor rather than being a 'base' to explore the island. The location isn't very ideal and is rather out of the way, so I'd think of it more like a short getaway with the novelty of outdoor living. I'd say the Capella has a very similar concept.

It's great to know that information. But, I want to know more information. so, how can we get more info.

Thanks for reading! Sorry, but what information were you after?

I am looking for travel plan, that type of information please shared with us.

I am travel lover. I want to know more information about traveling ideas.