“Would think twice”

Response from the owner Hello Andrea Given that your review is such an obvious contrast to the others we have had, I would like to address some of your points to clarify things. Firstly, we had some of the heaviest rain we have ever had during this rainy season which meant that unfortunately there was some flooding and the staff put down some of our OLD rag-towels to soak up some of this water given that the villas are all indoor/outdoor living villas with no walls in the living areas. Thus, in heavy rains the water can puddle a bit on the floor in the entrance area - the reason we put slip mats. The towels they put down were not at all the towels we gave you as guests.... We change all our towels every 2 days unless guests request otherwise; and between changes they are put outside to dry. We also upgrade/update ALL linen every 6 months as we are fanatical about the importance of quality bed linen and towels, being something we appreciate when we travel ourselves. This rain also explains the flooding in the bathroom - which was actually an overflow in the garden area; not in the actual bathroom, which is indoors.... We are based on an old rice paddy and the water level in very heavy rain can rise; but I repeat - this is the garden area of the outdoor shower section of the bathroom only... The bath is sunken, so it is below the water table and in huge rains like you experienced, the bore water can overflow - this is something we can't do anything about as it very rarely happens, but it does mean during a day or so guests need to use the shower option as opposed to the bath The bar-fridge situation and pricing is very clearly marked on the sign on the fridge door, with all prices are very clearly written. It is absolutely the guest's choice to take from the bar fridge or to go across the street to the mini-mart to buy their own drinks. Please be aware that you consumed not 8 drinks. It was 15 drinks, including San Miguels and some soft drinks with the bintangs. For this you only left 60’000 ($5.50) on the table before leaving (after attempting to leave without paying your bill). Here I need to point out the confusion - where you are saying you were told that the beers were $6 each was actually Fenny telling you you only left 60’000 on the table... The charge was IDR495,000 for your consumption from the fridge. But as I mentioned - the prices are clearly indicated and using the fridge is optional but it is, however, a service one needs to pay for as opposed to expecting to use it for free. There is definitely hot water working upstairs - it's just that it takes around 2 1/2 minutes to heat up; so I'm glad I have this opportunity to point this out to future guests. We agree that the indoor/outdoor living can mean that sometimes the villa is shared with geckos, bats and even little birds flying through the open areas. In fact this bat has been coming the last 3-5 days (unfortunately during your stay) but only comes to the one spot close to entrance. We are trying to work out a way to stop it but being Bali with the tropical living this can in fact happen. Alongside the villa on each side is another villa wall/gate - there is absolutely nowhere to dump anything...? Opposite the farmer is in the process of building a wall to close off his vegetable garden. The only area that is under construction is the lane behind the villa - but to see this you need to walk around the block (around 800m) as it is in no way visible from the villa so we are interested to know why any work in the lane behind us (a site that is not currently actually being worked on) affected your stay in the villa...? In terms of the handles on the cupboard doors - they are a metal handle and during rainy season yes, they have started to rust. As this is the 3rd time this has happened we have ordered some top quality stainless steel ones from Australia and are waiting for them to arrive. We are sorry they weren't there in time for your stay. Breakfast is clearly outlined on both booking.com and another booking site where you also left a review. We provide a Continental Breakfast (fruit/toast/pancakes/tea/coffee/juice) and cooked options are only a few dollars each. Please reread this section on the site. It is also clearly stated in our first reply to all reservations. We have looked at the gas stove, and yes we have found that only one burner works - and it is being fixed now. We wish you'd told us during your stay as it is such an easy thing to fix in an hour or so...? In terms of the water filter machine - it is a closed system with supplied AQUA gallon tanks, fresh every day or so. We have inspected the entire system following your review and we actually here are confused - we have no idea what you are actually talking about... Finally we have to totally disagree about the lack of good eateries - straight across the road we have Som Chai, down the road one way we have Warisan, across the road and a little way down the lane is Happy Chappy, and down the other direction is Boy and Cow and Mama San - some of the leading Seminyak restaurants; all within 30 seconds - 4 minutes walk away.... We are sorry that a small set of issues, mostly to do with the unseasonably heavy rain, and your bar-fridge consumption, put a negative spin on your stay. All the issues you mentioned were small and easily explained and we wish you had just spoken to us during your stay, as the staff are there every day and always ready to sort out problems, and Ash asked you several times when he saw you if all was ok, and we could have sorted things out or explained things like the hot water etc to you... Kind regards Sitara Villa Group management

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“6 Stars”

Response from the owner Dear Anthony Thank you so much for being one of our favourite regular guests! We always love having you stay and are looking forward to your next visit Warm wishes Linda, Ash and the Sitara Villa Group team

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Villa shanti”

Response from the owner Hi Stuart Thank you for reviewing your stay with us - and you're absolutely right; our staff who have been with us for years are such an important part of providing our guests with a great experience! We're so happy that they went over and above to help make your stay so pleasurable We also hope you will come and stay with us again Warm wishes Linda, Ash and the Sitara Villa Group team

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“An oasis of calm in busy Seminyak!"”

Response from the owner Hello Joyce Thank you for your lovely review and I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay and that you appreciated Soleil and Fenny as much as we do! It was a pleasure dealing with you too and we hope to welcome you back some time. Have a wonderful 2017 Warm wishes Linda, Ash and the Sitara Villa Group team

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“the place to chill out and lay back”

Response from the owner Hello Harold, Carole and Julie Thank you for your wonderful review, and for your glowing recommendation! We're so happy you had such a wonderful stay and appreciated our amazing team. It was a pleasure having you as guests and we hope to welcome you back to your 'home away from home' one day! Warm wishes The Sitara Villa Group team

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“A lovely villa with a beautiful garden and pool, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Seminyak.”

Response from the owner Hi Cheryl Thank you very much for reviewing your stay with us. And just to let you know - we had no idea the lamp had blown outside the door, so thank you for pointing it out; it has now been replaced and we'll keep a closer eye on it. As for the water feature - it actually works with a switch behind the door. We don't in fact keep it running as, being close to the living room, many guests told us the noise of running water was a bit off-putting. However it certainly waits if it is needed/required Again, thank you for your positive comments, about the villa and our wonderful staff - it was a pleasure having you stay with us Best wishes Sitara Villa Group management

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Reclining in luxury”

Response from the owner Hi Sam As with our correspondence from the start that was entertaining and fun - to the point I felt I knew you already - your review was so lovely and written with a great wit that seriously has made me smile! Thank you so much for being amazing guests from start to finish and I am so glad you enjoyed all the personal touches in my ex-home... I have to admit that my library was a hard one to leave behind but unfortunately luggage restrictions made it impossible to bring my books with me - but it makes me incredibly happy to know there are some guests who have the same taste in literature You were an absolute pleasure to have as guests and we'd welcome you back with open arms any time - and maybe one day we'll get to meet as I'm sure you're as much fun in real life as you were during our correspondence arranging your stay! Warm wishes to you both from all of us at Sitara Villas Linda

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Villa Shanti”

“Villa Shanti”

“10/10 experience! Great location & Amazing staff!”

Response from the owner Hello Many thanks for your glowing review and we are so happy that your stay was such a successful one! We are glad that you appreciated the location the way we do - as it's lovely to be on the overflowing streets for shopping and dining, but really a relief to take the little lane off the main road and be in the centre of a semi-rural setting! We look forward to seeing you back and we thank you for your recommendation! Warm wishes Sitara management

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.