Atta kaMAYA Resort and Villas

Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in southern Sanur, the Kamaya is peaceful and charming. Its compact gardens are full of tropical plants and trees, and all common spaces and rooms are housed in stand-alone cottages and pavilions, creating a romantic vibe that caters to couples and honeymooners. Stepping stones lead to gorgeous stone gates with ornate designs and wooden doors with intricate carvings, which open to either villas with or without pools, or spacious rooms packed with Balinese character. Behind the main entrance, a tiny reception area and a small pavilion with comfortable couches and a ceiling fan set the vibe for an intimate stay. The centerpiece of the gardens is the lovely pool, which is designed as an ancient Indonesian bath, with a stone pyramid fountain and several other small statuettes and fountains lining the edge. 

The property is stylish and peaceful through and through, but both common areas and rooms are in need of love. Cracked tiles around the pool, stained curtains and mosquito nets in rooms, and damaged wood give this otherwise lovely boutique the feel that it has been neglected for some time. Few other properties in the area offer the opportunity to dive this deep into traditional Balinese culture and art, but the questionable maintenance can be a deal-breaker for some. The 21-room Puri Mesari is a great alternative, with a similar vibe, lower rates, and a bigger pool. Families may want to consider the Emerald Villas, which feature one- to four-bedroom villas with kitchens and private pools, and a good restaurant. The centrally located Kamuela Sanur is a great pick for travelers seeking something more luxurious. 

The hotel is located on a tiny, quiet street in a serene neighborhood in southern Sanur. The area is exclusively residential and there aren’t any restaurants or shops around, but there is a handful of small, local eateries within a 15-minute walk of the property. The beach, set a 10-minute walk away, is just a thin strip of sand, but features a big beach club complete with several massage pavilions, a restaurant, and a few camels for tours. The hotel offers free shuttle service to Sanur and the beach on request. One of the few attractions that can be reached on foot is the ancient temple of Blanjong, which is less than 15 minutes from the hotel. Le Mayeur Museum is a 15- to 20-minute drive away (depending on traffic and route), as is the harbor where tourist boats to islands such as Nusa Lembongan dock. Ngurah Rai International Airport is about a half-hour drive from the hotel. 

The hotel has 14 air-conditioned rooms and villas, all housed in stand-alone cottages with pitched thatched roofs and ornate doors with beautiful carvings. They're decked out in traditional Balinese style, with either lovely painted tiles or wood on floors, big sliding glass doors opening onto lush outdoor areas, and four-poster beds with muslin curtains that keep mosquitos at bay. Some rooms have a stylish combination of glass, stone, and natural wood that lends spaces a contemporary feel, but most units are in need of an update. Our first room was charming but had a number of issues, including doors that wouldn’t close all the way, water damage on garden walls, and a loud air-conditioning unit. The second one was more contemporary and in better shape, but the outdoor bathroom could have used a fresh layer of paint and a new sink. 

Standard rooms (known as Lanais here) have big outdoor bathrooms with great sunken tubs, separate showers, bamboo accents throughout, and a pebble garden with a few flowers. Big sliding doors open onto a small, private garden with a table and two chairs. Some also have a plunge pool and two loungers. Villas have spacious gardens with lotus ponds and/or bigger pools, as well as covered outdoor lounges with daybeds and comfortable wooden couches decorated with white pillows. Some villas have full but older kitchens. 

In-room amenities are basic in all rooms and villas, consisting of lightly stocked minibars, air-conditioning, and coffeemakers. Bottled water is provided daily free of charge, but rooms lack TVs, which may be inconvenient for some guests. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, though it was spotty in both of our rooms. 

The pool is appealing and serene, with tons of plants lining it, and a handful of padded loungers and umbrellas. A few small fountains drip water into the pool along one of the edges, and a bigger pyramid-shaped one has a small waterfall, creating a relaxing vibe. Although there is a shallow area for kids, we didn’t see any families on-site during our stay, and we were told the vast majority of guests are couples. A small open pavilion with a thatched roof houses the hotel’s tiny restaurant, which serves all three main meals. Breakfast (not always included in the standard rate) offers three options -- Balinese, American, or continental -- each complete with fruit juice, coffee or tea, and a platter of fresh fruit. Tasty Asian cuisine is served for lunch and dinner, but the evening meal is generally "table d’hote" style, which means the chef puts together a set menu for his guests. The hotel also features a small spa tucked next to the pool and almost completely hidden  behind overgrown plants and flowers. It offers a small array of body treatments -- including Balinese massages -- as well as hair and nail services. There's no gym here, though that's common for the region.