Bali is famous for its villa accommodation, but there are villas, and then, there are villas. While some villas languish on Airbnb due to sketchy ownership and poor facilities, places like The Samaya thrive on an unblemished reputation.
This villa complex in Seminyak is meant to provide a blissful haven away from the crowds and to ensure that you feel like royalty during your stay.
Our team hasn’t had the chance to explore many of Bali’s villa compounds yet, so they were excited to head to The Samaya and see what the fuss is about, and this is what they learned there.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of The Samaya
As with every property that we review, our team uses a standard set of criteria to assess the villas against, to ensure that we treat the owners and management fairly and to provide you with a framework to compare properties against each other.
Hotel Type: Luxury Villas
Area of Bali: Seminyak
Star Rating: 5-Star
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 7,500,000 IDR (approx. $450 USD or $750 AUD) per night, with the proviso that rates often vary wildly, particularly by room
The Samaya Address: Seminyak Beach, Jl. Laksmana, Seminyak, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361
The Samaya Website: The Samaya Seminyak
Room Types: One Bedroom Royal Courtyard Villa, One Bedroom Pool Villa, Pavilion Villa, Two Bedroom Royal Courtyard Villa, and Three Bedroom Royal Courtyard Villa
Facilities: Breeze at The Samaya, In-Villa Dining, Brasserie at The Royal Courtyard (resort guest exclusive facility), Cooking Classes, Balinese Culture Classes, various romantic and packaged dining options, The Spa at The Samaya, Gym, Swimming Pool, Yoga Room, Garden, Hot Tub
This resort was one of our review team’s top picks of hotel in Seminyak.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
The cleaning team here is very good, but if you pull out the furniture a bit, you can quickly find tucked-away spots that have been missed. It’s nothing to worry about, but there’s room for improvement all the same.
We also felt that the maintenance team did an adequate job of things, but that they could pay more attention to the details.
Sleep Quality
These villas are superbly ventilated, and the rooms are soundproof and lightproof, so if you want a good night’s sleep, you’re sure to get it.
The beds are first-rate, too, and we found ourselves tucked up snug as a bug in a rug, enjoying the size and comfort of it all.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
We liked the staff here very much, and we felt that they were always trying to deliver an impeccable guest experience.
This is something that Balinese staff excel at, and it’s good that the management team gives them the freedom to deliver that service.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
Check-in and check-out are very much acceptable experiences, and you won’t find yourself waiting too long to be ushered into the villa of your choice.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathrooms are superb and, as you’d expect with a villa property, they’re huge; there’s enough room to take a wash as a family or to be certain of enjoying a pleasant, long shower by yourself.
The toiletries, towels, etc., are all on point, too, and you’re going to like getting washed up here.
Value For Money
We felt that the property represents decent value for money. Sure, it’s a bit pricier than your average resort room, but villas require more maintenance, cleaning, etc., and that’s fairly reflected here.
Food And Beverage Execution
We’d come and eat at Breeze even if we weren’t staying here, and the food is excellent throughout, but the fact that they have their own private dining restaurant is a really nice touch.
Sometimes, you crave a little exclusivity in life, and The Samaya delivers just that.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
Seminyak is one of Bali’s most popular neighbourhoods for good reason. There’s a lot to see and do nearby, and it’s great for reaching most of the rest of the island too.
We’d also note that the area is safe and pleasant, though late at night, there may be some rowdy folk spilling out from the local nightlife.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
We felt that The Samaya made good on the promises of amenities on the website and that they were all more than good enough to enjoy. However, we also felt that there could be a little more to do on-site, all the same.
Overall “Personality”
This is a really nice villa complex, you’ll get loads of photos to make the folks back home jealous.
But we’re not sure how well it will stick out in your memories in years to come, it’s good but it doesn’t have something truly standout, either.
Summary: Our Overview Of The Samaya
The Samaya is an excellent property with plenty to recommend it. Great villa complexes are harder to find than you might think in Bali, but they get almost everything right here.
We’d be happy to recommend this property to anyone seeking a quiet but spacious retreat in Seminyak.
Grading: Excellent/Highly Recommended
There are other great options in Seminyak, including Alila Seminyak and The Seminyak Beach Resort and Spa.
FAQs
Is The Samaya Family Friendly?
The Samaya allows children to stay with their parents or guardians. However, this luxury villa property doesn’t offer anything beyond the basic amenities provided with the villa for children.
If your kids are good at making their own entertainment, this won’t be a big deal, but if they tend to thrive on the company of other children and organised fun, then this might not be the right place for them.
During our stay at The Samaya, we didn’t see any families with children, and they don’t seem to get a huge number of family guests based on online reviews. However, The Samaya remains family-friendly for all that.
Final Thoughts On The Samaya
The Samaya is a very pleasant place, and it certainly does a great job of providing a safe haven away from the madding crowds of Seminyak.
The onsite dining is a real highlight, and it’s nice that they have an exclusive dining facility for their guests; it makes you feel special.
However, there aren’t that many amenities at this hotel, and that means it might not be ideal for people who want to stay in their resort all the time and be entertained.
Overall, we’d be happy to recommend The Samaya to most people seeking a base to explore Seminyak and the wider island.
