Just returned from 8 nights in a Valley Pool Villa - what a beautiful location. Tucked away in sweet Tanggayuda village away from any hustle and bustle. We felt at home from minute 1 at 11.30pm arrival to the very last wave as we drove away. The staff - every one we encountered were excellent, they appeared relaxed and happy and were so professional.

So pleasant, they took the time for a quick chat and we all asked questions about families and lives. Food was very good and I must make a special mention of the Saturday night Balinese 12 course Dinner and Special show which was fabulous. It rained and the show was moved into restaurant but the only people concerned were the staff. We all loved it!

Another special mention to my "Doctors" who, after I stepped in a hole and hurt my knee in Ubud showed so much care in cleaning wounds, supplying me with Betadine and taking me to our room by Golf Buggy. And every day thereafter someone would enquire and ensure healing was going well. It went a long way towards easing my cuts and bruises and my wounded pride!

We went for a break after a hectic year and it was perfect in every way. To the staff at Tanggayuda - thank you and dont change a thing! We'll defintely be back and would highly recommend.

My husband and I spent two shorts days at Komaneka Tanggayuda as a part of our ten day honeymoon in Bali. During our time in Bali we were the least impressed by Tanggayuda. Although the rooms were spacious they are definitely in need of some updating and attention. This resort is not five stars. At night I was particularly disturbed by the frogs chirping. While I realize some people may enjoy and even find the sound pleasant, My husband and I both found it difficult to sleep. We also had a problem with mosquitos in our room.

The staff at the restaurant was wonderful and I really enjoyed the food. The breakfast was excellent and we had a chance to have lunch and dinner at the restaurant which was also very good.

Now to "Kande" at the front desk. My husband I both feel that we were victims of a money scam. Upon checking out of the hotel my husband decided he wanted to pay the bill with cash. We were told we would get a better exchange rate if we used bigger bills. My husband had several $100 dollar bills. When he went to pay he was told by Kande that they would only accept bills stamped with the year 2006 and higher. My husband began to look through the bills when Kande grabbed them to start sifting through them himself offering to "help" him. Upon leaving the hotel my husband and I started discussing the check out process and my husband said he felt uncomfortable but he couldn't quite pinpoint why. We realized why as soon as we got to Seminyak. After reaching Seminyak my husband and I went to a money exchanger promising a very good exchange rate. The money exchanger gave us the same story telling us the bills had to be marked from a certain year and on. Right in front of our faces we caught the money exchanger take a hundred dollar bill! When my husband confronted him he apologized and with shaky hands returned the bill. We quickly learned that this is a very common money making scam in Bali. It all happens so fast that even those with a careful eye can be deceived!!

We called the front office the next day after realizing what happened with Kande at Tanggayuda. The manager herself said that Tanggayuda excepts bills pre dating 2006, therefore confirming Kande had mishandled our money. The only thing she did to resolve the situation was to write us a letter of apology.

There is no way to prove that Kande took advantage of us. But we are very certain we were the victims of fraud. Unfortunately when you travel abroad there are times when this will happen. We know now to expect this from the money exchangers on the streets but you never in a million years expect this from a supposedly "5 star" hotel. NEVER. Even the front desk at the Oberoi in Seminyak (our last leg of our trip) confirmed that the practice at Tanggayuda is not common of a hotel.

All in all we were left a very bad taste from our stay in Tanggayuda. Please beware of Kande at the front desk especially if you are planning on settling the bill with cash.

Though it's been over half a year since I visited, my heart yearns to return so you can tell how in love I am with everything at Komaneka!

Sharing with you my Top 10 Fabulous Points in random order as all great!

1) Staff really provided care and service from the heart - they welcomed you right from your car door (free transport from Ubud centre), gave you a personal tour and check-in, with welcome drink, refreshing towel, cookies and sweets at this couch facing reception.

2) Professional, warm, friendly and accommodating to your every request - they will decorate your room for special occasions, arrange candlelit dinners, help you book restaurants downtown (I was so impressed when I just mentioned restaurant name and staff whipped out a book with contacts to book right away)

3) Staff go out of the way for you - we missed the free shuttle to Komaneka at Monkey Forest (to meet our driver to go airport) and the manager offered his personal car and assigned staff member to drive us. This is indeed exceptional service!

4) Lots of initiative - staff can offer you ideas on where to eat and visit, make conversation with you, teach you Balinese words, tell you Balinese culture and room manager even took initiative to help plan surprise for my friend. Simply wonderful!

5) Enjoy free activities and tea here and at any Komaneka in Ubud! We took Yoga, visited the other Komaneka resorts including latest Bisma that was in the midst of building then. They obliged with a personal tour and we were lucky enough to meet owner who was nice humble man who cared about personalized experience for every guest.

6) Outstanding meals - everything from breakfast to tea was yummy and comes with impeccable service and gorgeous relaxing greenery, pool view

7) Great Pool - scenery to die for with green rice terraces and infinity edge with "drop cliff" feel. We were offered a free 10min trial massage with cool drink and we could not resist doing the full spa treatment after!

8) Villas - your private haven! I loved every bit of my suite, from the TV (with DVD player and you could borrow DVD titles) to the audio system, to the bed that guaranteed quality sleep every night, spacious bath and patio. Staff even loaned you iPod to dock and play music in your suite

9) Wonderful maintenance - Though it's already over a decade, staff maintain property very well, cleaned rooms, pruned bushes and provided turn-down service. They helped us light mosquito coil every evening and I was mighty pleased I did not get a single mosquito bite though this whole place is shrouded in greenery

10) BEST EVER! Overall, this ranks my current fav in all aspects out of the numerous properties I've stayed in around the world. For me, they struck a chord as they really provided personal service from the heart, which sadly is lacking in many big chains especially.

I look forward to return to stay with this cosy Komaneka family!

Wow! I didn't know you could get service this good at a hotel. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed like family and made to feel at home. The friendly, smiling staff are what really make this place special. It is relatively small and located a bit out of Ubud but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I stayed 3 nights with my gf and we wish we were there for longer. Our villa was spacious, private and comfortable and the plunge pool was fantastic. We loved having breakfast in our room while looking out into the forest and rice paddies. We had dinner twice at the restaurant and were pleased with the quality and price of the food.

It is really the little touches that set this place apart. The amazing welcome we got when we arrived at 11pm left us wondering "what is this place?!!!". On our last morning, my gf asked if we could buy some of the delicious cookies you get in your room. Moments later, while eating breakfast our waiter presented us with a beautiful bag of cookies on the house as well as a printed copy of the recipe in case we wanted to make them at home. All this without even being asked. Wow!

Definitely have breakfast set up on your day bed for at least one morning, it is great!!!!