Fell in love with the place and think about it pretty much every day. Our villa was incredible and all the staff were very friendly, especially Agus who took us to a local 'nightclub', I hope that they are looked after!

Will definitely return, hopefully very soon.

We stayed for 5 nights at 'The hotel at the end of the road'. The room was very spacious with simple furniture, comfortable beds and traditional Balinese styling. Thoughtful touches such as complementary mosquito coils and a safe were provided. The towels and bedsheets were freshly laundered. The bathroom was huge and clean. The cold shower was disappointingly just a pipe coming out of the wall and a few times when we tried to use it there was no water available.
The staff were friendly and accommodating during our stay. We realised shortly after checking out that we had left a mobile phone in our room and telephoned the Pondok Pitaya to see if they had found it but unforunately it was not recovered. We had to ask the staff in our hotel in Ubud to speak on the phone to explain the situation to the Pondok Pitaya staff because in this situation their English was stretched. We even went back to the hotel a week later to see if there was any sign of it but it was never found. The phone was old so it was no big deal to loose the handset but frustrating to loose all of the contact details saved on it.
Food in Toki's restaurant was great - especially the sate ayam. Breakfast was good. A very minor point - it would have been nice to be able to choose pancakes as part of the complimentary breakfast rather than just the egg option everyday. The location of the restaurant and views when eating are fabulous. The furniture in the restaurant is comfortable.
The pool was clean and well maintained during our stay, so perhaps the previous problems have been resolved or perhaps it is easier to maintain in dry season rather than wet season. There were children playing in the pool each day with no problems.
The synthetic rattan sunlongers were very comfortable and guests were sociable and friendly on the poolside.
Overall, the location of Pondok Pitaya is second to none in Balian. If you are a surfer you can watch the waves all day and choose the best moments to go in for another surf. The pool and restaurant feel a bit special because they are literally right on the beach and you can open your door every morning and see the sea immediately. The service and food are good. The room is simple but comfortable and offers fair value for money compared to other accommidation in town (no hot water is a draw back though). Balian is a quiet place with none of the traffic and hustle and bustle of other Bali surf spots. If you are happy to read a book, relax by the pool or stroll on the beach this is a great place for you. Everything closes at 9.30pm in Balian and early bedtimes mean you are ready for your morning surf.

We stayed at Pondok Pitaya with friends and it was the perfect start to our holiday in Bali. We had booked the Joglo room and it was a truly wonderful retreat. A large open living area, clean rooms, relaxing day beds, coloured glass lights, bamboo ceilings, ocean frontage and geckos galore. The emphasis is on creating a natural setting so you won't find all of your hotel mod cons here such as air conditioning, bar fridges, hairdryers or electric kettles. We felt totally relaxed and happy in this beautiful environment. The pool was a leap away and the well situated restaurant was a few metres. The staff were friendly and if you needed anything you just had to ask. There are a few restaurants running along the main road and we enjoyed the fun of strolling up and down the hill (quite steep!) to find a place to dine. Further up toward the turn off into the Balian beach area, there is also a new massage/ beauty shop. We had a massage there that was excellent (mine was a 'strong' one which wouldn't be for the faint-hearted!). We're glad that we chose Pondok Pitaya and hope to be back next year.

Great location on beach at end of the road in Balian. Surf is steps from unit. Great pool and common area. Excellent food, mahi mahi is incredible. Service is good, but reactive (just be patient or ask). Units are comfortable, no hot water but otherwise fine. This place was a great value.