Although we have stayed at this establishment twice before, our latest trip in April 2006 was a disaster.
After arriving a day late (thanks to Garuda Airlines)they could not find our booking. It took 2 hours and countless phone calls (at our expense)to finally be informed that we had, indeed ,a booking. The room we were given was too small, we had requested a room with 3 beds, and the air conditioner did not work at all.
I had a fall in the lobby area trying to lift my own suitcase, the porter just stood there and did not help, injuring my left foot. I have since had many ultrasounds and xrays done to discover I have a torn ligament which should take another 4 to 6 weeks to heal. I was not offered any help or medical assistance from the management of Santika Beach Hotel!
After another hour or so our tour operator, Sueca, arranged for another room and we were moved.(Funny enough it was on the second floor, bit hard to manage stairs with a torn ligament)
As it was getting late we,foolishly, decided to change money at the hotel to get some dinner. Of course the rate is lower and I was fully aware of this, but, was suprised when the next day we recieved a phone call to return to the "drugstore" urgently. When we got down there we were informed that the girl who changed our money the day before gave us the incorrect rate and we were TOLD to repay that money then and there. Once again I understood that we had to repay the amount but the way it was DEMANDED from us was disgusting.
I complained to the management on the way we were treated and in response they sent another staff member to our room asking for the money!! It took me ages to explain I had already repaid the amount and just wanted them to know that the manner in which we were treated left a lot to be desired.
The general staff there were extremely friendly,but,management needs to be retrained on the basics of customer service.
Bali is a beautiful place to visit and we were not worried in the slightest about our safety there. Please do not be afraid to travel.