The Zen Villa
The overall stay at The Zen Villa was enjoyable and well worth it. Nicole, our host, went above and beyond by stocking the fridge with breakfast essentials and providing bottled water—something we appreciated since tap water isn’t safe to drink here. That said, a few areas could be improved. First, communication around housekeeping needs to be clearer. We ran out of tissues, but since we weren’t informed about the 7 PM cutoff for requests, the restock didn’t happen until noon the next day. Second, the laundry service charged $21 per bag, but they sorted clothes by color without warning, leading to a total of $65 for just three bags. Whites weren’t properly cleaned (no bleach used), and some items were still damp when returned. Pickup was promised in the morning but didn’t happen until afternoon. Third, dining options nearby are limited. A short Uber ride to beachside restaurants takes less than 10 minutes, but round-trip costs $154—quite steep. Plus, due to the property’s off-road location, many drivers couldn’t find the entrance and we had to walk 3 minutes to meet them. Lastly, the lower-level bathroom and bed furnishings feel outdated and could use a refresh. Despite these points, there were plenty of positives: daily housekeeping, excellent private yacht arrangements, stunning views, friendly staff, smooth airport transfers for our group of eight, a lovely adult-sized pool, and a cozy fire pit area perfect for evening relaxation. Overall, the experience was strong, especially for those who value privacy, nature, and personalized service.
