Amazing location, excellent food..
Over the years we have been to quite a few villas so we have know what to expect. This villa was chosen by our host as it could accommodate a large group of 12 for a birthday celebration.
The location is without doubt the highlight, the beach is right there in front of you in all its glory, but you are far away enough that those walking along can't really see in. The sea air, the roar of the ocean is sublime.
Proximity to Echo Beach is also great, we made a few pilgrimages to Theraphy an excellent spa in Echo beach.
The layout is expansive, there are four main rooms around a central living area, each with its own bathroom. There is also a second villa quite some distance from the main villa, it has two bedrooms a shared bathroom and a small kitchen along with its own plunge pool. The walls there were rather thin so would be suitable for a family group or two single people, probably not private enough for two couples. The outlook from this villa however is absolutely stunning, never seen anything like it.
The main pool area is large and comfortable with plenty of grass area if you want to follow the sun on your deck chair.
Our room had an outdoor bath, but for some reason had a sunken bathtub over which there was a shower. It made getting in and out of the shower a bit of a slippery nightmare. We had a few issues with the air conditioning unit being very noisy and needing a repair ( by the time we left it was going to need to be repaired again) and drainage seemed to be an issue with the toilet never really flushing properly.
The staff were friendly and eager to please, but lacked some of the initiative and confidence that you would expect when paying these prices. We gave up on the cocktail making ability after the first night and agreed we would be better off making our own. The food was excellent, but again I was surprised that breakfast was not included in the price ( nor was laundry which was sent out).
The staff were not as present as we would have expected and often we woudl have to go an find them to get something, or ask them to restock mixers, ice etc, things that should be obvious when a large group is there.
It was rather annoying at the end of the night to be asked to provide a breakfast order, I would expect that a villa like this would keep constant breakfast supplies and perhaps offer order ahead or exceptional choices as ones that needed to be ordered the night before, who is about to go to bed and think about what breakfast they should have. A firm word and the basics were then kept in stock for our stay, but really we should not have had to do that.
The meals we did order were excellent. The food was delicious, although ( and perhaps I am being fussy, I did at times think there could have been more generous portions) on the first night some off our group did not get to try the fish at all.
Massage facilities were available on site, but these were not chargeable to the villa and had to be paid for at the time, again this is a departure from the practice we have had before. The prices for these services were also at the higher end of the spectrum and while good were not at the same standard being offered cheaper at Therapy at Echo Beach.
A car was available for 8 hours a day, but it was only later that we found out this 8 hours started at 9 and could not be specified by the guests without incurring additional charges. It was also a little surprising to be asked for petrol money on the first day when we provided a $1000US kitty to cover expenses.
Overall, the location is excellent, the rooms need a little more attention, and the staff while very well meaning need more direction and training. The food preparation was also excellent.