Village Hotel Changi by Far East Hospitality

Guest review

8.0

Breakfast was great

− No balcony and pillows was to big

Absolutely perfect for overnight needs.

10.0

Guest review

8.0

Compared to the other resorts on the island, Pearl Beach is the most integrated with nature, with the accommodation closest to the beach. It is quiet and peaceful but also, due the presence of a coral research centre on site, purposeful. The house reef, right there off the beach, is nothing short of spectacular with the most incredible variety of corals and sea life. Plus it is very cool to see the new corals being grown there too. A short kayak away is more fantastic snorkeling on Gili Goleng and a short and lovely ride on a local outrigger gives you access to the three remaining "secret Gillis" which all have different underwater scenery. Pack a little cash and you can grab lunch from a little local place on any of the islands. A short and enchanting walk along the beach, around the point and past a tiny village and you'll find some great restaurants, fantastic food for very little money! Check out the Eco Lodge (don't miss a walk up to their lookout or yoga in their hilltop shala!), or Naga restaurant at Amahelia. Walking all the way around the island at low tide was really beautiful and interesting, wear trainers, the rocks are sharp! A drink at Bleu Mathis half way round is very nice! Pearl Beach "spa" (a couple of massage tables in a cute hut) provided excellent massages though the siting of children's play equipment next to the spa is a bit strange. The local wildlife was extraordinary, so many birds and lizards and bats etc. and nice plantings in the resort. And the stars! Very little light pollution. The large terraces on the rooms were a great place for a morning coffee/tea, which you can grab from the restaurant and bring back. Plenty of room on the terrace for doing yoga on the mats provided too, next to the hammock. The yoga classes offered under the giant tree were wonderful too, thanks Pauline! Having a dive centre and kayak hire on site was very handy.

− Well, although we will definitely be back, there were a few things: 1. The quality of the restaurant food could be higher and having almost no bar drinks at all is a shame. They kept running out of oat milk too, which was tricky for our dairy free daughter. There is nowhere to buy oat milk on the island so we were reliant on the restaurant. 2. Staff training is patchy, all staff were super lovely but in the restaurant and also for housekeeping, they often we unsure of what they were doing. 3. Having the aircon situated over our heads in the room was unpleasant. Also the basin had no plug and the tap was wobbly. Rooms 10-15 are newer and have the aircon to the side. We will request the newer rooms on our next visit! Only one bedside light and one bedside table wasn't ideal. 4. The introductory dive experience was rushed and lacking empathy for a completely new, first time slightly nervous diver. Our daughter experienced this and another guest was talking to us about having the same experience. They went to 12m even though she hadn't mastered clearing her mask. At one point she was briefly left alone, unable to see the instructor, on her first dive, which was very unnerving.

All good experience

8.0

Okay

− All good

Adequate, clean

6.0

Handy to Hawkers Centre

− It was fine for a stopover night but nothing more. About 15 -20 minutes taxi ride from airport depending on traffic. Old and dated.