MesaStila Resort and Spa

Beautiful hotel in amazing surroundings and stunning views of volcanos from our substantial balcony. The bed was comfortable but had a wooden surround which was quite awkward when trying to get in or out., or to turn the lights on or off. The shower was good, and there was a sunken bath in the room, but in order to fill it you had to get into the bath as the tap was inaccessible otherwise. Then the water only came out as a trickle so it would have taken about an hour to fill. Unfortunately, the time we were there coincided with some sort of convention which meant that a lot of the staff were occupied with servicing this event, and they were largely absent when needed to - for example - sign off a bar bill or order food. The spa is impeccable, and a massage is recommended. The pool has a very scenic setting.

The resort is truly one of a kind. It has beautifully maintained colonial-style buildings that allow you to step back in time while enjoying modern comforts. The surrounding plantation, along with breathtaking jungle and mountain views, creates a serene atmosphere. The large swimming pool has plenty of lounge chairs and was the perfect spot for my daily swim practice. The staff is exceptionally welcoming, highly trained, and speaks flawless English. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a complimentary welcome drink and generously upgraded to a larger suite featuring a stunning bathtub and a spacious terrace overlooking the jungle. A small but thoughtful detail that stood out was how the staff remembered my name and provided a warm, wet towel before dinner at the restaurant—a testament to their impeccable service. While I was having dinner, the staff cleaned my room for the second time that day, lit an anti-mosquito candle, closed the curtains, and left a note with a small Indonesian cake. It was a wonderfully thoughtful gesture. The complimentary afternoon tea or coffee, accompanied by a selection of snacks, was another delightful touch. Breakfast was excellent, offering a wide variety of dishes with no limits on selection. However, dinner at the restaurant could be improved, especially considering the very high prices. On the first night, the fried fish was overcooked with blackened spots. On the second night, both the satay and rice cakes were served cold. Since I hadn’t ordered rice cakes, I requested regular rice instead, and the staff kindly provided it. The regular rice was good. One unexpected aspect was the sound of a nearby mosque broadcasting Islamic prayers and music through loudspeakers, several times a day and at night. While I hadn’t anticipated such noise in a remote resort, this is beyond the hotel’s control.