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Have you ever wanted to experience a hotel where every room comes with a private pool? Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu provides a villa experience without the beach, while still being close to it.
Tasty food, warm service, and a family of turtles await you here.
Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu Review
Continue reading for my full Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu review:
First Impressions
Fortunately the hotel has a sign on the main road, otherwise I never would think to find it at the end of the side street it lives on.
A stone archway opens into the quaint lobby sitting under a thatched roof. The lobby almost looks like it’s floating thanks to the lovely moat framing it. The trickling fountains and walls of greenery make you feel like you’re stepping into a relaxing getaway, right in the middle of Canggu.
I arrived early for check in, and the lobby staff kindly let me leave my luggage there while I enjoyed the restaurant as they readied my room.
The lobby staff handed me a welcome drink voucher, which I immediately cashed in at Ketela. It was red, tart, punchy, and non-alcoholic. Funnily, they served me two drinks even though I was alone. I probably looked dehydrated. The drinks served as bookends for a bowl of chips, accompanied by various dipping sauces.
The Room
I stayed in Kirana 319, right next to the lobby. There are two main villa types: Kirana and Aine. They both include the same features and have similar layouts, with the difference being the interior design style. Kirana villas use darker woods and are decorated “beachy Balinese style,” while Aine villas use lighter woods and are furnished as “minimalistic Scandinavian style.”
A stone walkway leads you from the villa entrance to the large sliding doors into the bedroom. A king bed greets you in a sizable wooden frame. My villa style included a canopy to keep any bugs out during the night.
The bedroom felt a bit empty due to the mostly blank walls. I did, however, really enjoy marveling at the foliage-like slice of tree trunk mounted above the bed.
Inside the villa are three glass water bottles that the staff refill daily. Alternatively, you can refill them yourself from the many water stations found on the walkway outside the rooms. Remember to use this water when brushing your teeth.
One of the neatest features of this villa was the oversized, semi-outdoor shower. The bathing section of the bathroom contains both a standing tub and a rainfall shower, with a scrim to the outside that you can roll up. If you’re not one for exhibitionism, you can also sit at the edge and dangle your legs in the pool without leaving your bathroom.
While the open-air bathroom is a cool inclusion, it has a notable downside. Even with the scrim down, there is no privacy come nighttime. Due to the nature of a scrim (I’m whipping out the theatre degree for this one), it will appear opaque on whichever side has the strongest light source. So during the day, the bathroom scrim is opaque from the outside. But at night time, however, it will appear opaque from the inside unless you shower with the lights off like a serial killer.
This means that anyone in the outdoor area after the sun goes down will get a free show (which may be a bonus depending on who you’re traveling with). Although I stayed at Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu solo, I still had to be mindful of this because anyone looking through the second story windows of the building across from my villa would have a front row seat.
There was a tree in between to add privacy, but the leaves weren’t very grown-in during my stay. I imagine this may be a non-issue during other parts of the year.
While farther back from view, using the toilet will incur the same problem, as the shower area is separated from the rest of the bathroom by glass. Hopefully your particular villa is out of view of tall windows. Otherwise your options are to shower during daylight hours or turn off the lights at night so you don’t spill all your secrets.
Each villa includes a private pool and outdoor kitchenette. I appreciated the multiple places to sit or lounge in the outdoor area, from the two-person table to the large cushioned bench to the lounge chairs.
The pool has a wide shallow section that’s perfect for folks who want to sit and relax in the pool without being submerged. Additionally, I imagine it would be perfect for those who order a floating breakfast, as you can eat it more comfortably with the water (and the tray) at your waist rather than your chest.
While there are walls surrounding your outdoor space, the villa doesn’t feel completely private. In addition to the aforementioned issue with adjacent buildings’ second stories, sound can be a bother for some. Since the villas are open-air, any foot traffic on the walkway outside will sound like the passersby are in your villa with you. If you and your neighbors are both outside at once, assume all conversations are being overheard.
Similarly, if your villa is near the restaurant, you will hear the music. Since I stayed at the opposite end of the property, I didn’t have this problem.
A final note about sound – as the pool waterfall is always…falling, you’ll always hear it during the day. While not a bother to me, it may be for those who prefer absolute silence when inside. Both the waterfall and pool jets turned off automatically just after 5:00pm.
As you are in Bali, there is a high likelihood of at least one teeny tiny lizard coming in to check out your place (probably from the bathroom). While these guys are harmless, it’s worth mentioning if their presence unsettles you. Note they’re not unique to this property, however. You’ll find them everywhere in Bali.
Design & Layout
After walking through the lobby, you immediately turn onto the main walkway of the resort, lined with villas on either side. At the end of the walkway lies Ketela and the hub with the infinity pool, spa, and other amenities.
Across from Theanna Villa’s spa, the resident turtles have their own spa. I loved visiting the base of the spiral staircase to greet the shelled reptiles, although they seemed a bit shy.
A wide grass field covers the ground next to the Ketela/amenity hut, bordered on one side by a waterfall. This waterfall also lines the walkway leading to the other row of villas.
As far as the hotel layout goes, that’s it. There aren’t too many places to hang out outside of your private villa, which is the main draw of Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu.
With that being said, it’s not really a hotel suitable for families. There’s nothing for kids to do onsite, including use of the infinity pool. Families would also be limited to the 2-bed villa style.
Note that this is not an accessible property for folks who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. There are stairs leading to the restaurant and to the spa and area where the turtles are, and I did not see an obvious elevator. The wide bed frames can also be prohibitive depending on the style of villa you book.
Food
Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu has but one restaurant on the property: Ketela. Fear not, however. They have many options and overall, I was very satisfied.
Ketela
Although Ketela is the only onsite dining option, it compensates with a fairly extensive menu. They offer both Western and Balinese dishes.
I deeply appreciated how sizable their vegan menu was for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many non-vegan dishes could also be prepared as such. But if you eat meat and seafood, don’t worry. Ketela has a wide variety of options for you, too.
Make a reservation at Ketela or check out the current menu here.
Here’s a quick rundown of what I enjoyed:
Haloumi Salad – Very crisp and fresh. I loved the detail of rolling up the julienned cucumber slices. This was the first dish I tried and unfortunately (fortunately?) the only mishap. I ordered it prepared vegan and it appeared with regular cheese on it. The staff were quick to offer to remake it, but I opted to just pick off the cheese. Otherwise, delicious.
Spring Rolls – Nice and fresh, similar to the haloumi salad. The accompanying peanut sauce was also excellent.
A Vegan Spread – A breakfast tofu scramble with roasted tomatoes, spinach, and two pieces of toasted sourdough bread. Not the best tofu scramble I’ve had, but the toast and veggies were great.
Rainbow Fries – Not out-of-this-world amazing, but good. I liked the spicy mayo and avocado dipping sauces.
Coconut Porridge – On the thinner side, but had a lovely taste. Just the right amount of sweetness even before the syrup served on the side. Bananas were mixed in, with strawberries and granola sprinkled on top. Coconut milk was also served on the side.
Tofu Bites – The texture reminded me of popcorn chicken. They had a little kick but weren’t too spicy. I ordered these a couple times during my stay.
Yellow Curry – This was incredibly savory. SO good with rice. I wished I had gotten it the night before too.
Banana Fritters – Amazing! Slightly crispy with crunchy bits at the edges. Served hot with brown sugar syrup to pour over. If you like the idea of bananas and funnel cake having a baby, you’ll love these.
Morning Sunrise Bowl – This was a delicious and refreshing strawberry banana smoothie bowl. I was absolutely delighted to see they SPELLED MY NAME IN MELON! They staff didn’t even ask for my name; they remembered it from two days prior. It was such a cute surprise. Fantastic presentation.
Oat Milk Cappuccino – Not bad. No decaf, though.
While the food was wonderful, the restaurant layout was a reminder that Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu is targeted at couples rather than families. A few tables were pushed together to create seating for two groups of four, but most of the seating was for two people.
You can also reserve floating breakfast through Ketela to enjoy at your villa’s pool. Much to my singular chagrin, this experience can only be reserved for two people. Did I mention this place was geared towards couples?
Amenities
While the hotel footprint isn’t huge, Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu does offer a small assortment of amenities to take advantage of.
Infinity Pool
If you’d like a little more space to swim compared to your villa’s pool, you can use the shared infinity pool. A wall of bamboo and other flora create some separation from the surrounding buildings.
The pool is right next to Ketela, so your swimming will be the dining entertainment for anyone eating in the restaurant. On the plus side, snacks and beverages are in close proximity.
Note that for safety, only guests 16 and older may use this pool.
Spa
The spa is located directly under the infinity pool and Ketela. The floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a wall of trees, with the runoff from the pool above serving as a tranquil waterfall for the spa-goers below.
The treatment rooms feature a lot of stone in the walls and floor. Even the bathtubs are carved entirely from stone.
The spa focuses on using local, handmade products to pamper you. Treatments on the menu include massages, facials, body scrubs, flower or bubble baths for two, and combination packages.
While I chose to indulge in a spa day at another hotel, the price is definitely right. You can get a 90-minute traditional Balinese massage for about $36 USD including the service charge.
You can make a reservation or check out the current spa menu here.
Exercise Room
Next to the spa is what the hotel kindly refers to as a “mini gym.” While there’s certainly enough equipment to work up a quick sweat, it’s more akin to a home gym you’d find in your dad’s basement.
Yoga mats, a few pairs of dumbbells, a Swiss ball, a kettlebell, a bench, a couple cardio machines, and a few other odds and ends make up this gym.
Since the gym is next to the spa treatment rooms, you do get to enjoy the same floor-to-ceiling windows and lush green view while you do your bicep curls.
Library
Across from the turtles’ hangout spot, there’s a tiny library with a small number of books in a few different languages. While quite minimal during the time of my stay, hopefully it will grow over time.
Having a selection of books guests can borrow is a great feature to have at a property like this, where people are encouraged to spend time onsite relaxing next to their private pool.
Shuttle
A really great service Theanna Villa offers is the shuttle. At designated times throughout the day, the shuttle will run in a loop between the hotel and various spots in Canggu. This is a great way to see more of the area, have a day at the beach, and try some local restaurants.
Here was the shuttle schedule at the time of my stay:
Atmosphere
Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu truly does feel like a hidden getaway despite the busy area it’s in. However, you are reminded of this at times. For instance, the view from Ketela consists of neighboring rooftops, utilities, and (in my case) evidence of construction.
While the wall of foliage framing the shared infinity pool blocks most of this from swimmers’ sight, similar views peek through the bare spots on the sides.
As mentioned above, unwanted sound from neighbors and passersby can also shatter your illusion of isolation. Additionally, second stories of adjacent buildings may be able to peer over your wall and into your villa.
Since there are 29 villas in total at Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu, I can’t imagine the property often feeling packed. While I heard my neighbors when we were both outside, I heard passing voices and footsteps only occasionally.
However, one element that helped preserve the feeling of isolation was all the greenery lacing the walls and tropical trees framing the main walkway. Strolling between my villa and Ketela was always calming, and I could forget that I was in the middle of Canggu.
Staff & Service
The great thing about a hotel with only 29 rooms is the opportunity for staff to make your stay very personal, and that warmth was certainly felt. The only time I was asked for my name was when I checked in. For the rest of my time at Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu, staff greeted me by name in both the lobby and restaurant.
When I returned to Ketela for breakfast on my second day, the wait staff remembered my name, room number, and dietary preferences from the day before. I was tickled and quite impressed, to say the least.
On another occasion, I ordered a drink at the bar to take back to my villa and the staff insisted I go ahead and let them bring my piña colada when it was ready. I felt a bit guilty since my villa was on the opposite end of the property, but they brought my drink with a smile all the same.
In addition to wonderful hospitality, the staff also exhibited great senses of humor. One of the Ketela servers startled me once when they came to check on me and it became the running joke through the rest of my stay.
The communication between staff members was likewise excellent. When I checked in, they did an awesome job of passing me off to different people. The lobby concierge directed me to the restaurant where I could sip on my welcome drink, and informed Ketela’s staff when my villa was ready.
The wait staff automatically added my room number to my bill and communicated back to the lobby staff when I was done eating. Another staff member met me in front of my villa to give me a tour. The staff take great care of you here.
The hotel provides nightly turndown service in addition to normal cleaning, including anti-mosquito measures like repellant incense in the outdoor area. Staff are also constantly tending to the grounds, sweeping up fallen leaves and flowers.
The staff direct guests to communicate any questions or requests via WhatsApp.
Location
Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu is about an hour from the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. It’s located in Canggu, northwest of Denpasar. It’s walking distance to many cafes and eateries, and about a 30 minute walk (or 10 minute drive) to the beach.
The hotel is tucked away at the end of a narrow street, nestled between many other buildings.
Getting There
I recommend traveling by car in Bali if you have luggage. If you don’t want to hail a taxi and potentially haggle, you can download the rideshare apps Grab and Gojek. Both are widely used in Bali, and you can choose whichever has the lower price.
Alternatively, you can book a private ride via Klook like I did. I wanted to secure the price I’d pay ahead of time, and I paid between $7-$35 USD for each of my rides depending on the distance. My 2 hour ride from Nusa Dua to North Ubud was only $34.80! I booked both of the following during my two weeks in Bali:
Private transfer to/from the airport – Select the “airport transfers” tab and fill out your pick up or drop off information. You can then choose a transportation company based on price and star rating.
- Klook has a station in the airport’s arrivals hall that’s easy to find. Show the folks there your voucher and they’ll have you take a seat while you wait for your ride. I waited about 15 minutes before my driver came.
Private transfer from another hotel – Select the areas of Bali you’re transferring to and from and add to cart, then add your specific pick up and drop off information on the check out page.
- I booked this service three times to transfer between Kuta, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and North Ubud. Each time, the driver reached out to me in advance on WhatsApp to confirm the time, and also arrived to the pick up spot early.
Note that my experience with both of the above services was that they were polite and timely, but very casual. The cars were all clean, but I believe they may have been personal vehicles.
Need a flight?
I had a very comfortable flight on Singapore Airlines to Denpasar. Check current prices here.
Related: Singapore Airlines 787 Business Class Review: Seoul to Singapore
Things to Do Nearby
If you’d like to venture out from your private villa, here are some experiences nearby Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu:
Want to try your hand at surfing? We Surf Bali offers beginner-friendly lessons at Old Man’s Beach in Canggu. While surfing novices are encouraged, they should be strong swimmers. Professional photos of your surfing experience are available for purchase after your lesson.
For the brave folks who like their vacations with a spike of adrenaline, you can take in the views of Canggu while whipping though the air on a 141 foot swing. The extreme G Swing reaches up to 100 kilometers per hour, so this is definitely not for the faint of heart. However, it would be quite a unique vantage point from which to enjoy a sunset.
If you’d rather calm your heart rate than excite it, there are options for you, too. Improve your flexibility with a yoga class at the atmospheric Guan Yin Yoga Shala Canggu. A healthy brunch and a cup of coffee following your class are included. Note that the studio is located onsite at Hotel Tugu Bali.
Booking
Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu is an independent hotel currently unassociated with any major brands. I booked with cash using my Citi Strata Premier card via Citi’s travel portal, so I could enjoy earning 10x points. I paid $382.58 for two nights, earning me 3,825 Citi ThankYou points.
Valuing ThankYou points at 1.8 cents per point, that makes my 3,825 points worth about $68.85 when transferred out to partners for my next trip.
Book Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu via their site here.
Alternatively, you can book through your favorite travel portal.
Overall Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu Review
This property is a wonderful compromise for those who want a villa experience without the beachfront prices, while also having access to town. I have some minor regrets for not exploring Canggu more, but I was just so comfortable at Theanna.
The food was delicious, and the range of vegan and vegetarian options is impressive. This is a great spot especially if those dietary restrictions apply to you.
Despite the lack of privacy in some respects bothering me, I would certainly stay here again at Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu.
Stay here if:
- You want a private pool villa experience without paying several hundred dollars a night.
- You want the best of both worlds: a tucked-away villa feel and walkable access to town.
- A hotel with many (delicious) vegan food options is important to you.
- You’re traveling with your significant other.
Skip if:
- You prefer to spend most of your time at a large resort, enjoying a wide variety of amenities and different places to relax within the property.
- You like having multiple on-site restaurant options.
- You’re traveling with kids.
- You want zero reminders that you are next to non-resort buildings and you’d like your room to have “the view.”
- You need absolute quiet in your room during the day (ie. not even the sound of running water).