Neat accommodation, just outside Kuta. The reviews of Khophilau are glowing, is the stay really that good?
It’s no secret that I regularly visit Lombok and during one of my trips to Lombok I stay at the Khophilau Villas in Are Guling. Are Guling is a small village located between Kuta and Tampah Hills.
On the internet – Booking and Google – the reviews are glowing. I’m curious if Khophilau Villas is really as good as the reviews suggest.
Khophilau Villas
Khophilau Villas consists of four separate – small – cottages. The cottages consist of a bedroom with a double bed, a small table, wardrobe and a private TV. Furthermore, you have your own bathroom and toilet.
There is a nice pool that you share with other guests and a communal kitchen, where the staff prepares breakfast in the morning.
Advantages of Khophilau Villas
Advantages of Khophilau Villas
- Nice pool
- Stay includes breakfast
- Wifi is good
Disadvantages of Khophilau Villas
- No private kitchen
- No private seating area, it’s purely a bedroom
- Close to a mosque, so a lot of noise disturbance (also at night)
- Location is not ideal
Price Khophilau Villas
I pay 50 euros per night (May 2025) for the Khophilau Villas. That includes breakfast. The price is on the low side by Lombok standards, and that is purely due to the location, just outside the center.
Location Khophilau Villas
The location is okay, but not great, unlike Namu or NMBR Four (centre of Kuta). From and to the centre takes about 15 minutes. That’s not too bad in itself, but because the ride goes up and down a lot of hills, you have to refuel about every other day.
Don’t feel like driving for a quarter of an hour several times a day? Then you better look for accommodation in or closer to Kuta.
Room at Khophilau Villas
The rooms of Khophilau Villas are fine. Not high-end, but also not bad. The rooms are clean, although the bedding is no longer spotless white due to frequent use,
The air conditioning also leaves its mark by leaking in the room. The table is too small to work at, the toilet has no sink (so you have to walk to the bathroom) and the bathroom gets little sunlight, causing all the plants to die in their pots.
The bathroom itself is spacious, but not ideally laid out. The shower wets the entire floor and doesn’t drain properly, leaving the floor wet. There is also little to no pressure on the shower, so you shower under a rather sad – soft – stream of water.
Disadvantages of Khophilau Villas
If you look at Khophilau Villas with a critical eye, there are a few things that could be better. For example, the charm of authentic rice fields also means that a lot of rubbish is burned around the cottages. In the evenings, you often sit in the smoke of your downstairs neighbours.
The cottages are also close to a mosque, so you can enjoy the call to prayer around half past four in the morning, through a thoroughly creaking speaker.
The lighting in the room also leaves something to be desired. There is an on and off switch for 4 gigantic LED spotlights in the ceiling, with which you could light a football field. The atmosphere was not considered when they were installed.
Breakfast at Khophilau Villas
Breakfast is included and in my opinion good enough. You can choose from a fruit juice or bowl of fresh fruit, tea or coffee and a “main course”.
The choice of dishes consists of egg with toast, banana pancakes, nasi or mie goreng, or a fresh papaya smoothie.
Because the reviews on the internet rave about the smoothie, I order that first and to be honest: it is very tasty. The eggs with toast are a bit disappointing, as bread is generally not high-end, but when we asked for an extra egg instead of bread that was no problem.
Facilities Khophilau Villas
Swimming pool
The only facility that Khophilau Villas offers is the swimming pool. The pool is large enough to swim laps and offers a nice view over the rice fields and the sea.
Around the pool you will find bean bags and sunbeds. Ideal to cool off during the hottest moments of the day with a ‘splash’.
Remote working in Lombok
Working on Lombok and in this case specifically at Khophilau Villas is possible. Internet in the room and the restaurant is fast and stable. Ranging from 10MB in the room to about 25/30 MB in the kitchen/restaurant.
There is enough coverage everywhere and in the restaurant there are a few chairs or benches where you can sit with your laptop. For a long working day, Khophilau Villas is not suitable.
Are you using the Wi-Fi network of a hotel or accommodation? Then make sure you secure your connection via a VPN or choose a mobile internet solution via, for example, Firsty, where you can also work with a hotspot.
Conclusion Khophilau Villas
Khophilau Villas is a fine accommodation, but not for long(er) periods. You miss a private seating area and private kitchen if you want to stay there for a longer time.
Also, the location and layout in terms of toilet/bathroom is not ideal. What Khophilau Villas does well is the extremely friendly service, the breakfast and the view over the bay of Are Guling.
Are you looking for accommodation in or around Kuta, Lombok? Then check out the reviews below.
