Renting a villa in Bali: what the photographs never show

Most of the good accommodation in Bali is villas, not hotels — which is why the gap between the photographs and the stay is wider here than almost anywhere. Wide-angle lenses, drone shots at the right hour, and no microphone. Here is what to check before you commit.

The five things that decide the stay

Noise. The two most common complaints are the road and the roosters. A villa fifty metres from a main street is quiet in photos and loud at seven in the morning. Ask what the villa backs onto, not just what it faces.

Sun on the pool. A pool in permanent shade is a decorative feature. In a compound with tall walls or neighbouring buildings, the water can lose the sun by two in the afternoon.

The real distance. "Five minutes from the beach" is measured in a straight line, without traffic, on a scooter, at eleven at night. Ask for the drive to the nearest dinner in the evening — that is the number that matters.

Staff, and their hours. Many villas include a daily housekeeper, some a cook, some a manager who lives on site. All of that is good, but know it in advance: who has keys, what hours they are around, and whether breakfast is included or arranged.

The building next door. Bali builds constantly. A villa can be perfect and sit beside a site that starts at seven. Recent guest photos tell you more than the listing does.

The practical checks

• Bedrooms and beds are not the same thing. A "four-bedroom villa" may have two doubles and two twins. For a group of adults, ask for the bed layout.