I stayed at Pelan for 2 weeks in October; I booked for a week and stayed for 2! which says it all: the place is simply amazing!! It starts with the beautiful venue; the rooms, the pool, the cosy reception/kitchen area, and the beautiful spacious garden (and super well maintained!). On top of that you get great surf and yoga classes, the care of an amazing team and you will meet awesome other guests/friends!
I opted for the 'get it all package' which included surf classes, yoga, and massages.
Yoga: I was really happy to have such an experienced yoga teachers who really challenges you on your own level and also led classes that were great fun. On top of that the beautiful yoga shala was in a quiet part of the garden next to the river which adds to the experience. They also provide good quality yoga mats.
The surf classes were great: The instructors are professional, really care for your safety and experience and are super nice. We went surfing on quiet local beaches with barely any other surfers there (versus overcrowded beaches of Batu Bolong and Echo beach). During my stay most of the time we had 1:1 classes with our own instructor which means you can really improve fast (you get feedback after each wave) and feel really safe and comfortable going out there in different conditions.
Location: Pelan is situated in beautiful lush rice fields which you can see every morning on the way to the beach :-) I was glad Pelan was in a quiet and beautiful place, away from the busy roads and very touristy area's of Canggu. However it means that if you wanna go for shopping or to go out for dinner you'll need to take a scooter (available at Pelan) or taxi (20 min by car). Usually we would share a taxi with the other guests to go for dinner or to go in town so it is not expensive.
Rooms: all rooms were beautiful, clean, spacious, and nice bathrooms. The suites in the downstairs garden next to river were especially beautiful, light, spacious, in quiet part of garden.
Food: I loved the creative breakfasts and Indonesian lunch, freshly prepared every day by Kis and Eny. Although sometimes I needed to buy a bit of extra breakfast after the surfing... For dinner we went out in Canggu or ordered in (several great options).
The entire team working at Pelan really takes care of the guests to ensure you have an amazing experience. Somehow they all know your name and always look so happy to be there, it is impossible not to smile and be happy too! :-) Emma and Putu really created a team that seem like a family and a place that feels like home!
On top of that the other guests staying there were amazing and really make this a special experience; you really make friends from day 1!

Everyone's review pretty much sums up what I would say. I wanted to learn to surf better, do some yoga, relax and take it easy - all of which I achieved (I had the Get-it-all-package). The surf lessons were great, mostly one-on-one which meant I learnt quickly, riding small green waves and turning by the time I left having had 5 lessons. The yoga was great too and I'm glad I didn't try to squeeze more sessions in as the surfing tires you out! Luckily they also have massages on offer and the lady is amazing!

As for the place itself, it's really out in the middle of the rice paddies which is nice because you are so removed from the hustle and bustle, but it does mean that every time you might want to pop into Canggu to get food or do some shopping you need to make the trip.

The people running the retreat are just lovely. Emma and Putu were away for most of my stay but Rani and Mita were super friendly and helpful, and the staff were always smiling. I had the family room which was really great, only thing is that it's under the temple so when there was a ceremony happening, it felt like it was inside my room! Luckily it did not end late so not really an issue. The roosters on the other hand....at 4am! Bring earplugs!

What really made it special, were the people I met there. We really clicked and I really enjoyed spending time with them, going on outings, just chatting at the villa. I was worried I would be lonely but that certainly wasn't the case. Anyway, I would definitely go back. :)

As some reviews already described it, Pelan Pelan is a home away from home.
Everything was wonderful: from the first moment of my stay, until the hug of saying goodbye.
I've spend 7 nights at Pelan Pelan and had the Surf and Yoga Package. Before I came I had no surfing experience and with thanks to the great surf instructors I could stand on the board at lesson one :-)
In the mornings a lovely breakfast was prepared, we had surfing lessons and in the weekends we could sleep in or go out. On weekdays we had an amazing Balineese lunch of fresh en delightful prepared dishes. In the evenings we ordered in or went to Changgu for dinner and sunsets. Also the Yoga and mediation sessions, massages and trips were so nice and lovely! The wonderful staff arranges everything that you might need.
Everything looks exactly as on the pictures and even better. Rooms are very clean and spacious, the garden is so green en the pool is lovely!
What made my stay even more memorable are the amazing people I've met. Not only the staff and the surfinstructors of the Pelan Pelan family, but also the other guests that stayed at Pelan. It first I was a bit nervous to go travelling on my own, but I've met people that were strangers at day one and friends for life when I left.
I would defenatly go back to Pelan Pelan if I have the chance!
Emma, Putu, Pelan Pelan family and my new friends: thank you so much for these memories of a lifetime!