My $800 mistake on a 'perfect' coworking space in Bali | Digital Nomad Life

Kai Bailey · 2026-04-02T11:45:07.572888+00:00

I paid for a full month at a fancy coworking spot in Canggu back in 2019, lured by the photos of fast wifi and a pool. The internet was so slow I couldn't join video calls, and the 'quiet area' was right next to a construction site. I lost the whole $800 because they had a strict no-refund policy. I ended up working from a quiet cafe with better connection for a fraction of the cost. Has anyone else been burned by a shiny coworking space that didn't deliver?

lilyt906mo ago

Ugh, this is everywhere now. It's not just coworking spaces. It's the whole "pay for the vibe" economy. Like those tiny apartments with a fancy lobby but paper thin walls. Or the restaurant with great decor and terrible food. They sell you the photo, not the real thing. Makes you trust nothing.

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amy536mo ago

Actually @lilyt90, I've found some real gems by checking reviews beyond the photos.

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susanm224mo ago

But they sold you the photo, not the real thing" is such a tired line. Look, you saw the photos, you paid the money, you took the risk. Nobody forced you to hand over $800 sight unseen for a month in Bali. I've booked plenty of places based on hype and got exactly what I expected because I did my homework. Maybe you just got unlucky, but acting like the whole "pay for the vibe economy" is out to get you is dramatic. People love to blame others for their own bad calls.

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