To totally immerse yourself in a new place to achieve true relaxation and peace, it is usually necessary to stay somewhere private and secluded, away from vast resorts. A private villa is definitely the answer for luxury travelers, and where better to stay than the Indonesian paradise island of Bali, with forested volcanic mountains, achingly beautiful beaches, tropical coral reefs, and a wonderful spiritual essence. Read on for our guide to the top 5 best private villas in Bali…
1. Villa Sungai
For a totally unique travel experience, stay in one of Bali’s most luxurious private villas at Villa Sungai (pictured above). The villa lies nestled on a lush, green, and tropical hillside in the southwest of Bali, off the beaten track in the tranquil country village of Cepaka in the Tabanan district, an hour’s drive from the airport. This is the place to come for a paradise island escape where peace and tranquillity reign supreme, where the local style in very much evident, and where your accommodation is sophisticated and contemporary. The lodge gives you the 5-star hotel experience but with an intimacy and exclusivity that it’s hard to feel at large hotels and resorts.
The service is a major part of your stay here as it’s truly extraordinary, round-the-clock, personal, and dedicated. Your first taster is when you are met at the airport by the manager after fast-tracking airport clearance, then there’s the signature cocktail from the bar on arrival, the all-day dining with no breakfast cut-off, someone on hand to book you into the best restaurants or organize any activity you can think of, from white water rafting to an indulgent poolside massage.
There are two villas here; Villa Sungai has three pool-side suites (with four-poster beds!) and four inside/outside bathrooms and overlooks the 18-meter infinity pool, and Sungai Gold also has three pool-side bedrooms and its own smaller pool; they can be booked together or separately. The interiors are immaculate and elegant; there is a large open-plan living room with white and khaki décor, white terrazzo flooring, and traditional vaulted ceilings. You flow directly out onto the terrace and pool area, where you’re bound to want to spend all your time. The colorful tropical gardens lead down the hill to the Ayung River, and there’s a huge outdoor dining area too.
It’s not just us that are seduced by Villa Sungai either, it’s a three times gold list winner of Luxury Travel Magazine’s Best Overseas Boutique Property, Villa or Lodge and Harper’s Bazaar described it as “Two ridiculously private residences that fuse a traditional village experience with five-star trappings to create a bespoke idyll”. “Poolside bliss-outs, princess-worthy service, four-poster beds, showers under the stars…Heaven has a new name” says Grazia’s Susie Burge. High praise indeed but praise that Villa Sungai is totally deserving of.
2. Atas Ombak
The beautiful villa Atas Ombak boasts a beachfront location with a private 100-meter strip of sand just across the landscaped gardens. You are just a 2-minute walk from Seminyak Beach, with its bustling nightlife scene, and Ngurah Rai International Airport is a 40-minute drive away. There are five bedrooms here, each has a wonderful open-air bathroom with bathtubs and outdoor showers. There is a private pool that overlooks the ocean and a huge bale with endless sofas positioned perfectly to make the most of the view on the large terrace. 25 staff ensure your comfort, and the resident chef can prepare a selection of Indonesian and Western dishes.
3. Puri Bawana
The luxurious Villa Puri Bawana has six bedrooms and is surrounded by lush rice fields. It is located in the upcoming Canggu region, a 15-minute drive from the restaurants and nightlife of Seminyak and a 35-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. The villa consists of a series of beautiful thatched pavilions which contain a vast living area, a huge media room/kids’ den, a large kitchen and bar; and outside beautifully manicured lawns surround a 30-meter infinity swimming pool, a terrace, and outdoor dining area. It comes with 12 staff including a notable chef, and your stay includes entry to one of Bali’s most exclusive private clubs, the nearby Canggu Club, where you can enjoy their recreational facilities and dine in their restaurants. This is a great villa for families and is also popular for weddings.
4. The Orchard House
If you’re design-conscious and value privacy but also want to be in the heart of the action, it’s worth checking out The Orchard House. Tucked away in the heart of bustling Seminyak, it still has massive lawns and a pool despite its central location. There are four bedrooms, two of which are interconnecting and a kids’ bedroom sleeping up to four children, plus a separate one-bed garden bungalow. The décor is a fabulous mix of European flavors, Balinese architecture, and the lush tropics; the carefully selected artwork, books, antique rugs, and furniture are totally Instagrammable! Your private chef will prepare all your meals but, of course, you are near a wide range of restaurants too.
5. Taman Sari Villas
There are two villas at this site in Taman Sari Villas, Seminyak, set in a peaceful, tropical enclave. Villa Altius has 3 bedrooms, and Villa Nemia has 2 bedrooms; they would work especially well for two families or two groups of friends traveling together as they can be amalgamated through a connecting garden entrance. There are vaulted ceilings, spacious, luxurious bedrooms, and Villa Altius has a charming separate rooftop garden area. The hospitality is warm, delicious meals are prepared by the team, and there are several fine restaurants nearby. There is a large personal tropical pool surrounded by beautiful gardens, and you are a pleasant stroll away from the nearby Seminyak beach. You can enjoy an in-villa massage or beauty treatment, and ‘Bali Spa’, a five-star spa, is a two-minute walk from the villas.
For extra benefits for your next hotel booking, it is worth requesting a quote from our Luxury Travel Concierge to get special rates and benefits such as upgrades, free breakfast, hotel credit, and late check-out.
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