Once the doors of 32 Middle Street were closed behind us we felt instantly at home. The property felt secluded and its courtyard swimming pool and rooftop sundeck offered plenty of scope for relaxation. Indoors, we loved curling up on the squashy sofas in the living room and

As soon as we walked through the doors of Adelle Villa Two we thought ‘this is cute’ and for the location ‘surprisingly spacious’. It’s a dark wooden building so the effect is cosy, comfy and homely rather than

The staff spoke very limited English but the friendly villa manager, who is only a phone call away, can answer any questions you may have.

Unfortunately there was a local power failure just after our arrival, so we were literally left in the dark and without a back-up generator. But instead of searching for candles and fending for ourselves we decided to check out the nearby restaurant scene where we were simply spoilt for choice.

If you are looking for modern high-end luxury then Villa Beatrice isn’t for you, but if you want great value for money, easy and comfortable living in a central location, then it ticks all the boxes.

Akuvara's contemporary design may not be to everyone's taste, but once you settle into the tropical lifestyle on offer you soon appreciate the beauty of keeping things simple. The clean open spaces suit the environment and technological enhancements like the music and

The staff are courteous and try hard to meet every request. Despite the occasional language barrier they manage to run everything smoothly while remaining unobtrusive and the english speaking manager ensures the villa runs smoothly and deals with things like tour bookings and restaurant recommendations. This part of Lipa Noi offers a nice balance between seclusion and diversion. You can happily spend days doing very little, but a short drive to the other side of the peninsular brings you to some decent resort restaurants, as well as the Nikki Beach Club, which is far more sophisticated a venue than you'd expect to find in such a secluded location.

In some ways Akuvara felt like two villas in one. The studio at the rear of the property feels like an independent unit, but would certainly be a useful addition for a full family gathering. The option to rent the villa without this fourth bedroom, however, makes Akuvara a great choice as a functional but comfortable family getaway.

If there is such a thing as villa envy then staying at Akuvara may inspire it as the villas close-by are significantly larger and more opulent than this one - but come with a much higher price tag. Yet despite its compact design, Akuvara still boasts the full range of amenities required to provide a pleasant beachside escape. Between the pool and the beach you never want for daytime pleasures and lazing in the ocean-front sala with a cool drink and a book must surely rate as one of life's finer moments.

Villa Alang Alang is charmingly Balinese and is a rare find in this fast developing area. The open living areas and a lush garden full of palm trees around the pool provides an authentic Balinese experience, yet still right in the heart of Seminyak. We loved it but not everyone

If you’re looking for a villa in Seminyak, chances are you’re hoping to find one that’s got a great central location within strolling distance of a choice of restaurants, shops and bars. Villa Alice 2’s situation just a two-minute walk to Jalan Laksmana

We liked that having the living and sleeping areas divided across the tropical garden meant that in the evening, anyone retiring early will hear little noise from the lounge. The fact that the garden is enclosed and that the swimming pool has a shallow paddler-friendly section makes the villa especially suitable for families looking for a central base. A pool safety fence can be erected on request and baby cots are available. Each bedroom came with its own TV and DVD player (bedroom 1 also has cable) so that individual guests can escape and movie watch as they like.

We found the staff to be friendly and very helpful, and they left us to our own devices for much of the time. Since their working hours are from 8am until 4pm every day, we liked having the house to ourselves in the evening too; this arrangement works well for privacy-seeking couples. An American breakfast is cooked daily, and if you wish to pick a dish or two from one of the extensive take away menus they will help you to order lunch and dinner. Between the BaliEpicure fine dining menu (which we recommend) and the Hallo Bali magazine of numerous restaurants and cuisines there’s loads to choose from. You can also arrange for a cook to come to the villa for a fee. Otherwise, just head out and enjoy the amazing restaurants on your doorstep.

Villa Alice 1 couldn’t be better located if having a plethora of restaurants, shops and bars within easy reach are important considerations when picking your holiday villa. Aside from its fab location, Villa Alice 1 is also a wonderful place to escape the hustle and bustle

Couples will also find this villa much to their liking – although the staff are friendly and very helpful, they did leave us to our own devices for much of the time so it felt very private. Since their working hours are from 8am until 4pm every day, we liked having the house to ourselves in the evening too. An American breakfast is cooked daily, and if you wish to pick a dish or two from one of the extensive take away menus they will help you to order lunch and dinner. Between the BaliEpicure fine dining menu and the Hallo Bali magazine of numerous restaurants and cuisines there’s loads to choose from. We picked dishes from Lemongrass – a Thai restaurant – and they weren’t bad at all. You can also arrange for a cook to come to the villa for a fee. Otherwise, just head out and enjoy the amazing restaurants on your doorstep.

We found Ambalama to be a very flexible beach villa, suitable for families, groups of friends and even decadent couples. It is spacious enough to host larger groups and its sociable layout maximises party potential (as does the iPod docking station and Bose sound system). Each

This villa is certainly big – when we first walked into it, it seemed to keep going back and back. There’s plenty of space for one large group, or a few smaller ones in little secluded pockets throughout the property. We really liked the roof terrace – the