If you like your villas sleek and polished then you are going to love the gleaming surfaces and modern fixtures of Villa Adenium. I found myself constantly sliding my hands over the glossy furnishings and marvelling at the smooth surfaces under foot. Constructed in 2006, the villa

The unique interior décor of Villa Azzalea definitely gives it lots of character: we felt as if we’d been transported onto the set of a sultry Moorish movie, or perhaps a Bollywood blockbuster. Despite this exoticism however, the villa still felt very homely and was

A small staff team looked after the house, and friendly Made made us a lovely tropical breakfast each morning. He struggled a little with his English but since we only made simple requests this wasn’t a problem. Sister-property Villa Balquisse is up the road and this ten-bedroom hotel is the headquarters of all villa management operations so staff will come down to meet you and can easily be called upon if you have any specific requests – they are very helpful. There’s also the Mediterranean Asam Garam restaurant here (a driver can come and pick you up from the villa or deliver dishes to you) and, for a full pampering, the Henna Spa. Both are decorated in Zohra Boukhari’s iconic Moorish–Oriental style. If you’d like your taste buds pampering too, you can arrange for a private chef for just US$20 a day.

This villa rocks! We loved our stay here – one night wasn’t enough time to sample all the facilities. There really is something for everyone: a gym; yoga space; massage room; pool lounge; PlayStation and great stereo systems and cinemas throughout. There are also

Of the three villas at Jimbaran Alamanda, the Colonial Cottage is the newest; it has been designed along the same theme as the other two properties, but is sleeker and more contemporary in style. We were there on our own and we relished the

The Colonial Hut at Jimbaran Alamanda Villas was designed and built at a time when land in Bali (yes, even beachfront land) was readily available and affordable, so you can expect to be surprised by the generously-sized rooms and garden. The

We loved this place. The villa’s design imbues that colonial era vibe that really did make us feel like lords of the (tropical) manor. It’s not super swanky and this is reflected in the price, but it is huge and tasteful. From

We loved this place. The villa’s design imbues that colonial era vibe that really did make us feel like lords of the (tropical) manor. It’s not super swanky and this is reflected in the price, but it is huge and tasteful. We were eight adults, and did we have fun! From

We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast and lunch prepared by the villa staff and served in the main dining area. The guest kitchens in the three villas are compact, modern and practical (there are microwaves but no ovens).

Just call me the Queen of Sheba! I was welcomed to Villa Kirania like royalty and deliciously pampered for the duration of my stay. Fresh juice and fragrant cool towel on arrival, hot spring rolls the moment I settled in and, after a refreshing swim in the saltwater pool, a jug of

Kirania’s exterior design is quite simple – it’s the details and the trimmings that make this villa something special; the gold weave embroidery on the sheets, the sumptuous linens of dark burgundies and gold, the silky cushions perfectly propped on the sofas. The staff obviously take incredible pride in keeping this villa at its best. The roof-top deck is stunning: I was alone, but could easily imagine having elegant dinner parties or soirees in this wonderful setting, and the same can be said of the lush pool area. There is not a lot of garden, but thoughtful landscaping incorporates palms, stretches of lawn and plenty of colourful flowers.

As soon as I walked into the Sandat Suite I felt like a princess. Thanks to owner, Zohra Boukhari, a renowned interior designer whose projects grace villas and hotels from France to Malaysia, every nook and cranny of The Shaba is dressed to the hilt. With matching crystal

Normally in a rush to take a dip in the pool and save unpacking for later, I found myself dawdling in the opulent, air-conditioned suite. With more than enough closet space for a small army, a charming set of velvet upholstered chairs, hand-knotted area rug and silk tassels for cabinet pulls, unpacking turned into a full sensory experience. The rest of the day unfolded slowly, from the sparkling freshly squeezed orange juice to the complimentary espresso, much time was spent just poking around taking in the nuances that make The Shaba feel like a slice of exotic Marrakech in the heart of tropical Bali.

Although the villa shares a large estate compound with its sister villa, The Balquisse, as well as the main office, restaurant and spa, The Shaba is tucked away in its own private oasis. Mornings were a bit busy with the numerous staff it takes to keep all of the glass windows and lanterns crystal clear (next time I’ll ask them to take care of all that after I’ve set off for the beach), but by mid-morning, I had the place mostly to myself. With the upbeat Ku De Ta–style tunes playing on the villa’s iPod sound system, and numerous lounge areas to choose from, it didn’t take long to sink into my book for the afternoon. The mangrove next to the saltwater pool creates a lush, private ambiance that is not easy to find in this condensed resort area – a lovely neighbour to have, although a little odorous depending on the direction of the breeze. Of course, nothing a chilled glass of white wine from the kitchen’s wine fridge couldn’t cure.

There is something very easygoing about Villa Uma Nina, and we thought this must have been down to its serene situation and its beautiful presentation both indoors and out; we felt at home the moment we stepped inside.

Uma Nina is a great family villa; the garden is