At Villa Ahn we felt like we were in the heart of the real Bali within a peaceful village unspoiled by tourism but only ten minutes away from Ubud. The quiet of the rice fields and the gentle manner of the staff gave this big comfortable house a special tranquillity.

When we arrived we were given a wonderful cool drink made with fresh hibiscus picked right from the garden. Once unpacked, we couldn’t decide which we wanted first: a rain shower, a soak in the big shrine-like bathtub, or a swim in the sparkling blue pool.

This was a totally relaxing house to be in. The bedrooms were very quiet, aside from the sound of frogs in the rice fields, which was like a lullaby. There were plenty of places to sprawl with a book or dabble over a scrabble board (we brought our own). One of us bought a badminton set in the nearby town of Gianyar, which we installed on one of the villa’s big lawns. In the living room there was plenty of room for all six of us to watch a movie. (There are a few DVDs at the villa, but we picked up half a dozen at a supermarket in Ubud very cheaply.)

Meals were a treat. Ibu Kadek, the cook, made us wonderful local dishes that were rich with coconut milk and fresh spices adjusted to our taste. In between meals she offered us tea and whipped up snacks. The inclusive breakfast offers the usual selection (American, Continental) but also Indonesian and Balinese choices. Other meals are from listed price menus and costs are quite reasonable. Dishes are mainly Indonesian, but sandwiches and burgers are also available. Barbecues are a relatively grand affair. The housekeeping staff do all the provisioning, and can shop for special requests for a small fee.

This out-of-town villa is a little gem that offers the best of both worlds. On the one hand you will find all the serenity and peace that you would expect from a countryside location, together with the enchantment of a Balinese village, yet you are only five kilometres from the

The calm and peaceful surroundings at Villa Atas Awan immediately put us at ease. Due to its remote location, the only sounds constantly present come from nature. It gave us the feeling of no-frills rural living, but with the benefit of modern comforts such as soft beds and

Bayad Villa’s garden is amazing and it felt so tropical. It was like a woodland overflowing with plants which, although carefully landscaped, were growing abundantly as if untamed. The villa felt spacious as such, and is perfectly set up for two families since each pair of

The staff were efficient and because the property is so large we hardly saw them apart from at mealtimes when they tended to gather around the main kitchen to chat, which was a little off-putting. We were informed by the management company, however, that they have plans to change the kitchen design which would resolve this problem. As if to compensate for any disturbance, the house manager really went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed at all times.

There’s quite an extensive priced menu at the villa – the cook’s excellent Balinese dishes come highly recommended and you receive a complimentary Balinese meal if staying more than seven nights. Self-catering is also an option but only for stays of seven days or more; in this instance, a 30% charge is added onto the total cost of your grocery bill if the staff do your shopping for you.

Villa Bodhi is a breath of fresh air. Amos Kotomori (a gifted clothing designer) has created a lush, art-filled residence within easy reach of Ubud that, luckily for us, is now available for holiday rental. On the drive up to the villa along Jalan Raya Sayan, the major luxury

Villa Bukit Naga is one of the most delightful villas we have seen in Bali. The architect and owners have created a real gem in total sympathy with the surroundings. Tucked away overlooking a quiet river valley some 20-minutes’ drive from Ubud, the location is nothing short

We loved the grand scale of Lila Bamboo, which allows the heart to open and take in the beauty of the place—and there is beauty everywhere, in the views, in the Asian art and antiques, and the construction details of the house itself, clearly built by hand. The natural

As we were travelling with two teenage children, we were at first concerned that they would not have enough to entertain them, since there is no television; but they had brought their laptops (which functioned perfectly with the good WiFi connection everywhere); and immediately got into the spirit of the house. They loved their rooms, with their cabin-in-the-forest feel and huge bathrooms. We had lunch together in the large living room on their floor, which was also great for board games (we brought along our own). The children also spent a lot of time exploring the river and visiting the organic gardens of the ashram. They made friends with the cows and three Golden Retrievers. The swimming pool was a blessing for us all, so fresh at all hours of the day.

The staff were gracious and competent. The house manager, Alfian, greeted us when we arrived and checked on us often. The two Balinese women looking after the house were a bit shy of speaking English, but they seemed to know exactly what we needed at any moment. On arrival we were immediately offered a glass of fresh coconut water—a most restorative drink full of nutrients. It came from coconut palms growing on the grounds, and a pitcher was always on hand, constantly refreshed.

We had great meals during our stay—some in Ubud and some at the villa. Dinner at the massive dining table felt like being in a castle. The freelance cook was brought in with a day’s notice, which meant that a bit of menu planning was necessary, but that will still be the case when a permanent cook is hired (in the plans), since staff need time to shop for fresh produce at the local market.

When we rolled up the final steep hill and through the entrance to Pandawas Villas, the stars were overhead and ambient lighting cast elongated shadows across the tropical foliage. Had we arrived in the Garden of Eden? We were led through a pavilion with an intricately painted

There are not many properties that make it to the top of our list of favourites, but as soon as we arrived at Pelangi Villa, we knew that this was something very, very special indeed. Obviously a lot of this has got to do with the stunningly beautiful and peaceful riverside and

There are not many properties that make it to the top of our list of favourites, but as soon as we arrived at Pelangi Estate, we knew that this was something very, very special indeed. Obviously a lot of this has got to do with the stunningly beautiful and peaceful riverside and