An historic 1-bedroom dwelling in an enchanted tropical garden, Villa Radha comes with all the comforts of modern-day living, including personal butler service, private swimming pool, and spa. Located near the coastal village of Canggu, it offers one of the most romantic and unique villa experiences in Bali.
A restored antique wooden house in the centre of a serene and enchanted watergarden.
There have been a few changes since we stayed at Villa Radha two and a half years ago, with the addition of two new villas to the enclave, a children's playground, a gym and a spa. Staying at Villa Radha now means you have the choice of two spas on your doorstep. We decided, however, that we preferred the bygone era ambiance of the totally private wooden spa building within Villa Radha's magical garden. Like the villa itself, the spa is another antique building so it is more in keeping with the overall character and charm. We noticed that with a total of five villas on the estate there is a now a little bit of hustle and bustle (and dare we say modernity) outside of Radha's garden walls, but tucked away in our own private paradise – the gardens have grown and are even more beautiful than we remembered – we were able to completely relax and enjoy the wonderful service of the staff, and the great food.
If you're into sleek contemporary design the ethnic, rustic style of Villa Radha may not to be to your taste, but it is nevertheless immaculate and very comfortable, with all the trappings of the 21st century. There is no sitting room as such, but we enjoyed relaxing on the veranda, and were also very comfortable watching TV and movies in the air conditioned bedroom. As for the garden, well this is a landscaping triumph: forget any ideas of a modern Zen-like space, this garden will bewitch you with its tropical abundance of giant taro leaves, spiky pandanus, fan, parlour and travellers palms, bird's nest ferns, heliconia, flowering frangipani, and rare fruit trees. It will make you wonder how it can be so full (almost to the point of being overgrown) and yet so meticulously maintained.
At first we thought it was a little bit expensive for a one-bedroom villa, but when you consider the uniqueness of the property, the space, the facilities, the butler service, the pool, spa and gorgeous garden, you'll probably agree that it's extremely good value for money.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
10
Location:
8
Oustide Area:
9
Living Area:
7
Bedrooms:
9
Bathrooms:
9
Kitchen:
5
Facilities:
9
Staff:
9
Value:
8
Highlights
This is a romantic retreat par excellence! A beautiful antique dwelling that is very conducive to romance and relaxation. The bathroom is outstanding, and you will never tire of the garden – it feels like you have entered another world. We treated ourselves to a massage together at the villa's private spa and concluded that both therapists were superb. The food was good too, hearty breakfasts are inclusive, and we particularly enjoyed the chef's seafood pasta.
Surprises
Due to the irregular shaped stepping stones over the ponds, Villa Radha is not suitable for the infirm or very young (or, indeed, those who are unsteady on their feet for other reasons!)
PROs
Private spa in fantasy garden
Super-romantic venue – no nosy neighbours
Very unique and soaking in culture
Super-slick butlers
Outstanding bathroom and koi ponds
CONs
Stepping stones require sure footedness for non tee-totallers
The Experience
At the end of a hidden driveway, a few kilometres north of the madness of Seminyak, an antique wooden house rests at the centre of a serene watergarden. Further investigation reveals a secret retreat, a magical sanctuary so romantic, historical and private that if it wasn't for the modern facilities, you could be mistaken for believing that you had stepped back in time: back more than 100 years, in fact, into the home of a Javanese nobleman. In late 19th century Java, a man's wealth was determined by the quality of the carvings on the timber wall panels of his house, and Villa Radha, displays many signs of affluence of the time.
But the magic doesn't stop there. This one-bedroom teakwood house, complete with its raised veranda, luxurious semi open-air bathroom and small kitchenette, is situated within an exceptional rambling garden. Hidden beyond the cascading lotus ponds, behind bougainvillea hedges, is a fantasy world that will appeal to your inner child. A tropical garden created with love. Here, you will find yet more treasures including a swimming pool, ancient spa building, relaxation gazebo, farmer's pondok (rice field shelter), giant chess set and pétanque court, set against a rice terrace backdrop.
Villa Radha can be rented on its own or in conjunction with any of the other four Dea Villas – Villa Amy (three bedrooms), or Villas Dewi Sri, Sarasvati and Sati (all 4 bedrooms) – offering a total of 16 bedrooms. The five villas share facilities at the Dea Spa: indoor and outdoor treatment areas, a sauna and jacuzzi, as well as a fully-equipped gym, children's playground and staff service area.
This is a honeymoon haven, a villa for lovers, a place for romance and reading, for outdoor games, massages in the rustic spa, and for relishing afternoon tea, barbeques, or candlelit dinners, chosen from a tempting menu, prepared by an excellent chef and served by your personal butler. Daily breakfast is inclusive, and WiFi internet access is also free of charge.
When you first see the Villa Radha you will be enchanted, as time goes by you will become at one with it, and by the end of your stay you will never want to leave.
Dea Villas is located in a quiet street in the rural district of Berawa, near Canggu. There's not much in the immediate area apart from a number of luxury villas, acres of rice fields and the rugged surf beach of Berawa (2km). Within a two-kilometre radius of Dea villas are a number of café-style restaurants, a delicatessen, some simple spas, and a yoga venue. The Canggu Club (guest membership included in the villa rate) is just a kilometre away and provides first class sports and leisure facilities.
About Canggu Canggu is actually a small fishing village, but has become the collective name for a number of villages (including Berawa, Tegal Gundul, Tiyingtukul, Pererenan, Nelayan, Babakan ) which, despite lying within a developing area, can still be described as a sleepy coastal locale. Here, amongst the rice fields which extend all the way down to the beach, you will find some of the most luxurious private residences on Bali. It is also an area that most surfers will know about, with reef swells that are larger than those you will find in Kuta further south. Swimming isn't advisable however as the rips can be dangerous. Nearby sporting facilities include the Canggu Club (of which many holiday villas in the area include guest membership), offering social and leisure amenities, including a state-of-the art gym, a 25m swimming pool and a tennis and squash centre. Along the coast to the north of Canggu is the Nirwana Bali Golf Club which was designed by Greg Norman and is frequently voted the number one golf course in Asia. Next to this is Pura Tanah Lot; a sea temple perched high on a craggy wave-lashed rock and probably the most photographed sight in Bali. Sophisticated Seminyak, a few kilometres south of Canggu, lays claim to the highest concentration of independent fine-dining restaurants on the island, including Sarong, La Lucciola and Ku Dé Ta, together with a wide choice of chic cocktail bars, exciting nightclubs, lavish spas and elegant boutiques.
About Bali Bali is Indonesia's most popular tourist location and is considered one of Asia's premier tropical island destinations. Steeped in history and renowned for its artistic way of life, Bali is a peaceful contrast to some of the more frantic destinations Asia has to offer. The inner peace and creative talents of the Balinese has attracted artists the world over fascinated by local dancers, silversmiths, wood carvers, potters and painters that seem to pervade throughout the island. The abundant verdant fields and surrounding sea have long supplied Bali with an easy surplus of food leaving time for life's more artistic past times. As a result everything in Bali has a creative and religious element centred around the local Banjar (residents association) – little, adorned temples are everywhere, doors are covered in intricate carvings, huge kites ward off evil spirits and colourful roadside ceremonies bring traffic to a standstill. Bali is a popular destination principally from Australia and Asia but also from all over Europe. The island welcomes thousands of visitors each year to a relaxing lifestyle, stunning beaches, world class surf, vibrant villages, and spectacular scenery all with an exquisite tropical climate. Located approximately two hours' flying time from Singapore the island is serviced by an international airport at Denpasar with direct flights to and from many major cities in Asia, Europe and Australia and many more via Jakarta, Indonesia's capital. The island offers an impressive range of leisure and lifestyle amenities including world-class golf courses, wonderful seascapes for surfing, diving and snorkelling as well as luxurious spas, chic boutiques, tropical forests, towering volcanoes and international cuisine.
The traditional high-peaked teakwood building is approached via a series of uneven natural stepping stones over a lily pond, where it presides over the garden like a floating pavilion. Waterfalls tumble over boulders down to a little bridge, before seemingly flowing into the swimming pool. Five wooden steps lead up to the elevated veranda of this gorgeous one-bedroom house. Sheltered by the roof and offering a beautiful view of the garden, the veranda is furnished with a small table and two rattan planters' chairs for alfresco dining, as well as a pair of armchairs and a coffee table. The walls feature shuttered peepholes, while bell-jar lanterns hang from the roof casting a soft light in the evenings. The front door opens straight into the all-timber bedroom, which is stunningly furnished with a king-size bed, an antique cupboard, shag pile rug and a modern daybed, complemented by some fascinating antique artefacts. The room is equipped with a 37-inch satellite-channel TV and DVD player (Nintendo Wii is also available), air conditioning, ceiling fan, and iPod speakers. Bevelled glass windows look out over the veranda and a soaring roof seems to extend upwards forever.
A door leads to a small kitchenette with a full-size fridge and two gas hobs for guests who want to do their own cooking. The rustic semi-open-air bathroom spills out into a private walled garden. Sheltered by a pergola roof and with the blessing of a non-slip floor, it is fitted with a hollowed-out river rock bathtub for two, a walk-in rain shower and twin washbasins.
The enchanting garden is divided into several distinct areas, linked by a winding pathway. The free-form swimming pool is located immediately next to the century-old (but air-conditioned) spa building, which is equipped with twin massage beds and characterised by wooden-shuttered windows. The remainder of the garden – complete with gazebo and pondok for outdoor relaxation, as well as the sandy pétanque court and giant chess set – rolls down to merge with Villa Sarasvati next door.
Shared facilities at Dea Villas include: Dea Spa, with massage room, outdoor treatment area, sauna, jacuzzi and showers; a fully-equipped, air-conditioned gym, and a children's playground with sandpit, Wendy house, swings and slides. Here, parents can relax on cushions within an antique balé while they watch over their kids.
A restored antique wooden house in the centre of a serene and enchanted watergarden.
There have been a few changes since we stayed at Villa Radha two and a half years ago, with the addition of two new villas to the enclave, a children's playground, a gym and a spa. Staying at Villa Radha now means you have the choice of two spas on your doorstep. We decided, however, that we preferred the bygone era ambiance of the totally private wooden spa building within Villa Radha's magical garden. Like the villa itself, the spa is another antique building so it is more in keeping with the overall character and charm. We noticed that with a total of five villas on the estate there is a now a little bit of hustle and bustle (and dare we say modernity) outside of Radha's garden walls, but tucked away in our own private paradise – the gardens have grown and are even more beautiful than we remembered – we were able to completely relax and enjoy the wonderful service of the staff, and the great food.
If you're into sleek contemporary design the ethnic, rustic style of Villa Radha may not to be to your taste, but it is nevertheless immaculate and very comfortable, with all the trappings of the 21st century. There is no sitting room as such, but we enjoyed relaxing on the veranda, and were also very comfortable watching TV and movies in the air conditioned bedroom. As for the garden, well this is a landscaping triumph: forget any ideas of a modern Zen-like space, this garden will bewitch you with its tropical abundance of giant taro leaves, spiky pandanus, fan, parlour and travellers palms, bird's nest ferns, heliconia, flowering frangipani, and rare fruit trees. It will make you wonder how it can be so full (almost to the point of being overgrown) and yet so meticulously maintained.
At first we thought it was a little bit expensive for a one-bedroom villa, but when you consider the uniqueness of the property, the space, the facilities, the butler service, the pool, spa and gorgeous garden, you'll probably agree that it's extremely good value for money.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
10
Location:
8
Outside Area:
9
Living Area:
7
Bedrooms:
9
Bathrooms:
9
Kitchen:
5
Facilities:
9
Staff:
9
Value:
8
Highlights
This is a romantic retreat par excellence! A beautiful antique dwelling that is very conducive to romance and relaxation. The bathroom is outstanding, and you will never tire of the garden – it feels like you have entered another world. We treated ourselves to a massage together at the villa's private spa and concluded that both therapists were superb. The food was good too, hearty breakfasts are inclusive, and we particularly enjoyed the chef's seafood pasta.
Surprises
Due to the irregular shaped stepping stones over the ponds, Villa Radha is not suitable for the infirm or very young (or, indeed, those who are unsteady on their feet for other reasons!)
PROs
Private spa in fantasy garden
Super-romantic venue – no nosy neighbours
Very unique and soaking in culture
Super-slick butlers
Outstanding bathroom and koi ponds
CONs
Stepping stones require sure footedness for non tee-totallers
Key Amenities
Air-con
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
TV (Satellite/Cable)
Washing Machine
Other Amenities
Baby Cot
BBQ
Bed Linen
Book Selection
Car Parking
CD Library
CD Player/Stereo System
Ceiling Fans
Coffee Machine
DVD Library
Electronic Games
Food Menu
Gym (shared)
High Chairs (On Request)
Home Theatre System
Hotplates
IDD (Extra)
iPod Dock/Speakers
Iron/Board
Jacuzzi
Kid's Playground
Main Dining (4 persons)
Massage Beds
Safe
Sauna (shared)
Swimming Pool Toys
Toiletries
Towels
Wine Fridge
Wine List
Villa Staff
Babysitter (Extra)
Chef/Cook (All meals)
Housekeeping (Full time)
Manager
Masseuse/Spa Therapist (Extra)
Security
Service Staff
Villa Rates
From
To
Daily Rate
Tax/ Service Charge
Min. Stay
Inclusions
Regular Rate
Bedrooms
1
Adults
2
Kids
--
from
$ 250
2013
05-Apr-2013
31-May-2013
$ 250.00 ++
15.50%
3
Full breakfast
Airport transfers
01-Jun-2013
15-Sep-2013
$ 305.00 ++
15.50%
3
Full breakfast
Airport transfers
16-Sep-2013
19-Dec-2013
$ 250.00 ++
15.50%
3
Full breakfast
Airport transfers
20-Dec-2013
10-Jan-2014
$ 365.00 ++
15.50%
7
Full breakfast
Airport transfers
++ - Rates will be subject to tax and service charge as listed
In order to have a booking confirmed you must make deposit payment as outlined in The Villa Guide Booking Terms and Conditions unless special conditions are indicated for the period you are booking. The standard deposits are:
-For rentals beginning more than 60 days after the date of your booking request - a deposit of 50% of the total rental amount is payable.
-For rentals beginning 60 days or less after the date of your booking request - the total rental amount is payable as a deposit.
Standard cancellation policy
In the event of cancellation, penalties as outlined in The Villa Guide Booking Terms and Conditions apply unless special conditions are indicated for the period you are booking.
It is strongly recommended that you purchase trip cancellation travel insurance.
Rates
Prices may change based on the time of your booking, arrival date and length of stay. For approximate rates, please click on the Check Availability button and enter your dates.
Whilst every effort is made to keep rates current, they are subject to change from time to time. If there is a rate change you will be informed before a booking is confirmed.
Confirmed booking rates will not change.
Rates for booking Villa Radha together with Sarasvati and Dewi Sri are available upon request. Contact Customer Service for assistance.
Security deposit
Upon arrival at the villa you will be required to sign a waiver of liability and a credit card authorization form which will allow for damages and any additional charges that you may incur to be charged against the card.
Check in/out
Check in – 3.00pm, Check out - 10.00am
Late check outs up to 6.00pm may incur a half day charge, after 6.00pm a full day may be charged.
Every effort will be made to accommodate other check in/out times but will depend on availability.
The Villa Guide full Booking Terms and Conditions are available here.
Air-con
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
TV (Satellite/Cable) 
Washing Machine
Baby Cot
BBQ
Bed Linen
Book Selection
Car Parking
CD Library
CD Player/Stereo System
Ceiling Fans
Coffee Machine
Electronic Games
Food Menu
Gym (shared)
Home Theatre System
IDD (Extra)
iPod Dock/Speakers
Iron/Board
Jacuzzi
Kid's Playground
Safe
Toiletries
Wine Fridge
2013
