4 bedroom villa located in Seseh-Tanah Lot, Bali. Ideal for Bring the relatives, Fair share for groups, Going for golf, Kid friendly, Sensible for seniors, The great outdoors.
Asmara means love in Indonesian, and this charming 4-bedroom villa has been designed, furnished and staffed with an abundance of it. The 14m pool, tennis court, billiard table and TV room explain its popularity with families, who will love its rural rice-field location two minutes from the sea.
“A heart-filled, homely and well-cared-for villa between beach and rice fields.”
Villa Asmara is clearly a well-loved home with a lot of heart. We loved its warm energy and felt very comfortable there. We were impressed with the villa manager, Pak Nyoman, who leads the staff of five; his many years’ experience on Caribbean cruise ships is evident in his warm smile, professional manner and intuitive understanding of what makes guests happy. It’s our opinion that the Balinese-influence layout makes this a great villa for multi-generation family gatherings – the billiard table and out-of-the-way media room will appeal to young teens in particular (and these reviewers were not averse to snuggling up in front of satellite TV either). Yet Villa Asmara weaves its magic equally on much smaller groups; and as a couple we didn’t feel we were rattling around but instead enjoyed the air of intimacy that is not always present in villas of a similar size.
Favourite corners? The café table in the billiard room is just the place for early morning rice-view coffee, and curling up with a Kindle in the bedroom window seat made for a cool air-conditioned escape from the midday heat. While it was good to have our own veranda with leather seating overlooking the pool, we were happy to spend time in the breezy open living space, where the large sofas and romantic, heavily carved Chinese bed encouraged indolence. The gentle Balinese staff appears to have worked together for some time and nothing seems to faze them! And the cook showed her versatility by throwing together that breakfast classic, eggs Benedict, as proficiently as Asian favourites like tom yum soup and beef rendang.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
8
Location:
8
Oustide Area:
7
Living Area:
7
Bedrooms:
7
Bathrooms:
6
Kitchen:
6
Facilities:
7
Staff:
8
Value:
8
Highlights
Asmara was quiet and serene, and as we could glimpse one or two villas through the trees, we felt secluded without being isolated. While there was plenty to occupy a family, we found it delightfully intimate for the two of us, and also loved being able to stroll down to the beach for the golden sunset.
Surprises
There may be some bedroom envy at Asmara, despite all four rooms being of a similar size: two of the bathrooms are shower only, while the upstairs bathroom has no garden). We only remark on the difference because the single pavilion bedroom has such a spacious bathroom (which is air-conditioned – wow!)
AA, United Arab Emirates checked out on 06-Apr-2013
Overall Rating:
8.0
Reviewed:
12-Apr-2013
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
8
Location:
9
Oustide Area:
8
Living Area:
7
Bedrooms:
8
Bathrooms:
8
Kitchen:
4
Facilities:
8
Staff:
10
Value:
10
Cass Lloyd ., United Kingdom checked out on 13-Mar-2013
Overall Rating:
8.0
Reviewed:
28-Mar-2013
This is a lovely villa and my family and I had a wonderful time here. The Villa and the grounds around it are lovely, large and airy. Allowing everyone to be together or have some private space to themselves if desired. The chef, Komma, is a angel in the kitchen and meal times were always a 5 star affair. The villa staff are friendly and polite and nothing is too much trouble. Set away from the hustle and bustle of "busy bali" its in a lovely quiet spot, nothing but the sound of the waves crashing onto shore to be heard. And the world famous sunsets over the ocean of Tannah Lot are yours to view from your own villa.
I can highly recommend Villa Asmara for a fabulous vacation.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
7
Location:
9
Oustide Area:
8
Living Area:
7
Bedrooms:
8
Bathrooms:
8
Kitchen:
7
Facilities:
8
Staff:
9
Value:
9
LC checked out on 26-Jan-2013
Overall Rating:
7.6
Reviewed:
07-Feb-2013
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
7
Location:
7
Oustide Area:
6
Living Area:
8
Bedrooms:
9
Bathrooms:
7
Kitchen:
7
Facilities:
8
Staff:
9
Value:
8
HP, Malaysia checked out on 28-Nov-2012
Overall Rating:
9.0
Reviewed:
30-Nov-2012
This place was amazing.
Highly recommended!
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
10
Location:
8
Oustide Area:
9
Living Area:
10
Bedrooms:
10
Bathrooms:
7
Kitchen:
9
Facilities:
8
Staff:
10
Value:
9
MM, Australia checked out on 20-Oct-2012
Overall Rating:
9.2
Reviewed:
24-Oct-2012
We loved staying at the charming Asmara. It was so peaceful and the staff were incredibly friendly, accommodating and helpful. It was excellent value for money and we recommend it to anyone.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
10
Location:
10
Oustide Area:
9
Living Area:
8
Bedrooms:
10
Bathrooms:
10
Kitchen:
7
Facilities:
8
Staff:
10
Value:
10
sharman moore, Australia checked out on 13-Oct-2012
Overall Rating:
9.6
Reviewed:
18-Oct-2012
Very well maintained villa in lovely surroundings. The pool was beautifully warm, the rooms very clean and bathrooms well equipped. With regards to the location an easy drive into Semanyak and most other places so not far away from anything. Beautiful staff who looked after us very well.
The delightful Villa Asmara casts its spell long before you arrive. After meandering along temple-lined village streets, through swathes of emerald rice fields, past rolling waves breaking on giant rocky outcrops then surging up the beach of volcanic black sand, the road ends at an unassuming Balinese entrance. Beyond, a series of stepping stones leads across a pond flanked by fountains flowing from two large pots, and into the large living area of the main pavilion. Within moments, you are reclining on huge wicker sofas sipping ice-cold juice and nibbling pisang goring (fried bananas) dipped in honey – and you are utterly charmed!
Villa Asmara’s frangipani-scented garden is bursting with tropical blooms – scarlet lobster claw heliconia, crimson Cordylines and red torch ginger are dive-bombed by iridescent-winged dragonflies. The same palette spices the living area, colouring terracotta and claret cushions to curl up on, fire-red seat pads on the dining room chairs, and sprays of freshly picked flowers trailing from vases. Wherever the eye falls, there’s something fascinating to look at – a Chinese opium bed here, a Dutch colonial bench there, hand-carved Papuan totem tucked away in the corner, four-poster beds in the guestrooms. And, shimmering beyond the broad arches of the living area, a 14m swimming pool commanded by a Buddha head statue from whose crown cascades a fountain of water.
This is an ideal villa for multi-generation families and groups of friends and, with three of the four bedrooms on the ground floor, is suitable for small kids and less agile grannies too. The pool will keep all ages occupied for hours and, if that’s not enough exercise, the tennis court (shared between a handful of neighbouring villas) will tire out the more energetic members of the party. There’s plenty to keep everyone well entertained without leaving the villa, and the staff can see to all meals (buying groceries at cost +20%), so there’s no need to stray far.
Just beyond the villa walls lie promises of bike rides through the rice paddies to meet village folk and perhaps participate in their ceremonies, or strolls along the glistening black sands of Mengening beach in the glow of a glorious Bali sunset.
Villa Asmara is in a small enclave of private residences, the last one on a small lane leading up from Mengening Beach a few kilometres south of Bali’s most famous, most photographed site, the sea temple at Tanah Lot (visible from the villa’s upper level). A panoply of rice paddies stretch out from the villa towards the mountains across Bali’s fertile Tabanan region; trail through these with a member of staff to see farmers working the fields helped by diligent ducks lined up with military precision. While the nearest restaurant is a good 15 minutes away by car – more if you’re seeking the bright lights of Seminyak – many choose to immerse themselves entirely in leisurely life here and are happy for the staff to shop for groceries and prepare meals for them.
About Seseh-Tanah Lot A few kilometres to the northwest of Canggu, a towering banyan—one of the ‘elders' of the tree kingdom—heralds the turning to Seseh, a traditional beachside village approached via an avenue of coconut palms. Seseh and the tiny neighbouring villages of Sogsogan and Cemagi still retain the customs and culture of old Bali. Here, you will see farmers in conical hats riding rusty old upright bicycles, as well as frequent, colourful processions to Seseh's large beachside temple. There are no international restaurants here, but you might just see a barong (a high-spirited, benevolent beast representing the power of good; danced by two men inside an ornate costume) dancing on the street. The good news, for folks who want to immerse themselves in the customs and culture of old Bali, is that the villagers encourage and welcome congenial visitors. There are now over 30 private rental villas in these three villages, all of which have seamlessly integrated without in any way detracting from the simplicity and charm of the location. This is an ideal destination for those who want to get lost in the beauty of the countryside, and for those who want to engage with the local people and gain privileged insights into the Balinese Hindu lifestyle.
A little further up the coast is the area known as Tanah Lot, famous for its dramatic and venerated sea temple, which is perched on a craggy wave-lashed rock just at the edge of the glistening black shoreline. It is probably the most photographed sight in Bali, especially in the late afternoon when its splendid profile is silhouetted against the setting sun. The Tanah Lot locale is also home to a number of private villas due to presence of the 18-hole, 72-par, championship-standard Nirwana Bali Golf Club, which is frequently voted the number one golf course in Asia. This is still a far-flung area with few shops or restaurants, apart from the many souvenir stalls and simple eateries within the temple grounds, and three international restaurants within Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort.
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.
Villa Asmara has the feel of a much-loved family home. It is comfortable, full of whimsical antique furniture, and has an air of intimacy few rental villas achieve. Drawing inspiration from traditional Balinese family compounds, the accommodation is spread over four separate pavilions, with thatched alang-alang or serapwood roofs wrapped around three sides of the swimming pool. The ground floor of the main pavilion is open on all four sides and looks over the pond, pool and garden. (The well-equipped kitchen is in a separate pavilion alongside). This large open-plan living area has L-shaped modular seating, an array of antique furniture, and a dining table that comfortably seats eight people.
A short flight of steps leads up to a slew of surprises; the first being a 270-degree panoramic view: a near-uninterrupted procession of rice fields and terraces unfurling towards the mountains on the horizon; and, through the palms behind the pool, glimpses of breaking waves speeding ashore. Second surprise: a billiard table! Kids of all ages will surely fight parents for supremacy here. Third surprise: a third-floor, air-conditioned, teakwood eyrie snugly tucked under the roof, kitted out as a media room with large TV, growing library of books and DVDs, and a delightfully cosy balcony with tree-skimming views.
All four bedrooms at Asmara are air conditioned and furnished with king-size beds. Upstairs in the main pavilion, next to the billiard area, the villa’s first bedroom has beautiful rice-terrace views from the bathtub in its ensuite bathroom and a balcony with old wooden bench overlooking the pool. Three more bedrooms are housed in two pavilions with shaded verandas facing each other across the pool, with teakwood flooring and pitched roof, and an eclectic collection of Indonesian furniture and paintings. Four-poster beds dressed with antique lace decorate the two bedrooms that share one pavilion, each with a garden shower room. The stand-alone bedroom has windows on three sides, a large glazed bathroom with double sink, bath, walk-in shower and its own private garden, complete with alfresco shower. Dressing areas of solid teak wardrobes and drawers marry good looks with practicality, making for a thoroughly comfortable stay.
Bedroom 1King5.0m x 4.0m Bedroom 2King5.5m x 5.8m Bedroom 3King5.0m x 4.9 m Bedroom 4King4.8m x 4.8m
“A heart-filled, homely and well-cared-for villa between beach and rice fields.”
Villa Asmara is clearly a well-loved home with a lot of heart. We loved its warm energy and felt very comfortable there. We were impressed with the villa manager, Pak Nyoman, who leads the staff of five; his many years’ experience on Caribbean cruise ships is evident in his warm smile, professional manner and intuitive understanding of what makes guests happy. It’s our opinion that the Balinese-influence layout makes this a great villa for multi-generation family gatherings – the billiard table and out-of-the-way media room will appeal to young teens in particular (and these reviewers were not averse to snuggling up in front of satellite TV either). Yet Villa Asmara weaves its magic equally on much smaller groups; and as a couple we didn’t feel we were rattling around but instead enjoyed the air of intimacy that is not always present in villas of a similar size.
Favourite corners? The café table in the billiard room is just the place for early morning rice-view coffee, and curling up with a Kindle in the bedroom window seat made for a cool air-conditioned escape from the midday heat. While it was good to have our own veranda with leather seating overlooking the pool, we were happy to spend time in the breezy open living space, where the large sofas and romantic, heavily carved Chinese bed encouraged indolence. The gentle Balinese staff appears to have worked together for some time and nothing seems to faze them! And the cook showed her versatility by throwing together that breakfast classic, eggs Benedict, as proficiently as Asian favourites like tom yum soup and beef rendang.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
8
Location:
8
Outside Area:
7
Living Area:
7
Bedrooms:
7
Bathrooms:
6
Kitchen:
6
Facilities:
7
Staff:
8
Value:
8
Highlights
Asmara was quiet and serene, and as we could glimpse one or two villas through the trees, we felt secluded without being isolated. While there was plenty to occupy a family, we found it delightfully intimate for the two of us, and also loved being able to stroll down to the beach for the golden sunset.
Surprises
There may be some bedroom envy at Asmara, despite all four rooms being of a similar size: two of the bathrooms are shower only, while the upstairs bathroom has no garden). We only remark on the difference because the single pavilion bedroom has such a spacious bathroom (which is air-conditioned – wow!)
AA, United Arab Emirates checked out on 06-Apr-2013
Overall Rating:
8.0
Reviewed:
12-Apr-2013
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
8
Location:
9
Outside Area:
8
Living Area:
7
Bedrooms:
8
Bathrooms:
8
Kitchen:
4
Facilities:
8
Staff:
10
Value:
10
Cass Lloyd ., United Kingdom checked out on 13-Mar-2013
Overall Rating:
8.0
Reviewed:
28-Mar-2013
This is a lovely villa and my family and I had a wonderful time here. The Villa and the grounds around it are lovely, large and airy. Allowing everyone to be together or have some private space to themselves if desired. The chef, Komma, is a angel in the kitchen and meal times were always a 5 star affair. The villa staff are friendly and polite and nothing is too much trouble. Set away from the hustle and bustle of "busy bali" its in a lovely quiet spot, nothing but the sound of the waves crashing onto shore to be heard. And the world famous sunsets over the ocean of Tannah Lot are yours to view from your own villa.
I can highly recommend Villa Asmara for a fabulous vacation.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
7
Location:
9
Outside Area:
8
Living Area:
7
Bedrooms:
8
Bathrooms:
8
Kitchen:
7
Facilities:
8
Staff:
9
Value:
9
LC checked out on 26-Jan-2013
Overall Rating:
7.6
Reviewed:
07-Feb-2013
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
7
Location:
7
Outside Area:
6
Living Area:
8
Bedrooms:
9
Bathrooms:
7
Kitchen:
7
Facilities:
8
Staff:
9
Value:
8
HP, Malaysia checked out on 28-Nov-2012
Overall Rating:
9.0
Reviewed:
30-Nov-2012
This place was amazing.
Highly recommended!
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
10
Location:
8
Outside Area:
9
Living Area:
10
Bedrooms:
10
Bathrooms:
7
Kitchen:
9
Facilities:
8
Staff:
10
Value:
9
MM, Australia checked out on 20-Oct-2012
Overall Rating:
9.2
Reviewed:
24-Oct-2012
We loved staying at the charming Asmara. It was so peaceful and the staff were incredibly friendly, accommodating and helpful. It was excellent value for money and we recommend it to anyone.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
10
Location:
10
Outside Area:
9
Living Area:
8
Bedrooms:
10
Bathrooms:
10
Kitchen:
7
Facilities:
8
Staff:
10
Value:
10
sharman moore, Australia checked out on 13-Oct-2012
Overall Rating:
9.6
Reviewed:
18-Oct-2012
Very well maintained villa in lovely surroundings. The pool was beautifully warm, the rooms very clean and bathrooms well equipped. With regards to the location an easy drive into Semanyak and most other places so not far away from anything. Beautiful staff who looked after us very well.
Discounts are sometimes available for booking last minute within 10 nights of arrival, or long stays with minimum of 14 nights (please note in cases where more than 1 discount is available, the higher discount shall apply for each booking). For discounted rates click on the Check Availability button and enter your dates or contact Customer Service.
Standard deposit policy
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.
Amendment of confirmed booking
The managing agent of the villa charges a USD100.00 fee for each change after a booking has been confirmed.
Rates
Prices may change based on the time of your booking, arrival date and length of stay. For exact 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.
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.