During our 24-hour stay we made use of just about every inch of space that Villa Sancita has to offer. Whether it was lying back in the pool that seems to hover, suspended over the gardens below, watching movies and playing video games in the den or sun-baking on the deck; ‘hanging out at home’ seemed to be the call of the day. The open, tropical landscape views that envelope the villa make it hard to believe there is anyone living close by despite having neighbours to each side (the design blocks their view) and being just a few minutes from the centre of Ubud.

The staff (super friendly) were always at hand when we needed something, yet never intrusive on our space. Meals were to die for (cost of provisions plus 20%), making it even less tempting to leave the house. When we were up for exploring, bicycles were quickly organised and we either found ourselves in town checking out the local markets and shops or off into the hills to explore local temples and villages. The cooler air also made exploring the outside world more comfortable than Bali’s beachside areas.

Villa Sancita’s design is definitely what sold the villa to us as it really makes use of space and although the modern décor and furnishings may not be particularly edgy or character driven (though the beds were very comfy), the natural surroundings provide a great balance and a breathtaking environment for relaxing.

With the pool and decking at quite a height, we would suggest families with older kids only, though a babysitter is available to hire for guests with toddlers.

If you imagine Bali purely as a sun, surf and sand-between-the-toes holiday destination, then The Sanctuary will give you a whole new perspective on this Island of the Gods. The Sanctuary is jungle, river, tall trees with buttressed roots: what marketing and advertising people describe as charming, heartfelt, grand, traditional, rural, and the very essence of old Bali. It really is a stunner of a villa, a real stunner. It’s so stunning we have to say it more than once.  

The size of the place is beyond belief. Three hectares of river and jungle land with eight queen- and king-size beds and a bunkhouse for 20 youngsters, The Sanctuary is something that would suit very large extended families with hordes of kids. It only follows that weddings here would be stupendous with all that immaculate lawn space and the abundance of natural surroundings.

Our group of four could hardly take it all in, so after a quick look round we pretty swiftly decamped to the swimming pool terrace and billiard room where we spent the afternoon eating, drinking, pooling (wet and dry), and marvelling at the wildlife. We had one of the standard bedrooms (and by standard I mean pretty big and posh) and our friends lucked into the self-contained villa, which had its own pool and a massive bedroom with views right down onto the river gorge – a very wise choice, and one we were too slow to make. Still, with the distance between us, we were able to sing in the shower at the tops of our voices without the worry of judgement.

If you imagine Bali purely as a sun, surf and sand-between-the-toes holiday destination, then The Sanctuary will give you a whole new perspective on this Island of the Gods. The Sanctuary is jungle, river, tall trees with buttressed roots: what marketing and advertising people describe as charming, heartfelt, grand, traditional, rural, and the very essence of old Bali. It really is a stunner of a villa, a real stunner. It’s so stunning we have to say it more than once.  

The size of the place is beyond belief. Three hectares of river and jungle land with eight queen- and king-size beds and a bunkhouse for 20 youngsters, The Sanctuary is something that would suit very large extended families with hordes of kids. It only follows that weddings here would be stupendous with all that immaculate lawn space and the abundance of natural surroundings.

Our group of four could hardly take it all in, so after a quick look round we pretty swiftly decamped to the swimming pool terrace and billiard room where we spent the afternoon eating, drinking, pooling (wet and dry), and marvelling at the wildlife. We had one of the standard bedrooms (and by standard I mean pretty big and posh) and our friends lucked into the self-contained villa, which had its own pool and a massive bedroom with views right down onto the river gorge – a very wise choice, and one we were too slow to make. Still, with the distance between us, we were able to sing in the shower at the tops of our voices without the worry of judgement.

If you imagine Bali purely as a sun, surf and sand-between-the-toes holiday destination, then The Sanctuary will give you a whole new perspective on this Island of the Gods. The Sanctuary is jungle, river, tall trees with buttressed roots: what marketing and advertising people describe as charming, heartfelt, grand, traditional, rural, and the very essence of old Bali. It really is a stunner of a villa, a real stunner. It’s so stunning we have to say it more than once.  

The size of the place is beyond belief. Three hectares of river and jungle land with eight queen- and king-size beds and a bunkhouse for 20 youngsters, The Sanctuary is something that would suit very large extended families with hordes of kids. It only follows that weddings here would be stupendous with all that immaculate lawn space and the abundance of natural surroundings.

Our group of four could hardly take it all in, so after a quick look round we pretty swiftly decamped to the swimming pool terrace and billiard room where we spent the afternoon eating, drinking, pooling (wet and dry), and marvelling at the wildlife. We had one of the standard bedrooms (and by standard I mean pretty big and posh) and our friends lucked into the self-contained villa, which had its own pool and a massive bedroom with views right down onto the river gorge – a very wise choice, and one we were too slow to make. Still, with the distance between us, we were able to sing in the shower at the tops of our voices without the worry of judgement.

We felt at home at Villa Sebali the moment we entered this big, airy, comfortable house, open on all sides to gardens and blessed with a beautiful view over the pool to the rainforest in the distance. The rural village of Sebali gives you a feel of the real Bali, away from the tourist centres, and it’s only ten minutes’ drive into Ubud with the villa’s car and driver when you change your mind.

We very much enjoyed a walking trip arranged by Dewa, the villa manager. It was about 2.5 hours through the village rice fields and surroundings, and included a visit to a temple and to a Balinese family compound where we were served coffee and cakes. Some of the terrain was a bit tricky, with steep slopes and streams to cross, but it was wonderful to be so close to the land. There is a fee for these walking trips, which are organised to raise money for needy people in the village. We also tried the cross-country walk into Ubud, which was lovely; but walking around Ubud itself was hectic because of the heavy traffic and dreadful sidewalks.

Villa Sebali is full of charm and feels very much like the private home it is. We found the owners’ Information for Guests booklet very helpful. The living and dining spaces are comfortable and relaxed with tropical gardens framing the view to rice fields or the rainforest. A clipped grass courtyard leads to the swimming pool which is especially delightful in the morning light. We appreciated the pool pavilion, or balé, in the afternoon where we curled up with books and sipped cool fruit juice prepared by the quiet, competent staff.

Upon arrival at Villa Sesapi, we were each offered a very welcome ice cold beer and ushered up to the open-sided living area where we could see the ocean and get a good sense of our surroundings. The journey out here is quite a long one (90 minutes from the airport) and it’s off the beaten tourist track, so the villa’s complimentary airport transfer is a definite advantage. As the sun lowered into the sea, freshly roasted peanuts and sautéed corn fritters with sweet chilli dipping sauce were brought to our table. These ‘on the house’ cocktail snacks became a much-anticipated nightly routine. In the early morning we set out to walk the black sand beach that has the consistency of fine powder, and watched the brightly painted fishing canoes come in from their overnight adventures. As it was still lobster season, the villa manager was able to track down two generous lobsters from a fisherman in front of the villa. The staff boiled and chilled the lobster meat, and prepared a delicious Thai-style salad for dinner that night. Villa Sesapi is more of a relaxing than action-packed holiday base, yet it’s easy enough to fill your time. By the second day our routine morphed into a nice rhythm, with a morning jog along the beach followed by a hard-earned breakfast of bacon and eggs while catching up on the news in front of the TV; then swimming in the pool and reading or napping on one of the day beds, a walk to the Alila for lunch and a spa treatment, and back to the villa in time for our sunset cocktail ritual. The layout here works well for families travelling with grandparents and young children who will enjoy the ground floor rooms, leaving mom and dad with the master suite upstairs – or for families with teenagers, who will want to take over the upstairs bedroom-media room combination. Villa Sesapi is the perfect entry villa for families who want to experience a less visited Bali yet one that provides all the comforts of home.

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 chandeliers, a formal dressing room and freestanding claw-foot bathtub filled with rose petals upon arrival, my room felt like something out of an Arabian Nights fairytale.

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.

We’d heard some pretty tasty things about The Shanti Residence, so we arrived with great expectations. And this is what we found: the beds were soft, the sky was blue, the sun warm and the hospitality generous. After a delicious night’s sleep in a regal bed, followed by a sumptuous breakfast, the pool and its sun loungers were about as far as we managed to get for the lion’s share of the day. The staff were professional and, more importantly, readily on hand to bring us cold drinks, lunch and complimentary afternoon tea as we lay there soaking up the sounds of birdlife and views of the distant horizon. That night the kitchen produced a particularly tasty meal for us, which left us fit to bursting. Yes, cloaked in privacy and surrounded by greenery, this stunning villa nigh on forces total relaxation from its guests. Overlooking the sea, far, far away from the crowds, with three pools, a home cinema, superb staff and a tantalising menu of foods and wines, The Shanti Residence requires no leaving. So, bring your favourite books, toys, sunscreen and lover, and get ready for the stay of stays.

If, like us, you enjoy being close to the action but also being able to withdraw to a peaceful haven when the mood strikes, then Villa Sipo is the place for you. Quietly and securely situated within the Sentosa Villa estate, and yet only minutes away from Bali’s most fashionable playground, we definitely enjoyed the best of both worlds here. This is a sociable, easy-to-live-in villa. We found ourselves comfortably spread out, with the teenagers lazing on loungers by the main pool, dads reading the newspaper over a coffee at the breakfast bar or catching up on the news in the study/TV room, mum’s reading up on shopping options under the garden balé but all still very much together and enjoying the villa equally.

The well-equipped kitchen is incredibly enticing so, despite the talents of the villa chef (who sensibly suggested we order our meals a day-ahead and leave him to go out and buy the groceries with a cash float from us to cover the cost), you may find yourself tempted to go shopping at one of a handful of nearby deli’s (Bali deli, Grocer & Grind or The Bali Catering Co deli) and do it yourself (with someone else to wash the dishes of course) – at least for one or two nights during your stay.

The staff are ever smiling and ready to serve whilst also being discreetly unobtrusive which was also a big plus for us. We imagine that with everything Sipo has to offer, both within the villa and on its doorstep, it will get many repeat guests.

The mesmerising views and tranquil setting of Villa Bakung left us in a state of tropical languor. Dreamy days gently slipped into balmy nights, with little to think about except whether to have pancakes or eggs for breakfast; swim in the ocean or the pool; take a trip to the beach, or stay at home. Nature is generous here, treating us to misty pink hued mornings, brilliant blue afternoon skies with low slung clouds bopping over the horizon, and views over the rocky hulk of neighbouring Penida Island, with the shadowy silhouette of Lombok in the distance.

Villa Bakung isn’t huge, but with the ocean stretching to the horizon there was a genuine sense of spaciousness and flow. We enjoyed glimpses into local life as fishermen headed off in their colourful jukung (fishing boats) or net fished in the shallows, while easy strolls down the shady lane revealed cows meandering through the coconut groves and kids playing soccer. There are no direct views of the sunset, but dusk is still a beautiful time, bathing the villa and the ocean in a soft glow.