Bring The Relatives Villas

Villa 1880

Indonesia » Bali » Greater Seminyak » Seminyak

Wow. Wow. WOWWWWWWW. Villa 1880 took my breath away the moment I arrived — no mean feat for a seasoned and perhaps super-critical reviewer of luxury villas. What exquisite taste the owners must possess, to have created such an appealing vacation home … and filled it with such covetable furniture and curios. This is surely a dream villa for anyone who appreciates inspiring design.

We loved the unique blend of old and new — how the 138-year old plantation house sat so comfortably (and seamlessly) between the contemporary buildings. And I admit swooning over the uber-photogenic interiors filled with achingly chic designer furniture sitting on extraordinary brass inlaid flooring. The media room was fabulously flamboyant with sprawl-inducive sofas covered in pink velvet, a cocktail cabinet …and whatever prompted them to think of a stuffed peacock? Magic was in every detail — for example, our welcome drink was served in a hollowed-out pineapple, complete with bamboo straw, and breakfast included home-made strawberry jam, marmalade, and passion fruit preserve. And how sweet that half of the vanity in the kids’ bunkroom bathroom was set lower so little ones could reach the basin! (Though we were kid-free on our visit, we could imagine them cavorting around in the bunk room with glee).

But what made our experience truly special was the staff. On a tropical island awash with villas boasting well-trained staff, Villa 1880’s raises the bar. Gede the manager was so charming and helpful – and the same went for the butlers we met… even the gardener was chatty. And we cannot enthuse enough about Chef Adi — a rare find, passionate about food and with an inventive mind. The meals we had at Villa 1880 were absolutely superb — oh for another of his home-made panacottas! Ria the spa therapist was also excellent, with a decade working at Shiva Som in the Maldives….whatever you do, don’t leave without having at least one massage with her in the villa’s beautiful spa room.

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From $1,040 Special 4br Rate

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 8.8

Villa 1880

Indonesia » Bali » Greater Seminyak » Seminyak

Wow. Wow. WOWWWWWWW. Villa 1880 took my breath away the moment I arrived — no mean feat for a seasoned and perhaps super-critical reviewer of luxury villas. What exquisite taste the owners must possess, to have created such an appealing vacation home … and filled it with such covetable furniture and curios. This is surely a dream villa for anyone who appreciates inspiring design.

We loved the unique blend of old and new — how the 138-year old plantation house sat so comfortably (and seamlessly) between the contemporary buildings. And I admit swooning over the uber-photogenic interiors filled with achingly chic designer furniture sitting on extraordinary brass inlaid flooring. The media room was fabulously flamboyant with sprawl-inducive sofas covered in pink velvet, a cocktail cabinet …and whatever prompted them to think of a stuffed peacock? Magic was in every detail — for example, our welcome drink was served in a hollowed-out pineapple, complete with bamboo straw, and breakfast included home-made strawberry jam, marmalade, and passion fruit preserve. And how sweet that half of the vanity in the kids’ bunkroom bathroom was set lower so little ones could reach the basin! (Though we were kid-free on our visit, we could imagine them cavorting around in the bunk room with glee).

But what made our experience truly special was the staff. On a tropical island awash with villas boasting well-trained staff, Villa 1880’s raises the bar. Gede the manager was so charming and helpful – and the same went for the butlers we met… even the gardener was chatty. And we cannot enthuse enough about Chef Adi — a rare find, passionate about food and with an inventive mind. The meals we had at Villa 1880 were absolutely superb — oh for another of his home-made panacottas! Ria the spa therapist was also excellent, with a decade working at Shiva Som in the Maldives….whatever you do, don’t leave without having at least one massage with her in the villa’s beautiful spa room.

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From $1,143

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 8-16*

Our
Rating 8.8

Villa Adasa

Indonesia » Bali » Greater Seminyak » Seminyak

I’m moving in! Put it another way, I don’t want to leave Villa Adasa, ever. Within moments of our arrival, the sounds of the gamelan gave way to early Dylan rasping from the Sonos sound system. How did they KNOW he’s this reviewer’s all-time favourite? Mind-reading was clearly second nature for Villa Adasa’s staff, who seemed to know what we wanted before we did, but were just as adept at giving us complete privacy when that was called for too. While this is a great villa for a family as well as for friends/couples sharing, Villa Adasa manages to achieve a rare intimacy that would make it equally appealing to a couple looking to splurge on space. Villa Adasa delights 24/7. Daytime, we were faced with the taxing decision of whether to dive into an ocean of colourful cushions carpeting the double bale (gazebo), relax on the loungers by the pool, strip to bare essentials on the sun-deck above, or remain supine on the myriad sofas in the living pavilion. At sundown it was no contest; the best place to soak up Bali’s famous purple-hued sunset was from the loveseat on the master bedroom loggia. The night-time atmosphere at Villa Adasa is charming, thanks to its clever ambient lighting and comfortable living area. So dining presented us with an equally weighty dilemma: Do we select from the excellent menu and have our accomplished villa chef whip up a five-course meal or seafood barbecue for us, or do we wander out and take our pick from the many world-class restaurants within moments of the villa? We loved hanging out in the huge master bedroom suite and enjoyed the best night’s sleep thanks to a fabulously comfy bed, luxury goose-down duvet and pillows and high thread-count cotton sateen bed linen. The Sonos music system was swish, and being able to control it from our phone and laptop was pretty cool. And it was heaven having such a wonderful library of coffee table books and glossy magazines to browse. All in all, staying here was like breathing pure oxygen — I was on a permanent health-inducing ‘high’ throughout our all-too-short-stay.

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From $993

Bedrooms 3

Sleeps 6

Our
Rating 8.2 Guest Rating 9.4

Villa Adenium

Indonesia » Bali » Jimbaran - Bukit » Jimbaran

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 has been beautifully maintained and everything feels so shiny and new, it could have been built just yesterday. The hard angles of the design were a little sharp for our taste, but the effect was softened in the evenings with the gentle glow of down-lights, hurricane lamps and wonderful wall lights stencilled from black steel. Views were limited from the ground floor and the pool takes up most of the outdoor space, leaving little room for a garden, but it is still a great spot for lounging, especially while sprawled across cushions in the balé. The views were better upstairs and our favourite spot was on the veranda, where we could ensconce ourselves in the comfy planters chairs, with feet resting on the foot stools – perfectly positioned for a sundowner!

Bedrooms are in the style of contemporary hotel suites, comfortable, minimalist and immaculate – if you’re looking for a rustic homely vibe this is not really the villa for you! With three floors to spread out across, the villa has plenty of space, and the well-equipped basement is an added bonus, especially for ping pong masters such as ourselves. The deliciously fluffy breakfast pancakes served with ornately carved tropical fruit and excellent coffee also deserve a mention.

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From $658

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 7.9 Guest Rating 8.9

Villa Aiko

Indonesia » Bali » Jimbaran - Bukit » Jimbaran

This luxury hillcrest villa packs a punch with its panoramic views across Jimbaran Bay. We soaked up the vista from Aiko’s infinity pool, second-level terraces, enormous find-me-if-you-can bed – even from our bathtub-for-two!

If you’re looking for traditional Bali-style architecture, Villa Aiko may not be your first choice. But while resolutely city-chic contemporary in design, the villa makes abundant use of natural materials in its construction - think reclaimed ironwood and river-stone walls, teakwood floors, Benkirai-wood decking and ironwood shingle roof. And the essence of Bali is evident in the charming and attentive-but-discreet staff.

The villa manager/executive chef Putu was an absolute treasure. He was completely unfazed by my vegetarian request and created a memorable dinner – spring rolls, pumpkin and basil soup, beetroot and orange appetiser, and Portobello mushrooms en croute with perfectly cooked vegetables and the best mashed potatoes in Bali. And his Eggs Florentine – the egg poached to perfection, the Hollandaise cancelling days of dedicated Pilates practice – was a fabulous way to kick-start the morning. No wonder some guests stay away from Jimbaran Bay’s seafood restaurants and choose instead to eat in every day, as the visitor’s book attests.

We think Aiko would be a great villa for large family groups. There are so many independent seating areas to break away to for some peace and quiet, and it’s great to find a library in a Bali villa; we really appreciated the wide choice of books. Though all four bedrooms have king-size beds – no twins – there’s a single bed discreetly designed into the foot of each bed. We thought the fourth bedroom might be best for kids (who tend not to be so view-hungry) as the outlook is partly blocked by the guest pavilion and spiral staircase. One note of caution: there are steep drops from the pool and terraces but, thankfully for parents, glass barriers line both second floor terraces.

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From $797

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8-10*

Our
Rating 8.0 Guest Rating 9.3

Akuvara

Thailand » Koh Samui » Lipa Noi

Akuvara's contemporary design may not be to everyone's taste, but once you settle into the tropical lifestyle on offer you soon appreciate the beauty of keeping things simple. The clean open spaces suit the environment and technological enhancements like the music and movie hard drive in the living rooms give the villa a distinctive, modern feel.

Initially, we felt the three lounge areas to be excessive, but with kids in tow the option of a separate entertainment room in the evenings definitely appeals, and the upper floor lounge adds a new dimension to sunset cocktails.

The staff are courteous and try hard to meet every request. Despite the occasional language barrier they manage to run everything smoothly while remaining unobtrusive and the English-speaking manager ensures the villa runs smoothly and deals with things like tour bookings and restaurant recommendations.

This part of Lipa Noi offers a nice balance between seclusion and diversion. You can happily spend days doing very little, but a short drive to the other side of the peninsular brings you to some decent resort restaurants, as well as the Nikki Beach Club, which is far more sophisticated a venue than you'd expect to find in such a secluded location.

In some ways Akuvara felt like two villas in one. The studio at the rear of the property feels like an independent unit, but would certainly be a useful addition for a full family gathering. The option to rent the villa without this fourth bedroom, however, makes Akuvara a great choice as a functional but comfortable family getaway.

If there is such a thing as villa envy then staying at Akuvara may inspire it as the villas close-by are significantly larger and more opulent than this one - but come with a much higher price tag. Yet despite its compact design, Akuvara still boasts the full range of amenities required to provide a pleasant beachside escape. Between the pool and the beach you never want for daytime pleasures and lazing in the ocean-front sala with a cool drink and a book must surely rate as one of life's finer moments.

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From $824 Special 3br Rate

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 6

Our
Rating 7.1 Guest Rating 9.6

Akuvara

Thailand » Koh Samui » Lipa Noi

Akuvara's contemporary design may not be to everyone's taste, but once you settle into the tropical lifestyle on offer you soon appreciate the beauty of keeping things simple. The clean open spaces suit the environment and technological enhancements like the music and movie hard drive in the living rooms give the villa a distinctive, modern feel.

Initially, we felt the three lounge areas to be excessive, but with kids in tow the option of a separate entertainment room in the evenings definitely appeals, and the upper floor lounge adds a new dimension to sunset cocktails.

The staff are courteous and try hard to meet every request. Despite the occasional language barrier they manage to run everything smoothly while remaining unobtrusive and the English-speaking manager ensures the villa runs smoothly and deals with things like tour bookings and restaurant recommendations.

This part of Lipa Noi offers a nice balance between seclusion and diversion. You can happily spend days doing very little, but a short drive to the other side of the peninsular brings you to some decent resort restaurants, as well as the Nikki Beach Club, which is far more sophisticated a venue than you'd expect to find in such a secluded location.

In some ways Akuvara felt like two villas in one. The studio at the rear of the property feels like an independent unit, but would certainly be a useful addition for a full family gathering. The option to rent the villa without this fourth bedroom, however, makes Akuvara a great choice as a functional but comfortable family getaway.

If there is such a thing as villa envy then staying at Akuvara may inspire it as the villas close-by are significantly larger and more opulent than this one - but come with a much higher price tag. Yet despite its compact design, Akuvara still boasts the full range of amenities required to provide a pleasant beachside escape. Between the pool and the beach you never want for daytime pleasures and lazing in the ocean-front sala with a cool drink and a book must surely rate as one of life's finer moments.

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From $1,000

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 7.1 Guest Rating 9.6

Villa Amanzi Kamala

Thailand » Phuket » Kamala

We just had so much fun staying at Villa Amanzi. We were blown away by how beautifully its unusual modern design fits with the tropical setting. On seeing the villa for the first time, we could just imagine this scenario: A man meets his architect at a bar to discuss plans for a new villa. The man orders a drink: "I'd like it on the rocks, please!" The architect dutifully executes this request, et voila! Amanzi is born.

But this was no accident, of course. Amanzi's design takes full advantage of the property's unusual natural features and does not impose – less imaginative people might have simply blasted the rock out to make way for the villa.

We enjoyed trying out all the high-tech bells and whistles such as the touch-screen control panel and were constantly surprised by all the fun little design details such as the two 'windows' on the swimming pool's bottom that formed funky blue 'skylights' to the floor below – one in the family room, the other above the balcony.

Another plus was that all the electronic controls and buttons were clearly labelled and easy to use even for techno-phobes such as ourselves. In the end, however, nature won out as we delighted in listening to the crashing waves and birdsong, and watching in awe as the sunset skies turned the infinity pool into a luminous blaze of gold, pink and red.

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From $2,060

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.2

Amilla – beach residence 4 bedroom 1

Maldives » Maldives » Maldives

Pinch me, I’m dreaming! Surely this is heaven on earth? Flying over coral atolls strung like pearls on a necklace, and sandbanks that sparkle in the sunlight, I knew we were in for a treat long before we arrived. By the time we stepped onto the jetty to a phalanx of staff welcoming us to our ‘island home’, I was head over heels in love. The Amilla Beach Villa Residences really are very special. This is an ultra-luxe destination with a relaxing island vibe and a generous heart-and-soul spirit.

We kicked off our shoes and kicked into the island groove (even the seaplane pilot was barefoot): swaying in the hammock alongside the hypnotic lagoon waters, listening to the serenade of the koveli bird; feasting on the many treats procured from the complimentary Providore grocery list, that filled our fridge as if by magic. (Turns out the villa came with its own magician – Munaadh, our hugely engaging Katheeb (house manager) who enriched our stay immeasurably. He proved to be a mind reader able to anticipate our every whim, and shared his unbridled passion for the island with us.) He also organised a fabulous seafood-and-champagne barbecue at home – one of the many culinary highlights of our stay.

Sauntering along sandy paths through coconut groves, past ancient Banyan trees, we were amazed by the number of activities available across the island. Sure, you can have the laziest, most relaxing vacation ever – I would gladly have spent my entire time at the sensational Javva Spa – but the chance to go dolphin watching and swimming with mantas was too tempting.

A shout-out for the astonishing array of restaurants with mouthwatering menus can’t be forgotten. Sunset cocktails followed by a fresh-from-the-sea meal at the over-water Feeling Koi fusion restaurant is an absolute must; I admit to piling on the pounds during my stay.

It’s easy to lose all sense of time at Amilla Beach Villa Residences. In fact, ‘island time’ really does exist here, as the Amilla visionaries set their clocks two hours ahead of Male so guests can enjoy extra hours of daylight; how’s that for above-and-beyond service! A sign at the resort’s Empire Beach Club claims “Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life”. What a perfect epithet for our stay!

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From $4,250 Special 2br Rate

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 4

Our
Rating 8.9

Amilla – beach residence 4 bedroom 1

Maldives » Maldives » Maldives

Pinch me, I’m dreaming! Surely this is heaven on earth? Flying over coral atolls strung like pearls on a necklace, and sandbanks that sparkle in the sunlight, I knew we were in for a treat long before we arrived. By the time we stepped onto the jetty to a phalanx of staff welcoming us to our ‘island home’, I was head over heels in love. The Amilla Beach Villa Residences really are very special. This is an ultra-luxe destination with a relaxing island vibe and a generous heart-and-soul spirit.

We kicked off our shoes and kicked into the island groove (even the seaplane pilot was barefoot): swaying in the hammock alongside the hypnotic lagoon waters, listening to the serenade of the koveli bird; feasting on the many treats procured from the complimentary Providore grocery list, that filled our fridge as if by magic. (Turns out the villa came with its own magician – Munaadh, our hugely engaging Katheeb (house manager) who enriched our stay immeasurably. He proved to be a mind reader able to anticipate our every whim, and shared his unbridled passion for the island with us.) He also organised a fabulous seafood-and-champagne barbecue at home – one of the many culinary highlights of our stay.

Sauntering along sandy paths through coconut groves, past ancient Banyan trees, we were amazed by the number of activities available across the island. Sure, you can have the laziest, most relaxing vacation ever – I would gladly have spent my entire time at the sensational Javva Spa – but the chance to go dolphin watching and swimming with mantas was too tempting.

A shout-out for the astonishing array of restaurants with mouthwatering menus can’t be forgotten. Sunset cocktails followed by a fresh-from-the-sea meal at the over-water Feeling Koi fusion restaurant is an absolute must; I admit to piling on the pounds during my stay.

It’s easy to lose all sense of time at Amilla Beach Villa Residences. In fact, ‘island time’ really does exist here, as the Amilla visionaries set their clocks two hours ahead of Male so guests can enjoy extra hours of daylight; how’s that for above-and-beyond service! A sign at the resort’s Empire Beach Club claims “Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life”. What a perfect epithet for our stay!

more...

From $6,098 Special 3br Rate

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 6

Our
Rating 8.9

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