Eco Aware Villas

Villa Asante

Architecturally simple yet eminently comfortable, Villa Asante makes a great holiday pad for a couple of families. The layout is very practical, especially the open sided common areas which flow so well to the pool. It is commendable that the owners have resisted the temptation to build a mega-villa on what is quite a big plot – resulting in much more open space to relax and for kids to run around in. The pool is superb, with shallow sections for toddlers and practical decking which is not slippery even with wet feet (unlike the terrazzo floors). It could do with a little more shade although there are sun umbrellas and a very pleasant balé. Bedrooms are practical and comfortable too, and the bathrooms really are very good, especially the downstairs ones with outside showers and walled gardens. On a recent re-visit we found the (now much more experienced) staff to be superb and the food conjured up by the chef to be tasty, if a little pricey.

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From $855 Special 3br Rate

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 6

Our
Rating 8.4 Guest Rating 9.3

Villa Asante

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Canggu

Architecturally simple yet eminently comfortable, Villa Asante makes a great holiday pad for a couple of families. The layout is very practical, especially the open sided common areas which flow so well to the pool. It is commendable that the owners have resisted the temptation to build a mega-villa on what is quite a big plot – resulting in much more open space to relax and for kids to run around in. The pool is superb, with shallow sections for toddlers and practical decking which is not slippery even with wet feet (unlike the terrazzo floors). It could do with a little more shade although there are sun umbrellas and a very pleasant balé. Bedrooms are practical and comfortable too, and the bathrooms really are very good, especially the downstairs ones with outside showers and walled gardens. On a recent re-visit we found the (now much more experienced) staff to be superb and the food conjured up by the chef to be tasty, if a little pricey.

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From $982

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8-10*

Our
Rating 8.4 Guest Rating 9.3

The Iman Villa

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Canggu

Brand new at the time of our visit in March 2015, The Iman Villa was positively gleaming with its shiny new appliances and we had great fun with the electric blinds and discovering the joys of Apple TV. The flat white buildings reminded us of Greece, but instead of overlooking the Aegean, we were afloat in a sea of verdant rice fields. Low garden walls topped in pink bougainvillea make for an endless blue sky and views that go on forever. The gracefully terraced lawns mimic the adjacent rice fields and created the feeling of being very much a part of the natural environment, whether floating in the pool or lying on the bed of the master bedroom, looking through the spotless windows.

We found the staff highly professional, wonderfully friendly and always happy for a chat, while meals were so fabulous that we wanted to kidnap the chef! With a background in fine dining restaurants and cruise ships, and a true love for the art of cooking, every meal exceeded our expectations. We didn’t try the Brazilian barbecue, but have no doubt that is excellent, and we feel utterly compelled to recommend the quesadillas, grilled red snapper and the sublime chocolate volcano cake.

Finally, we loved the sense of getting away from it all, even though, in reality we weren’t really so far away at all.

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From $1,213 Special 4br Rate

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 8.5 Guest Rating 0.9

The Iman Villa

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Canggu

Brand new at the time of our visit in March 2015, The Iman Villa was positively gleaming with its shiny new appliances and we had great fun with the electric blinds and discovering the joys of Apple TV. The flat white buildings reminded us of Greece, but instead of overlooking the Aegean, we were afloat in a sea of verdant rice fields. Low garden walls topped in pink bougainvillea make for an endless blue sky and views that go on forever. The gracefully terraced lawns mimic the adjacent rice fields and created the feeling of being very much a part of the natural environment, whether floating in the pool or lying on the bed of the master bedroom, looking through the spotless windows.

We found the staff highly professional, wonderfully friendly and always happy for a chat, while meals were so fabulous that we wanted to kidnap the chef! With a background in fine dining restaurants and cruise ships, and a true love for the art of cooking, every meal exceeded our expectations. We didn’t try the Brazilian barbecue, but have no doubt that is excellent, and we feel utterly compelled to recommend the quesadillas, grilled red snapper and the sublime chocolate volcano cake.

Finally, we loved the sense of getting away from it all, even though, in reality we weren’t really so far away at all.

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From $1,328

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 10

Our
Rating 8.5 Guest Rating 0.9

Max Wadiya

Sri Lanka » West Coast » Ambalangoda

Max Wadiya offers an ideal retreat for beach lovers and those who prefer being away from the crowds, even though the many attractions of the region are still within an easy drive. Children will love the large garden and swimming pool, and easy access to the quiet beach and there are plenty of games and sports equipment to keep them amused here.

The bedrooms are a little unequal in that the two suites are more luxurious than the rooms in the original building, but we thought this layout might suit a couple of families well (putting the children in the main house and giving parents some peace and privacy in the new building). Max Wadiya would also be a great place for the extended family as the ground floor bedroom in the main house is ideal for less mobile relatives plus there are lots of opportunities – indoors and out – to find your own private space.

The staff are friendly and helpful, and looked after us with a lot of warmth. The villa is offered on a full-board basis, which makes it good value for money. There is an emphasis on fresh, home-style food. A western menu is typically offered for lunch, with Sri Lankan cuisine for dinner. Breakfast is a mix, whilst cake is always offered with afternoon tea. Max Wadiya is great place to savour authentic local dishes – you can even have a cookery lesson and take home recipes for everything you cook, plus a bag of spices to get you started!

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From $950

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 10-12*

Our
Rating 7.8

Villa San

Indonesia » Bali » Ubud

To be this close to the centre of vibrant Ubud but be surrounded by so much space, peace and comfort is a rare treat. Returning to the sanctuary of Villa San’s impressively long lap pool, lovely lawn and big comfy bedrooms and bathrooms after a hard day’s shopping or sight-seeing in and around Ubud was a delight. We were royally looked after by the lovely staff, who were keen to make sure that we enjoyed our stay and equally keen to share their knowledge of the area and the culture and customs of this lovely part of the island.

The master suite gets top marks for luxury, comfort and sheer quality. There are no TVs in the bedrooms (they get points for that, from us) but there are excellent TV/DVD/music systems in the two entertainment rooms and a smaller set, plus electronic games console , in the playroom. Bring your own DVDs though, as the owner’s collection is pretty small. Ditto iPods for the docks in every bedroom.

The villa is well-equipped for young children and extended families with three twin-bedded rooms and a great playroom. Having all the accommodation on one level is also be a big plus for guests that have trouble with steps.

The cool shady balé at the top end of the swimming pool is big enough to seat everyone, even where there’s a full house, and with Bose speakers installed in the rafters it makes the perfect place to chill out, enjoy the tropical scene and thank your lucky stars that you are staying at Villa San.

Oh yes, and we couldn’t help but imagine what an absolutely lovely place Villa San would be – marquee on the lawn, glass of Champagne in the hand, music drifting through the balmy evening air – for a casual wedding reception or other special celebration!

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From $820 Special 4br Rate

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 8.0 Guest Rating 9.2

Villa San

Indonesia » Bali » Ubud

To be this close to the centre of vibrant Ubud but be surrounded by so much space, peace and comfort is a rare treat. Returning to the sanctuary of Villa San’s impressively long lap pool, lovely lawn and big comfy bedrooms and bathrooms after a hard day’s shopping or sight-seeing in and around Ubud was a delight. We were royally looked after by the lovely staff, who were keen to make sure that we enjoyed our stay and equally keen to share their knowledge of the area and the culture and customs of this lovely part of the island.

The master suite gets top marks for luxury, comfort and sheer quality. There are no TVs in the bedrooms (they get points for that, from us) but there are excellent TV/DVD/music systems in the two entertainment rooms and a smaller set, plus electronic games console , in the playroom. Bring your own DVDs though, as the owner’s collection is pretty small. Ditto iPods for the docks in every bedroom.

The villa is well-equipped for young children and extended families with three twin-bedded rooms and a great playroom. Having all the accommodation on one level is also be a big plus for guests that have trouble with steps.

The cool shady balé at the top end of the swimming pool is big enough to seat everyone, even where there’s a full house, and with Bose speakers installed in the rafters it makes the perfect place to chill out, enjoy the tropical scene and thank your lucky stars that you are staying at Villa San.

Oh yes, and we couldn’t help but imagine what an absolutely lovely place Villa San would be – marquee on the lawn, glass of Champagne in the hand, music drifting through the balmy evening air – for a casual wedding reception or other special celebration!

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From $970

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.0 Guest Rating 9.2

Villa Sapi

Indonesia » Lombok » Northwest Lombok » Tanjung

How relaxed is it possible for a human being to get? Our stay at Villa Sapi gave us some idea. It was so peaceful and quiet; the only constants being the sun, the breeze and the gentle splashing of the waves on the sand. Otherwise, it was a new experience at every turn, from the extraordinary architectural design to the random acts of artwork around the villa and gardens. The TV room – curvilinear, boxed-in with glass and filled with assorted beanbags – looks and feels like an annex of George Jetson’s cartoon space house.

The ebbing tide occupies a big part of your day because it takes up such a big part of your view. We sat on the beach one evening watching a brilliant sunset over a low, low tide with the dusk light reflecting off the rock pools and silhouetting the fishermen stalking the shallow waters. Yet, while nature’s sea views are pretty special, be sure to take the time to turn the sun loungers around so you can stare back at the equally impressive artistic achievements of man.

Come mid-afternoon, it’s fun to amble down to the Hotel Tugu for a glass of something cold and a journey into Indonesia’s diverse indigenous past before returning to Sapi for a sunset drink and the anticipation of what chef has in store for dinner. At the time of our visit, the daily charge for food per person was a mere US$40 (US$20 for children). Every meal was a three-course gourmet indulgence, and in our opinion this was some of the best food we have ever had in a villa; the chef is five-star-trained after all. If you’re worried about gaining a few kilos (and you probably will) you can opt for the chef’s low calorie fare. If you’re looking for in-house activities, the manager can arrange tennis with a professional coach, table tennis, volleyball, cooking classes and more.

All in all, this is a villa where you will want to bring your friends so they can see it for themselves. Photos and tall tales just won’t suffice.

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From $1,236

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 9.3 Guest Rating 9.4

Sira Beach House

Indonesia » Lombok » Northwest Lombok » Tanjung

This is a great villa for families or groups of friends, with loads of space, private places to escape and plenty of entertainment for all ages. The pairing of the six bedrooms means that three families can easily escape from each other in their own separate areas. During our visit to the villa the staff surprised us by setting up a sunset table for two on the sand, within a circle of candles and flaming torches, to create a most romantic feast of local dishes. Only after the sun went down did we realise that the ‘circle’ was actually a heart shape! The chef has created a great menu and can turn his hand to anything but loves to indulge his guests with Lombok specialties. Due to the remoteness of the area, you’ll be asked to order your first meal and any special requests in advance of your arrival. The kitchen will operate on a menu or grocery system according to your preferences.

Fully self-contained, we didn’t leave the confines of the villa grounds except to swim in the ocean. The electronic beeper that we were given to summon the staff at anytime was a great idea (and necessary due to the size of the place). No one claims that this villa is 100% environmentally sustainable but great care has been taken in the design to be as eco-friendly as possible. We were very aware that, although were indulging in six-star luxury, we were having a low impact – the pool is chemical free, our long showers and baths were solar heated and the water we were using was being recycled to nurture the organic gardens.

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From $947 Special 4br Rate

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 8.8 Guest Rating 8.5

Sira Beach House

Indonesia » Lombok » Northwest Lombok » Tanjung

This is a great villa for families or groups of friends, with loads of space, private places to escape and plenty of entertainment for all ages. The pairing of the six bedrooms means that three families can easily escape from each other in their own separate areas. During our visit to the villa the staff surprised us by setting up a sunset table for two on the sand, within a circle of candles and flaming torches, to create a most romantic feast of local dishes. Only after the sun went down did we realise that the ‘circle’ was actually a heart shape! The chef has created a great menu and can turn his hand to anything but loves to indulge his guests with Lombok specialties. Due to the remoteness of the area, you’ll be asked to order your first meal and any special requests in advance of your arrival. The kitchen will operate on a menu or grocery system according to your preferences.

Fully self-contained, we didn’t leave the confines of the villa grounds except to swim in the ocean. The electronic beeper that we were given to summon the staff at anytime was a great idea (and necessary due to the size of the place). No one claims that this villa is 100% environmentally sustainable but great care has been taken in the design to be as eco-friendly as possible. We were very aware that, although were indulging in six-star luxury, we were having a low impact – the pool is chemical free, our long showers and baths were solar heated and the water we were using was being recycled to nurture the organic gardens.

more...

From $1,063

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.8 Guest Rating 8.5

Australia	+61 8 6102 0160
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Manila	+63 2 8889 8261
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Indonesia Low Season Offer

Indonesia Low Season Offer

Indonesia Low Season Offer