Going For Golf Villas in Indonesia

Pandawa Cliff Estate - Villa Marie

Indonesia » Bali » Jimbaran - Bukit » The Bukit

What a lovely villa for families with kids! This struck us as soon as we stepped onto Villa Marie’s ironwood sundeck framing the large swimming pool. Small kids will love the huge shallow section conveniently located alongside the living pavilion, and parents will appreciate being able to keep an eye on them from practically every room while blissing out on the ocean vistas and the privacy of two separate master bedroom pavilions on either side of the pool.

We think this would be a great villa for six couples too. In addition to the two master suites, the four equally large bedrooms in the two-storey sleeping block each enjoy privacy as well as a small deck or balcony and fabulous bathroom, and the two twin rooms can also be configured as kings; so no short straw to be drawn here! We did notice that neither of the two dining tables had enough room for 12 guests, but have a feeling the highly efficient management team will be onto that pretty speedily. The fabulous facilities of the adjoining Pandawa Cliff Estate sports centre and spa provides an alternative source of entertainment at your doorstep. Air-conditioned squash, anyone? Doubles tennis? (There’s even an umpire’s chair to keep the competitive spirit in check). And a five-minute drive in your complimentary car will take you to Pandawa Beach where you can swim, snorkel and kayak in the shallow, reef-protected waters.

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From $1,883

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.2

Pandawa Cliff Estate - Villa Markisa

Indonesia » Bali » Jimbaran - Bukit » The Bukit

We felt on top of the world staying at Villa Markisa – the view is sensational and the sheer amount of space a luxury. The master suite is just magnificent – even the bathtub commands a killer view! And with its private garden and pool – the villa has three in total – we could cheerfully have holed up here and never enjoyed the rest of the villa. No wonder this is dubbed the Bridal Suite for those getting hitched here!

The cliff-edge pavilion was another favourite spot; in the early morning we could see as far as Nusa Penida on the horizon, and we had a bird’s eye view of the activities on Pandawa Beach far below.

We’ve never come across a villa that gives guests such privacy and space for all five bedrooms. The layout perhaps takes some getting used to, as living areas are divided individually. But that makes it perfect for those who like to holiday together while also enjoying their own personal space (and there’s always the option to open up the living and dining areas in the guest pavilion for a shared experience). And of course Villa Markisa is an outstanding wedding venue. With its multiple living spaces and three pools, a crowd could easily get lost here… and then there’s the estate’s sports centre and spa too!

Villa Markisa’s staff is drawn from the team that serves Pandawa Cliff Estate under the direction of hospitality supremo Diego Pons. Bayu and Cita, our assigned butlers, looked after us well while never being intrusive. And we became huge fans of Chef Wayan who served us some wonderful meals – make sure you try his tom yum soup and prawn curry! (Though there are three kitchenettes, the main kitchen isn’t set up for guest use so this isn’t for people who like to pitch in and cook together on vacation. But with such an accomplished chef, and a varied and reasonably priced menu to choose from, that’s hardly a problem.)

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From $1,883

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 10

Our
Rating 8.7

Pandawa Cliff Estate - Villa Rose

Indonesia » Bali » Jimbaran - Bukit » The Bukit

Crossing the entrance hall into Villa Rose’s open level living area we were delighted by the ocean panorama spreading out before us. This is a million-dollar view – and we had it all to ourselves! The gardens are gorgeous; the manicured lawn of Japanese grass soft underfoot, and we found the pool with its two-tier sun-deck and turquoise-cushioned sun loungers the natural focus of our stay.

We think Villa Rose makes a great villa for four couples or two family groups. The four bedrooms each enjoy privacy as well as a small deck or balcony, the two twin rooms are perfect for children but can also be configured as kings for couples, and there are plenty of extra beds available for young children. A choice of seating areas allow for getting together as a group or breaking away for some peace and quiet.

With its expanse of gleaming marble floors and arrangement of sofas, Villa Rose at times felt more like an ultra-exclusive hotel. It did echo a bit – possibly because the common areas are completely free of curtains and blinds (no doubt to preserve the stunning view) – but a larger party than ours (we were only four) would probably be chatting too much to notice.

We found the staff to be charming, their service skills honed on luxury cruise ships around the world. The butlers were vigilant in anticipating and attending to our needs, whether we were in the villa or by the pool. And the villa chef impressed us with his breakfast dish of Eggs Benedict and a very tasty dinner of grilled prawns and seafood curry. (We were happy to hear that there are plans to run cooking courses for keen chefs among the guests.)

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From $2,206

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 8.6 Guest Rating 8.6

Pandawa Cliff Estate - The Pala

Indonesia » Bali » Jimbaran - Bukit » The Bukit

The jaw-dropping ocean views and sheer amount of space make The Pala a party villa par excellence; hands down, it’s going to be am amazing wedding venue. We loved the choice of living spaces spilling out onto terraces and balconies on both levels – all with sublime sea views. And the master bedroom was quite astonishing – with what has to be one of the best views in Bali; ocean, beach, cliffs and the island of Nusa Penida looming on the horizon.

Six couples could holiday together in complete harmony (and sublime comfort) here, as there are lots of different spaces to get together as well as quiet corners to escape from the crowd. And while there might be some initial discussion over who gets the magnificent master bedroom, the five guestrooms are so spacious and comfortable that no one’s going to complain! (Parents take note – the bursting-at-the-seams-with-toys playroom, media games room, and large shallow pool adjoining the main one make The Pala an excellent venue for multiple-family vacations too).

Pala is the Indonesian word for nutmeg – a spice once so coveted that countries crossed oceans and went to war for it. What an apposite name for a delicious villa that will surely spice up any vacation.

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From $3,087

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 9.0 Guest Rating 8.9

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

Villa Semarapura

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Seseh-Tanah Lot

Although there’s no doubt it's a visually striking villa, Semarapura’s luxurious functionality seemed to unravel itself slowly so that the more we experienced, the more it drew us in. As we relaxed in one of the sea-view balés, swum in our (huge) private pool, sipped drinks from our own bar (sat on one of the ‘wet seats’ at sunset – wow!), enjoyed the pampering of the friendly and personable staff team and the comforts of our well-facilitated bedroom, we realised what a great villa it was as it appeared to cater not only excellently for group arrangements but also individuals within a group too; everything has been thought of and there are plenty of private places as well as sociable spots. The pool deck and its adjoining media room was very congenial; you can either watch a movie here ‘en famille’ or select one from the library to watch in your own room ‘à deux’, as every bedroom has a TV. Note that the bedroom TVs can only play DVDs and are not connected to cable channels. It’s no wonder that the villa is a very popular place for weddings and other special events; not only is the location idyllic, but the experience and hotel-like approach of the staff clearly shows through too. The food was good at the villa and the kitchen a delight; if we had mustered up the energy to cook for ourselves, it would have been plain sailing as the kitchen was equipped with everything that we might have needed. As it was, the villa’s suggestion menu listed a range of dishes and we only had to pay for the cost of the ingredients (plus 20% handling fee which is subject to service charge and government tax) so it was much more fun to sit back with a cocktail from the bar until long after sunset whilst someone else rustled up something delicious to eat. The dining room was atmospheric; however it could do with a ceiling fan as well as the air conditioning option so you can comfortably have all the doors open. The villa’s out-of-the-way location could be a good or bad thing depending upon your preference, however we liked the unspoilt coastline and thought that the fact that the villa had its own car (to sweep us into Seminyak for example) really made up for this. For the active, there’s also a shared tennis court and a rowing machine.

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From $1,444

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 10

Our
Rating 8.6 Guest Rating 9.2

Villa Sepoi Sepoi

Indonesia » Lombok » Northwest Lombok » Tanjung

We arrived at Sepoi Sepoi’s gorgeous Sira Beach by speedboat (like rock stars!), having spent the previous evening enjoying the nightlife of Gili Trawangan: a visit to the Gilis is an absolute must when you stay here – good restaurants and great snorkelling. The villa staff were on the beach to greet us and help carry bags, which was a relief as the property is so spread out it’s quite a hike to the rooms. Staying in the company of five other adults and four adolescent children, we found that Sepoi Sepoi works well for all ages (which is no surprise given the owners have children of their own). While we lazed by the pool, ambled down to the beach, or enjoyed an indulgent massage (best in the open air pavilion beside the pool, costs extra) the kids were off waterskiing, bicycling, and playing board games - it was often difficult to know where they had disappeared to.

The food at the villa was tasty and well presented. Meals are chosen in advance from a menu (due to the villa’s distance from the nearest grocery store) and are currently included in the rates up to a daily limit per guest. There is even a kids’ menu. On our last night we were treated to a roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding, a specialty the chef has been taught to make by the English owners, which certainly proved his ability to cook international dishes as well as local delights. Our favourite for after dinner was retreating to the living pavilion to watch movies on the big projector screen. Villa Sepoi Sepoi is a real tropical success - especially for families.

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From $1,086 Special 4br Rate

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 8.8 Guest Rating 8.8

Villa Sepoi Sepoi

Indonesia » Lombok » Northwest Lombok » Tanjung

We arrived at Sepoi Sepoi’s gorgeous Sira Beach by speedboat (like rock stars!), having spent the previous evening enjoying the nightlife of Gili Trawangan: a visit to the Gilis is an absolute must when you stay here – good restaurants and great snorkelling. The villa staff were on the beach to greet us and help carry bags, which was a relief as the property is so spread out it’s quite a hike to the rooms. Staying in the company of five other adults and four adolescent children, we found that Sepoi Sepoi works well for all ages (which is no surprise given the owners have children of their own). While we lazed by the pool, ambled down to the beach, or enjoyed an indulgent massage (best in the open air pavilion beside the pool, costs extra) the kids were off waterskiing, bicycling, and playing board games - it was often difficult to know where they had disappeared to.

The food at the villa was tasty and well presented. Meals are chosen in advance from a menu (due to the villa’s distance from the nearest grocery store) and are currently included in the rates up to a daily limit per guest. There is even a kids’ menu. On our last night we were treated to a roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding, a specialty the chef has been taught to make by the English owners, which certainly proved his ability to cook international dishes as well as local delights. Our favourite for after dinner was retreating to the living pavilion to watch movies on the big projector screen. Villa Sepoi Sepoi is a real tropical success - especially for families.

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From $1,236

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.8 Guest Rating 8.8

Seseh Beach Villa I

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Seseh-Tanah Lot

Arriving at Seseh Beach Villa after dark, our first impressions were of a luxurious haven under a vast starlit sky. The crests of huge waves crashing onto the beach just beyond the villa gardens reflected brightly in the moonlight. It was an exciting and exotic welcome.

After a deep sleep in a super-comfortable four-poster bed in one of the upstairs Ocean Rooms, we drew back the curtains to get our bearings. The ocean looked as amazing as it had sounded the night before, and from below a cloudless sky the gardens and pool beckoned. Breakfast was a feast of fresh fruit, good coffee and freshly baked pastries – a great start to the day. Later we enjoyed a delicious chargrilled salmon salad, which confirmed the chef’s skills and had us eagerly anticipating our next meal. A chat with the friendly villa manager armed us with the information we needed to go on an exploratory walk around the village, which gave us some fascinating glimpses into rural Bali life. The beach is beautiful for walking and photos, but huge waves warned us away from the water.

We thought that the layout at Seseh Beach Villa – both inside and out – would work very well for both family holidaymakers and for wedding parties. Nearly all rooms face the gardens and ocean and the two bales at each end of the lovely long pool make gorgeous, breezy outdoor living areas. A second Seseh Beach Villa, situated immediately behind the first, will open next year, making this an even better wedding destination, with a total of 11 bedrooms across both villas.

Seseh’s rural location may not make it everyone’s cup of tea, but a complimentary car and driver make it easy to reach Canggu and Seminyak should you want to. Personally, we were very happy just to rest, relax and enjoy the villa.

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From $1,559

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 10

Our
Rating 8.1 Guest Rating 9.0

Seseh Beach Villa II

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Seseh-Tanah Lot

We had a great stay in Seseh Beach Villa II and found everything to be nigh on perfect with all the modern comforts of home mixed with all the lazy pleasures of a tropical holiday. It was incredibly peaceful and quiet with lots of sunshine and swimming by day, while by night we enjoyed big-screen movie sessions, long leisurely dinners and the sounds of the waves lulling us to sleep in our super-soft beds.

After spending much of the day beside the pool, sunset proved to be the best time to head down to the beach for a wander along the sands and a paddle in the surf. There are no lifeguards here and the water can be a bit rough, so swimming is not recommended.

In the evenings, it was fun to gather around our own private bar for a pre-dinner drink. The chef here is a very talented man, and the Balinese and Indonesian specialties that came out of his kitchen were superb. Getting out of our incredibly comfortable bed in the morning was made easy in the knowledge that a hearty breakfast would soon be on the table.

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From $1,386 Special 5br Rate

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 10

Our
Rating 7.7

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