We walked through the hand-hewn timber gates of Villa Ka and instantly left the real world far behind. Designed to excite the senses and relax mind, body and soul, Villa Ka epitomises Bali’s iconic contemporary design style, where the seamless blend of traditional and modern, along with that sweet Balinese hospitality, create a heady ambiance of holiday bliss.
An authentic Javanese lifestyle, epitomised by the elegant joglo pavilions, is heightened by the friendly attention of a team of butlers, housekeepers and chefs. Cheeky modern works of art enliven honey-hued timber walls, while other contemporary touches include state-of-the-art LED lighting wrapped in natural fibres. A whimsical “je ne sais quoi” spices up this tropical Garden of Eden with inviting cocoon loungers and rustic wooden statues.
The villa manager tells us that each bedroom is appointed according to ancient Feng Shui concepts. The element of stone, for example, is brought in through the inclusion of stunning, one-of-a-kind stone bathtubs and sinks, placed gracefully in each spacious garden ensuite.
As we’ve opted in advance for the villa’s private chef to prepare a traditional Indonesian feast for dinner that evening, we order a simple fruit plate for lunch. Each serving overflows with rows of impeccably sliced pineapple, papaya, and watermelon. After lunch we relax on the double loungers around the pool, each shaded with a rainbow of fanciful Balinese umbrellas, creating an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ ambiance. As we take turns cooling off and stretching our limbs in the very generous pool, the scent of exotic spices wafts through the air: our impeccably dressed chef is hard at work dicing and simmering.
Villa Ka is equally alluring at night, its gardens and pavilions beautifully lit with environmentally friendly fixtures. Just like the multi-faceted layers of flavourful dishes that are laid out before us by our chef, the nuances of Villa Ka beckon to be discovered in a leisurely fashion, one delicious moment at a time.