What You Get
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
TV (Satellite/Cable)
Washing Machine
The Experience
Villa Bengawan is a little sanctuary resting beside the Pangi river in the village of Pererenan. Low buildings topped by grey shingle roofs lie in terraces and step gently down from the entrance of the villa into the lush tropical garden. During the day, while tiny hummingbirds flit between trees, chirruping crickets and vibrant birdsong fill the balmy air as these hidden creatures soak up the serenity of Bengawan’s exotic elongated garden. At night, the frogs – drawn to the trickling river, the paddy fields across the valley and to the villa’s pink-spiked lily ponds – take up their positions as croaking bassists in this lively natural orchestra.
For soaking up the sights and sounds of the Bali countryside Villa Bengawan’s pair of living and dining pavilions couldn’t be better placed. Open on three sides to a grassy garden lying beyond tranquil ponds, these minimally furnished pavilions allow for a seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces. To the left is a dining pavilion with a well-equipped kitchen to the rear, whilst to the right is a lounging pavilion furnished with oversized chocolate-brown sofas that couch you in comfort the moment you sink in. With the five ensuite bedrooms all located well away from the living areas, and even further from the smartly decked pool, quiet naps are achievable at any time of the day.
The villa comes fully staffed, including a cook who prepares meals (on guest account) from a great menu designed to satisfy guests of all ages. Families will enjoy Villa Bengawan, and it’s certainly spacious enough for a gaggle of kids – there’s an extra child’s bed in the twin bedroom, a shallow paddling pool to the side of the main turquoise swimming pool, and an air-conditioned TV Room for catching up on cartoons or favourite movies. Groups will also appreciate the villa’s five similarly sized bedrooms and the relaxing ambiance of the divinely tranquil location. For diversion, Pererenan Beach is only a 15-minute stroll away, and Echo Beach a further ten minutes along the sands.
Our review
- Overall Rating:
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7.5
- Reviewed:
- 09-Apr-2012
“Bengawan’s pretty, semi-outdoor bathrooms are particularly delightful.”
The lily ponds fringing the living and dining areas were very photogenic, and we loved how the pink flowers arched open widely during the day but closed tightly up again each night. The squashy sofas in the lounge were particularly comfortable and the mood of the room seemed to vary according to what was playing on the iPod. Refreshingly, there are no TVs in any of the bedrooms. Instead, you can catch up on the news or watch a movie in the air-conditioned media room to the back of the lounge.
Tufts of feathery grass between the lawn and the swimming pool provide a pleasing screen of privacy for the sun beds on the timber decking. Although the staff were present in the kitchen and around the villa as they cleaned and cooked for us, they were very discreet and tended to pop up only when we needed something – a snack or a drink perhaps. Their English is fairly basic but they did understand what we needed and we didn’t have any problems. The cook is excellent and the villa menu (groceries on guest account) is substantial enough to keep you satisfied for days.
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 7 | Location: | 8 | Outside Area: | 7 |
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| Living Area: | 8 | Bedrooms: | 7 | Bathrooms: | 8 |
| Kitchen: | 8 | Facilities: | 7 | Staff: | 8 |
| Value: | 7 |
Highlights
The aesthetically pleasing openness of the living and dining areas that tumble outdoors across mirror-still ponds sprouting bright pink flowers were a highlight for us. And being well away from the living areas, pool and garden means that the bedrooms are nice and quiet for those seeking a quick daytime snooze.
Surprises
We thought that the unfenced ponds might present a bit of a hazard for toddlers, and one of the bathrooms is slightly overlooked by the bedroom on the villa’s upper level.
PROs
- Intelligent layout and design
- Bags of peace and privacy
- Only a 15-minute walk to the beach
- Delicious home cooking
CONs
- Basic English spoken by the staff
- Ponds a worry for toddlers
Gallery
Location
Villa Bengawan is in the village of Pererenan in the Canggu area. In the immediate vicinity there are a handful of other villas, rice fields, the river Pangi that flows past the far end of the garden, a temple and the general buzz of Balinese village life. Follow the road for less than a kilometre and you will arrive at Pererenan’s rugged beach, which is famous among surfers for its powerful breaks. There is a strong current here, however, so swimming is not recommended. There are no shops in the village apart from a few small local stores selling only the very basics, but there are two cafés beside the beach, both of which are popular with surfers. For livelier beach action and a choice of eateries, Echo Beach is only three kilometres away.
Places of Interest(KMs) |
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| Echo Beach | 3.0 |
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| Seminyak | 7.0 |
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| Kuta | 14.0 |
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| Waterbom Park | 15.0 |
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| Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) | 22.0 |
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| Ubud | 31.0 |
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| Mount Batukaru | 36.0 |
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| Elephant Safari Park | 46.0 |
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About Canggu
Canggu is fast evolving into Bali's hippest area, its beaches renowned for spectacular sunsets and heady surf. Jalan Pantai Batu Balong is lined with cool bars, cosy coffee shops, and varied dining options offering everything from French pastries to tapas, burgers and vegetarian fare. A holiday in Canggu invariably spells spending a lot of time at Echo Beach where a good choice of restaurants and cafes such as The Beach House await, with daily barbecues and live music on Sundays. Known for its nightlife, other vibrant music venues in the vicinity include Old Man’s and Deus Ex Machina. Local boutiques and spas keep you busy, competing with neighbouring Seminyak just a few kilometres further east.
Here, amongst the rice fields which extend all the way down to the beach, you will not only find some of the most luxurious private residences on the island, but also several eclectic restaurants, cafes, bakeries, boutiques and beach bars. Well known in surfing circles, Canggu boasts reef swells larger than the ones found further south in Kuta and Seminyak. Swimming isn’t advisable however as the rips can be dangerous, but there are plenty of other things to do in Canggu from horseback riding to cooking classes. A visit to Finns Recreation Club is a must for families (several elite havens in the area include guest access) and further north lies the sea temple of Pura Tanah Lot, a great day trip for the entire group.
About Bali
Bali is Indonesia’s most popular tourist location and is considered one of Asia's premier tropical island destinations. Steeped in history and renowned for its artistic way of life, Bali is a peaceful contrast to some of the more frantic destinations Asia has to offer.
The inner peace and creative talents of the Balinese has attracted artists the world over fascinated by local dancers, silversmiths, wood carvers, potters and painters that seem to pervade throughout the island. The abundant verdant fields and surrounding sea have long supplied Bali with an easy surplus of food leaving time for life’s more artistic past times. As a result everything in Bali has a creative and religious element centred around the local Banjar (residents association) – little, adorned temples are everywhere, doors are covered in intricate carvings, huge kites ward off evil spirits and colourful roadside ceremonies bring traffic to a standstill.
Bali is a popular destination principally from Australia and Asia but also from all over Europe. The island welcomes thousands of visitors each year to a relaxing lifestyle, stunning beaches, world class surf, vibrant villages, and spectacular scenery all with an exquisite tropical climate. Located approximately two hours’ flying time from Singapore the island is serviced by an international airport at Denpasar with direct flights to and from many major cities in Asia, Europe and Australia and many more via Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital.
The island offers an impressive range of leisure and lifestyle amenities including world-class golf courses, wonderful seascapes for surfing, diving and snorkelling as well as luxurious spas, chic boutiques, tropical forests, towering volcanoes and international cuisine.
Rooms
A series of serap-tiled buildings gently flow down from the entrance of Villa Bengawan to the tranquillity of the garden at the far end. Hugged by terraced lawns, lily-flecked ponds and lushly sprouting plants, these contemporary styled buildings house five comfortable bedrooms, a spacious open-plan living and dining space, a fully equipped kitchen and an air-conditioned TV Room.
Four of Bengawan’s bedrooms are tucked into the middle of the villa while the fifth is located close to the main entrance. Overlooking the rooftops and garden of the villa, this king-bedded room has built-in cupboards and an ensuite indoor bathroom with shower and terrazzo sink. The other four bedrooms – three kings and a twin – are located down a short flight of steps and split between two buildings that face each other over a walkway. Layered timber door panels camouflage the entrances to these rooms from view. As you enter each suite, a hallway lined with built-in cupboards leads to an air-conditioned bedroom with garden views and a semi-outdoor tropical bathroom with rain shower, twin granite sinks and mini walled open-air gardens. The bathrooms attached to the three king-bedded rooms also have deep terrazzo tubs.
Down another short flight of steps from the bedrooms is an open-plan living and dining area flanked by reflective ponds sprouting vivid pink lotus blooms. To the left of the walkway is an open-sided dining area with white terrazzo floor, a table for eight, a breakfast bar with timber stools and, to the rear, an equipped western kitchen with service hatch.
To the right of the walkway, in a matching open-sided construction, milk-chocolate-coloured super-squashy sofas and oversized footrests are perfectly placed around a coffee table for gazing over the garden while ceiling fans whirr gently overhead. A long bookshelf runs down one side of the room towards a small washroom and to the back is an air-conditioned TV room with flat-screen satellite TV and a DVD player.
Key Amenities
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Car
(Extra)
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Internet (WiFi)
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Swimming Pool (Private)
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TV (Satellite/Cable)
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Washing Machine
Other Amenities
- Air-con (Bedrooms)
- Baby Cot
- BBQ
- Bed Linen
- Book Selection
- Car Parking
- Ceiling Fans
- DVD Library
- DVD Player
- Equipped Kitchen
- Extra Bed (Roll away/mattress) (On Request)
- Hairdryers
- High Chairs
- iPod Dock/Speakers
- Iron/Board
- Laundry Service
- Main Dining (8 persons)
- Massage Beds
- Oven/Hotplates
- Safe
- Towels
Villa Staff
- Babysitter (Extra)
- Chef/Cook (All meals)
- Driver (8 hours) (Extra)
- Garden/Pool Staff
- Housekeeping (Full time)
- Manager (Restricted hrs)
- Masseuse/Spa Therapist (Extra)
- Security (Night time only)
- Shopper
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The river Pangi flows gently past the lush garden of Villa Bengawan, a 5-bedroom contemporary villa in Pererenan. Characterised by stylish open-plan living areas that flow seamlessly across mirror-still lily ponds, this fully staffed villa with pool suits families and groups seeking rural tranquillity within easy reach of the beach.
http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/villa-bengawan.aspx
