Exquisite Villas | Royal Santrian Villas & Spa, Tanjung Benoa, Bali

By Dian Hasan | May 16, 2010

Bali is synonymous with world-class resorts, luxurious villas and even quaint traditional losmen guesthouses.

Regardless of choice of accommodation, you can be assured that it comes with the personal level of service from the warm-hearted Balinese people with their intoxicating culture and distinctive style. The grace in which they extend their hospitality is of course legendary across the world.

The last decade has seen a mushrooming of luxury villa offerings across the island. Each villa with its look and feel, but share in common the Bali Design Style that has evolved into a recognizable style that is emulated around the world.

Exquisite Villas | The Amala Villa & Spa, Seminyak, Bali

Bali is synonymous with world-class resorts, luxurious villas and even quaint traditional losmen guesthouses.

Regardless of choice of accommodation, you can be assured that it comes with the personal level of service from the warm-hearted Balinese people with their intoxicating culture and distinctive style.  The grace in which they extend their hospitality is of course legendary across the world.

The last decade has seen a mushrooming of luxury villa offerings across the island. Each villa with its look and feel, but share in common the Bali Design Style that has evolved into a recognizable style that is emulated around the world.

Defined by elegant interiors, tropical gardens, Balé open-air pavilions, covered verandas or shaded terraces overlooking stunning views over the rolling ocean, dramatic limestone cliffs, or the lush paddy fields, and verdant hillsides. All of this awaits for discovery in Bali.

The Amala Villa & Spa, is no different, and a fine addition to Bali’s growing portfolio of exquisite villas available for a select few discerning clientele.  Situated in Seminyak, Bali’s hippest lifestyle destination, conveniently close to all the major lifetsyle haunts, bars + lounges, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.

The Amala is the sister-property of the delicious The Balé, near Nusa Dua, one of Bali’s first designer boutique resorts that deliberately took a different approach from the expected Bali look, opting for modern architecture instead.

Exquisite Villas | Villa Paloma, Perenenan, Bali

Villa Paloma is a brand new villa nestled in the peaceful surrounding of Pererenan Village, 800 meters from the Pererenan Beach, on Bali’s south-western coast. Its 5 en-suite bedroom perfectly suited for families and small groups of discerning guests who want to experience the best Bali can offer.

Exquisite Villas ~ Villa Arika, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

Villa Arika four bedroom property is located on Canggu Beach in the peaceful village of Pererenan, 9 km north of the restaurant/nightlife districts of Legian and Seminyak and approximately 45 minutes from Bali International Airport.

Villa Arika sits just back of the dunes on one of Bali’s best west-coast surfing beaches. It offers views of the Bukit to the south, to the north lie palms, rice terraces and a series of headlands, the nearest of them surmounted by a charming temple. From the master bedroom, you have a view of Mount Agung Bali biggest, most sacred volcano.

Exquisite Villas ~ Villa Indah Manis, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia

Villa Indah Manis is a 6 bedrooms villa retreat in southern Bali. Villa Indah Manis commands breathtaking views spanning the Indian Ocean and the southernmost tip of the island all the way up the west coast past Jimbaran, the airport, Kuta and Canggu, and inland to Bedugul. On a clear day, the awesome vista takes in Mt Batu Karu together with the volcanoes of East Java.

Exquisite Villas ~ Villa Taman Caliandra, Pecatu, Bali, Indonesia

Villa Taman Caliandra, a luxurious 4-bedroom villa tucked away on the slopes of ‘the Bukit’ on Bali’s south coast. Built in traditional Balinese thatched-roof style and situated towards the top of a gentle valley, the villa enjoys views over tropical woodland to the sea in the distance.

Located near the village of Pecatu 25 minutes from the airport and a short hop to some of Bali’s best beaches, shops and nightlife, the villa is within easy reach of all the main attractions in southern Bali.

Location: Pecatu, Bali, Indonesia
Number of Rooms: 4
Price Range: US$250 – US$660

Exquisite Villas ~ Villa Emerald River, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

A distinctive design statement of clean modern lines fused into Bali’s open plan architecture, amid a melange of teak wood to signify the tropical setting of this stunner of a Luxe Villa.

Villa Emerald River, located in Canggu near Seminyak, the epicenter of fashionable Bali, with its chic nightlife. As if you’d need external distractions to lure you away from this heavenly villa.

Bali’s Dreamland, where surfers dream no more

Dreamland is a beach located in Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, in Indonesia. An excellent beach for surfing, sunsets and solitude. Dreamland started life when surfers discovered it enroute to the other nearby surfing spot of Uluwatu and Padang Padang. Now that the “secret is out”, Bali-based expatriates and visitors alike have converged upon it.

The white sandy beach and the world-famous surf-break for long rides, coupled with its remote setting, makes for the perfect escape from all the worldly cares.

Wild Indonesia ~ West Papua Tribe with Extreme Tree Houses

By Dian Hasan | September 23, 2009

As a travel destination, Indonesia clearly has earned the bragging rights to the world’s most diverse. The variety is, quite simply, staggering! And can be found nowhere else on the planet. The closest would probably be Brazil, with its Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest. While Indonesia plays second fiddle, replete with all its contents. Flora, Fauna… and indigenous tribes that still dwell in the hinterlands. Some of whom are still carrying on a sustainable life based on whatever the earth bestows on them. In the past, we’d simply lump everything into one category “primitive”, but with the world’s rising fascination with eco-consciousness and sustainability, we are quickly realizing that we have plenty to learn from these groups of people that have survived with their way of life for… eternity! Or so it seems. Here’s a look at the Kombai people of Indonesia’s West Papua with their unique tree houses dwellings.

Exhilarating Asia ~ Extreme Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

By Dian Hasan | September 5, 2009

Asia offers a plethora of travel experience choices. The most challenging question choosing what type of experience you are seeking. From FIT, MICE, Medical, Business Travel, Sports, Showbiz, Shopping, Gourmet, Cultural, Wellness, to the micro-niches of Adventure-, Eco-, Humanitarian– and even VolunTourism, where you’ll find diving, surfing, birdwatching, and mountain cyclists, among the many subdivisions.

Which takes us back to Adventure Travel, that part of travel that exudes exploration, expedition, exhilaration… and excitement galore. Laced with adrenaline, enjoying the dwindling Asian landscapes that are changing fast… from pristine to precariously threatened. So let’s look at Thailand’s stunning Phang Nga Bay, near Phuket, and how to enjoy it via the unique adventure of Extreme Kayaking (as originally appeared in Playak).