Overview
Guests at Villa San are spoiled for choice when it comes to ways to relax. Reflecting the owners' artistic and spiritual leanings, there's the loft studio for painting, a telescope for star-gazing from the rooftop terrace at night, and a Buddhist stupa and yoga terrace tucked in a quiet corner of the property for group or individual meditation and yoga practice.
The spacious grounds offer freedom and flexibility for both families and groups of friends, with hammocks and sun loungers arranged around the 25 x 5m pool and a pool pavilion seating up to 15 people. Inside, as well as the living and dining spaces, there are two well-equipped entertainment rooms - one is part of the two bedroom master suite, the other adjacent the informal dining room - a gym and a children's playroom. The villa showcases some exquisite art and handicrafts from China, Ghana and Indonesia.
Villa San comprises six large bedrooms - three doubles and three twins. French doors from all the bedroom pavilions look out over tranquil gardens, only steps away from the long sloping lawn and the inviting pool.
A friendly, helpful team of staff are on hand around the clock, with a butler and chef available to meet every request. They are knowledgeable about local Hindu cultural activities, art galleries and the myriad options for exploring and learning about the region (guests can take a craft or cooking class, or book an in-house meditation or yoga session) and will recommend the best of local restaurants, cafés and spas.
Accommodation
At the heart of Villa San lies a two-storey living pavilion whose crisp modern lines and eclectic collection of wooden art pieces draw the eye from the moment you step into the villa. The pavilion houses the lounge, dining and entertainment areas as well as a playroom, artist studio, rooftop terrace and the kitchen. White casual seating, chrome and glass desks and crisp white walls are perfect foil for the exquisite Balinese, Chinese and African handicrafts in bedrooms and living areas.
The six bedroom suites, all with spacious walk-in wardrobes and luxurious bathrooms, are built in an L-shape around this living pavilion; each a discreet distance from its neighbour.
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Villa San's six spacious bedrooms all feature large, luxuriously comfortable beds dressed in fine white linen and with plump feather-filled pillows. Exquisite hand-crafted bed runners from Africa and Indonesia add the finishing touch. Fine artworks and more carefully selected handicrafts grace the walls. Each room is equipped with ceiling fans, air conditioners and iPod docks and furnished with a desk, bedside tables and reading lights.
Villa San's master suite, comprises two very generous sized bedrooms (one king-bedded and one twin-bedded) separated by a similarly large and comfortable family room, with three inviting sofas and a state-of-the-art home entertainment system. The well-appointed ensuite bathrooms, accessed through large dressing rooms with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, are full of light from windows facing onto gardens on two sides.
In separate buildings around the main living pavilion, eight more adults can be accommodated in two queen bedrooms and two twin bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms featuring large tubs and showers. Two extra beds are available for children, on request.
Living & Dining Areas
Inside areas
Villa San's air conditioned entertainment lounge features one of the property's two state of the art home theatre systems, incorporating a large flat-screen satellite TV, DVD player and stereo system. Guests can sit back and relax on one of the big comfy sofas and look out over the property through floor-to-ceiling windows. Glass doors from the entertainment lounge open directly to the open-sided living area, furnished with more comfortable sofas and an unusual collection of wood and glass sculptures. Just a few steps away from the living area is a professionally equipped gym, while to the right is a casual dining area, the kids' playroom and finally the green, spacious lawns and sparkling swimming pool area beyond.
While most of the cooking is done behind the scenes in the staff kitchen, no expense has been spared in the open-plan ?front' kitchen, where the chef makes his final meal preparations and where guests are welcome to indulge in their own culinary creations. You'll be delighted by the bright, chunky Spanish-style crockery, the range of appliances and the sizable wine fridge. Separated from the kitchen area by a timber-topped breakfast bar, the dining area is open on three sides, looking out onto gardens and the swimming pool lawn. Its long wooden table with comfortable seating can accommodate up to 14 dinner guests.
Upstairs, reached by a spiral staircase hidden next to the pool steps, an artist's studio with wide glass windows provides a private, quiet hideaway. The adjacent rooftop terrace is a perfect place to scan the heavens, with the help of a professional telescope.
Outdoor areas
Pool loungers, hammocks and casual seating shaded by sun umbrellas are comfortably arranged throughout Villa San's well-kept gardens, while a covered gazebo seating 12-15 lies at the far end of the pool.
Villa San's sparkling 25 x 5m pool is just perfect for swimming laps. For lazier times, there's a lounging ledge at the deep end (1.8m), while the steps at the shallow end (1.2m) are wide and safe for younger swimmers.
Tucked away in a quiet corner behind the master suite is a tree-shaded terrace for yoga practice, suitable for groups of up to 15 people. Behind it, a traditional stone stupa (a Buddhist meditation building known as the Serene room) offers the perfect place for moments of peaceful reflection.
Comfort & Amenities
| Children | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Game room |
Games |
High chair |
Toys |
| Confort | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Beach towels |
Bed linen |
Pool towels |
Toiletries |
|
Towels |
| Equipments | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Full Kitchen |
| High-Tech | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Book Library |
DVD |
DVD player |
iPod docking station |
|
Satellite TV |
Stereo |
Telephone |
Wi-Fi access |
| Outdoor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Beach umbrella |
Garden |
Outdoor dining |
Outdoor furniture |
|
Private parking |
| Security | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Safe |
| Services | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dry cleaning services |
Laundry services |
Welcome drink |
| Services extra | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spa treatment |
Yoga |
| Sport & leisure | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Exercise Room |
Fitness center |
Gym |
| Staff | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chef |
Concierge |
Gardener |
Maid Service |
|
Pool Attendant |
Security guard |
Villa Manager |
| Staff extra | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Baby sitter |
Masseuse |
Private chauffeur |
Staff & Services
Most of the 11 Balinese staff at Villa San have lived in the Ubud area all their lives, and are very willing to share their vast knowledge of this fascinating part of Bali with villa guests. Though no staff members live on site, there are at least two staff on the property around the clock.
Full time manager
Villa San's manager coordinates the running of the villa and is a mine of information about the area. He can also arrange for excellent spa, massage or yoga therapists to attend the villa. Wayan' hours are 9am to 5pm but he is on call outside those hours.
Full time chef
Villa San's chef was trained at the Oberoi Hotel, Lombok, and as such can turn his hand to just about any dish a guest may desire. Breakfast is served from 8am and guests can select lunch and dinner from the villa's delicious suggestion menu. Villa San's chef and kitchen staff can also cater and help plan for dinner parties and other special events.
Butler and housekeeping
The villa's butler and two housekeeping staff discreetly keep all living and private areas clean and tidy. Whether you wish to choose your meals from the villa menu or ask the staff to purchase provisions on your behalf, your butler is on hand to serve you throughout the day.
Gardener and pool attendant
A full-time gardener and pool attendant ensure Villa San's grounds look their best, without ever intruding on guests' privacy.
Spa staff/masseuse
Villa San has a special arrangement with local fully trained spa therapists who can visit the villa to provide a range of spa and massage treatments (prices on request).
Yoga/meditation teachers
Fully trained, off-site professionals in a range of yoga disciplines can be booked to visit the villa.
Security
Villa San is kept safe and secure by two security staff working from 4pm to 8am. They will conduct regular patrols around the property, and also inside the grounds, unless otherwise requested by guests.
Pool
Private pool 23m x 5m.
Location
Villa San is a stone's throw from Ubud's Royal Palace - where cultural performances are held nightly ? and very convenient for many of Ubud's favourite treasures and attractions. While the property itself is very quiet and private, a vast, bustling local market is only 300m from the front door while a delightful variety of high quality restaurants and cafés can be found in and around the centre of town.
Ubud and her surrounding small villages are rich with culture and art. Many villages focus on a specific craft - such as woodworking, stone carving, ikat weaving or batik painting. These crafts are not just for the tourists, they have formed the livelihoods of these Balinese villagers for several hundred years. Guests can visit, watch and in many cases take classes - learning to cook local food, carve a wooden mask, dye a batik scarf, dance in a traditional performance, play an ancient brass musical instrument, or attend a life drawing session.
Denpasar Airport
36km (90 minutes)
Mt Batur/Kintamani
40km (120 minutes)
Seminyak
35km
Jimbaran
106km
Nusa Dua
47km
Sanur
25km
Activities
Villa San's manager has a wealth of information about nearby places of interest and will help arrange transport and make any bookings required. Do also ask the staff about the local area too. Several of them live nearby and can give an interesting insight into some of the fascinating aspects of Balinese life.
In the meantime, here is a taste of the many and varied activities on offer within reach of the villa.
- Escape the afternoon heat and watch the antics of the long-tailed macaque monkeys at Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest. And mind your belongings, these monkeys are skilled pick-pockets!
- No visit to Ubud is complete without seeing at least one traditional dance performance. This is a great opportunity to see classic Hindu legends being told through dancers in colorful, Balinese costumes.
- The many spas and meditation centres of Ubud offer a wide range of eastern and western therapies from reiki to acupuncture, and yoga to herbal scrubs.
- In March, Ubud hosts the Bali Spirit Festival of Yoga, Dance and World Music. Five days of yoga and music workshops, three nights of inspirational world music.
- Join amateur and professional artists from around the word, on Wednesday or Saturday morning, for Life Drawing session at Pranoto's Art Gallery opposite Goa Gajah Caves
- See some of Bali's best scenery on a daytrip to volcanic Mount Batur. The largest crater lake in Bali fills part of Mount Batur's caldera while small villages cling to the rim. The views from the nearby village of Penelokan are well worth making the trip.
- Soar above the spectacular southern coastline of Bali on a paraglider. Paragliding courses, tandem and solo flights are available.
- Tour the Karangasem Palace at Amlapura, visited for its unique combination of Balinese, Chinese and European architectures.
- Being in the centre of the Island, Ubud isn't the place to base yourself if you're after a beach holiday! But if you fancy a day trip down to the coast, Sanur (25 kms) is probably the best option although Candi Dasa (35 kms) is less crowded. To make a full day of it, drop in at the Bali Marine and Safari Park and the traditional village of Tenganan en route.
- Pulau Dive Charters offers luxury boat charters around the beautiful islands and waters surrounding Bali. They specialise in private fishing, surfing and diving charters and also offer unique personalised day trips to Nusa Lembongan. Perfect for a family day out on the water or with a group of friends.
Services included
Exclusive use of the villa, all its services and facilities and the 11 dedicated staff which include a fantastic chef and of course your own private pool, children's play room, entertainment, media, dining and living rooms complimented with 6 wonderful bedrooms all within easy walking distance to Ubud's centre. A car and driver is available at a special rate for 8 consecutive hours daily (excluding petrol).
Additional Notes
Families
Villa holidays are an excellent option for families, where advantages include having access to your own private facilities, such as swimming pool, living space and gardens and having the freedom to use them whenever you want.Knowing that the kids can run around happily, independently and safely, without you having to worry about other guests, is a real plus ? and one that means parents are certain to have a more relaxed holiday too. Villa San has a long lawn for Frisbees and ball games, a great swimming pool with shallow section and two TV/entertainment rooms. There's also a dedicated playroom with toys, games and pool equipment.
A particular highlight at Villa San is the kid-friendly staff. All Asians have an inherent love of children which means that the villa staff make them feel as welcome as adults. Having these willing babysitters on hand also gives you plenty of flexibility and freedom to do your own exploring beyond the villa grounds (full time babysitters will cost a little extra). Although equipped kitchens allow you to prepare meals for fussy eaters or babies with ease, staff will happily to do this for you ? just talk through your requirements and meal schedules with the villa manager or cook and they will take care of the rest.
Neither do you have to worry about packing all that cumbersome extra equipment when you stay at Villa San as we can provide you with all the essentials, and more ? from pool safety fences to baby baths, cots, high chairs and car seats. What we don't have in-house, we can generally hire in for a small fee. Just talk through your requirements with us when you make your reservation and we'll make sure it's all there ready and waiting for your arrival.
Dining
The villa offers a suggestion menu (including Asian and Western dishes) to make ordering easier but guests are welcome to chat with the chef if there are other items they would like to try. With excellent training from the Oberoi Hotel Lombok, chef is willing and able to accommodate most requests.To get the best out of the kitchen, it is a good idea to plan meals with the chef the evening before, or over breakfast, allowing plenty of time for deliveries and shopping to be done. Food and drink is provided on a ?cost' basis with a small mark-up to cover pick-ups/delivery and stock ingredients. Meat is sourced from quality suppliers and other ingredients are bought from the market daily. The owners suggest leaving a kitty/float with the manager who will keep a track of spending.
Spa
Many of Ubud's very best spa therapists and yoga instructors can provide a health treatment at Villa San to suit specific needs or ailments, or to design a class for an individual or small group.The Villa Manager, is a wealth of information about the range of Thai and Balinese massage, reiki, reflexology, energetic healing, yoga, meditation and other services available to bring in house.
Feel like a body scrub or massage? We can recommend deluxe treatments carried out in the privacy of your own villa by fully trained therapists from a reputable local spa (extra charges will apply). Here's a sample of what's on the menu:
Balinese massage
Release built up tension with a traditional Balinese massage. Using a combination of gentle stretches, acupressure and aromatherapy oils to stimulate the flow of blood, oxygen and energy around your body, you will feel totally relaxed in no time.
Foot reflexology
Foot reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet which correspond to every part of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes tension is relieved and circulation improved leaving you feeling balanced.
Body scrub
A full body scrub will exfoliate and hydrate your skin leaving it soft and smooth. A rejuvenating scrub combines an abrasive material such as salt, coffee, rice bran or pecan hulls with essential oils to remove any impurities and make your skin glow.
Manicure/pedicure
Our hands and feet work hard for us every day but rarely get the attention they deserve. Treat them to a manicure or pedicure, which usually comes with the added bonus of a quick hand or foot massage.
Weddings & celebrations
Villa San is ideally suited for a casual cocktail or pool party for up to 50 people. A sit-down luncheon or dinner can also be arranged for up to 50 people with a marquee set up on the spacious lawns adjacent to the pool. Permissions and licenses can be obtained on behalf of guests, from local authorities.Maximum people sitting: 50pax
Maximum people standing: 50pax
Minimum nights low season: 3
Minimum nights high season: 5
Minimum nights peak season: 7
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