In summary
The seven-bedroom Villa Mana is perfect for extended families or groups of friends who appreciate loads of breathing space. For this is contemporary tropical living on a large scale, with 3.7 metre high ceilings, swathes of kilim-covered black concrete floors, and enough multi-level living space to swallow up a crowd. Supplementing the formal living area are deep verandahs and a huge roof terrace with oversized daybeds sheltering under a rice-vista pergola. A 17-metre swimming pool, media room with pool table and Xbox, wading pool, and football pitch will keep kids happily entertained, and the beach is just three kilometres away.
12 adults and 4 kids (7 bedrooms: 5 kings, 1 twin, 1 kids' bunk room accommodating up to 4); extra beds available (extra charge).
Indoors
Spacious communal open air lounge/dining area with 12-seater wooden table, comfortable deep cushioned sofas and Bose sound system
Chic black décor complementing stone walls and poured concrete floors
Custom designed furnitureCasual seating / pool side dining area with 12-seater table
Enormous air conditioned entertainment room / children’s playroom with 2.3 x 1.2m satellite projection screen TV/ DVD player, PlayStation, pool table, books, toys and games
Additional air-conditioned rooftop TV room with flat screen TV /DVD player and black leather furnishings
Outdoors
Elaborate hanging gardens, sweeping lawns and tropical palms trees
17 x 7 metre infinity-edge swimming pool with timber deck, sunloungers and pool pavilion
Expansive roof top deck with 180 degree views stretching to the sea, furnished with daybeds, umbrellas and outdoor wooden table for 12
Amazing rice field views
Staff and Service
Villa staff team includes manager, cook, housekeeping, security and gardener. Additional staff (eg babysitter, masseuse) available on request.
A suggestion menu of Indonesian; western and children’s meals; requests accommodated (including special diets). Grocery cost is charged 20% handling fee which is subject to service and tax at the prevailing rate.
Location
Villa Mana is hidden away in the village of Babakan in the popular district of Canggu on Bali’s south-west coast. Opposite the villa entrance is an important village temple, Pura Kahyangan, and beyond Villa Mana’s gardens are rice terraces stretching to the horizon. The villa has a ringside seat on an authentic way of life that has remained constant over generations. A gentle bike ride along quiet roads guided by the villa staff accords fascinating glimpses into this largely unchanged world and its hard to believe that Seminyak’s acclaimed restaurants, nightspots and boutiques are just 10 kilometres away. The world-class surf breaks and sunset views of Echo Beach are a 5-minute drive away, as is the famed Tanah Lot sea temple.
Villa Mana’s manager will have 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. Many of them live nearby and will be able to give an interesting insight into some of the fascinating aspects of Bali life.
In the meantime, here is a taste of the many and varied activities on offer within reach of the villa.
Jump on one of the villa’s bicycles and explore the scenic rice field landscape and rural villages; a great way to get under the skin of the ‘real’ Bali. Stop off at a local warung (café) to sample some basic Balinese fare or cool off with a cold drink.Villa Mana is close to the famous sea temple at Tanah Lot (10 km), although in peak season a few too many tourists may transform a sunset visit into more of a heaving photo opportunity than a moving experience. Visiting early in the morning (8-9am) provides a better idea of the power of the location and the chance to see it undisturbed apart from perhaps an offering ceremony.A nice sunset alternative is to head down to Echo Beach (3km) where a number of cafes offer good sunset views and cold beer. Note that the beach here is dark volcanic sand and the waters are better suited to surfing, having a pronounced swell and rip, rather than children’s swimming. Hotel Tugu, a very stylish and eclectic boutique hotel a few minutes further down the coast is also a good sunset spot.Fashionistas, trendies and shop-a-holics should hot-foot it down to Seminyak, Bali’s most cosmopolitan enclave. Here, you can indulge for hours in the glut of stylish, chic boutiques. There is a wide choice of fine dining, mid range, and cheap ‘n cheerful restaurants in Seminyak too: fine dining venues include Mama San, Sardine and Métis.Drive westwards to explore the charming Tabanan regency, revealing terraced rice fields of emerald green, volcanic mountains and black-sand beaches dotted with fishing communities. Or head north to explore the volcanic lakes near the mountain town of Bedugul, including Lake Bratan with its photogenic and stunningly positioned Pura Ulun Danu – one of Bali’s most important temples.The most exclusive Bali trekking tour promises breath-taking vistas and heart-warming encounters while supporting sustainable social change in the once-forgotten villages of Muntigunung.
Covering 3.8 hectares of tropical parkland in Kuta, Waterbom Bali has 16 water slides (including The Climax with its 360 degree loop) to entertain the young and the young at heart. A great family day out, but go early to beat the crowds.
