Villa Surya Damai is a sublime introduction to Bali villa living. This delightful five-bedroom property comes uniquely infused with touches of colonial elegance, high quality interiors and furnishings and all the modern creature comforts required for the perfect tropical villa holiday.
Essentially, Villa Surya Damai is a much-loved private family residence that promises to make guests' modern- day stresses melt away. Here, classic good taste mixes with understated simplicity and ample luxury is supplied without overwhelming hi-tech gadgetry. The ever-happy team of staff are further evidence that is indeed a relaxed 'home from home', welcoming with warmth and informal hospitality.
Set out amongst 2,750sqm of mature, tropical riverside gardens, the property consists of a series of charming thatched pavilions in the design of a traditional Balinese family compound home. Spacious bedrooms, private terraces and pretty ensuite garden bathrooms, encircle a welcoming, open-sided living pavilion while pool loungers, outdoor and indoor dining areas and an additional lounge-TV room on an upstairs veranda, provide more than enough options for both private and social moments. Recreational facilities include three TVs and DVD players, iPod docking and sound systems, a hard-surface tennis court and an inviting 18m natural-stone- lined pool.
Beyond the enchanting gardens and swaying palm fronds lie terraces of verdant rice fields on one side and a grassy pasture complete with grazing cows on the other. It's a quiet spot, where days blissfully blur together. But if you do feel the urge to venture out, the villa is just a few minutes' drive (or a 15-minute walk) from the Indian Ocean and some excellent surfing beaches, as well as a glut of world-class restaurants and stylish bars in nearby Petitenget and Seminyak.
Villa Surya Damai - Accommodation
Villa Surya Damai features several alang alang thatch-roofed pavilions generously spread throughout an immaculately landscaped riverside garden. At the centre of the compound, and facing the pool, is an informal, open-sided living room. Stepping-stone pathways set in lush green lawns lead to a master suite, principal guest suite and a double-storey pavilion, containing three bedrooms and a second, veranda-style, living area. Another pavilion, overlooking the swimming pool, houses the formal dining room and adjoining kitchen. A hard-court tennis court rests in the far corner of the grounds.
Bedrooms
Courtesy of their flexible, family-friendly configurations, Villa Surya Damai's five spacious air- conditioned bedrooms can sleep up to 14 guests. All rooms are simply but very tastefully presented with top-quality teakwood furniture. For lovers of open-air living, glass sliding doors and ceiling fans allow natural breezes to flow through.
The villa's outrageously comfortable beds boast king-coil mattresses, stacks of pillows and cushions and the finest quality bed linens. Rooms are individually colour co-ordinated and feature attractive rugs, floor cushions and thick curtains. With the exception of the second storey bedroom, ensuite bathrooms are open-air Balinese style, with terrazzo stone floors and delightful enclosed tropical gardens.
Master Suite (king-size bed)
The master suite is entered via a generous-sized timbered veranda with rattan furniture and ceiling fan. The bedroom features wood floors, a king-size four-poster bed and, at either end of the room, large carved wall decorations. Doors lead to a gorgeous open-air garden bathroom with his n' her sinks and massive ceramic bathtub under an alang alang roof. The outdoor shower and stone deck is made private with tropical foliage and high walls.
Glass sliding doors from the bedroom lead into an air-conditioned sitting room featuring satellite TV, DVD player and sound system and furnished with a sofa and small library. This, in turn, leads to a second veranda, dominated by a huge cushioned daybed - perfect for surveying the lawns and pool or for enjoying a relaxing massage.
Principal Guest Suite (king-size bed)
Set towards the back of the compound, looking out over the delightful gardens stands the principal guest suite. It is accessed from a cozy veranda furnished with large daybed and rattan furniture. The king-size four-poster bed in this room features an antique, Javanese carved wood frame, with exquisite hand-painted headboard, while the garden bathroom is fitted with a sunken bathtub and open-air rain shower.
Guest Bedrooms Three and Four (twin beds)
Side by side on the ground floor of the villa's only double-storey pavilion are two twin-bedded guest rooms which make ideal children's quarters for family groups. Accessed via glass sliding doors, both share similar features of sweet, colour-coordinated furnishings, low ceilings and terrazzo stone floors. These rooms are more modern and functional in style, furnished with desks and decorated with tasteful modern art. Under the twin beds are neat trundle beds, making these rooms practical for up to four guests each. Doors from both rooms lead to open - air garden bathrooms: smaller in size than those of the principle suites, but still featuring sunken bathtubs which blend seamlessly with the stone floors plus outdoor tropical rain showers.
Bedroom Five (queen-size bed)
An open stairway to the right of bedrooms three and four leads up to a breezy veranda and Villa Surya Damai's fifth bedroom. Overlooking the gardens and with views out to the fields and rice terraces beyond, this second-storey bedroom is more traditionally Asian in style. With its lofty ceiling, bedroom five is furnished with a romantic queen-size four-poster bed plus an antique wood wardrobe and desk. A set of aged timber doors leads to the only indoor bathroom of the house, with low ceiling, walk-in glass shower cubicle and, similar to the bedroom, cool terrazzo stone floors.
Living, Dining and Kitchen
Heart and hub - literally - of the property, the open-sided living pavilion looks out over the pool, the gardens and the rice fields beyond. Two comfy sofas and a deep daybed with white cushions frame a large antique coffee table making a sociable space which is attractively and subtly lit at night, while a satellite TV, camouflaged in a wooden cabinet along with DVD player and Bose sound system offer audio-visual distraction. In tropical yet homely style, this room features terrazzo stone floors and soaring alang alang ceiling, and is kept cool with natural breezes and ceiling fan. Understated decor includes candles, fresh orchids and the traditional carved artefacts.
In contrast to the living pavilion, the dining room is encased in glass folding doors which, when closed, project a more formal atmosphere. The room is dominated by a table crafted from a single block of aged teak wood, surrounded by 12 tall-backed cream upholstered chairs. A ceiling fan keeps the room cool and a lengthy lily pond runs alongside, featuring a water fountain and playful fish. A covered stone pathway links the dining room to a fully-equipped kitchen that is amply efficient yet homely in style.
Next to the pool and shaded by large green parasols, a slatted teak table and eight chairs form a sociable outdoor dining area - marvelous for sunny breakfasts, pool-side lunches or dining under the stars.
Veranda, Living and TV Room
Adjoining bedroom five, upstairs in the two-storey pavilion, a wide veranda provides an alternative living area. Open-sided and with high ceilings, the fan cooled timbered veranda overlooks the entire property. Entertainment is provided with a satellite TV, DVD player and sound system, hidden in a large wooden cabinet. Comfortable seating comes in the form of a squashy L-shaped sofa and some large floor cushions.
Pool and Garden
Villa Surya Damai's gardens consist of gorgeously spongy lawns, edged with tropical foliage and trees, criss-crossed with stone-paved pathways and decorated with intricate carved stone wall panels. The striking 18 x 7m infinity-edge pool is bordered on one side by a simple grass and stone deck where cushioned sun-loungers beckon. Lawns slope down from the far side of the pool to a 60m river frontage, edged with exotic palm fronds and coconut trees; the low wall encircling the gardens allows maximum views of the rice fields beyond.
Dusk is a particularly lovely time in the garden at Surya Damai. Take a dip in the pool and appreciate the peaceful rice-field views, as the fading sunlight stretches across the water, or wander the many hidden corners of the garden which is magically illuminated at night with pretty Balinese lanterns and fire beacons.
Villa Surya Damai - Staff
Villa Surya Damai's team of 13 staff reflects the relaxed, family ambiance that makes the villa so special. Each staff member is experienced and well-trained - hotel school graduates with a decent command of English.
- Villa manager - Although villa manager is not located at the villa full-time, he will be there to welcome guests on arrival and is always contactable. A savvy and experienced manager, he has a great command of English and is a mine of local information, helping guests with anything from hunting down vintage wines to arranging surf lessons.
- Chef - An experienced chef, having previously worked in hotels and restaurants on the island, He mpresses with a broad repertoire of western and Asian dishes and adaptability to suit guests' varied tastes.
- Five housekeepers - The villa's 5 housekeepers, also double as kitchen assistants and waiting staff.
- One out sourcing pool attendant and two gardeners - Doing a fine job maintaining the lovely villa pool, grounds and keeping the English-style lawns immaculate
- Four security guards - The team of male security guards works a joint night-time shift, ensuring security and peace of mind during your villa stay.
Villa Surya Damai - Food & Beverage
- The Menu - Villa Surya Damai has a great chef. He is an excellent cook and highly
capable of preparing a wide variety of Asian and Western dishes, from
Vichyssoise soup and beef Bourguignon to local delicacies such as fish
curry; not to mention teatime treats and whole rock lobster barbecues.
He can also easily accommodate children's choices and special dietary
needs. Extensive suggestion menus are provided, but Nengah is happy to
discuss special requests.
- The System - To give the cooks sufficient advance warning, it helps to select meal options 24 hours in advance (however staff are always willing to accommodate requirements when able). While the kitchen staff are excellent, they do not have the capacity of a hotel or restaurant kitchen; thus it is very much appreciated if guests minimise the number of dishes ordered at each meal.
- Food and Beverage Charges - First-day breakfast is complimentary, so too is mineral water throughout your stay. Otherwise, groceries and beverages are charged at cost price: Staff will require guests to provide a cash float for groceries, they will then purchase the goods and present receipts when they tally up final costs.
