Villa Simona Oasis, Canggu

At the very heart of Villa Simona Oasis is a chic and contemporary open-air pavilion that has been styled by leading international interior designer Elaina Myers, and what a show she has created.  Several lounging zones are arranged atop the marble floors and a huge day bed is poised perfectly below a skylight.  A dining area for ten lies beneath the exposed beams of the pitched white ceiling, which sets an elegant tone along with the tinkling of the shell and crystal chandeliers and the gentle gurgle of the spring-fed water features.  The pavilion, which features a guest kitchen and bar as well as the in-villa chef’s large professional kitchen, looks across the chequerboard garden to a sparkling 12-metre swimming pool flanked by a furnished sun deck and a view of volcanic stone sculptures recessed into the garden.  The poolside entertainment balé has stylish black and white striped lounge seating, casual dining for eight and two fabulous black cane egg chairs suspended from the roof.

Five bedrooms are scattered around the central pavilion with two offering seclusion and three positioned close together to form an ideal set-up for families or groups holidaying together.  Tranquil views of the sacred river and a temple are captured from bedrooms, a private riverside bale and even from the guest bathrooms, offering a glimpse into the daily religious rituals of the Balinese.  Discreet paths link bedrooms to each other and across a little bridge to the beautiful spa that is cloistered in a quiet corner.

Among the 14 staff are experienced spa therapists to deliver traditional massages and Javanese body scrubs.  The private chef provides a delicious healthy spa menu along with a host of Indonesian dishes and Western meals for every taste.

As well as enjoying Villa Simona Oasis’ unique rural setting, guests are only a 15-minute walk away from Echo Beach, one of the most popular surf breaks in Canggu, and home to a host of laid-back bars and beachside dining venues.  This is the place to sit back with an ice-cold beer and enjoy a spectacular Bali sunset.

VILLA LAYOUT

Enter through an exquisite hand-carved Balinese door and admire the stunning living pavilion and three riverside bedrooms cloistered to the right. Sacred spring-water-fed ponds guard and accent the living pavilion, which houses the chef’s kitchen, a bar and guest kitchen as well as lounging zones and the dining room. Giant pots conceal lighting and opulent foliage creates borders to the guest bathrooms. Beyond the lawn is the pool and balconied master suite while another guest room lies opposite in a quiet corner. Deeper still, where the rivers converge, is a bridge that leads to the spa hugged by jungle.

BEDROOMS

The five swank bedrooms at Villa Simona Oasis are the last word in understated luxury.  Positioned in secluded spots throughout the estate, privacy is ensured, as is easy access to the central living pavilion.  Gazillion-thread-count sheets make sleeping a sensual experience while the large private bathrooms create a tastefully contained space.  The rooms feature cool marble floors, bar fridge, TV and DVD, chic tropical furnishings and beautiful outlooks onto verdant jungle.

Darma

The stunning wrap-around balcony overlooking two tranquil streams marks the Darma suite as the estate’s premier bedroom.  Huge windows and sacred-spring-fed water features flank the Balinese doors that welcome you inside.  Darma has a separate dressing room, a desk plus a soft sofa and comfortable chairs facing a TV and DVD and overlooking the garden and pool.  The enormous bathroom has a fabulous central jacuzzi set under a curtained balé, twin sinks and a large rain shower.  Chill on the furnished balcony and listen to music, read or soak up the tropical ambiance.

Bima

Tucked into a quiet corner of Villa Simona Oasis is this sweet room that has a pretty furnished balcony overlooking flowering gardens.  The ‘opium’ style queen-size bed is sumptuously cushioned, and backed by sliding woven panels that open – or close – to the private bathroom where a freestanding bathtub overlooks flowering hibiscus and a manicured walled garden.  Volcanic stone accents the floors and wall motifs highlight this stylish Balinese-style bathroom that is complete with a rain shower and twin sinks.  Back in the bedroom, a sofa is poised for watching DVDs in air-conditioned comfort.

Sahedewa

Closer to the central living pavilion is this beautiful riverside bedroom that features corner windows where you can lose yourself while gazing out over the river and into the equatorial forest from a cushioned sofa.  The king-size bed is backed by sliding panels to the bathroom where an open-air shower is perfect for lavations under the stars and a freestanding tub sits amid black volcanic stones.  The bathroom has a relaxing undercover daybed and a bar fridge.

Nakula

The carved Balinese doors to Nakula are directly opposite Sahadewa, making this riverside suite of two bedrooms perfect for families.  Stylish cane twin beds, which converts to king-size, are side by side, and a matching ‘opium’ style sofa lies in front of the TV and DVD.  Large windows overlook the jungle and river.  The connected bathroom has a freestanding travertine tub in a small walled garden with open-air shower, undercover daybed, twin sinks and bar fridge.

Arjuna

Beyond Sahedewa and Nakula, the Arjuna bedroom has a private entrance and a lush lawn fringed with opulent gardens, pathways to the spa and a divine private curtained bale overlooking the river.  Ideal for couples wanting a romantic hideaway, Arjuna has a furnished terrace and an elegant interior with a king-size bed at the centre of the room.  Sliding panels open to the bathroom, which features a large walled garden, freestanding tub, double vanity and rain shower housed behind an opaque glass door.

LIVING AREAS

Indoor living

Facing the swimming pool at the heart of the estate, the wall-less raised living pavilion forms the social hub of the villa. The guest kitchen and bar with seating for three is a central feature of this cool and contemporary space. Groups of comfortable chairs and cane sofas sprinkle this space with cylindrical glossy black coffee tables that move around on concealed wheels adding a funky touch. The fan-cooled living space has a grand cushioned daybed poised perfectly beneath a brilliant skylight. Charming freshwater ponds, which are fed from a sacred spring, provide a vibrant ambiance. Feet are kept continually cool on the marble floors. A long timber table provides dining for ten people on chic black and white woven chairs reminiscent of Paris cafés. Above the table are two fabulous shell and crystal chandeliers that chime delicately in the tropical breeze.

A few steps away is an elevated guest bathroom which has amazing views over the river and a Hindu temple through cut-out screen windows.

Outdoor living

A large wooden deck, furnished with single and double sun loungers shaded by tasteful black and white striped umbrellas, surrounds the 12-metre infinity-style swimming pool. A spacious bale houses a superb dining area for eight people and has multiple sitting  areas. The black and white theme keeps the style fluid. Gaze back over the river and watch out for exquisite butterflies, birds and monitor lizards that love nothing more than to languish in the tropical sun.

Beyond the pool, where the two rivers join as one, is the villa’s delightful spa. Here, two large daybeds and therapy bales form a wonderful and romantic retreat.