If you’re not ready to dive into secluded living in a tiny Balinese village, Villa Lovina, part of the Heavenly Residence complex, strikes an ideal balance. You can take in stunning Indian Ocean views from the edge of your infinity pool and dine on duck slow-roasted in banana leaves. But the tourist-friendly Nusa Dua area has enough restaurants and shopping that you won’t feel too far removed from civilization.
At the crest of the villa complex, Lovina’s minimalist buildings are laid out in the floor plan of a traditional Balinese compound. Three distinct structures hold the bedrooms, which are finished with clean white walls, hardwood floors, and simple, inviting beds. The separate spaces allow for quiet and intimacy, but sliding glass doors open to invite visitors and island breezes.
Up-to-the-minute amenities match the modern construction. Guests access the villa through a private elevator, and the casual living room has a plasma TV with a DVD menu and a Bose sound system with a fully loaded iPod. Breaking up the architectural simplicity, walls throughout the complex are ornamented with bas-relief sculptures in volcanic stone, inspired by a Buddhist temple in central Java, and classic batik prints.
A live-in butler can arrange biking or snorkeling trips around the island. But in such a relaxed setting, you may prefer to sink into a deck chair and contemplate the fading shades of blue, from pool to ocean to sky.
American or Balinese breakfast included,Live-in butler on call 24/7,Bas-relief carvings in porous stone,Every room has air conditioning, along with big sliding doors and fans for cooler days,Poolside massages overlooking the Indian Ocean,Acqua di Parma bath products,Free WiFi throughout
Restaurants and shops aren’t within walking distance, but a chauffeured van is available for $80 per day,Construction projects and sandy brush fill the space between upscale resorts in Nusa Dua,Heavenly Residence has a small semicircle of beach; opt instead for nearby public beaches,The pool is not heated and is shaded about half the day
Eat. Nusa Dua Beach Grill has fresh local seafood, cold smoothies and free taxi transfers at dinnertime. Pack a blanket and pick up sandwiches stuffed with artisanal meats and cheeses at Gourmand Deli in the St. Regis resort. Eat the homemade chocolates inside, before they melt.
Drink. The outdoor Salsa Bar at the Grand Hyatt Hotel has two-for-one cocktails from 6 to 8 p.m. every night — perfect timing for sunset views of the ocean.
Beach. The villa complex has a small, uninspiring beach, even at low tide. To play in the waves, taxi over to golden Geger Beach, where local entrepreneurs will bring cocktails to your lounge chair.
Watch. Next door to Heavenly Residence, Nikko Hotel’s stone amphitheater sets the stage for traditional dance performances.
Cook. For a taste of the local culture, spend a day learning how to make Balinese specialties at nearby Bumbu Bali.
Explore. Just off the coast, you can hold a baby sea turtle at Pulau Penyu. Your butler can arrange a half-day excursion to the island via glass-bottomed boat.
Pray. Uluwatu is Bali’s most impressive cliffside temple, and the path to it is lined with devilishly funny macaques. Arrange for a taxi in the late afternoon and stay for sunset.
Golf. Play an epic round at Bali Golf and Country Club, where the impressive Mount Agung looms behind the fourth putting green.
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