Villa Cempaka

The living area is open-plan and opens fully — glass doors fold back onto the pool terrace, so morning coffee happens somewhere between the sofa and the water. High ceilings, air conditioning in the bedrooms, ceiling fans and cross-breeze for the hours you would rather have the doors open.

There is a smart TV with Netflix for the quiet evenings, a dining table for six, and a sofa bed in the lounge — which is how a two-bedroom villa comfortably sleeps six. The kitchen is properly equipped rather than decoratively so: full fridge-freezer, gas stove, microwave, kettle, real cookware, enough for a whole holiday's meals or just the ones you feel like.

Bedroom One — a king bed, glazed doors to the pool terrace, and an ensuite with a walk-in shower.

Bedroom Two — a king bed, looking straight out to the pool, with its own ensuite.

Both rooms are dressed in hotel-quality linens with air conditioning, and both close fully — which matters in the tropics: however open the villa lives during the day, you always have a cool, sealed room to sleep in. The lounge sofa bed adds two more, sleeping six in all.

The pool is private and yours alone, set into tropical planting — and, unusually, mostly shaded. This is the villa's quiet signature: an outdoor space you can actually use at midday, long lazy afternoons by the water without hiding from the sun. Two loungers, an outdoor shower, leafy corners among the planting for coffee and evening drinks, and enough seclusion that the lane outside stops existing for a while.

If you're a dedicated sunbather chasing hours of direct sun, this may not be your villa — the shade is the point. But if you'd rather be outside, cool and comfortable, from morning to dusk, Cempaka is a rare and lovely thing.

A note we make on every villa, because we would rather say it than have it surprise you: our villas live open to the Balinese tropics, and the tropics live back. Geckos on the walls — a sign of good fortune here — butterflies through the garden, the occasional ant in the warm months. It is true of every villa and hotel on the island. We treat the villa professionally every four weeks, more often than most, and the bedrooms seal completely. Guests who arrive with Bali's real character in mind grow rather fond of the geckos.

Babakan sits between Canggu and the coast — residential, green, and quiet in a way the main strip stopped being some years ago. Mornings are birdsong and the sound of someone sweeping a lane. A handful of good cafés and everyday spots are within reach; everything else is a short ride.

Batu Bolong, La Brisa and Old Man's are around ten minutes by scooter. Berawa Beach a little over ten. Pererenan and its coastal walkways about fifteen. Finns Beach Club roughly twelve. Canggu's cafés and boutiques a few minutes in any direction. For gyms and yoga — Body Factory, The Practice — a few minutes; padel around Berawa and Pererenan, ten to fifteen. Tanah Lot sea temple is an easy fifteen-minute run for sunset, Seminyak twenty-five to thirty-five down the coast, and the airport forty-five minutes to an hour, traffic depending.

All times are approximate and by scooter — Bali's traffic shifts through the day.

Canggu is best on two wheels. Our own Nusa Havens fleet can be delivered to the gate before you arrive — including licence-free electric vehicles that need no motorcycle permit, for guests who would rather not ride a scooter.

Grab and Gojek are widely used and inexpensive, and a private driver or chauffeured car can be arranged for airport transfers, temple trips or a day exploring further afield.

A note on the lane: Cempaka sits down a narrow, quiet lane. A car of any size can drive down to drop you at the gate, but turning into the private driveway is tight — so a small car or hatchback is best if you'd like to park on-site, with larger vehicles used for drop-off. Scooters are no trouble, with plenty of room for several. Your Villa Hostess will happily advise the smoothest arrival.

Check-in from 4:00 PM, check-out by 11:00 AM. Self check-in available, with full details sent before arrival. A valid passport is required for guests aged 18 and over — standard for villa stays in Bali.

Villa Cempaka is single-level throughout, with no internal stairs — just a single step at the entrance. Your Villa Hostess is always glad to lend a hand with bags on arrival.

The villa enjoys a central Babakan position, which means a little of the island's daily rhythm — you may hear some passing traffic at busier times, morning and evening. The bedrooms close fully and are air-conditioned, and by evening the lane settles. We mention it simply so it's expected rather than a surprise.

Your Villa Hostess welcomes every guest personally. For arrivals after 9:00 PM a small late-welcome fee applies, so she can stay and greet you properly however late your journey.

The pool is unfenced and directly accessible from the living areas, and is not heated. Children must be supervised at all times, particularly under-12s and non-swimmers. A cot and high chair are available on request with notice.

Private leisure stays only — no events or parties, in respect of our neighbours. Smoking in the garden and pool area only. No security deposit is required; we simply ask that you treat the villa with the care we put into preparing it. There is no washing machine on site, but we're glad to arrange trusted local laundry with pick-up and delivery.

Bali is developing quickly, and building work happens across the island. We chose this quiet lane deliberately and protect it as far as we can, but we do not control the land around us. Should any nearby noise arise, message your Villa Hostess and we will do everything we can. We would always rather be open about it than have it come as a surprise.