Villa Lotus

Villa Lotus is two identical joglos, each its own small world. The living space is the terrace — a balcony that wraps three sides of each pavilion, with a dining table for two, a pair of armchairs, and the garden close enough to touch. Sliding doors open the bedroom on three sides to the light and the breeze, and close fully, with air conditioning, when you would rather seal the room and sleep cool.

Each joglo has its own kitchenette — twin gas stove, fridge, microwave, kettle, real cookware — enough for slow breakfasts and light meals, with Ubud's tables five minutes away for everything else.

Above each bed, a soaring hand-laid timber ceiling and a draped canopy; below, hotel-quality linens, a smart TV for the evenings that call for it, and an ensuite with a stone soaking tub and a separate walk-in shower.

Two king bedroom suites, one to each joglo, identical and entirely private. Each has a soaring joglo ceiling, a draped bed canopy, a dressing table, a double-door wardrobe with a safe, and an ensuite with a stone bathtub, a separate shower and a bidet-spray toilet.

Both rooms open to the terrace by day and seal completely by night — which matters in the tropics: however open the villa lives, you always have a cool, quiet room to sleep in. Two couples each have their own pavilion, bathroom and terrace; a family of four has room to spread out.

The garden is the reason to come. Stone paths thread through tropical planting, a private pool sits at the centre with gentle fountains, and a koi pond turns slowly under a small waterfall in the corner — the kind of sound you stop noticing you are listening to. Two sun-terraces, each with a pair of loungers and a Balinese parasol, sit either side of the water.

It is gated and private, at the quiet end of a lane, with parking for up to two cars.

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 insect 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.

Sayan sits on Ubud's western edge, above the Ayung river valley — green, residential, and quiet in a way central Ubud stopped being some years ago. Mornings are birdsong and the sound of water. Everything you came to Ubud for is a short ride away.

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a few minutes — a gentle paved trail through open green valleys, best at sunrise or golden hour. The Monkey Forest and its temples around ten minutes; the Tegallalang rice terraces around half an hour. Ubud Palace, the art market, the galleries and the cafés are five to ten minutes into the centre. For yoga, spas and meditation you are spoilt — this is the wellness capital of Bali. Tirta Empul's sacred springs are about half an hour, the waterfalls at Tegenungan and Kanto Lampo a little more. The airport is an hour and a half, traffic depending.

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

Ubud is best on two wheels, though its lanes are narrower and steeper than the coast. 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.

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

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.

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 terraces, and is not heated; there is also a koi pond in the garden. 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.

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.