Overview

IN A DIFFERENT CLASS.

On an island renowned for great hotels, luxury accommodation, cutting edge service and uncompromising attention to detail, it's a joy to find a retreat that combines all of the above and makes you feel completely at home at the same time. SUNGAI is for people looking for a more personal, bespoke hotel experience, with staff who know your name, your favourite drink and can arrange a restaurant reservation, spa treatment, or simply point you in the right direction within minutes of you deciding to do something. Three king-bedrooms with deeply comfortable oversize canopied beds that you will never wish to leave, imported linen, plush feather and down duvets, unlimited giant pillows/bath sheets, Bvlgari bathroom amenities; all looking out to your private 17m pool, the river, lush tropical canopies interspersed with frangipanis, and the leisure pavilions with Bose sound, and yet you are just 20mins from Legian in round-the-clock chauffeured comfort. A truly sophisticated and indulgent place to escape for couples/families/friends that will change your perceptions of what to expect on holiday.

Located in the small village of Cepaka (pronounced with a ch) in the region of Tabanan, surrounded by rice paddies and overlooking the river Penet, Villa Sungai is the ultimate Bali getaway for couples, families or small groups, and with the completion of Sungai Gold, it just got a lot better.

The setting is perfect. On arrival, we descended about 30 steps down a steep river bank and walked through the entrance of the Villa to find ourselves in the middle of a mini rain forest. An 18 metre infinity pool runs along the edge of the property with huge palms, bamboo and other tropical plants emerging from the riverbank below, creating an overwhelming canopy of green. Thick foliage on the opposing riverbank soars overhead and as far as the eye can see, giving the impression that we are completely alone.

The villa itself has a beautiful colonial feel about it. A traditional vaulted thatch roof creates a great feeling of space, assisted by two huge wood-framed mirrors high on the walls. The colours are soft, café latte hues, with a mix of rattan cane and white-washed wood, off white terrazzo floors and khaki soft furnishings. Oversized furniture dominates the setting with cushioned benches, luxurious daybeds and a huge marble top dining table taking centre stage, but there is otherwise precious little clutter, giving the whole setting a feeling of relaxed sophistication and understated chic. A gentle breeze fanned us all day long, ensuring we remained cool and effortlessly relaxed.

Three spacious bedrooms lay behind sliding glass doors, complete with king-size four poster beds with gorgeous linen and the most fabulously comfortable, custom-made king size pillows and huge indoor/outdoor bathrooms. There is something magical about showering under palm leaves and stars, wrapping yourself in a perfectly fluffed white towel and breathing in the scent of the Bvlgari products on offer.

With the day bed included and an additional bathroom attached, the villa comfortably sleeps 8, making it perfect for a group getaway. In our case, we had a nanny sleeping in with both of the kids in two of the bedrooms and we got the most wonderful night's sleep in the main bedroom.

At the far end of the property is the massage room and beyond that, a kitchen and unobtrusive staff area where 8 full time staff , including private chef, butler and driver, are ready to look after your needs 24/7.

The staff are all from Cepaka and everything is incredibly friendly and personalised. I went for several morning walks through the village with my daughter in a backpack and after 45 minutes had to return with a face aching from returning smiles. Out of roughly 300 school kids and locals we passed, including those in cars and motorbikes, there were probably 5 that didn't give us a big hello and huge grin that simply couldn't be refused. And not a single hawker, delightful! We were even invited to visit the local school, where we were mobbed by beautiful Balinese kids, and to Made's house to meet his wife and new born baby; not something you are likely to get in even the most exclusive resort or hotel, or when based in one of the tourism enclaves.

Australian Pamela Hayes is the owner and inspiration behind Villa Sungai and in September, oversaw the completion of a second adjoining villa, Sungai Gold, a more compact one bedroom couples' version and incredibly enough, a small step up again, with its own full size pool, separate dining and leisure pavilions and breakfast/spa bale. This can be booked in conjunction for larger groups.

Apart from the obvious, it is the myriad little things that can only result from one person's passion and attention to detail that makes the whole package so ideal. Ipods, a Bose music system and plasma screens in the bedrooms and a reasonable library of DVDs and books.

Unobtrusive yet incredibly attentive staff, most of whom have been with Pam since the villa's inception in 2001, are managed by another local, Made, who speaks excellent English. The luxurious bedding, fresh flowers daily (white,naturally), a pyramid of fresh towels and a basket of water bottles sitting by the pool at all times all adds to the feeling that nothing has been overlooked.

Add to this formal table settings for all meals and the staff fitted with Captain's Jackets in the evening serving canapes and cocktails, a private fridge for alcohol and stores, a great kids' menu and lots of toys, food provided at the cost of ingredients and wine at wholesale prices.

Even the superb massages cost just US$20, so even if the money isn't important, you don't feel like you are getting stung at every turn like some hotels. On our first night a complimentary traditional dance from two young local girls provided 15 minutes of intrigue, set off with candles and white, pink and red rose petals strewn the length of the pool. Perfect!

There is not much in the way of local restaurants, but being located just 20 minutes north of the tourist enclave of Seminyak, there is a huge variety of great restaurants and entertainment close at hand and we, like many guests, made daily trips either for lunch and dinner, all pain free with our private driver. Increasingly, however, snoozing, reading, doing laps and playing with the kids in the pool meant that we left home less and less.

Prices vary with the season but start from US$550 to $600 for couples and up to about US$700 to $1,000 (peak seasons) for groups CHECK THIS, which is particularly reasonable when broken into three or four.

I would recommend the Villas Sungai and Gold to anyone looking for an exclusive villa experience with family, friends or as a couple. In my estimation, it is equal to the finest of its kind in Bali.
Email: info@bali-villasungai.com Phone: +61 410 324535
Web: www.bali-villasungai.com