Dreaming of a Bali Villa Vacation
Full moon rising above Villa Dermawan
November 24th, 2020
Go ahead, dream. The day is coming! I’ve refreshed and reposted my thoughts on a Bali villa vacation, below.
More tomorrow,
Kelly
Repost of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
Bali holds a special place in my heart, as it does for many people around the world. I honeymooned in Bali and also enjoyed a few trips to the island while living in Singapore. Bali is a very popular destination and (in a normal year) tourism is unrelenting. Beach resorts, bars and restaurants are packed all year long.
Off the beaten path and away from the crowds, Bali can be experienced in a different way. The island’s many private villas can be rented for days, weekends, weeks… however long you can stay. Villas vary greatly in size and style — some are old and authentic, others are new and modern. Villas can accommodate from 2 to 20+ people, and renting a villa with a large group is nearly always more affordable (and fun) than booking separate rooms at hotels.
Villas also offer the opportunity to meet local Balinese who care for the homes and make sure you have an excellent stay. Their service is included in the cost of the villa, and they can help arrange other things like airport transportation. The villa staff also may be hired to cook authentic Indonesian meals throughout your stay. Your villa vacation, already pretty spectacular, becomes even more delicious when you wake up to nasi uduk and fresh fruit or savor a poolside dinner of nasi goreng and satay. There’s no need to go to expensive bars and restaurants when staying home is an authentic journey into Indonesian cuisine.
Here are a few villas to whet your appetite for a Bali villa vacation.
Villa Dermawan is located down a tiny brick lane about five minutes from the beach in Seminyak. A high gate and a Buddha statue greet you as you walk through the large front doors. An open-air kitchen and living room overlook the pool, which is next to the primary bedroom. A second bedroom, open bathroom and sitting area are located at the far end of the grassy lawn. This villa is paradise for couples wanting space and privacy with authentic Balinese character.
Also in Seminyak, Villa Ipanema is a modern design with two stories and five huge bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom. An open-air living room, dining room and kitchen face the pool. For a group of ten adults, this villa brings the pool and the party together for a super fun experience.
Two of my friends were married at Villa Phalosa, on a large lawn with a pool facing the ocean. Both of their extended families stayed at this villa during the week leading up to the wedding. Rain was a possibility on the wedding day so the bride and groom hired a Tukang Terang — a Balinese “rain stopper” who held off the storm by performing a ritual at a local temple.
And finally, Villa Kaira near Canggu offers everything needed for a luxurious group stay — private cottages, koi pond, spiral staircase, grassy lawn, pool and leafy view of the ocean. Here also, I attended the wedding of two friends and thoroughly enjoyed seeing another elegant villa amid the idyllic beauty of Bali.
I’m barely scratching the surface. Whatever your needs and preferences, there is likely an irresistible villa awaiting your arrival. I have experience booking with Bali Villa Finder and recommend them as they thoroughly evaluate all the villas they represent. (And if you’re bored at home and just want to villa shop, their website is a buffet of beautiful choices by the day, week or month.)
As we begin to see a glimmer of hope and think about a time when we might be able to travel freely again, Bali is (as usual) near the top of the dream list. No matter where you choose to go in the world, where you choose to stay can have a direct and positive impact on people trying to get back on their feet after this difficult time. Travel may be the ultimate antidote that helps all of us in the most meaningful, reciprocal and enjoyable way.
Hope for the future
compassandcamera.wordpress.com 
Great places to spend time in good company, at the risk of staying there and not going out. True, hope is getting closer 🙂
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Oh my Kelly, this one makes my heart hurt it’s so beautiful! Bali is one of few places I’ve not considered but your post makes me rethink that! Hopefully we’ll all be back on the road again soon – nice to think of it as a way to help those who have been so impacted by the pandemic.
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This one got put immediately in my Travel Tips file! Every one of them looks heavenly!
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I’m living in a villa in Bali now, it’s been fairly Corona free as they closed the borders. Then they recently opened the border to domestic tourists. Then Corona got a little more heavy handed. Still fairly low rates though. As always, love your photos and especially…words.
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BADFISH!!!!! You’re a gift arriving in time for Thanksgiving! It’s SO wonderful to hear from you and know you’re out there, literally living this dream! Yay! I’m so happy you’re healthy and safe in Bali. I and the blogging community miss you. ♥
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Oh this sounds and looks like heaven! Bali is a dream!
Alison
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A dream indeed! Hopefully to come true someday soon.
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This is truly a dreamy spot for a vacation — and with the addition of a stunning sunset, what could be better? I’m also thinking I would love to be there now since the weather looks so pleasant. Thanks for sharing. It’s just another great place to visit!
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