Villa Umah Daun

Umah Daun is a stunning, high-spec, professionally staffed villa a few kilometres from the beaches of Canggu on Bali’s south-west coast. Within four interlinked pavilions capped by leaf-shaped roofs are impressive formal living and dining rooms, five bedroom suites, a media room, billiard room, library, kids’ playroom and a gourmet kitchen with climate-controlled wine room. Within the manicured garden, facing emerald rice terraces, is a dining bale and bar alongside the large swimming pool with separate jacuzzi and kids pool, and tucked out of sight is a two-tier kids’ tree house. This architectural gem is designed for memorable family holidays, celebrations and romantic weddings.

Umah Daun is an exceptional villa – a super-sized five-bedroom home skilfully sculpted from interlinking pavilions arranged in an arc around the large swimming pool, kids pool, jacuzzi and gorgeous gardens.

Conceived by noted Balinese architect, Jeghier, the villa’s generous living areas appear to extend beyond their glass doors and across the shallow pond that flows around the contours of the pavilion, emulating the form of the surrounding rice terraces. An uncompromisingly modern design is softened with graciously curved walls and well considered use of natural materials such as andesite rock for statement walls, polished Merbau-wood and marble floors, and bowed Bengkirai-wood roofs which bring to mind the leaves after which the villa is named.

Umah Daun has huge family appeal. Youngsters will gravitate to the beanbag-strewn playroom, kids wading pool and tree house, while kids of all ages will appreciate the villa’s media room, billiard room, 15-metre swimming pool and jacuzzi. There are myriad toys for grown-ups too, among them a Sonos multi-zone sound system and a well-stocked, climate-controlled wine room.

Working discreetly behind the scenes, the villa’s nine-strong staff includes an accomplished chef who can whip up tasty meals from an extensive suggestion menu. The massive dining table will be the focus for many fabulous feasts, whilst the poolside bale is perfect for less formal meals. And while there’s an abundance of social living space, it’s countered with quiet corners – library, bedroom balconies and a rooftop terrace – for a break from the crowd. While Umah Daun is a world in itself, guests are only a short taxi ride away from Bali’s famed sunset beaches and Seminyak’s uber-hip boutiques, spas, restaurants and bars.

VILLA LAYOUT

Umah Daun encompasses four interlinked buildings set within beautiful gardens and arced around a large decked pool area. After entering the villa across a pond, one arrives in the living pavilion, which is linked via an open veranda to the main pavilion. The dining room, kitchen, media room, billiard room and one guest bedroom occupy the ground floor of the main pavilion, while the library, master suite, two twin bedrooms and a rooftop terrace lie above.

On the far side of the living pavilion, a bridge leads to the fifth bedroom, the kids’ playroom and the tree house.

ACCOMMODATION

All five bedrooms at Umah Daun are large, light-filled and attractively furnished. The marble ensuites are equally spacious, with top quality fittings, basins, bathtubs and rain showers.

- Jakaranda Master Suite
The palatial Jakaranda master suite spans luxuriously across the entire top floor of the western-most pavilion, opening onto a large deck that overlooks the sweep of rice terraces beyond. Below a soaring leaf-shaped roof, the king-size antique bed is centrally positioned on the polished Merbau-wood floor for optimum views across the pool. A corridor leads, via two walk-in wardrobes, to the huge bathroom with double basins, state-of-the-art multi-jet monsoon shower, and bathtub set before opaque doors that slide back to reveal the view beyond.

- Jasmine Guest Bedroom
The Jasmine guest bedroom occupies the ground floor of the master bedroom pavilion. This huge light-filled bedroom is lined with double-door windows, its views across the pool reflected in the mirrored headboard, and features a private deck bordering the rice fields, a dressing area and a huge marble bathroom with statement bathtub, curved double vanity and walk-in rain shower.

- Gardenia Guest Bedroom
Sharing a separate pavilion with the kids’ playroom, the gardenia guest bedroom.

- Waterlily and Morning Glory Guest Bedrooms
The bright interiors of these two upper-storey inter-connected bedrooms provide cheerful accommodation for kids, each with twin beds and a single daybed (the twins can also be configured as kings making the rooms equally suitable for adults). Rainbow-coloured batik bedding and beanbags provide splashes of colour, picked out in wall-mounted antique windows and paintings by the owners’ daughters. Both ensuite bathrooms feature leaf-shaped basins and statement bathtubs as well as showers.

LIVING & DINING AREAS

Guests at Villa Umah Daun can enjoy a wide choice living areas spread throughout the estate – some large enough to accommodate a full house, some set back in private corners for those seeking a retreat from the crowd.
Under a towering leaf-shaped roof, two sitting areas furnished with leather armchairs and plushly upholstered sofas form the heart of Umah Daun’s living pavilion. Finely carved antique pillars decorate the curved walls, and bi-fold doors pull back completely, creating a seamless transition between the living space and the undulating pond that hugs its contours, replicating the rice terraces beyond.

A handsome table crafted from a single piece of wood over five metres in length occupies the centre of the dining room, where bi-fold doors open onto a fountain-sprinkled fish pond at the rear and expansive views towards the pool and rice fields at the front. Up to 14 guests can comfortably gather around this table for formal dinners, seated on cushioned armchairs of plaited bamboo, conveniently close to the climate-controlled wine room. Beyond a large sit-up bar is the villa’s open-plan, professionally equipped kitchen, leading to a second chef’s kitchen tucked out of sight.

Opening onto the dining room is the air-conditioned media room, where leather armchairs and upholstered sofas are set before a teakwood display wall with 60-inch TV, DVD player and Sonos Playbar sound system. Chilled drinks are on hand courtesy the bar fridge. A pink-baize billiard table resting on a patterned kilim is the focus of the games room – a ritzy space with antlered wooden trophy heads adorning turquoise walls, a 40-inch wall-mounted TV, a pair of bar tables for in-between-game drinks (kept chilled in the colour-coordinated pink-and-black bar fridge).

On the second storey, with views skimming the neighbouring rooftops, Umah Daun’s library is a comfortable place to retreat to in the company of a good book. Sink into a leather armchair set on the cow-hide rug and get lost for a few hours.

Beanbags in neon turquoise and pink cover the floor of the cute playroom, reached by a bridge across ponds at the tip of the living pavilion. Here, kids can watch a film on the 40-inch TV, play Playstation, or bring out their competitive streak with one of many board games. A spiral staircase leads to the mezzanine level where more beanbags encourage laid-back banter. There’s also an ensuite shower room here.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Luxuriating along the far side of the garden is a stunning 15-metre swimming pool, with 7-metre by 60-centimetre deep kids pool, conveniently separated by stepping stones from the main pool. Rising from the deepest section are two underwater recliners, curved to the contours of the body and complete with glass holders for cool pool cocktails. Set into the wide timber deck that edges the pool is a jacuzzi and pairs of sun-shaded loungers positioned towards the rice-field view.

Next to the pool is a large flat-roofed dining bale furnished with a table for 12, a marble bar counter and kitchenette bench with wine fridges. Alongside, protected by a sail shade, is a raised deck topped with a cushioned daybed.

Tucked away behind the Gardenia guest pavilion is the ‘treehouse’ – a cute two-storey timber cabin that’s bound to be popular with the kids.

A shaded veranda curves around the upper floor bedrooms above the dining room in the main pavilion, leading to a large roof terrace with bar and staff service station.

DINING

Good food, effortlessly provided and gracefully served, is key to a relaxing and rewarding holiday experience. Umah Daun’s guests can enjoy delicious home-cooked food whenever they want. The chef is experienced in preparing everything from snacks to five-course meals, and there is an extensive suggestion menu of Balinese, Indonesian and western dishes.

International dishes range from French onion soup to Caesar salad, lamb chops and lobster to spaghetti Bolognese and pizza. Guests are encouraged to try the chef’s notable Balinese dishes such as Gado Gado (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce), Pepes Ikan (tuna fillet cooked in banana leaf with Balinese spices, served with rice), and Bebek Betutu (a specialty spicy smoked duck dish). The chef is happy to tailor meals to special dietary requirements, and loves nothing more than whipping up Balinese feasts (think Suckling pig) for up to 50 guests.

Groceries and beverages are charged at cost price plus 20%. Guests are requested to provide grocery money in advance, and the staff will do the shopping and keep the receipts for reference. To make the most of the kitchen and give staff time to shop, it is a good idea to plan meals the evening before.

STAFF & SERVICES

One of the greatest advantages of staying in a villa is the personalized service provided by a dedicated team of staff. Villa Canggu’s staff have been professionally trained and will do their utmost to please with their warm and friendly Balinese hospitality.

- Villa manager
Umah Daun's full-time villa manager is responsible for the overall operation of the villa, including staffing, service standards and guest satisfaction.

- Chef
The villa’s experienced chef will happily prepare Balinese, Asian, international and children’s dishes from the extensive suggestion menu, as well as discuss special requests and dietary requirements, and arrange provisioning.

- Butlers
The butlers take meal orders, wait at table, serve poolside snacks and drinks, and take care of housekeeping duties. Butler service is provided in two shifts, from 7am to 3pm, and from 3pm to 11pm.

- Garden staff
A gardener maintains the villa’s lush garden and swimming pool.

- Security
The villa estate is kept safe and secure by two security staff working in overlapping shifts from 9pm to 65am and 11pm to 7am.

FAMILIES

The family friendly advantages of a villa holiday are many, including access to your own private facilities and the freedom to use them whenever you want. Knowing that the kids can run around happily, independently and safely, without you having to worry about other guests, is a real plus – and one that means parents are certain to have a more relaxed holiday too.

Umah Daun is a great villa for families with young children. Two of the bedrooms have twin beds and an extra day bed for additional guests. Kids have their own beanbag-filled playroom with 40-inch satellite-channel TV, DVD player and Playstation, and a cupboard brimming with board games and toys. They also get to hang out in their two-level treehouse with kids-size furniture. (Though the billiard room is more for adults, it might be hard to keep kids away from the table football.) A huge section of the swimming pool is designed for kids, with a consistent 60com depth.

The team of friendly staff at Umah Daun will make children feel as welcome as adults. Having these willing helpers on hand gives guests plenty of flexibility and freedom to do their own exploring beyond the villa grounds (full-time babysitting incurs a small extra cost).

Although the equipped kitchen allows you to prepare meals for fussy eaters or babies with ease, staff will happily to do this for you – just talk through your requirements and meal schedules with the villa manager or chef and they will take care of the rest. Hot Dogs and chicken nuggets are among the favourites on the kids’ menu, and the chef can customise most meals to suit children’s taste buds.

Don’t worry about packing all that cumbersome kids’ equipment for your stay. Just let us know what you need, and anything they don’t have in-house, we can hire on your behalf.