Villa Maridadi

The word maridadi means beautiful in Swahili, and Villa Maridadi more than lives up to its name. This stunning five-bedroom residence with traditional alang-alang thatched roofs, lush tropical gardens, generous green stone swimming pool, lavish living spaces and spectacular ocean views exudes beauty from every pore.

Set on 4,100 square metres in the sleepy seaside village of Cemagi on Bali's south-west coast this family style villa offers an authentic Balinese experience. Bordered by rice fields on one side and glistening black-sand beaches on the other, and with the sea temple of Pura Gede Luhur Batungaus punctuating the horizon, guests at Maridadi are not only treated to the island's stunning panorama but also to the most enchanting and exotic of Balinese traditions. It is by observing the rice farmer tend his fields and witnessing the elaborate ceremonial processions at the temple that the true essence of this Island of the Gods is revealed.

Thoughtfully designed for relaxation and comfort, this spacious and welcoming home mixes traditional architecture and artefacts with easy modern living. Throughout the villa, splashes of vibrant red - in the soft furnishings, the bright parasols and the magnificent flowering heliconias - contrast beautifully against the teak wood furniture and the green of the well manicured lawns. Five large air-conditioned bedrooms with luxurious garden bathrooms provide guests with total peace and privacy. Options for leisure and entertainment are endless with a games room, shared tennis court, 20-metre swimming pool, open-sided living and dining pavilion, massage balé and an adorable thatched rice barn, or lumbung, overlooking the ocean and perfect for sunset cocktails.

A treasured ingredient of a stay at this villa is the warm and friendly staff. From the attentive butlers to the experienced in-house chef they will gladly attend to your requests with a minimum of fuss, whether it be arranging a spa service or preparing your favourite meal.

The added beauty of Villa Maridadi is that although you may well choose not to leave this sumptuous oasis, the world famous surf breaks of Echo Beach and the Nirwana Bali Golf Course are just a 10- minute drive away while cosmopolitan Seminyak, with its impressive array of restaurants and boutiques, can be reached in about half an hour.

VILLA LAYOUT

Villa Maridadi’s wooden Balinese doors open to reveal a seated Buddha statue holding red hibiscus flowers. Stepping stones lead guests across a fish pond full of lush aquatic plants to a paved promenade where two striking red pillars featuring antique temple windows provide a focal point.

From here a path continues to the broad, open-sided living and dining area that overlooks the pool. The five air-conditioned bedrooms, each with ocean views, are located in four separate pavilions throughout the villa compound where intriguing artefacts and sculptures evoke a spiritual and tranquil ambiance.

LIVING AREAS

The grand, open-sided living and dining pavilion sits strategically overlooking the pool and ocean. Its soaring thatched roof is held high by round coconut-wood pillars to maximise the breeze. Surrounded by beautiful lily ponds punctuated with charming water features, this really is the ideal spot to socialise and enjoy the tropical lifestyle. Lounging options range from the oversized daybed upholstered in bright red to the comfortable wicker sofas. In the dining area, the three-metre-long solid wood table seats 10 and makes the perfect setting for a holiday feast! The pavilion features a Bose sound system which also controls the speakers by the pool.

Conveniently situated just behind the dining area is the kitchen pavilion, fully equipped with all the necessary mod cons and fitted with teak cupboards and black granite countertops.

The huge daybed and L-shaped sofa in the games room – both upholstered in brilliant blue – together with squashy red and orange floor cushions, provide a choice of comfortable spots to kick back and relax in front of the large flat-screen satellite TV with DVD. Guests can open the sliding windows to catch the breeze or chill-out in air-conditioned comfort while they enjoy a movie or a game of snooker.

Maridadi’s inviting 20-metre green-stone pool is bordered by natural Palimanan stone and is great for swimming laps or simply for cooling off while admiring the ocean views. Alongside the pool a timber deck sports six black sun loungers shaded by red umbrellas and is just the place to soak up the tropical rays, while two loungers on the lawn offer shady repose. A separate washroom and outdoor shower featuring stunning antique Indian copper urns is located conveniently nearby while, behind the pool, sits a 10-seater table shaded by a red sail for alfresco dining. When romantic candlelit dinners are called for, villa staff can also set up a beautiful tent on the large lawn in front of the pool.

Framed by coconut palms and facing the sea, the adorable lumbung (rice barn) is raised on stilts and offers superb ocean views from its shady, garden-level terrace or from the red-cushioned sofa in the glass-walled sanctuary above.

To the rear of the property is a hard surface tennis court (shared with three other villas). After an energetic game, guests can have their deserving bodies soothed in the massage balé overlooking the rice fields.

BEDROOMS

- Super-king Master Suite
This stand-alone, ocean-view suite features a lofty thatched roof, ceiling fan (in addition to air conditioning) and solid teak floors. The bedroom is accessed via two sets of sliding glass doors, one opening onto a patio where daybeds beckon. Back inside, beautiful Javanese wood is crafted to form the super-king four-poster bed and a decorative wall carving. Teak wardrobes provide plenty of hanging space.

In the bathroom, a cream terrazzo tub shelters beneath the thatch while the shower stands open to the elements in a sunny walled garden. Connecting to the bedroom is a study furnished with a writing desk and a large window seat from which to view the flat-screen satellite TV with DVD player. A trundle bed or baby cot can be set up in the study which, together with the adjacent garden shower room, makes an ideal suite for young families.

- King Master Suites 1 and 2
Two master suites are housed in separate buildings behind the living and dining pavilion and also feature teakwood floors and alang-alang thatched ceilings. Interesting artefacts and bright abstract paintings distinguish the two rooms, however both feature king-size beds draped in mosquito netting, ceiling fans (in addition to air conditioning), and stone-walled garden bathrooms comprising a cream terrazzo bathtub and wash basin plus an open-air Palimanan stone shower. A patio area provides the perfect place to take in the ocean views.

- Guest Bedrooms 3 and 4
Directly behind the master suites is a large two-storey building fitted out with a games/TV room upstairs and two guest bedrooms downstairs. Both light and airy bedrooms feature large twin beds (which can be converted into a double bed, and have trundle beds underneath) – perfect for children – and a garden bathroom with open-air shower.

DINING

Villa Maridadi offers a suggestion menu featuring Indonesian and international dishes to cater to all tastes. If guests have a specific request then Ketut, the in-house chef, is more than happy to tailor meals accordingly and accommodate any special dietary requirements.

It goes without saying that guests should take the opportunity to sample local Balinese delicacies or, if more casual dining is preferred, get the chef to cook up succulent steaks or fresh seafood on the barbecue. For those seeking a romantic candlelit dinner, the villa staff are more than happy to arrange for a beautiful tent to be set up on the lawn near the pool.

To make the most of the kitchen and give staff time to shop, it is a good idea to plan meals with the chef the evening before. Guests will be requested to provide a float for provisions, which are charged at cost price.

STAFF

One of the greatest advantages of staying in a villa is the personalised service provided by dedicated staff. The team at Maridadi have been professionally trained to offer exceptional Balinese hospitality and most have been with the villa since it was built. The villa manager and chef will be only too happy to discuss any specific requirements to ensure guests have a relaxed and enjoyable stay.

- Villa Manager
Maridadi’s experienced villa manager, Yoga, is responsible for the overall operation of the villa. He leads the staffing team to meet the expectations of guests.

- Chef
The villa’s in-house chef is skilled in serving both Western and Asian cuisine.

- Housekeeping
Four members of staff attend to daily housekeeping duties and are also trained waiters/waitresses. Two are on call from 7am to 3pm, and two from 3pm to 11pm.

- Driver
A driver and car (seating up to six passengers) is available to villa guests for eight hours a day (excluding petrol). Rates also include airport transfers.

- Gardeners
Three gardeners attend daily to the Maridadi’s lush and well manicured grounds.

- Pool Attendant
An attendant works three days a week to ensure that the pool is in pristine condition.

- Security
Five security guards provide 24/7 protection with rotating shifts.

FAMILIES AT VILLA MARIDADI

Villa holidays are an excellent option for families and Villa Maridadi is particularly well-equipped for active youngsters. Advantages include having access to your own private facilities, such as a swimming pool, living space and gardens, and having 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.

As well as providing a huge garden, Maridadi offers a games room with a billiard table, large TV and DVD player, a tennis court and a 20-metre swimming pool. The team of friendly staff will make children feel as welcome as adults, and 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. Lamb chops in the lumbung for lunch? Pancakes by the pool for breakfast? No problem. Agung, the chef, can customise all meals to suit children’s taste buds.

Neither do you have to worry about packing all that cumbersome extra equipment when you stay at Villa Maridadi as we can provide you with all the essentials, and more – from pool safety fences to baby baths, cots, high chairs and car seats. What they don’t have in-house, we can generally hire in for a small fee. Just talk through your requirements with us when you make your reservation and we’ll make sure it’s all there ready and waiting for your arrival.

SPA

Villa Maridadi offers in-house spa services on request for those guests seeking extra pampering. Enjoy a massage in the balé, a manicure or pedicure while watching the sunset, or a facial in the privacy of your own room – the choice is yours.