Villa San

Guests at Villa San are spoiled for choice when it comes to ways to relax. Reflecting the owners’ artistic and spiritual leanings, there’s the loft studio for painting, a telescope for star-gazing from the roof-top terrace at night, and a Buddhist stupa and yoga terrace tucked in a quiet corner of the property for group or individual meditation and yoga practice.

The spacious grounds offer freedom and flexibility for both families and groups of friends, with hammocks and outdoor settings scattered round the 25 x 5m pool and a pool pavilion seating up to 15 people. Inside, as well as the living and dining spaces, there are two well-equipped entertainment rooms – one is part of the two bedroom master suite, the other adjacent the informal dining room - a gym and a children’s playroom. The villa showcases some exquisite art and handicrafts from China, Ghana and Indonesia.

Villa San comprises six large bedrooms – three doubles and three twins. French doors from all the bedroom pavilions look out over tranquil gardens, only steps away from the long sloping lawn and the inviting pool.

A friendly, helpful team of staff are on hand around the clock, with a butler and chef available to meet every request. They are knowledgeable about local Hindu cultural activities, art galleries and the myriad options for exploring and learning about the region (guests can take a craft or cooking class, or book an in-house meditation or yoga session) and will recommend the best of local restaurants, cafés and spa.

LIVING AND DINING AREAS

Villa San’s air conditioned entertainment lounge features one of the property’s two state of the art home theatre systems, incorporating a large flat-screen satellite TV, DVD player and stereo system. Guests can sit back and relax on one of four big comfy sofas and look out over the property through floor-to-ceiling windows. Glass doors from the entertainment lounge open directly to the open-sided living area, furnished with more comfortable sofas and an unusual collection of wood and glass sculptures. Just a few steps away from the living area is a professionally equipped gym, while to the right is a casual dining area, the kids’ playroom and finally the green, spacious lawns and sparkling swimming pool area beyond.

While most of the cooking is done behind the scenes in the staff kitchen, no expense has been spared in the open-plan ‘front’ kitchen, where the chef makes his final meal preparations and where guests are welcome to indulge in their own culinary creations. You’ll be delighted by the bright, chunky Spanish-style crockery, the range of appliances and the sizable wine fridge. Separated from the kitchen area by a timber-topped breakfast bar, the dining area is open on three sides, looking out onto gardens and the swimming pool lawn. Its long, wooden table with comfortable seating can accommodate up to 14 dinner guests.

Upstairs, reached by a spiral staircase hidden next to the pool steps, an artist’s studio with wide glass windows provides a private, quiet hideaway. The adjacent rooftop terrace is a perfect place to scan the heavens, with the help of a professional telescope.

- Pool & bale
Pool loungers, hammocks and casual seating shaded by sun umbrellas are scattered across Villa San’s well-kept lawn and around the pool, while a covered gazebo seating 12-15 lies at the far end of the pool.

Villa San’s sparkling 25 x 5m pool is just perfect for swimming laps. For a lazier experience, there’s a lounging ledge at the deep end (1.8m), while the steps at the shallow end (1.2m) are wide and safe for younger swimmers.

- Yoga terrace and the Serene room
Tucked away in a quiet corner behind the master suite is a tree-shaded terrace for yoga practice, suitable for groups of up to 15 people. Behind it, a traditional stone stupa (a Buddhist meditation building known as The Serene room) offers the perfect place for moments of peaceful reflection.

ACCOMMODATION

At the heart of Villa San lies a two-storey living pavilion whose crisp modern lines and eclectic collection of wooden art pieces draw the eye from the moment you step into the villa. The pavilion houses the lounge, dining and entertainment areas as well as a playroom, artist studio, roof-top terrace and the kitchen. White casual seating, chrome and glass desks and crisp white walls are perfect foil for the exquisite Balinese, Chinese and African handicrafts in bedrooms and living areas.

The six bedroom suites, all with spacious walk-in wardrobes and luxurious bathrooms, are built in an L-shape around this living pavilion; each a discrete distance from its neighbour.

BEDROOMS

Villa San’s six spacious bedrooms all feature large, luxuriously comfortable beds dressed in fine white linen and with plump feather-filled pillows. Exquisite hand-crafted bed runners from Africa and Indonesia add the finishing touch. Fine artworks and more carefully selected handicrafts grace the walls. Each room is equipped with ceiling fans, air conditioners and iPod docks and furnished with a desk, bedside tables and reading lights.

Villa San’s master suite, comprises two very generous sized bedrooms (one king–bedded and one twin-bedded) separated by a similarly large and comfortable family room, with three inviting sofas and a state-of-the-art home entertainment system. The well-appointed ensuite bathrooms, accessed through large dressing rooms with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, are full of light from windows facing onto gardens on two sides.

In separate buildings around the main living pavilion, eight more adults can be accommodated in two queen bedrooms and two twin bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms featuring large tubs and showers. Two extra beds are available for children, on request.

STAFF

Most of the 11 Balinese staff at Villa San have lived in the Ubud area all their lives, and have vast knowledge of the cultural, adventure, sporting and artistic choices for tourists. Though no staff members live on site, there at least two staff on the property around the clock.

- Full time manager
Villa San’s manager, Wayan, coordinates the running of the villa and is a mine of information about the area. He can also arrange for excellent spa, massage or yoga therapists to attend the villa. Wayan’ hours are 9-5pm but he is on call outside those hours.

- Full time chef
Villa San’s chef was trained at the Oberoi Hotel, Lombok, and as such can turn his hand to just about any dish a guest may desire. Breakfast is served from 8am and guests can select lunch and dinner from the villa’s delicious suggestion menu. Villa San’s chef and kitchen staff can also cater and help plan for dinner parties and other special events.

- Butler & Housekeeping
The villa’s butler and two housekeeping staff discreetly keep all living and private areas clean and tidy. Whether you wish to choose your meals from the villa menu or ask the staff to purchase provisions on your behalf, your butler is on hand to serve you throughout the day.

- Gardener and pool attendant
A full-time gardener and pool attendant ensure Villa San’s grounds look their best, without ever intruding on guests’ privacy.

- Spa Staff/Masseuse
Villa San has a special arrangement with local fully trained spa therapists, who will visit the villa on request, to provide a range of spa and massage treatments.

- Yoga/ Meditation Teachers
Fully trained, off-site professionals in a range of yoga disciplines can be booked to visit the villa.

- Security
Villa San is kept safe and secure by two security staff working from 4pm to 8am. They will conduct regular patrols around the property, and also inside the grounds, unless otherwise requested by guests.

DINING

The villa offers a suggestion menu (including Asian and Western dishes) to make ordering easier but guests are welcome to chat with the chef if there are other items they would like to try. With excellent training from the Oberoi Hotel Lombok, chef is willing and able to accommodate most requests.

To get the best out of the kitchen, it is a good idea to plan meals with the chef the evening before, or over breakfast, allowing plenty of time for deliveries and shopping to be done. Food and drink is provided on a grocery bills plus 20%++ surcharges. Meat is sourced from quality suppliers and other ingredients are bought from the market daily. The owners suggest leaving a kitty/float with the manager who will keep a track of spending.

SPA & YOGA SERVICES

Many of Ubud’s very best spa therapists and yoga instructors can provide a health treatment at Villa San to suit specific needs or ailments, or to design a class for an individual or small group.

Wayan, is a wealth of information about the range of Thai and Balinese massage, reiki, reflexology, energetic healing, yoga, meditation and other services available to bring in house.

CHILDREN AT VILLA SAN

Villa holidays are an excellent option for families, where advantages include having access to your own private facilities, such as 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. Villa San has a long lawn for Frisbees and ball games, a great swimming pool with shallow section and two TV/Entertainment rooms. There’s also a dedicated Kids Room with toys, games and pool equipment. But please note that the pool is not fenced, so younger children will need your active supervision.

A particular highlight at Villa San is the kid-friendly staff. All Asians have an inherent love of children which means that the villa staff make them feel as welcome as adults. Having these willing babysitters on hand also gives you plenty of flexibility and freedom to do your own exploring beyond the villa grounds. Although equipped kitchens allow 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 cook and they will take care of the rest.

Neither do you have to worry about packing all that cumbersome extra equipment when you stay at Villa San 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. 

WEDDINGS & EVENTS

Villa San is ideally suited for a casual cocktail or pool party for up to 50 people. A sit-down luncheon or dinner can also be arranged for up to 50 people with a marquee set up on the spacious lawns adjacent to the pool. Permissions and licenses can be obtained on behalf of guests, from local authorities. Please check with us for all costs and conditions.