The spacious grounds of this Ubud retreat offer freedom and flexibility for both families and large groups sharing, with hammocks and sun loungers arranged around the 25m 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, a gym and a children’s playroom. French doors from all of Villa San’s six large bedrooms – three king bedded and three twins - look out over tranquil gardens, only steps away from the long sloping lawn and the inviting pool.
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 function room 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.
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 the local Hindu culture, art galleries and the many options for exploring and learning about the region and will recommend the best of local restaurants, cafés and spas.
• Breakfast on the first morning
• WiFi Internet access
• Welcome drink and fruit basket
• Turndown service
• Personal service by the villa staff including full time villa manager, housekeeper,
security and attendants
• Exclusive use of the villa and listed facilities
• Concierge
• Fully-staffed
• Garden/Pool Staff
• Housekeeping (Full time)
• Manager
• Masseuse/Spa Therapist (Extra)
• Security
• Some staff
Other Things to Note
You are most welcome to take advantage of Villa San's well-equipped kitchen. However, you’re on holiday, so why not just sit back, relax and enjoy some delicious home-cooked meals prepared by the villa’s highly accomplished chef.
You will be offered a suggestion menu to make ordering easier, and you can also chat with the chef if there are other specific dishes that you would like to try. Meals are generally served ‘family style’, where everyone shares dishes, as opposed to ordering individually. Food intolerances, special diets and children’s meals can all be catered for, and the chef will, of course, adjust the seasoning of dishes to suit different palates. The villa also has a barbecue on site.
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. Groceries and beverages are charged at cost price plus 20%++ handling fee (to cover pick-ups/delivery and stock ingredients). 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.
The Neighborhood
Villa Puri Nirwana rises on the edge of a beach of black volcanic sand in Cucukan, a traditional Balinese village 20km from Sanur on Bali’s south-eastern coast. Here, the rhythm of life remains largely unchanged across generations: jukungs (brighty coloured fishing outriggers) rest on the shore, farmers tend their rice fields, and at night the sea breeze carries the percussive beat of the gamelan.
Beyond the garden, a paved promenade lines the beach from the Tukad Pakerisan river mouth to Pura Masceti, one of Bali’s nine sacred directional temples and site of many ceremonies. The views are breathtaking – across the bay towards Gunung Agung rising in the distance, and across the ocean to the mountain outline of Nusa Penida on the horizon.
This stretch of coastline is popular with surfers – one of Bali’s best surf spots is a few minutes’ drive away – but strong currents make it unsafe for swimming; best to head to the sheltered lagoon waters of Sanur a short drive away along the bypass which also accords easy access to myriad attractions in the area – the closest, Bali Safari Park, being just a five- minute drive away.
Getting Around
Transport
The villa manager will be pleased to assist with transport arrangements. Metered taxis are readily available or a chauffered car can be hired.