VILLA ASANTE

Price and availability are updated regularly depending on the season

Just 300m from the famed surf break and Echo Beach lies a four-bedroom villa that is the epitome of elegant contemporary Balinese living. Villa Asante is set in glorious walled gardens full of stately Travellers Palms, flowering gingers and frangipani trees. Its pleasing symmetrical design – a two-storey building flanked by a pair of open-sided living and dining pavilions gazing across the swimming pool to the rice terraces beyond the river’s-edge lawn – is the creation of international architect Ross Franklin and interiors guru Dean Kempnich. They’ve hit the perfect balance between the uber-cool open-air living areas and comfortable air-conditioned bedrooms, with loads of entertaining space as well as quiet corners to get away from the crowd.

This is the perfect villa for families; the owners clearly understand what ticks the boxes for kids of all ages and there’s plenty to entertain them. If they tire of cavorting in the pool, playing table tennis or PS3, strumming the guitar or watching movies, they can head for the beach and ride the waves at one of Bali’s famed surf breaks, or enjoy the sporting facilities of the nearby Finns Recreation Club*. And if a day’s shopping in Seminyak or an outing to the Elephant Safari Park appeals, a car and driver is available for up to eight hours a day (at a nominal rate).

An integral part of the Asante experience is the degree of cosseting guests enjoy. The well-trained long-serving staff (many have been at Asante since the beginning) includes an experienced chef who is a whizz in the kitchen, whipping up spectacular dishes throughout the day. Both butler service and security is provided round the clock, and massage therapists and babysitters can be called in at short notice.

Asante means ‘thank you’ in Swahili and is close to the Bahasa Indonesia word for relaxed (‘santai’). One thing’s for sure – on leaving Villa Asante, you’ll be both relaxed and thankful.

LOCATION :   Jalan Pantai Batu Mejan, Echo Beach, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES: Barbecue; diesel powered back-up generator; safety deposit box

CAPACITY :   8 people (4 ensuite bedrooms: 3 with king-size beds, one with twins convertible to a king).  2 kids may use the trundles in the twin room and 4 other kids may sleep in the media room.  One additional bed may be set up in one of the upper floor rooms.  Extra charge applies after 8 guests

LIVING AREA: Open-sided dining and living pavilions; air-conditioned TV lounge

POOL :  Main pool: 12m x 10m. 0.15m-1.8m depth; Kid’s pool: 10m x 2m x 0.3m.

STAFF :  Villa manager; assistant manager; private chef; butler/housekeeping; security; garden; maintenance. Additional staff (babysitters, masseuses, driver) available on request for a small extra cost

DINING :   Western, Asian, vegetarian and children’s dishes. Requests accommodated (including special diets or barbeque). Grocery cost is charged 20% handling fee which is subject to service and tax at the prevailing rate

COMMUNICATION :  WiFi internet access; landline for local calls; mobile phone coverage. Computer, fax, scanner and printer on request.

ENTERTAINMENT : Satellite TV; DVD player; Bose sound system; PS3; CD player; iPod docks

FOR FAMILIES: Villa Asante is well equipped for families. Facilities include a baby cot; trundle beds; high chair; DVDs; toys; table tennis; pool toys and shallow pool area

SPORTS FACILITIES: Membership for up to four guests at Finns Recreation Club.

SPA: In-villa treatments selected from a comprehensive spa menu can be carried out by professional beauty therapists (extra cost applies).

TRANSPORT: The villa offers to use a 7-seater car with driver for up to 8 hours at a special daily rate of US$35++ (excluding petrol). If additional transport is required, don’t hesitate to ask the villa manager to call one of the island’s safe and reasonably priced metered taxis, or to organise day or half-day car and driver hire for sightseeing (additional cost).

WEDDINGS & EVENTS: for up to 100 seated or 150 standing guests can be arranged at the villa with prior notice.