Villa Simona

Enjoy divine sunsets, banana & mango trees at this dream Villa…

Villa Simona lies between two rivers in the district of Canggu Echo Beach with its chilled beach bars, glittering black volcanic sand, superb surf and spectacular sunsets just a quiet 15-minute stroll away, or slip into the funky ex-pat scene at Jalan Batu Bolong’s beloved Old Man’s Sunday sessions.

Villa Simona is a great villa for families with older children and teenagers: those with toddlers will need to be vigilant, however, due to the estate’s riverside location, many staircases and the fresh water ponds that decorate the grounds.

Witness the daily life of local farmers and the religious Balinese rituals that make this island so mystical. The dramatic and beautiful Greg Norman-designed Nirwana Bali Golf Course is an 11km drive north of the villa while the stunning Tanah Lot sea temple is also nearby. World class dining, nightlife and shopping are hot in savvy Seminyak, which is in easy reach. Ubud is a brilliant day trip with verdant hills, a monkey forest and some truly amazing restaurants to visit.

Enter through an exquisite hand-carved Balinese door and admire the stunning living pavilion and three riverside bedrooms cloistered to the right. Sacred spring-water-fed ponds guard and accent the living pavilion, which houses the chef’s kitchen, a bar and guest kitchen as well as lounging zones and the dining room. Giant pots conceal lighting and opulent foliage creates borders to the guest bathrooms. Beyond the lawn is the pool and balconied master suite while another guest room lies opposite in a quiet corner. Deeper still, where the rivers converge, is a bridge that leads to the spa hugged by jungle.

Facing the swimming pool at the heart of the estate, the wall-less raised living pavilion forms the social hub of the villa. The guest kitchen and bar with seating for three is a central feature of this cool and contemporary space. Groups of comfortable chairs and cane sofas sprinkle this space with cylindrical glossy black coffee tables that move around on concealed wheels adding a funky touch. The fan-cooled living space has a grand cushioned daybed poised perfectly beneath a brilliant skylight. Charming freshwater ponds, which are fed from a sacred spring, provide a vibrant ambiance. Feet are kept continually cool on the marble floors. A long timber table provides dining for ten people on chic black and white woven chairs reminiscent of Paris cafés. Above the table are two fabulous shell and crystal chandeliers that chime delicately in the tropical breeze.

A few steps away is an elevated guest bathroom which has amazing views over the river and a Hindu temple through cut-out screen windows.

A large wooden deck, furnished with single and double sun loungers shaded by tasteful black and white striped umbrellas, surrounds the 12-metre infinity-style swimming pool. A spacious balé houses a superb dining area for eight people and has multiple sitting areas. The black and white theme keeps the style fluid. Gaze back over the river and watch out for exquisite butterflies, birds and monitor lizards that love nothing more than to languish in the tropical sun.

Beyond the pool, where the two rivers join as one, is the villa’s delightful spa. Here, two large daybeds and therapy balés form a wonderful and romantic retreat.

The five swank bedrooms at Villa Simona are the last word in understated luxury. Positioned in secluded spots throughout the estate, privacy is ensured, as is easy access to the central living pavilion. Gazillion-thread-count sheets make sleeping a sensual experience while the large private bathrooms create a tastefully contained space. The rooms feature cool marble floors, bar fridge, TV and DVD, chic tropical furnishings and beautiful outlooks onto verdant jungle.

Darma

The stunning wrap-around balcony overlooking two tranquil streams marks the Darma suite as the estate’s premier bedroom. Huge windows and sacred-spring-fed water features flank the Balinese doors that welcome you inside. Darma has a separate dressing room, a desk plus a soft sofa and comfortable chairs facing a TV and DVD and overlooking the garden and pool. The enormous bathroom has a fabulous central jacuzzi set under a curtained balé, twin sinks and a large rain shower. Chill on the furnished balcony and listen to music, read or soak up the tropical ambiance.

Bima

Tucked into a quiet corner of Villa Simona Oasis is this sweet room that has a pretty furnished balcony overlooking flowering gardens. The ‘opium’ style queen-size bed is sumptuously cushioned, and backed by sliding woven panels that open – or close – to the private bathroom where a freestanding bathtub overlooks flowering hibiscus and a manicured walled garden. Volcanic stone accents the floors and wall motifs highlight this stylish Balinese-style bathroom that is complete with a rain shower and twin sinks. Back in the bedroom, a sofa is poised for watching DVDs in air-conditioned comfort.

Sahedewa

Closer to the central living pavilion is this beautiful riverside bedroom that features corner windows where you can lose yourself while gazing out over the river and into the equatorial forest from a cushioned sofa. The queen-size bed is backed by sliding panels to the bathroom where an open-air shower is perfect for lavations under the stars and a freestanding tub sits amid black volcanic stones. The bathroom has a relaxing undercover daybed and a bar fridge.

Nakula

The carved Balinese doors to Nakula are directly opposite Sahadewa, making this riverside suite of two bedrooms perfect for families. Stylish cane twin beds are side by side, and a matching ‘opium’ style sofa lies in front of the TV and DVD. Large windows overlook the jungle and river. The connected bathroom has a freestanding travertine tub in a small walled garden with open-air shower, undercover daybed, twin sinks and bar fridge.

Arjuna

Beyond Sahedewa and Nakula, the Arjuna bedroom has a private entrance and a lush lawn fringed with opulent gardens, pathways to the spa and a divine private curtained balé overlooking the river. Ideal for couples wanting a romantic hideaway, Arjuna has a furnished terrace and an elegant interior with a queen-size bed at the centre of the room. Sliding panels open to the bathroom, which features a large walled garden, freestanding tub, double vanity and rain shower housed behind an opaque glass door. This Villa offers ultimate comfort and privacy in an authentic Canggu location.

As well as enjoying the unique semi-rural setting, guests are only a 15-minute walk away from Echo Beach, one of the most popular surf breaks in Canggu, and home to a host of laid-back bars and beachside dining venues. This is the place to sit back with an ice-cold beer and enjoy a spectacular Bali sunset. Samadi yoga school and organic cafes are even closer by, and the combination of location and style are second to none in the area. Highly recommended!