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This beautiful, very spacious villa on the
edge of Sebali, a pretty village just outside Ubud, is a
luxurious haven from which to enjoy both the peace and the
delights of Bali. The views from the house are of typical rice
terraces and, in the distance, spectacular Mt Agung and the
dramatic mountains towards the north of the island.
We have been careful to be environmentally
sensitive - green - with many eco-features including solar
power and water heating, and a beautiful garden with
organically grown fruit trees.
Villa Sebali is just about 10 minute’s drive
from the centre of Ubud, the cultural and artistic heart of
Bali. All on good roads, half the drive is through typical
villages, beautiful rice fields and tropical forest, and half
past interesting art galleries, antique and craft shops, and
restaurants. Ubud is about one and a quarter hours drive from
the airport.
The house is built round three sides of a
grassy, flower-ringed courtyard, with the fourth side an
infinity pool looking down over a cascade of lotus and
water-lily ponds to the orchard. It has four very special
bedroom suites and combines the luxury of air-conditioned
bedrooms with the delight of open air living.
There is a fully equipped kitchen, a
library/games room and a table tennis room.
We have included many
environmentally-friendly features, from the thick, alang-alang
roofs which provide wonderful insulation, to solar powered
water heating and electricity systems, and natural waste water
treatment.
The garden is lavishly planted with many
sweet-smelling trees and flowers. Beside the pool is a pretty
balé, a traditional grass-roofed pavilion for shaded
relaxation, while below it a path winds through the lotus
ponds down to the orchard with its wide range of tropical
fruit trees. As these mature, guests will be able to pick
their own choice of fruit.
The villa is managed locally by the
incomparable Rita Dewi and has four full time staff, two in
the house and two gardeners/security. Our house staff will
prepare your breakfasts, maintain the house and rooms
immaculately, and be on hand to aid and advise you.
There are many things to do and see –
artistic, sporting, cultural, spiritual and purely
self-indulgent - within easy reach.
But also, green, quiet, fragrant Villa Sebali
is a wonderful place just to be.
The house is approached by a tree fern-shaded
path leading from the front courtyard with space for three or
four cars, to a bridge over a lotus pool and into the main
building.
Dining area
Spacious and equipped for up to 12 at table. It is open to the
garden at one side and has two steps down to the living area.
At the side is the Kitchen: fully equipped
with large fridge-freezer and permanent chilled drinking
water.
Living area: an enormous room open to the
garden with ample seating and many art works.
All the above areas have rich terra-cotta coloured floor
tiles, a lovely combination of warmth for the eye and coolness
for the room.
Guest cloakroom and WC
Stairs lead from the living area to Sky
bedroom suite: vast, with a fantastic cathedral ceiling and
flower-edged terraces facing all four points of the compass
with views to die for! A large dressing area leads to the
bathroom which is partly open air with wash basin, WC, bath,
separate shower and a small garden. One of its four terraces
is covered and has seating for relaxing and admiring the
garden and view.
From the living area a lobby leads to the
south wing with Forest bedroom suite: equipped with twin beds
which can also be joined to make one king size bed. The
dressing area leads to the shower room with wash basin and
separate WC.
Library: an enchanting rotunda which can also
be reached directly by steps from the garden. Equipped with
flat screen TV, books, games and comfortable seating, this
room can either be used as a sitting room for the Forest
Bedroom, or as a communal room for all guests.
Again from the living area, a short path
leads over the lotus pool to the independent Sunset bedroom
suite: This is another generous room with cathedral ceiling
and a queen sized bed. The spacious dressing area leads
through to the bathroom with basin, WC, shower and garden. It
has its own pretty patio.
Across the courtyard and opposite the library
is another independent building, Sunrise bedroom suite: As the
name suggests, this huge room with its magnificent ceiling and
king size bed faces east, towards Mt Agung, and has double
doors opening onto a raised deck shaded by a flower-festooned
pergola. Steps lead down to the pool and courtyard. There is a
big dressing area leading through to the biggest bathroom of
all which, again, is partly open to the sky and has its own
garden. It is equipped with bath, basin, shower and separate
WC.
All the bedrooms have mosquito nets and full
air-conditioning, though the house is designed to optimize
cooling: all the rooms are shaded by the deep eaves of the
alang-alang roofs, and big windows allow refreshing air to
flow through freely. There are ceiling fans in all rooms
including the living areas.
Additional beds can be supplied, and there is
also a very large comfortable daybed in the living area which
would make an excellent extra bed. Guests who like the idea of
sleeping under the stars could even sleep on the balé!
The Basement is reached by steps from the garden and is a very
large room with table tennis table and space to store extra
furniture, suitcases etc.
Staff accommodation is situated under the
front garden, cleverly cooled by its grass roof. It has its
own entrance from the front courtyard car parking area.
The villa is built on almost 3000sq.m. (3/4
acre) so the gardens are generous and have been beautifully
planted by a top professional and are maintained on organic
principles.
Beyond the courtyard and pool, a series of
voluptuous ponds echoing the neighboring rice fields and
planted with lotus and water lilies cascades down to the
orchard, and pretty paths wind between them. The orchard is
planted with, among other fruits: avocados, pineapples,
mangoes, papayas, bananas, jack fruit, durian, nutmeg, lemons
and limes. There is also a herb garden for keen cooks.
The infinity swimming pool is 12m. x 4m. plus
a side sitting area. For relaxing there are garden reclining
chairs and big sunshades as well as the pretty balé. There is
a built-in barbeque adjacent to the balé for al fresco cooking
and dining.
Staff
Villa Sebali’s local manager is Rita Dewi, a famous Balinese
dancer. She has excellent English and can help with any
problems and special requests. She will be sure to come to the
villa to meet you and ensure that all is well.
Our senior house staff person is Made
(pronounced Madé ) a well educated young man who also has very
good English. As well as having considerable hotel experience,
Made has run a tour company for individual travelers in Bali
so can help with suggestions and plans for things to see and
do.
His assistant is Ayu, a delightful young
woman who also has some English. If your party is very large,
we can employ extra staff from the village.
Catering
Breakfasts – eggs, toasts, fresh fruit and juices, tea and
coffee – are included in the rental and can be served in the
dining room or in your room.
Lunch and dinner are not included, but we can
arrange for a cook to come in, or advise on restaurants which
can deliver, at your cost. And there are dozens – maybe
hundreds – of cafes and restaurants within a 20 minute drive
of Villa Sebali, from the very modest to top level.
Alternatively, you may use the fully equipped
kitchen (hob, oven, microwave) and the barbeque to cook for
yourselves (the staff may well be willing to help out too).
There is an excellent supermarket just 10 minutes away which
has a huge range of foods, both European and Asian, and an
organic section. For the adventurous, the market in Ubud
provides all manner of local produce.
There is also an excellent health food shop
and cafe in Ubud, just off the main street (Jalan Raya),
called Bali Buddha.
Others
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A locally usable mobile phone will be
supplied.
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All linen is provided.
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We have our own well with very good water,
perfect for everyday use. However, as a precaution, filtered
drinking water is supplied.
Note: Villa Sebali is not suitable for
very young children because of the many ponds and the pool. It
can be made wheelchair accessible, however.
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