I had inspected the Impian Estate, home of www.balivillas.com on my previous trip to Bali last April and had promised myself that I would somehow include a stay in one of the Three Villas here on my next trip.
I am so glad that I "left the best to last"! Whilst I was impressed by my inspection visit I was overwhelmed by the experience when it happened "in the flesh". I had been allocated the "Pride of the Fleet" - the magnificent "Villa Bali Impian" which has 4 Bedrooms - one of which has the widest bed I have ever seen - perhaps to accommodate an eitire Football Team or at the very least a "Serious Romp" or up to 5 kids.
My Balivillas.com Driver met me at Nusa Dua Beach around noon on Wednesday and drove me the short distance to "The Bukit" - Plateau overlooking beaches extending from Uluwatu right around the coast to Tanah Lot. On a clear day the mountains Agung and Batur are clearly visible. From my Bedroom on an upper-level (which came complete with 4 person Jacuzzi presented on my arrival complete with water and fresh flower petals), I could enjoy these views during the day and the panorama of twinkling lights at night. Privacy here is paramount and I was able to leave my bedroom curtains open all night so I awoke to what has to be the very best view in all of Bali. Like all of the balivillas.com properties, there is high-speed internet access although I didn't use on this visit as had not brought laptop with me. Each Villa comes with its own car and driver which I used extensively over the two days including my trip to Legian to inspect the two hotels there. Cars are immaculately maintained, spotlessly clean with uniformed, knowledgable and personable drivers for whom no request is too great. Furnishings in the Villa are absolutely top quality with large glass-topped dining table, Bose Sound System and huge television, comfortable lounges inside and outside where there is a smaller dining table. Although I kept doors open and just used ceiling fans, the Villa is fully airconditioned throughout. It also boasted its own 20Metre pool and Billiard Pavilion - all too much for one lone guy to use! Each bedroom has its own Bose Radio/Cd player for listening pleasure and there is a comprehensive CD Library in each villa.
The villa also came with six staff including a professional cook who are at your "beck-and-call" from early morning until you retire for the evening. Service is, however, completely unobtrusive and, unless you want something, you rarely see your staff who seem quite happy to wait in the kitchen area just in case a guest may want something.
Breakfast was superb and was waiting on the outside table following my early-morning swim. I had not experienced the cullinary delights of my personal cook prior to this and was determined that I would "dine-in" that evening before leaving for the Airport. I wanted to share my surroundings though, so invited an Aussie friend and one of his staff together with an Indonesian Banker acquaintance of mine to join me for Dinner in the Villa. Although my choice was almost limitless (each Villa has Books with illustrations of food from all over Indonesia) - basically you tell your cook what you'd like to eat and they purchase the fresh ingredients from local market sources, I decided on a simple menu of Lumpiah Goreng, Chicken Sate and Nasi Goering for the four of us. The Lumpiah were to die for and the rest of the meal was absolutely first class. The cost for 3 Courses for the 4 of us was a "staggering" IRP 110,000 (AU$19)- less than $5 each- what a bargain!! Your only meal costs are the ingredients and dockets are provided as a record of purchases.
I was reluctant to leave and had my last swim around 9.45 p.m.. They literally had to drag me out, kicking and screaming, to the waiting car for my transfer to Ngurah Rai and my flight back to Adelaide.
David, my assistant, will be in Bali in June and will, with a group he is taking, be spending several nights in another of the balivillas.com establishments. Following my experiences he is now counting-down the days until he can try all aspects of their service. I somehow have a strong feeling that there won't be too many Restaurant meals during their villa stay!