Villa Jocelyne

Villa Jocelyne feels like stepping into a hidden jungle lagoon in Ubud. A sinuous, jade-green pool winds through dense tropical planting, crossed by little timber bridges and framed by dark volcanic-stone walls and a sweeping bamboo roofline. It is a characterful, atmospheric hideaway for a family or two or three couples who want something far more memorable than a standard villa, with Ubud’s cafés, galleries and cultural sights within easy reach.

Life slides between the water and the open living spaces. A deep, cushioned lounge sits beside the garden, and a long live-edge dining table with rattan chairs looks out over the greenery, with a well-equipped kitchen alongside for relaxed meals in. Woven pendant lights, round moon-gate doorways and hand-painted murals add a sense of theatre, while board games and a stereo keep quiet evenings easy.

The three bedrooms each have a queen bed, air conditioning and an ensuite, and no two are quite alike: two sit beneath painted arched murals, and one is tucked under a soaring bamboo canopy with a draped bed. Bathrooms are just as distinctive, with river-stone basins, a freestanding tub and showers framed by living greenery. Daily housekeeping is included, and the Monkey Forest, Ubud Art Market and the Tegallalang rice terraces are all close by.