Villa Sabtu

A long turquoise pool, edged in timber decking and screened by a wall of bamboo and palms, runs the length of Villa Sabtu like a private canal. This five-bedroom house in the heart of Seminyak is part of a small collection of villas, yet once the gate closes it feels entirely your own: an airy, two-storey retreat of white walls, dark hardwood and bright splashes of modern art.

The ground floor opens almost completely to the pool. A long, low lounge with deep cushioned seating looks straight onto the water, a tiled dining area sits alongside, and the sleek kitchen is fitted with stainless steel appliances for the chef to cook breakfast each morning. Upstairs a second living room, warm with timber ceilings and patterned rugs, makes a quieter retreat for films or a lazy afternoon, and there is also a private gym, a sauna and a jacuzzi for slower, restorative days.

Every bedroom has a canopied bed and its own ensuite, several with deep freestanding or corner tubs, so a group of friends or a few families can share comfortably without anyone drawing the short straw. Outside the gate, Seminyak’s restaurants, cafés, boutiques and mini marts are within walking distance, and the beach is only a short drive away for sunsets.