Villa Shinta Dewi

A sixteen-metre pool of vivid blue runs the full length of Villa Shinta Dewi’s lawn, with orange parasols dotted along the grass and a thatched pavilion at the far end, all hemmed in by dense jungle. Set on well over a thousand square metres of gardens on the edge of the village of Tegallantang, just north of central Ubud, this two-storey house trades the bustle of town for birdsong and a river running through the greenery.

Downstairs, the main living room is open to the pool on one side, built around a textured stone feature wall, an enormous sectional sofa and a bright red rug, flowing into a sleek kitchen with an island and a dining area. Upstairs, a second lounge under a high timber roof gives the family somewhere to retreat with a big screen, and there is a study with shelves of books, a gym with views of the garden and a massage room. In the evenings, the garden pavilion with its long timber tables and barbecue makes the best spot for dinner.

The well-loved team of staff run the house beautifully, with breakfast every morning, a chef cooking Balinese and international dishes, massages, laundry and round-the-clock security, and guests consistently rate their stays here as outstanding. A shuttle runs into the centre of Ubud twice a day, putting the Monkey Forest, the Art Market, yoga studios and the town’s restaurants within easy reach.