Villa The Kayu

Coconut palms on every side and green rice paddies beyond the garden wall: Villa The Kayu feels like a private island of calm on the edge of Ubud. It is surrounded by greenery rather than concrete, so there is complete privacy without any sense of being fenced in, and the mood from the moment you arrive is one of quiet, unhurried ease.

The villa is laid out around a sweeping, L-shaped pool, with a broad timber sun deck, cushioned loungers beneath parasols and a sunken lounge set right at the water’s edge. Inside, the open-plan living room is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass, with a deep sofa facing the pool and garden, while the long timber dining table, dressed with bright red chairs, sits beside a marble-topped island kitchen with everything you need to cook, or a chef can be arranged when you would rather relax.

Four king bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom and a TV with streaming, look out onto the garden or the pool through sliding glass walls. A small, attentive team keeps the house running with daily housekeeping, and in-villa massages, floating breakfasts and laundry are easily arranged. A minimart, massage spot and restaurant are within walking distance, with Ubud’s rice terraces, galleries and markets a short drive away.