Villa Victoria Nusa Penida

A curving white infinity pool, nearly thirty metres long, wraps around a great shade tree at Villa Victoria and seems to spill straight into the sea. The villa sits high above the water on the east coast of Nusa Penida, a few minutes’ drive from the island’s main harbour at Sampalan, and its terraces face the morning sun, so sunrise here comes with wide, uninterrupted ocean views and boats drifting across the strait.

The house is built in warm teak and timber beneath high pitched roofs, with patterned tiled floors and open-sided pavilions that let the breeze run through. A sunken lounge with deep cushioned sofas looks over the pool, and a long dining table sits beside the fully equipped kitchen. Out on the timber deck, loungers and bean bags line the water’s edge, and a round jacuzzi pool sits on its own platform with views down the coast.

Five bedrooms all have their own bathrooms, several with copper tubs and leafy garden showers, and many open to the sea. Four staff are on hand each day, breakfast is included, and a chef can cook lunch and dinner. Getting here means a fast boat across from Bali, and once settled, a driver can take you to the island’s famous cliffs and beaches, including Kelingking and Diamond Beach, or out to snorkel the reefs.