So much more than "just" luxurious island abodes, these 6 design villas in Bali come equipped with epic architecture & international credentials...
Bali does luxury villas so well that island vacay-ers can get a little spoilt. Private chef? No big deal. Infinity pool? We’d rather have two. Ocean views? Oh you betcha. But not all of Bali’s villas are also blessed with award-winning interiors and epic architecture. So, we curated a stellar list of Bali’s Best Design Villas that come with everything you expect, plus a tad bit more for the architectural buff in you. International design credentials, private art collections, bespoke furnishings and incredible landscaping – these architectural marvels in Bali are for all you interior addicts out there.
7 DESIGN VILLAS IN BALI
1. River House – Pererenan
An ultra-luxurious five-bedroom home in the peaceful Balinese village of Pererenan, the River House is a spectacular blend of refined design and sublime interiors from famed architect, Alexis Dornier. Step inside and you’re faced with a breathtaking play on textures, perspectives and dimensions, with different passages, walkways and wide open spaces across multiple elevations. We love the use of local materials alongside fine imported furnishings, from the sun-soaked pool deck and stone walls, to the custom-made furniture, Belgian tableware and fine French linen sheets. And did we mention, there’s even an in-villa private massage room?
2. Villa KaRein – Seseh
A love letter to Bali by its owners Karen and Rein, Villa KaRein is set in a sea of rice fields, just a few minutes away from the black sands of Seseh Beach. This three- to five-bedroom villa draws much of its architectural design from the beautiful Balinese countryside and the temples nearby. Pristine white walls and minimalist interiors complement the surrounding landscape and let in plenty of light and fresh air. The villa breathes life into luxury with its charming interiors and contemporary design: think indoor-outdoor living, natural wood furniture, al fresco dining by the pool and an elevated pavilion with sunset views. We particularly love the canopy made of dried rice grass bundles. All of this is then surrounded by walled gardens that are teeming with tropical vegetation. The best part? Canggu’s hotspots can be found only 15 minutes away, and the villa becomes a secluded retreat after days and nights out on the Bali social scene.
3. Ubud Zen River House – Ubud
The Insta-famed Ubud Zen River House is a hidden gem that blends nature and world-class design. It all begins with a hike up the 50-flight stairway, but trust us when we say it’s oh-so worth it. You’ll find tranquillity in a loft-style studio abode with modern interiors and floor-to-ceiling glass walls, allowing for cosy natural lighting to pour in. Don’t be fooled by its size – step inside the studio and you’re greeted with a spacious living room, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a natural stone tub, as well as a walk-in closet. Enjoy lazy days inside, or head outdoors to the yoga deck surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
4. Uluwatu Surf Villas
Standing tall above Bali’s most iconic surf break (made famous by the 1960s flick “Morning of the Earth”) Uluwatu Surf Villas is an architectural wonder, and a favourite amongst surfers, yogis and celebs. Each villa is individually designed using local natural materials, with a superstar team of architects and interior designers behind them. Salute the sun in the morning with the view of the Indian Ocean below, or sip an almond latte on your private terrace. Take a short walk down to the beach through winding pathways and natural flora, then be back in time for sunset, because these villas get a front-row seat to the nightly show.
5. Villa Nedine – Canggu
Villa Nedine was built 15 years ago by an Italian architect but was renovated by Mala Silviani, a freelance designer for a Bali-based firm, for the villa design to adapt modern architecture. It is an eco-luxury 4-bedroom villa with partial-ocean views of Canggu’s Echo Beach from the 1st and 2nd floor, which also comes with a 12m child-friendly pool, lush gardens, a lounge for relaxing, and an expansive yard for outdoor activities. Elements such as big glass windows, straight lines and white tones throughout make it feel spacious and cosy at the same time. Contemporary pieces of furniture meet local craftsmanship to balance the modernities and warm up the space. Recycled wood with rustic cuts and texture were used for tables and consoles, natural rattan for chairs, and natural texture on rugs, curtains, and island decorative pieces. The villa is also proudly adorned by local designer pieces and bespoke items from Eva Natassa, Ong Cen Kuang, and AlvinT Studio.
6. Villa Vida – Canggu
Villa Vida is an impressive mix of cohesive design elements, with pops of colour, tropical decor, and plenty of alfresco areas. This five-bedroom masterpiece centres itself around an infinity pool, with many of the bedrooms right by the pool. You’ll also find wide-open lawn spaces, minimalist open plan living, and floor-to-ceiling windows that accentuate the sleek lines and warm colour palette. All of this, just footsteps from the beach.
7. Villa Nonnavana – Canggu
Villa Nonnavana is a stylish beach house, decked out in warm tones of wood and rustic rattan accents, contrasted with clean, modern lines and greenery all around. Chic en-suite bedrooms are set around a central pool, and the spacious open-plan dining and living areas make it the perfect space for entertaining or just relaxing. Unwind by the 7x4m pool in the lounge chairs and sandbags, or laze away the day in the hammock in the cosy cabana – all just a short stroll from Batu Bolong’s hot spots and famous surf beaches. Take a short drive to hip Canggu for restaurants, cafes, boho boutiques, spas and bars.
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