With the launch of Alila Villas Uluwatu, the Alila Group has taken a bold step into a new marketplace - 5 star villa resorts. The resort itself is currently in soft opening, with only 45 of the eventual 61 villas completed. We were fortunate enough to get a tour this week.

Bali may not be physically large (at least not by Australian or American standards) but there are a number of clear destinations on the island. The villa accommodations on the island are largely confined to a subset of those destinations. In this article, we look at the most popular destinations offering villa accommodations.

All the villas are built in traditional Balinese style with one even a Lumbung (rice barn) design. The property has tropical garden landscaping, a large swimming pool, a restaurant and a spa.

Indonesia

8° 50' 40.8588" S, 115° 7' 0.192" E Uluwatu

From the Sanskrit word for ‘Seventh Heaven’, Khayangan Estate is quite simply as its name suggests, a private villa estate that is stunning -- heavenly -- and the very best of the Bali luxury villas. Situated in Uluwatu on Bali’s Bukit peninsula adjacent to Bvlgari Bali Resort. Khayangan rests upon 1.5 hectares of magnificently landscaped gardens, clifftop, 170 metres above Selonding beach. The estate offers one of the best views in Bali with a 180-degree panoramic vista of the Indian Ocean. There are few other luxury Bali villas with a comparable view.

SABA is a cleverly designed, tasteful complex of five luxurious, self-contained villas, four with two bedrooms, one with a single bedroom, and each with a private entrance, swimming pool and interconnecting garden doors. The properties are situated around a central courtyard and can be linked or remain completely exclusive, presenting the option of renting just one bedroom or up to nine bedrooms using all five villas.

The Lakshmi Villas is a complex of four luxury villas set within the Laksmana Villas development in Seminyak, Bali. The villas take their name from Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth – a perfect environment for your next luxurious holiday.

Each of the villas has its own private pool and dining facilities. But just step outside this tropical privacy and you are only a 100 metre walk to the best beaches, restaurants and entertainment that Bali has become famous for. 

A long, winding and picturesque road running through completely unspoiled rice paddies leads to the tiny coastal village of Seseh where our property is located. In this quaint and small village, one can still find the very essence of Bali as the pace slows down and the environment is well preserved and authentic.

Yesterday we were treated to a tour of the new villa Taman Ahimsa in Seseh. With seven bedrooms located right on the beach, this is certain to become one of the most popular luxury villas in the area.

The owners have done a fabulous job creating a unique style and space with natural materials and meticulous planning.

Nestled in the heart of Bali’s stylish neighborhood Seminyak, is a century old antique Javanese ‘Joglo’ within a luxury hideaway. Villa Des Indes combines nostalgic luxury with the exemplary services of personal butlers and a top class chef.

A mere stone’s throw away from a white sand beach, Villa Des Indes Private Residence can be rented out as a 2, 3 or 5 bedroom residence. A small gangway and private entrances separate two colonial villas.

If you've never stayed in a villa in Bali, you might find it all a bit daunting the first time around. Even if you have booked villa accommodations elsewhere, things tend to vary from location to location and Bali is no exception. Don't be discouraged, a little basic information is all you need to book with confidence. This article provides a list of insider tips for renting villas in Bali.