Villa Maharaj
The Maharaj appears understated and compact (covering 1,100sqm), but you’ll find this bijou family- oriented holiday villa worth its weight in gold during your Island of the God’s sojourn. Off a peaceful cul-de-sac in the chic urban village of Petitenget, narrow wooden entrance doors lead through to sweet tropical gardens and an utterly charming four-bedroom villa. In this peaceful hideaway, you are immediately embraced like one of the family.
Since 2002, the villa’s owners and informal but attentive staff have created a peaceful hideaway, ideal for families, where guests feel relaxed enough to pop in and out of the kitchen at mealtimes, or talk at length about local customs and recommended dining spots with the amiable – and consummate – villa manager. All modern comforts are supplied, such as two flat-screen TVs and DVDs, sound system, and shaded, free-form 12m pool, but there is a refreshing lack of pretentiousness and superfluous adornments. Sunlight-drenched interiors focus on comfort and are furnished in a simple yet tasteful style.
Calming spiritual elements further contribute to a blissfully peaceful stay, from garlanded Hindu stone deities watching over proceedings to a secret inner garden courtyard and the exquisite and omnipresent fragrance of jasmine. More earthly accoutrements include poolside massage beds for pampering treatments.
But for those wanting to shop, party and indulge, The Maharaj is also right in the centre of one of Bali’s most sought-after areas, the happening and trendy Petitenget district of Seminyak – the cosmopolitan heart of Bali. This jetsetter’s paradise, crammed with world-class gourmet restaurants, designer spas, boutiques and hip nightspots, is within walking distance, while beautiful Petitenget beach, with its renowned beach clubs, Indian Ocean surf and fabulous sunsets, is a pebbles’ throw away.
Rooms
- bedroom 1 with queen bed (180x200)
- bedroom 2 with queen bed
- bedroom 3 with king bed (200x200)
- bedroom 4 with king bed
- additional nanny's bedroom with single bed
Facilities
- wi-fi Internet
- satellite tv
- dvd/cd player
- air conditioning
- safes
- microwave
- juicer
- blender
- oven
- welcome drink and cool towel for all arrival times
- laundry services
- dry-cleaning services
- breakfasts included
- able to organize cars and drivers
- spa treatment
- villa manager
- villa supervisor
- chef
- 2 housekeepers
- gardener
- 3 security guards
The Maharaj is located in Petitenget – on Seminyak‘s northern fringes – and is one of the most popular locations in Bali: a fast emerging, chic urban village but one that can still yield scenes of Balinese local life. Tucked down a sleepy cul-de-sac, the villa rests amongst similar luxury holiday villa neighbours.
Petitenget beach is conveniently situated just a few minutes’ walk away: this quiet stretch of sand and pounding surf is more laid-back than the more bustling Seminyak, Legian and Kuta beaches further south. As well as great surfing, these beaches provide some of the premier spots to enjoy Bali’s celebrated sunsets. Opposite the beach entrance, Pura Dalem Petitenget is one of the island’s most revered temples.
Petitenget boasts a remarkable cluster of unnervingly trendy and renowned gourmet restaurants – such as La Lucciola, Hu’u, Sarong and Métis – as well as sublime wining-dining establishments within the recently opened, W Retreat and Spa Bali. The villa is also close to the Potato Head Beach Club and well- known jetsetters haunt, Ku Dé Ta.
- Bali boasts hundreds of ancient temples (pura): at Petitenget Beach entrance (0.5km), Pura Dalem Petitenget appears unassuming, but is actually one of the island’s key temples, with 16th century origins. Considered sacred (and associated with spooky tales), visitors should be respectfully attired to enter. Regular colourful ceremonies are held here, or on a holy patch of beach opposite.
- Stylish nightspots are within staggering distance, located both in Petitenget and Seminyak; amongst all the hip bars, don’t miss one of Asia’s most prolific beach clubs, , Ku Dé Ta on Seminyak beachfront – an absolute must for sunset cocktails. Seminyak also boasts superb shopping, with designer boutiques, antique stores, art galleries and more – head for Jalan (street) Laksmana and surrounds, less than 2km away.
- Jet-lagged and can’t sleep? Need to glam-up before a big night out or pamper yourself after one? The Maharaj is surrounded by world-class spas but Away Spa, at all-new W Retreat Bali, a short stroll away, is one of Bali’s most glamorous and lavish: open 24/7, it has its own spa bar, hamam, plus detox room with oxygen masks. You may even spot a celebrity.
- A string of naturally beautiful beaches renowned for their excellent surf breaks are easily accessible along this southwest coastline. Known by surfers across the world, head to legendary surfer’s haunt, Echo Beach, a 15 to 20 minute drive to Canggu, which conveniently provides post- surf sunset drinking. Whichever, all are in prime position for fabulous sunsets.
- Alternatively, if you want to learn to surf, head down to the Double Six section of Legian Beach (8km), home to Rip Curl School of Surf. With the surf school’s long experience and Legian’s manageable waves and warm, sandy-bottomed seas, this is a great spot for novice surfers, and for excellent brunches at one of the beachfront restaurants.
- Bali’s original horse riding stables (established 1995), Umalas Equestrian Resort is located in Ulamas village, ten minutes drive north of Petitenget. These renowned stables offer small group horse-riding tours through the area’s picturesque rice-fields and farming villages and along nearby Batubelig Beach, as well as children’s pony rides.
- To escape the crowds, drive westwards past Tanah lot, heading for the relatively unchartered West Bali region. Here, the charming Tabanan Regency reveals terraced rice fields of emerald green, volcanic mountains and black sand beaches dotted with fishing communities – archetypal landscape for which Bali is famed.
- For a day of culture and dramatic landscapes, drive directly north from the villa for a couple of hours, heading towards the mountain town of Bedugul. From here, explore three volcanic lakes, including Bratan, with its photogenic and stunningly positioned Pura Ulun Danu – one of Bali’s most important temples.