illa Mako is a peaceful 3-bedroom retreat, complete with swimming pool, located in a quiet traditional village above a small river valley, close to Canggu in south-west Bali. The single-storey villa is colonial in style, characterised by louvre shutters, old teak doors and spectacular high wooden ceilings built of seasoned timbers. The eclectic interiors reflect the travels and passions of the owners, introducing Balinese and Javanese antiques, combined with a bold use of colour to create a very personal atmosphere.

Designed to maximise the natural light, and catch the cool breezes even at the hottest time of year, the property offers a blend of air-conditioned comfort and open-air tropical living. Its elevated position affords beautiful open views over the pool to a jungle canopy against a backdrop of rice terraces.

Villa Mako was built in the early 1990s and substantially refurbished in 2006. The original design was based on an old college in Bandung, in Central Java, which provided the inspiration for the central hall with its high wooden ceiling with timber struts. The colonial feel again owes much to the architecture of the Javanese plantation houses. The design also incorporates wide eaves which, combined with the elevated position of the plot, allow for good air circulation and let in plenty of light.

Villa Mako's interiors are designed for comfort and relaxation. Furnishings feature oversized sofas, daybeds, poolside loungers and plenty of cushions, so guests will always find a private spot for peace and quiet. In fact, a family or group of people staying at Villa Mako can easily lose each other within its depths, should they choose to. In addition to the many indoor and outdoor lounge spaces, guests have the choice of three dining areas, all of which present a unique ambiance.

Set well away from the tourist areas in the tiny village of Tiying Tutul amid the rhythms of agricultural life, Villa Mako honours Balinese culture. Guests are welcome at Hindu ceremonies in the nearby temple, which provide a unique insight into the religion and customs of Bali, while helpful villa staff; a dedicated team of seven, including manager and cook will be pleased offer guidance on temple etiquette. Guests may even be lucky enough to see a barong dance, a sacred ritual staged not for tourists but for the local community to bring good fortune to the village.

Each of the three bedrooms presents a theme; each has an ensuite bathroom, and each is equipped with air conditioning, ceiling fans, a mini-bar/fridge and safe deposit box. The two master bedrooms enjoy soaring roofs and magnificent views together with sunny balconies furnished with lazy chairs overlooking the garden and pool. Fitted with ceiling fans, the balconies are great spots for relaxing over morning tea or evening cocktails.

The Bali room is furnished with a king-size four-poster bed canopied with ikat (traditional hand-woven textile). The room features polished teak floors and French windows with louvre shutters, which open out onto the terrace and balcony. Timeworn stained glass doors lead into a large dressing room with a massage bed and fitted cupboards with antique louvre doors. Another colonial-style door leads into the terrazzo bathroom, fitted with twin wash basins and a powerful overhead rain shower. A glass skylight in the roof allows the sunlight to stream in above a sunken sculptured terrazzo bathtub.

The Colonial room presents a polished teak floor, French windows with louvre shutters and a king-size four-poster bed with white drapes and 'snakeskin' cushions. The bedroom is furnished with a desk, armchairs, and an ottoman at the end of the bed, and there is a dressing area with fitted cupboards. The ensuite bathroom features an oversized sunken sculptured terrazzo bathtub, twin wash basins, a rain shower, a massage bed and ceiling fans. The bathroom has an open-air feel, due to the provision of glass windows in the roof, maximizing the natural light.

The Bamboo room is accessed by double antique doors, and can be set up with two beds for younger guests or as double room. The ensuite cream terrazzo bathroom is fitted with twin wash basins, ceiling fans, and a rain shower. Glass windows in the roof maximize the natural light.

The expansive living and dining hall features folding doors at either end that open wide to allow the cool breezes to circulate. The soaring roof in this splendid pavilion is 8.5m high and supports paddle ceiling fans. The room is furnished with a formal teak dining table for ten, lit by globe-shaped lanterns. Traditional Indonesian artifacts are displayed on wall shelves, wooden lamp-stands are fashioned from Javanese statues, and chairs and a huge daybed are positioned around a coffee table beneath a large wall mirror. A sunny stone terrace doubles the living space making this a perfect venue for parties.

The semi-open-air feature kitchen at Villa Mako is situated on one side of the pond. Here, cream terrazzo work surfaces are flanked by well-stocked glass-fronted cupboards full of sparkling tableware. The kitchen is fully equipped with a sizeable refrigerator, an oven with a large gas hob, and everything else that the cook will need to create delicious meals. To one side is a breakfast area with a circular marble-topped breakfast table flanked by six chairs with brightly colored yellow green and orange cushions matched by a decorative panel on the wall. A guest washroom is located next door.

The cosy media room is furnished with an oversized sofa, a sofa bed, a leather lay-z boy chair, and a coffee table. The timber-clad room is built around four recycled wooden pillars with folding doors that open directly on to the pond, so that the pavilion appears to float. Guests can relax in air-conditioned comfort or they can open the doors wide and be cooled by ceiling fans and natural breezes. The room is equipped with a TV and DVD/CD player and the high quality sound system is linked via a portable iPod docking station to speakers all around the villa.