Bordering a river and the sloping rice terraces in the village of Umalas in south-west Bali, Villa Surya Damai is a serene five-bedroom holiday home of thatched roof pavilions set amidst a vast garden with an 18-metre swimming pool as its centrepiece. Designed like a Balinese family compound Villa Surya Damai is a stunning example of early Bali style, with open-sided living areas and air-conditioned ensuite bedrooms, all mod cons and a tennis court. Great for families and even better for weddings, it comes fully staffed, and is only five kilometres from Seminyak's restaurants, nightlife and the beach.

Villa Surya Damai is a sublime introduction to Bali villa living that will embrace you in its charm and make you never want to leave. Built as a family home this delightful five-bedroom property is uniquely infused with touches of colonial elegance, high-quality interiors and furnishings and all the modern creature comforts required for the perfect tropical villa holiday. Here, classic good taste is mixed with understated simplicity and our ever-happy team of staff are further evidence that this is indeed a relaxed "home away from home", welcoming you with a warmth and informal hospitality that will melt away your stresses and tensions.

Set amongst 2,750sqm of mature, riverside gardens overflowing with tropical flora and water features, we designed the villa as a series of charming thatched buildings in the style of a traditional Balinese family compound home. At Villa Surya Damai you will find spacious bedroom pavilions with comfortably furnished private terraces and pretty ensuite garden bathrooms, encircling a welcoming, open-sided living pavilion that faces the centrepiece 18-metre pool. Sun loungers, outdoor and indoor dining areas and an additional lounge/TV room on a wide upstairs veranda, provide more than enough options for both private and social moments. Recreational facilities include three TVs and DVD players, iPod docks and a tennis court.

Beyond the enchanting gardens and across a small river lie terraces of verdant rice fields and a grassy pasture complete with grazing cows. It's a quiet spot where days blissfully blur together. But if you do feel the urge to venture out, the villa is just a three-kilometre drive (or a 20-minute walk) from the beach, as well as lots of world-class restaurants and stylish bars in nearby Petitenget and Seminyak.

Living areas:

Living pavilion
Heart and hub literally of the property, the open-sided living pavilion looks out over the pool, the gardens and the rice fields beyond. Two comfy sofas and a deep daybed with white cushions frame a large antique coffee table making a sociable space which is attractively and subtly lit at night, while a satellite TV, camouflaged in a wooden cabinet along with DVD player and Bose sound system offer audio-visual distraction. In tropical yet homely style, this room features terrazzo stone floors and soaring alang-alang ceiling, and is kept cool with natural breezes and ceiling fan. Understated decor includes candles, fresh orchids and traditional carved artefacts.

Dining and kitchen
In contrast to the living pavilion, the dining room is encased in glass folding doors which, when closed, project a more formal atmosphere. The room is dominated by a table crafted from a single block of aged teak wood, surrounded by 12 tall-backed cream upholstered chairs. A ceiling fan keeps the room cool and a lengthy lily pond runs alongside, featuring a water fountain and playful fish. A covered stone pathway links the dining room to a fully equipped kitchen that is amply efficient yet homely in style.

Next to the pool and shaded by large green parasols, a slatted teak table and eight chairs form a sociable outdoor dining area marvellous for sunny breakfasts, pool-side lunches or dining under the stars.

TV lounge
Adjoining bedroom five, upstairs in the two-storey pavilion, a wide veranda provides an alternative living area. Open on three sides and with high ceilings, this breezy fan-cooled space overlooks the entire property. Entertainment is provided with a satellite TV, DVD player and sound system hidden in a large wooden cabinet. Comfortable seating comes in the form of a squashy L-shaped sofa and some large floor cushions.

Gardens and pool
Villa Surya Damai's gardens consist of gorgeously spongy lawns, edged with tropical foliage and trees, criss-crossed with stone-paved pathways and decorated with intricately carved stone wall panels. The striking 18 x 7-metre infinity-edge pool is bordered on one side by a simple grass and stone deck where cushioned sun loungers beckon. Lawns slope down from the far side of the pool to 60m of river frontage, edged with exotic palm fronds and coconut trees; the low wall encircling the gardens allows maximum views of the rice fields beyond.

Dusk is a particularly lovely time in the garden at Surya Damai. Take a dip in the pool and appreciate the peaceful rice-field views, as the fading sunlight stretches across the water, or wander the many hidden corners of the garden, which is magically illuminated at night with pretty Balinese lanterns and fire beacons.

Bedrooms
Courtesy of their flexible, family-friendly configurations, Villa Surya Damai's five spacious air-conditioned bedrooms can sleep up to 14 guests. All rooms are simply but very tastefully presented with top-quality teakwood furniture. For lovers of open-air living, glass sliding doors and ceiling fans allow natural breezes to flow through.

The villa's outrageously comfortable beds boast king-coil mattresses, stacks of pillows and cushions and the finest quality bed linens. Rooms are individually colour co-ordinated and feature attractive rugs, floor cushions and thick curtains. With the exception of the second storey bedroom, ensuite bathrooms are open-air Balinese style, with terrazzo stone floors and delightful tropical gardens walled for privacy.