Breathing a Fresh Breeze at the Samaya

The local hotel chain Santika Group has been working on renovations and improvements at The Samaya for some time, and finally they are really rolling up the curtains for those who are curious. Glimpses of it were already accessible with the opening of Breeze, the beach side bistro which quickly becomes the talk of the town. However, weekenders, travelers, and five-star junkies have been waiting patiently until everything was completely set-up.

The Other Side of Seminyak

While Seminyak is fast achieving international notoriety as one of the most desirable destinations of the world, its immediate neighbors Petitenget and Batubelig are less well known. Yet where Seminyak ends and Petitenget begins is a subject of dispute among ex pats and tourists alike.

In fact the villas, restaurants, spas, boutiques, and bars that have turned this section of south Bali into one of the most desirable destinations in the world tend to be a little vague in their boundary definitions. One of Seminyak’s most iconic residents, beachfront restaurant / club KuDeTa is actually located in Petitenget. One might say that for the jet setters, second-home owners and high season hoi polloi, Seminyak is more like a stretch of beach and a hedonistic state of mind. If that is the case, then Petitenget is where you will find many of its higher functions.

The Evolution of Villa Kubu

It was roughly a decade ago when Sydney native Dee Mytton broke ground on 90 are of Seminyak land surrounded by dried rice paddies and no major road access. Difficult to imagine, considering the exponential development the area has gone through since 1998. Whether it was clever foresight or just plain luck, as Dee puts it, Villa Kubu has grown from its initial incarnation as a single rented home to sprawling 14-villa compound situated in one of the most central locales in Bali. A small area that has fortuitously managed to retain its quietude and serenity despite the network of thoroughfares that now encompasses the vicinity.

Setting Sail in Seminyak

Few would argue that the most fundamental aspect of any human shelter is the roof, even walls come in a distant second, particularly in tropical climes, where pavilion style structures tend to be an integral part of traditional building design.

Pavilions are central to Balinese arcitecture, from the simples bale pagoda – typically a platform and pitched roof attached to four simple posts – to the wantilan, a much larger building wher it is customary to hold village meetings, cock fights, religious ceremonies, and cultural performances. For decades now, contemporary architects have eben elaborating on the Balinese approach to habitat, so effectively is it adapted to the local environment. Amongst the most elegant of these modern takes on tradition can be found in the work of Italian firm GM Arcitects. And as founder member Mauro admits, GM are all about the roof. “We do simple thing,” he explains. “We detach the roof from the buinding and this allows us to play with the volume underneath it.”

Get Into The Groove

The house, completed in 2004 was conceived as a series of bales (the Balinese version of a gazebo) linked by a covered walkway and orientated to take the advantage of prevailing winds, using large cantilevered overhangs and planted pergolas for shade and protection from rain.

Although situated in the very heart of a resort town, Villa Coco Groove Seminyak, locale is set off the beaten path on an expansive and secluded former rice paddy directly behind the Oberoi Hotel. While its simple exterior reveals nothing to note, Coco Grove’s charm becomes instantly apparent upon entering the compound where the combination of minimalist architecture, modern interior design, and Indonesian antique décor come together in creating a unique and elegant synergy that is completely self contained within its walls.

Seminyak Beachfront Villas

With hundred of holiday villas available for holiday rental accommodation in Seminyak, both those in villa complexes with commercial estate management as well as individual property managed by the owner themselves, there are very limited number of beachfront villas available in the area. Fingers are by far too many to count beachfront Seminyak villas.

With enormous popularity of the area itself, it is not hard to understand why they are so difficult to find available. Bookings are made well in advance. For peak season especially around Christmas – New Year period, bookings are even made more than a year in advance. As of availability, there are no flexibilities in price as well. In almost all cases, interested holiday makers will have to make their schedule and pocket to fit availability calendar and firm price tag of the villas.
There are actually amazing options for those who could not afford either availability or price of beachfront Seminyak villas. Only a few minutes away up north from Seminyak, along the coast toward Tanah Lot, there are a number of secluded beaches, offering no less tropical heat and picturesque sunset vistas over their golden sand. Batubelig, Berawa, Canggu, Pererenan, and Seseh are to name some of them.

In addition to similar level of style, comfort, and service excellence, beachfront villas in on these beaches offer even more. In addition to the beach, the areas offer serenity of Balinese countryside, with rice field gently steeping down to the beach. The beaches are quite. In most of the cases, no one presents on sight except a few locals doing their daily routines. These beaches offer some the world’s best surf breaks.

Seminyak Villa Living

Popularity of Seminyak villas as a new alternative in holiday accommodation has been enormously increase in the last few years for two reasons. First reason is popularity of Seminyak itself. Located only a few minutes away from the bustling Kuta, high-class atmosphere of Seminyak has attracted discerning holiday makers to spend most of their Bali holiday there. Second reason is increasing popularity of Bali villas in general. In addition to luxurious service offered by resort hotels, private villas offer something people could not get in public accommodation options, ultimate privacy.