Manila is becoming more maddening by the day, so for my birthday, we aimed for a more relaxing break—one where we can take our mind off things back in our city and enjoy some serenity. Bali has hundreds of resorts, and it’s hard to choose one. Luckily, upon reading reviews, I stumbled upon Villa Kayu Raja in Seminyak. It was exactly what we were looking for. Read more…
Villa Kayu Raja is located minutes away by taxi or Uber from the notoriously rowdy scene of Seminyak and its rows upon rows of restaurants and bars. Despite the proximity, however, the resort maintains a safe distance that gives it the luxury of serenity on that side of the island.
After flying all night from Manila to Singapore then onwards to Bali, we were longing for some rest. Our early arrival wasn’t a problem, as luckily, our villa was already available. The friendly front staff were able to sort our reservation expediently, and we were handed our keys in no time.
Along with our luggage, we were brought to our villa by golf cart—although, really, the distance from the reception was quite short. Along the way, we passed by rows of villas adjacent to each other, each hidden behind a layer of foliage and a wooden door.
Our spacious, one-bedroom villa was unlike the other ones we’d stayed at in Thailand. Foremost, it is split into two floors—the lower level has the large, open living room that adjoins with swimming pool area, while the second level is reserved solely for the bedroom and bath. Some of their villas also have a rooftop deck that has a cabana and complementing massage beds.
The design of the villa is undoubtedly Balinese-inspired, utilizing attractive design elements and a palette of earth tones and deep reds to achieve a relaxing vibe.
Allowing a cool breeze to set in, the living area comes with sofas with a coffee table, an LED TV, a minibar with coffee and tea making facility, and thankfully, a full-sized refrigerator to keep beverages cold. A couple of steps down, meanwhile, is the swimming pool and lounge bed, where we spent most of our time soaking in the ambiance of our villa.
The centerpiece of the spacious bedroom is its comfortable king-sized bed, which we found perfectly relaxing. The room is completed by a slew of other features necessary for a five-star holiday: a lounge chair, a small desk, and an LED TV with DVD player and sound system. The immaculate bathroom, meanwhile, is fitted with a tub and his and hers vanities, and is supplied with a set of towels and full-sized bath amenities.
Breakfasts are served at the resort’s restaurant, where we enjoyed Western and Indonesian fare ever morning. But for a change of pace, we had lunch at Nebula, a hip coffee shop popular in Kuta that just opened a branch right at the façade of the resort. Their healthy food and beverages are not only tasty but Instagram-worthy as well.
Among the facilities of the resort is the Pandan Wangi Spa, where we were treated to authentic Balinese massages amid a serene ambiance. It offers a well-curated range of services and wellness packages that may last minutes to hours.
In all, we had a relaxing weekend at Villa Kayu Raja. Our villa, the food, the spa, and most especially, the warm Balinese hospitality made our holiday one to remember. Villa Kayu Raja is one of the most charming sanctuaries not only in Seminyak but in the entire Island of the Gods.
VILLA KAYU RAJA
Jalan Lebak Sari, Petitenget, Kerobokan, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 361 4733 776
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.villakayuraja.com
Social Media: Facebook
