Villa Asta

Villa Asta weaves its magic the moment you walk through the entrance and glimpse the pool, shimmering beyond a waterfall, framed within a circular opening in the wall. Flowing water features are everywhere; in addition to the dramatic free-form swimming pool at the villa's heart, there’s a 12-metre plunge pool next to the master bedroom pavilion, linked by an expanse of koi ponds to the two open-sided living and dining pavilions.

This is a fantastic villa for families – it was designed by internationally renowned architect Guy Morgan for two friends seeking a place for their young families to holiday together, so there’s plenty to amuse kids (of all ages) as well as lots of welcome grown-up space. And parents can relax and enjoy their holiday knowing their children are having a great time within the secure villa grounds.

The main pool provides plenty of entertainment, with shallow tiers for wallowing and a deep section beneath a two-storey thatched balé with a viewing platform looking out over the rice fields. At the far end of the pool the huge upper-floor games room also promises hours of fun, with its pool table, table tennis, home theatre and computer. Just behind is a badminton / volleyball court - a complete kids’ zone!

Below the games room, three twin bedrooms can be converted to kings making them equally suitable for adults (each also has two handy roll-away beds for extra young guests). Providing a calm nvironment at the other end of the villa is the two-bedroomed master pavilion with its own large plunge pool.

With so much on offer, there’s little call to leave the villa – especially because among the delightfully professional staff is an excellent chef adept at whipping up meals that would give some of Bali’s famed  restaurants a run for their money. But it’s good to know Batubelig Beach is only a short walk away, and a car and driver is on hand to whisk guests to nearby Seminyak, or further afield to explore the island.

VILLA LAYOUT

Villa Asta’s generous accommodation is spread across four pavilions set around two swimming pools separated by koi ponds. At one end of the garden a two-storey pavilion houses three guest bedroom suites and, above, an enormous open-sided games room with kitchenette and shower room. A single-storey pavilion with two master bedroom suites sits at the other end, reached via flagstones across koi ponds and a bridge across the second swimming pool. In between is double-decker poolside balé, an open-sided living pavilion, and a separate dining pavilion with service kitchen, bar and adjacent TV room/study.

LIVING AREAS

The pool-edge living pavilion is open on four sides and features a soaring alang-alang thatched roof supported by coconut-wood pillars above a floor of Palimanan stone inlaid with polished teak. Cooled by ceiling fans and gentle breezes, the living pavilion features two comfortable seating areas. A linked sound system provides music in the living, dining and games room from speakers discreetly positioned high in the roof.

Across the koi pond is a second open-sided, fan-cooled pavilion and fabulous entertainment space. Taking centre-stage under pendulous lamps and paddle fans suspended from the vaulted roof is an extendable table that seats up to 18 on designer-chic upholstered chairs. The adjacent black marble bar provides a more casual place to congregate in front of the well-equipped, open-air  slate-floored service kitchen.

Separated from the dining area by sliding opaque glass doors is an air-conditioned TV room where a long, deeply cushioned bench and a big lazy chair encourage curling up with a good book or watching a movie on the 48-inch satellite TV. Doubling as a study, the room is equipped with a computer and printer.

A magnet for kids of all ages, the semi-open-air games room located above the three guest bedrooms enjoys beautiful rice-field views. Not that anyone will be looking when there are so many distractions – pool table, table tennis, media area with a 52-inch TV and DVD player, and a computer with internet access. There’s even a kitchenette and shower room for those who can’t drag themselves away.

The immaculately maintained garden is dominated by a dramatic free-form swimming pool, with a swim-under waterfall and shallow tier stepping down into the deepest section, immediately beneath the poolside balé. Shaded by a thatched roof, this elevated, two-storey pavilion offers spectacular rice-field views from the top. A circular timber deck rests beside the pool, complete with sun loungers and umbrellas. At the far end of the garden is a walled grass court suitable for playing badminton, tennis, volleyball, football and other games.

ACCOMMODATION

- Master Bedroom Suites
The master pavilion houses two air-conditioned bedrooms complete with ensuite bathrooms, a sun terrace and a fabulous 12-metre plunge pool with water spouts. Both bedrooms are tastefully decorated with bold colours, rich fabrics, bright scatter cushions, and local artwork and artefacts. In each, a canopied four-poster king-size bed sits under a soaring thatched roof, while an extra-long window seat provides a peaceful place to relax with a book or watch the 29-inch plasma TV. Beyond sliding glass doors are private garden bathrooms, dominated by splendid over-sized, marble bathtubs sheltered from the elements by the eaves of the roof. Doors in the garden walls lead to the plunge pool, neatly avoiding the need to walk through the bedrooms.

- Guest Bedroom Suites
Three guest bedroom suites occupy the ground floor of the entertainment pavilion at the far end of the garden. Accessed by sliding glass doors from a colonnaded terrace, these air-conditioned rooms have twin beds that can convert to a king. Each has the convenience of a walk-in wardrobe, and an ensuite garden bathroom with walk-in shower looking onto a traditional ’mandi’ - an urn fed by a waterspout.

STAFF

One of the greatest advantages of staying in a villa is the personalised service provided by dedicated staff. Villa Asta’s staff have been professionally trained and will do their utmost to please with their warm and friendly Balinese hospitality.

- Villa Manager
Villa Asta’s full-time villa manager is responsible for the overall operation of the villa, including staffing and guest satisfaction. He will coordinate your requirements with the chef and other staff and concierge any special requests.

- Chefs
The villa’s skilled chef and cook will happily prepare Western, Asian, and children’s dishes from the extensive priced menu, as well as discuss special requests and dietary requirements.

- Butlers
Four butlers serve snacks, meals and beverages throughout the day and are responsible for the cleanliness and tidiness of the villa.

- Security guards
A small team of guards provide 24-hour security at Villa Asta.

- Gardeners
A gardener and pool attendant maintain the immaculate grounds.

DINING

Villa Asta’s personal chef and his experienced team are at your service to whip up everything from poolside snacks to multi-course banquets in the fully equipped, open-air service kitchen by the dining pavilion. Complimentary daily breakfast is provided from a choice of six different breakfast menus, including American, Indonesian, healthy, kids and the Asta Special – a firm favourite featuring perfectly cooked Eggs Benedict or Florentine.

For other meals and snacks, there is an extensive, reasonably priced menu of delicious Asian and international dishes caters to all tastes, with an excellent selection of vegetarian and children’s options. The special buffet and barbecue dinner menus garner accolades, especially those featuring seafood or local favourite - beef rendang. And a stay is not complete without sampling the chef’s pepes ikan (fish steamed in banana leaf), satay ayam (chicken satay on bamboo skewers), and pisang goring (fried banana served with ice cream).

The chef is also more than happy to tailor meals to accommodate any special dietary requirements, or cook other dishes on request. The staff will run errands for you and purchase items from the local deli and supermarkets on guest account.

Villa Asta’s staff also includes two highly experienced cocktail bartenders who take delight in concocting your favourite cocktails upon request; there’s also a realistically priced menu of wines, spirits and cocktails.

FAMILIES

The family friendly advantages of a villa holiday are many, including access to your own private facilities and the freedom to use them whenever you want. Knowing that the kids can run around happily, independently and safely, without you having to worry about other guests, is a real plus – and one that means parents are certain to have a more relaxed holiday too.

Villa Asta was purposefully designed as vacation home for families… and it shows. Kids get their own games room with table tennis, pool table, TV and computer, as well as a badminton and volleyball court. If they tire of these facilities or the enormous free-form pool, there’s always Batubelig Beach to explore (with a life-guard protected area for strong swimmers). The three twin-bedded guest rooms are ideal for anything up to 12 children (with two roll-away beds in each room).

The team of friendly staff at Villa Asta will make children feel as welcome as adults, and having these willing helpers on hand gives guests plenty of flexibility and freedom to do their own exploring beyond the villa grounds (full-time babysitting incurs a small extra cost).

Although the equipped kitchen allows you to prepare meals for fussy eaters or babies with ease, staff will happily to do this for you – just talk through your requirements and meal schedules with the villa manager or chef and they will take care of the rest. Banana and pineapple pancakes for breakfast? Popeye fried chicken in the games room for lunch? No problem. The chef can customise all meals to suit children’s taste buds.