Villa Cemara

Villa Cemara is a private and luxurious villa on absolute beachfront in Sanur, Bali. This exclusive villa is like no other and is the ultimate way to experience pure paradise.

Commanding 60 metres of absolute beachfront in Sanur on Bali’s south-eastern coast, Villa Cemara is a rare gem. This fully staffed traditional Bali-style private villa offers fabulous ocean vistas from every room as well as direct access onto Sanur’s golden sands – go from private pool to sea swims in paces! With the option of renting either four or five bedrooms, the villa is ideal for one or two families or a group of friends seeking tropical open-air living, a laid-back beach vibe, and friendly service from a staff team that includes a full-time cook. This truly special residence is only moments from Sanur’s myriad cafés, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and watersports centres.

Welcome to Villa Cemara – a magnificent Bali-style residence in Sanur blessed with an amazing 60 metres of absolute beachfront and blissful ocean vistas across the Lombok Straits to the islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.The location is simply incomparable! Imagine slipping through the villa’s private gate, across the golden sand and into the warm shallow waters of the silken sea. Or taking a leisurely stroll (or energetic bike ride) on the adjacent promenade that stretches for eight kilometres along the beautiful south-east Bali coast. Designed by famed Balinese architect Popo Danes, Cemara’s five ocean-facing living and sleeping pavilions feature light interiors liberally adorned with finely crafted local materials: alang-alang thatched roofs; Palimanan and terrazzo floors; river-stone walls; elaborately carved and gilded teakwood doors. Artefacts and original paintings by acclaimed Balinese artists grace the air-conditioned bedroom suites, where sublimely comfortable beds dressed in crisp cotton invite restful slumber. The enormous open-sided living pavilion is the villa’s social heart – just the spot for casual breakfasts and candlelit dinners prepared by the accomplished villa cook. Choose from an excellent suggestion menu, or take advantage of the abundance of seafood on your doorstep and enjoy grilled fish on the barbecue. The entire family will appreciate the cool beach vibe here. Kids can build sandcastles and paddle in the shallow waters; older guests can kite-surf or take to the sea on a jetski. After a refreshing dip in the pool, how about a massage in the balé or in the comfort of your room? At the end of the day, fall asleep lulled by the waves lapping the shore.The friendly staff will look after you well, and are happy to organise everything from a gamelan troupe, yoga teacher, or a car and driver for day trips to rice terraces and mountains, Seminyak or Ubud.

VILLA LAYOUT

Inspired by traditional Balinese living, Villa Cemara comprises five alang-alang thatched pavilions, all carefully oriented for the stellar ocean views. A few steps beyond the traditional teakwood entrance doors is the open-sided living pavilion stretching along the beachfront and, across a koi pond to the rear, the villa kitchen. Next along the villa’s 60 metres of absolute beachfront is the 14-metre pool, then the master pavilion and raised corner balé. Looking over the length of the pool and out towards the sea are a pair of two-storey bedroom pavilions, each with two guest suites. A gate between the living pavilion and pool gives direct access to the promenade and beach.

LIVING AREAS

Indoor living
Strategically positioned by the pool to accord guests a spectacular ocean vista, the huge open-sided living pavilion is Villa Cemara’s social hub. Chic contemporary armchairs, an over-sized sofa and traditional Indonesian daybed rest on a Palimanan stone floor under the soaring alang-alang thatched roof, promising convivial space for relaxing round the antique carved panel coffee table. In the dining area, a stunning marble-topped antique dining table comfortably seating 10 is the perfect setting for candlelit dinners, cooled by ceiling fans and the sea breeze.

From the living pavilion, steps across a koi pond lead to the villa’s kitchen, handsomely designed and equipped with everything from coffee maker to commercial stove, wok to walk-in fridge.

Outdoor living
Sun worshipers will enjoy lounging on the two pool-side decks after taking a refreshing dip in the Bali green-stone pool. Those seeking shade for a siesta will gravitate to the alang-alang thatched balé raised above a waterfall-filled rock pool overlooking the beach.

BEDROOMS

All five bedroom suites are named after tropical flowers found in the villa gardens. Cooled by air-conditioning, ceiling fans or the sea breeze, they have quality beds dressed in crisp cotton linen, handsome teakwood furniture and intriguing lamps, blackout curtains and Bose speakers.

Master pavilion
Heliconia, the impressive master suite, occupies a stand-alone alang-alang thatched pavilion adjacent to the beach and separated from the pool area by a water feature. Stepping stones lead to a shaded Palimanan stone terrace where traditional Balinese doors open onto an elaborately carved feature wall running the full length of the suite. A handsome collection of antique furniture and Indonesian art decorate this air-conditioned and fan-cooled space, which is divided into a sleeping section furnished with a king-size bed, and a living area with cane armchairs and a large daybed facing a 42-inch TV. Beyond a wall of glass is a magical rock-garden with pond and waterfall. Out of sight is a dressing room with copious shelving and hanging space.

Equally impressive is the air-conditioned bathroom with terrazzo twin vanity and, beyond glass doors, a garden courtyard where a jacuzzi is framed by a river-stone wall carved with fish and dotted with birds nest ferns, and an alfresco shower shares space with a water-wall.

Guest suites
Villa Cemara’s four guest bedroom suites are housed in a pair of two-storey alang-alang thatched pavilions facing the ocean across the pool. All feature king-size beds (two convertible to twins), fascinating colonial-style furniture and artefacts, walk-through wardrobes, air-conditioning and ceiling fans. There is a 42-inch TV and DVD player in the two downstairs rooms, from where traditional carved Balinese doors open onto garden terraces with marble bistro table and chairs. The two upper level suites feature vaulted ceilings and reward guests with sweeping sea views through two walls of glass.

All four bathrooms in the guest suites have an air-conditioned section with twin vanity and alfresco courtyard shower. Bathrooms in the garden suites also feature terrazzo bathtubs

STAFF

One of the delights of staying in a private villa is the personalised service accorded to guests. Villa Cemara’s well-trained and gracious nine-strong staff are on hand when needed while keeping discreetly behind the scenes when not. With every interaction, they aim to please with their warm and distinctively Balinese hospitality.

Villa manager
The off-site villa manager is responsible for the overall operation of Villa Cemara, meeting guests on arrival and overseeing the staff to meet guest expectations during their stay.

Assistant manager
The assistant manager is on hand at the villa every day to coordinate staff duties and enhance the guests’ experience. He is also one of two cooks.

Cook
The villa’s skilled cooks prepare dishes from an extensive suggestion menu of Western and Asian cuisine, and happily accommodates special requests and dietary requirements.

Housekeepers
Housekeepers are on hand to tend to every guest’s need, serving meals and beverages, and attending to daily housekeeping. They also look after the garden and pool.

Garden & pool
The gardening team maintains the swimming pool, ponds and garden.

Security
Guests are kept safe and secure by the villa’s night-shift security.

DINING

Villa Cemara features a well-equipped kitchen complete with walk-in fridge. Here, the cook is at your service to prepare daily breakfast, lunch and dinner on request, as well as all-day snacks. Choose from an extensive suggestion menu of Indonesian, Asian and Western dishes that caters to all tastes – everything from tasty burgers to Balinese specialties and Mexican fare, all served home-style. If you crave something off-menu, the cook will happily oblige, whipping up dishes according to your tastes, as well as tailor meals to accommodate any special dietary requirements.

With a professional barbecue within the garden, why not enjoy a fresh-from-the-sea fish feast? Or if you would like to host a dinner party while in residence, the cook can prepare a gourmet meal for up to 25 guests.

Groceries and beverages are charged at cost price plus 10.5% government tax and 5% service charge with no mark-up. Staff will do the shopping and keep receipts for your reference. Please do discuss meals with the cook the evening before, to give the staff time to shop.

FAMILIES

Villa holidays are a great choice for families, who can enjoy their own private facilities plus the freedom to use them whenever you want. Knowing that the kids can enjoy themselves independently and safely, without you having to worry about them disturbing other guests, is a huge benefit – and one that means parents are certain to have a more relaxed holiday too.

Thanks to the configuration of bedrooms in three different beachfront pavilions, Villa Cemara provides fabulous space for a large family, or for a pair of families holidaying together.

With the beach literally on your doorstep, kids can enjoy building sandcastles and collecting shells from the shoreline. The calm, shallow sea at Sanur beach is particularly suited for young ones – perfect for paddling and splashing around in the balmy waters. Older kids can take advantage of a good choice of nearby water sports. And kids of all ages will relish the villa pool; parents can keep an eye on toddlers from the shade of the living pavilion. There is the option to hire other equipment like high chairs and baby cots. And the staff love making kids feel welcome There’s a kids menu too – and the cook is always happy to make something off-menu for fussy eaters.