Villa Sungai River house
On Bali’s southwest coast the picturesque village of Cepaka, a preserve for the best of traditional life on the island, winds its way north to south. Between old temples and quaint houses, along quiet lanes lined with giant palm trees, vibrant frangipanis and scented tuberoses bloom. Rice paddies ripple outwards from Cepaka, and seem to meld into the tropical jungle that shimmers emerald in the sunlight.
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t the heart of this seemingly still place, above what is nevertheless a lively and bustling scene, runs a small river secluded within its own lush arbor. On its canopied banks is the aptly named Villa Sungai. The Malay word simply means ‘river’, but the Sungai team hopes that it becomes a metaphor for the rich journey in places; in sense; and even of the self in such luxuriousness. A kind of spiritualism if you will - though not merely that found by American divorcées on their bicycles. The retreat is comprised of the eponymous, threesuite villa and the two-suite Sungai Gold. One can reserve both lodgings, collectively termed the Sungai Platinum Residence, for up to 17 guests to experience the comforts of a private idyll. While the thatched roofs and the verdant backdrop might suggest a rustic theme, still in some romantic past, Villa Sungai is so much more.
White-washed teak furniture and a ‘chic khaki’ decor demonstrate a worldly elegance, simultaneously comforting and alluring. Both villas have their own pool of course, the waters appearing to drop into the jungle below as in some magical scene. Villa Sungai is more than just a scenic residence, however, and prides itself on a highly professional and personal service. From your first arrival on Bali, where the airport butler and chauffeured transfer await, an impressive complement of staff will attend to your needs throughout your stay. Whether you desire to be intimately pampered, or to simply lounge in idle luxury, the Villa Sungai team is on hand to fulfill your wishes and needs. Though a stay at Villa Sungai might feel like a world of its own, some of the best known places on the island are easily explored. The Canggu beaches, renowned for surfing in particular, are just a ten minutes drive away. The capital and business centre, Denpasar is an hour drive. The tourist hubs Seminyak and Ubud are much closer. Indeed, Cepaka is a curiously tranquil spot in the ebb and flow of Bali’s hustle and bustle.
Once you have feasted your eyes on the beautiful surroundings, you can follow suit with Villa Sungai’s culinary delights. Serious foodies will be tantalised by contemporary south-east Asian cuisine and Indonesian specialties, using only the freshest local ingredients. A veritable banquet of aromas and flavours awaits, with mouth-watering dishes such as crab, coconut and kaffir lime on betel leaves; crisp fish, green mango and roasted coconut salad; Balinese lamb stew with yellow rice; and lemongrass and palm sugar panna cotta with orange and chilli caramel. No stay at Villa Sungai is complete without experiencing the range of body treatments and yoga classes from the spa. Sublime massages, therapeutic skin care, and traditional Balinese healing therapies at the hands of Sungai’s talented therapists will create a sense of perfect well-being. And when you want to simply lavish your body, Villa Sungai offers traditional Balinese baths, scrubs and wraps, and other beauty treatments - all using natural and organic products - from the comfort of your own poolside domain.
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