Beach Front Paradise - Bali Style

Looking for the ideal island escape with plenty of privacy, luxury and space? Check out Villa Batujimbar set on more than an acre of Southeast Bali's Sanur's prime beachfront and walk in the footsteps of celebs including Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall, Sting, Yoko Ono, Charlie Chaplin as well as British, Thai and Malaysian royalty.

Originally built as his home by Australian artist Donald Friend, this serene setting continues to mesmerize guests with spectacular garden settings and accommodations including the Lembu Bale (Balinese pavilion) which houses the current owner’s museum-quality, private collection of Balinese art which can only be viewed upon special request.

Vaulted thatched roofs buildings finished with lava stone steps, coral walls, and terrazzo and teakwood floors house eight luxurious bedrooms with en suite baths and public areas including an open-sided pavilion, Lembu Bale lounge, poolside veranda, and several dining options including an air-conditioned dining room seating 12. Throughout the meticulously-manicured gardens are moss-covered Balinese statues and carved stone reliefs en route to a private gate which opens onto the white sand beach.

Pampering includes a staff of personal butlers and chef who oversees the preparation of all meals. Breakfast is a casual affair served in the dining bale with your choice of American, continental or Indonesian fare. Gourmet international, Balinese and Indonesian lunches and dinners are served in various venues on Jenggala tableware, a Balinese brand created on the Batujimbar Estate in the 1970s. Menus to suit any dietary preference can also be arranged.

Amenities include phones in all rooms, wireless broadband Internet access, and satellite TV. The air-conditioned gym offers a weight machine, treadmill, cross-trainer, and abdominal machine or you can test your skills on the tennis court (rackets and balls supplied) or in one of the villa's canoes.

Nearby are several choices for golf, horseback riding, and surfing between November and May. And if you visit in July, you can attend the colorful International Kite festival at Padang Galak beach just north of Sanur. You can also discover Bali’s lakes, volcanoes, forests and backroads on a Harley Davidson with Island Biker Tours and shop in Denpasar’s bustling market.

In Sanur is Le Mayeur Museum, former home of Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which today showcases the artist’s work. At Bali Safari and Marine Park, you'll find Sumatran tigers, elephants, hippos and cheetahs at Lake Manyara; a fresh water aquarium in the park; and Hanoman Court's exotic birds and orangutans.

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