Location
The Locale
Location is everything, and it can’t get more central than this. Set in Bali’s ‘Golden Triangle’, the hippest and most happening corner of the island, Laksmana Villas is cocooned within a quiet, private lane off the main Seminyak strip. An exclusive enclave right in the heart of the action, the villas are not bunched up together but instead stand 300-metres apart. It is no wonder that this is known as the most prestigious address in Seminyak.
Guests staying at Laksmana Villas can walk out and find Bali’s many pleasures right at their doorstep. The wide expanse of Petitenget Beach is a quick five-minute walk away, where you can discover an ancient temple, besides enjoying the world-class surf breaks and legendary sunsets. Also within walking distance are many of the island’s celebrated restaurants and bars. Enjoy the magical rice field setting of Métis. Did you know that the Miele Guide rates Sarong in the top 20 restaurants in Asia? Ask the Elite Concierge to secure you a much-coveted table reservation. Or you could head to Potato Head for a casual night out. No need to take a taxi to reach Seminyak’s many boutiques, lifestyle shops and spas either. Bodyworks, one of the most indulgent spas in the area, is a minute’s walk away and a few minutes in the opposite direction will bring you to the air-conditioned Seminyak Village mall. What a perfect spot.
Things to Do
You’ll be spoilt for choice while staying at Laksmana Villas. There’s so much to see and do in the immediate vicinity, that you rarely will feel the need to step out beyond Seminyak. The Elite Concierge will be happy to make reservations for you when required, and take care of other requirements such as transport and tours.
Here’s a glimpse of what all you can find right outside the secure lanes of Laksmana Estate:
You could dine at a different restaurant in Seminyak every night and still not run out of options. Our favourites in the area are the classy Sarong for Asian fusion cuisine, and Métis for an enchanting paddy setting.
But the options don’t end there. Jalan Laksmana (also known as Jalan Oberoi and Jalan Kayu Aya) is Bali’s fashionable Eat Street, offering plenty of high-end restaurants such as Nutmegs at Hu’u Bar. La Lucciola Restaurant is great for sunset drinks, as is The Breeze at The Samaya. Cocoon and Potato Head beach clubs are sophisticated seaside alternatives. We also like La Plancha, a popular rustic beach bar with good tapas, for its reasonably priced drinks and live music events. Nearby, dine out at the fabulous Petitenget, an iconic bar and restaurant on Jalan Petitenget, perfect for a casual lunch with the family or evening cocktails and dinner with friends. A short taxi ride will bring you to Sardine for elegant seafood, or Hog Wild in Bali, famous for barbecue ribs and wicked martinis.
The famous shopping of Seminyak starts right outside your lane. Rummage for treasures through cluttered little stores, derive inspiration from eclectic homeware shops, or wander through huge furniture warehouses. For furniture and homeware, check out Lio Collection, Christy, and Sun. Soft furnishings abound at Haveli, Sunbebek and Disini, and Geneva is the one-stop-shop for handicrafts. Refer to the in-villa magazine for more recommendations on which boutiques and stores to visit.
Art lovers can spend hours wandering through well-curated galleries such as Randelli Gallery, Biasa and Kendra.
The sandy Petitenget Beach is a quick five-minute walk away, famous for its surf breaks and mesmerising sunsets. You can even walk along the sand, all the way to Kuta in the south, or north to Canggu. The beach is more popular with locals than tourists (not safe for swimming in most sections) but is a great spot for building sandcastles or to watch the sunset as you sip a cocktail from one of the many beachside bars.
In-villa beauty and massage treatments carried out by professional therapists can be arranged at the villa, but if you’d prefer to visit one of Seminyak’s spas, we recommend Bodyworks (quality treatments at very reasonable prices, a minute’s walk from the villa), Callego (a casual massage centre with a small restaurant attached), Chill (super reflexology treatments, great for jet lag) and Prana Spa for Ayurvedic treatments.
Witness traditional ceremonies at the ancient Pura Petitenget Temple. Dating back to the 16th century, the temple is known for its spectacular rituals and raw beauty.
With its warm ocean water, almost year-round season, world-class reef breaks and suitability for all levels of experience, Bali is a favourite with surfers across the world. With Petitenget Beach so close by, why not try surfing while you’re here. It’s a lot of fun, even for amateurs.
Horseback riding on a sandy beach is not just for the movies. Spend a lovely evening galloping along the surf on professionally trained horses and ponies, as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.
Discover Bali’s lakes, volcanoes, forests and beaches on the back of a Harley Davidson bike with Island Biker Tours. Full day Harley tours, customised tours or shorter joy rides can all be accommodated.
