Daluman Villas

Villa-style properties are found up and down the coast of southern Bali, and while Daluman Villas won't win any style awards with its simple decor, the hotel excels at maintaining a private atmosphere. The property was peaceful and quiet during our visit -- we didn't see any guests in the common areas even though the hotel was almost fully booked -- and features like high walls, private plunge pools, and open-air living areas in the villas give everything a romantic veneer. Social spaces are few here, and are essentially limited to the lobby and the main pool. A distinct Balinese aesthetic is heavily showcased in the lobby, where large wooden sculptures and paintings of Balinese dancers are displayed eclectically alongside western antiques such as an old phonograph, radio, and a vintage vespa. The main pool gets plenty of sun and has a beautiful setting surrounded by fully grown palms, flowering frangipani trees, and long green vines that spill over a natural stone wall. Expect to see plenty of couples here, not surprising given the hotel's discreet setting.

Daluman Villas are ideally located for those wanting to be removed from the bustle in central of Seminyak, but still be within easy striking distance of everything. The property sits on a quiet alleyway off of Jalan Nakula, just a five minute walk from downtown Seminyak -- which is packed with restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. Next door to the hotel is an ATM, a 24-hour clinic, and a convenience store. Double Six Beach is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, and th elong white stretch of sand is often crowded with tourists and beach vendors (although not as hectic as nearby Kuta Beach). Popular establishments such as the trendy Cocoon Beach Club and the understated beachside restaurant La Plancha are located along Double Six Beach. Most points of interest in Seminyak and Legian are within walking distance from the hotel, but the more chic area of Seminyak along Jalan Kayu Aya -- famous for its fine dining restaurants and extravagant beach clubs -- is a bit far to reach on foot and will take 10 minutes to reach by taxi. The airport usually takes 30-minutes to reach by car, but can take longer if traffic is bad, which is often the case in this part of town.

First things first: the high walls around the villas are a lovely addition, and help make a stay here feel especially private -- that's not always a guarantee with villa properties in Bali. Natural materials add warmth and texture to the style, though for the large part the look is simple and modern. Walls in the bathrooms and courtyard are white Bali sandstone with intricate hand-carved features and the bedroom floors and furniture are made of wood. The sleeping areas are quite plain, with white and wood tones everywhere and just a piece or two of colorful art on the walls. 

Villas have plunge pools and open-air living rooms with couches, flat-screen TVs and DVD players, plus microwaves, electric kettles, mini-fridges, and utensils. All are air-conditioned and contain safes, free Wi-Fi, stereos, and two flat-screen TV's (one in the bedroom and one in the outdoor living room). Plunge pools are shaded from the sun, so the water can be a bit cold, but when the waterfall feature is switched on it adds to the relaxed ambience. Bathrooms are a highlight. They're bright and spacious, containing rainfall showers, large stone vanities with black terrazzo sinks, and free-standing white terrazzo bathtubs surrounded by black river rocks. 

Features are slim here, which, when coupled with the simple style, keep this hotel from living up to its own five-star ambitions. Still, what's on offer is nice to have. The main pool is surrounded by plenty of lounge chairs and greenery, adjoining the pool is a small bar with a few tables, chairs, and a couch overlooking the pool, the setting is great, but the service can be slow for some guests. Spa treatments and massages are offered by the pool in an open-air setting as well. The hotel's lobby is a large open space that doubles as the Pandan Restaurant, where the buffet breakfast is served. It includes a decent array of choices as well as an egg station. Light bites are available throughout the day, and dinner is served as well. There's also a tour desk in the lobby that can help arrange motorbike and car rentals, as well as tours around Bali. Free parking is available on site and the hotel provides free Wi-Fi throughout the property.