The Royal Santrian, Luxury Beach Villas

Despite being right off a busy road, The Royal Santrian has a serene atmosphere, with 62 acres of lush tropical grounds abutting a sandy beach, and 20 villas tucked away behind walled gardens. A big driveway with a security booth marks the entrance to this quiet tropical retreat, and a white stone path flanked by manicured grass lawns leads to the striking glass-enclosed traditional pavilion housing the lobby. Heavy wooden furniture and soaring wooden ceilings lend the reception area a strong local feel, while gleaming white floors, elegant rugs in neutral tones, and off-white couches placed along the glass walls add elegance. Sliding doors open directly onto the hotel’s tropical grounds, which blend manicured lawns with stone paths, and more lush areas with palm trees, frangipani, and bougainvillea. 

All villas are located to the left of the lobby, while the infinity pool, the restaurants, and the wedding chapel take the central and right beachfront sections of the grounds. Traditional stone statues and thatched pavilions are charming elements that make the grounds serene and exotic. The restaurant and the spa have sophisticated contemporary Balinese interiors, with clean lines, neutral tones, and faded red accents. 

The Royal Santrian, Luxury Beach Villas is located on a main thoroughfare in the Tanjung Benoa area. There are a few small restaurants, a number of spa parlors, and some other hotels nearby, but little else of interest can be found within easy walking distance. The hotel offers free shuttle service several times a day to Bali Collection, an area a five-minute drive away known for its shopping and dining. Many more dining, shopping and nightlife options, as well as a livelier atmosphere, can be found in Seminyak, located a half-hour away. The famous Waterblow can be reached in about five minutes, and it's a 20-minute drive to the town of Kuta. Uluwatu Temple is about a 40-minute drive away, and the property is 20 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The hotel has 20 one-bedroom villas set in their own private gardens with pools. Decor is elegant and luxurious throughout, with a mix of contemporary and traditional Balinese elements, including clean lines, polished wooden floors, wooden ceilings, a soft earth tone palette, and an intricate see-through carving on one of the walls. Outdoor living and dining areas are housed in separate thatched pavilions, and feature a double daybed, a table with chairs, and two padded loungers. 

Bathrooms are huge and sunny, with glass walls overlooking the garden and the pool, elegant beige veined tiles, and lots of wood accents. Deep soaking tubs with headrests are placed along the windows, and rain shower and toilet cabins have frosted glass doors for privacy. Outdoor showers are set in an enclosed pebble garden with direct access to the bathroom and the pool area. All villas feature flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars (replenished daily at no extra charge), safes, and air-conditioning. Royal Villas are closest to the beach, and have outdoor whirlpools.

Although each villa is equipped with a private pool, the hotel also has a large infinity pool for common use. It is lined with padded loungers and red umbrellas, and has serene beach views and a Martini bar serving drinks only. Adjacent to the pool is All Spice, a restaurant serving fusion cuisine in a beautiful dining room with traditional Balinese decor, and a lounge with plush seating. Sushi and teppanyaki are served in a separate pavilion overlooking the pool. The beach is sandy and pleasant, but can be loud and busy in the morning due to its location right next to a dive shop offering motorized water sports. The spa offers an array of massages and salon services in a serene space, and in-villa treatments are also available. Yoga, Balinese cooking classes and a few other activities are also available on-site, but they all come for a fee, and the hotel lacks a fitness center. There is a small wedding chapel right by the beach, complete with a garden for intimate receptions. Freebies include Wi-Fi, afternoon tea, loaner bikes, and shuttle service to Bali Collection and the Tanjung Benoa and Nusa Dua areas.