The Seminyak Suite Private Villa

Though located right in the middle of a busy area of Seminyak, the villas here are set back a bit from the noise, thanks to a short brick lane that leads to the entrance. 

The main building looks like a large white square with a few gilded accents, some red and yellow hanging lanterns, and two large vases with bamboo flanking the steps that lead to the lobby. Once inside, the lobby is minimalist but authentic, with rattan furnishings, pieces of Indonesian art, sculptures, and a dark wood check-in area. Guests are greeted with a welcome drink upon arrival. Because of the villa configuration, though, there isn't a lot of interaction between guests and the staff, and most guests prefer this sense of privacy.

Located in the entertainment district of Seminyak, this villa hotel is in the heart of the action but also an easy walk to the beach (Double Six Beach is about a 10-minute walk away, and Legian Beach is also within a mile). It's a five-minute taxi to Seminyak Square, which has some of the best restaurants in the area. Seminyak is in a more upscale section of Bali, and the shops, restaurants, and art stores outside the hotel's front door reflect that in ambience and price.

The rooms at the Seminyak Suite Private Villa are large and clean, with separate living areas that should suit families or couples. Following the minimalist design that characterizes the entire resort, the villa decor is streamlined and modern -- and a bit too spartan to some. The predominately white villas are offset by occasional lavender accent walls and shiny wood floors. Wall art is kept to a minimum, but there are vibrant shots of color here and there from the bright orange lamps in the bedrooms, and the beanbags in the outdoor common areas.

The kitchenettes and living spaces are open-air, and next to private pools. They include dining tables and seating areas with couches, and well-equipped kitchenettes. Full-size refrigerators with freezers, filtered water, and gas burners make it possible for guests to prepare meals in their villas. Fruit baskets upon arrival are a nice touch. The private pools, though, are the piece de resistance in these villas. Well-maintained with sun loungers and little gardens surrounding them, they make guests feel as if they're staying in an oasis all their own.

Villas can include up to three bedrooms. In each of the villas, the separate bedrooms have comfortable platform beds with high-quality linens, as well as flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and free Wi-Fi. Safes are also included. The bathrooms are huge and not only do they include rainfall showers, but they also have gigantic soaking tubs; unfortunately, the water pressure isn't so great, so it takes forever to fill the baths, and the showers are sometimes a trickle. In the two- and three-bedroom suites, there are separate bathrooms within each bedroom. While hairdryers are provided, they are small and not very powerful. Bathrooms come with nice toiletries, as well as robes and slippers.

Owing to its affiliation with sister resort Villa Seminyak Estate & Spa, the Private Villa allows guests to book spa packages at the beautiful Lagoon Spa (located at the Estate property, about a one-minute free buggy ride away from the Seminyak Suite Private Villas). All types of massages -- including the traditional Lomi-Lomi and aromatherapy -- can be scheduled, along with facials, body scrubs, and soothing "sunburn treatments" (which involve body wraps and aloe) for those who've baked a little too long at the private pools. Massages and yoga classes can be scheduled in guests' villas.

In addition to the buggy transport for short trips, the hotel operates a free shuttle service that delivers guests to nearby shopping areas, such as Seminyak Square. There is parking for those renting cars, but keep in mind that spaces are limited.

The on-site Square Restaurant is small but offers a decent food selection. The daily breakfast buffet has a variety of hot and cold items, though if the property is not filled to capacity, guests will be shuttled in the buggy to a nearby sister resort for breakfast. The Square Restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner; it lacks ambience and views, but the International cuisine is good. A small outdoor bar, which serves a variety of drinks and has daily happy hour specials, is next to the lobby. It's not much more than a few bar stools, chairs, and umbrellas, but it can be a place to get the evening started with a frozen tropical concoction.

Guests may also schedule romantic, candlelit five-course dinners for two served poolside in their villas, as well as in-villa barbecues (cooked themselves or by staff). There is a 24-hour room service menu, but the food usually comes from a nearby sister resort, so there can be a lag time in delivery. For those who wish to take Balinese cooking classes, the hotel will also arrange three-hour Indonesian cooking instruction with a local chef at the nearby seafood restaurant Pencar Seafood & Grill.