Bendega Rato

New! Villa Bendega Rato, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. Bendega Rato is a stunning, high-spec villa among the ricefields of Canggu minutes from the surf beach of Canggu and the famous Hotel Tugu. For a three-bedroom villa, the sheer amount of living space is surprising. Everything is over-sized for optimum sociability and comfort, from the double-height living room with huge sofas and dining table that seats 12, to the stately bathtubs presiding over ricefield views. There’s an air-conditioned media room, a poolside pavilion with comfortable seating and dining for 10, and a huge second-level terrace with rooftop bale for private sunbathing, sunset cocktails and star-gazing. With so many large living spaces, this villa encourages social interaction while at the same time offering many private corners for those who want to slip away and claim one of the many daybeds and beanbags scattered around.

The stunning antiques, artefacts and textiles from across the Indonesian archipelago add a heritage patina to Bendega Rato, while state-of-the-art gadgets such as Sonos music system, 55-inch plasma TV, Apple TV and blu-ray DVD add 21st Century polish. And animating this space is a team of staff (shared with Bendega Nui) – among them two chefs who create magic with an extensive suggestion menu. Five minutes beyond the villa are famed surfing beaches and Seminyak is only 20 minutes away by car.

Bendega Rato will suit a group of eight or six, who appreciate space to spread out. There are three spacious master bedrooms – all with supremely comfortable four-poster beds, glamorous bathrooms and private terraces. And there’s also the option of adding the separate, stand-alone master suite to the villa rental, accommodating two more guests in considerable luxury with a private plunge pool and bale. For even larger groups, the five-bedroom Bendega Nui next door can be added too, giving a total of nine bedrooms.

Location: Bendega Rato lies off a grassy lane among a scattering of other private villas and the luxuriant rice terraces that define the Balinese countryside. The sound of the waves can be heard from the villa’s immaculate, though modestly sized garden and a walk westwards along the beach (good for surfing and walking but currents make it unsuited for swimming) will bring you to a sea temple and the glorious museum-like Hotel Tugu. Down the road from the villa are some village homes and small grocery shops selling the basics, but for more sophisticated pleasures, guests can avail themselves of the villa’s car and driver and head into Seminyak.