The Santai
What We Love
- A truly boutique resort; there are only 11 villas
- Set in a very traditional part of Bali; this is a place for culture vultures
- Bikes, kids toys and yoga mats are provided free of charge
- Free WiFi
What To Know
- Umalas is relatively remote. The resort is surrounded by lush rice fields dotted with traditional villages
- The spa is at sister property the Amala, though in-villa treatments are available
- The restaurant can provide in-villa chefs
Amenities
- Babysitting
- Free WiFi
- Parking On Site
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Spa
Overview
The Look
With just 11 villas in a serene spot in southwestern Bali, the Santai is a true boutique escape. This very modern resort is an architectural feast that employs the gentle facets of Balinese design using superior materials. The lobby (which doubles as a round-the-clock executive lounge) and the main restaurant are covered by a vast sloping roof that allows the breeze to waft beneath. Statuesque gray stone columns are inscribed with Balinese script, and the villas are set well apart to allow for maximum privacy.
Bed & Bath
There’s a choice of two or three bedrooms per villa, but both sport an aquamarine-tiled private pool bordered by small trees and shrubs, a sundeck, a living room, a dining area and a kitchen. Subtle lighting and muted colors lend a calming vibe to the interiors, while the glass-walled bathrooms are deliciously airy and exciting. Butlers are on call 24/7 and will stock the fridge if supplied with a shopping list prior to arrival.
Beyond
Gong restaurant serves Asian and international dishes made from locally grown ingredients. The gado gado (vegetables in a peanut sauce), the earth-oven lamb, and the sharing platter of satay (barbecued meats) are all amazingly good. The chef’s team will also cook in your villa, whistling up anything from a degustation menu to an assortment of canapés. In general the staff is exceptionally well attuned to the needs of the guests, who are encouraged to compile a wish list when they check in.
In the Area
Inland from the coast, Umalas is the Bali of everyone’s imagination: lush rice fields dotted with small homesteads and villages and overlaid by an air of calm. The appeal is immediately obvious, and there are scores of private villas in the area, as well as spas and small resorts like the Santai. An organized bike tour with Bali Bike Baik is a great way to explore. Restaurants such as Lezato, which serves Mediterranean fusion, provide a tasty alternative to resort dining. And Tanah Lot, Bali’s ultimate seaside temple, is only a short ride away.
How to Get There
Reviews
We stayed in a three bedroom villa for four nights, as part of a two week trip in Bali. All three bedrooms were very spacious, each with their own private bathroom. The master bedroom even had two showers, and a bath tub, as well as its own entrance to the swimming pool. The villa had a very pleasant outdoor area by the pool. It had its own kitchen if one wanted to prepare something or warm up a meal. The swimming pool was very nice, with shrubs all around it (including frangipane and passiflower trees full of flowers. The estate also had its own restaurant, with very good food. One could eat at the restaurant or have the food and drinks delivered at your room at no extra charge. While located too far to walk to Seminyak or the beach, but the Estate also provided convenient free rides to Seminiak square. The villas were very quiet during the day and at night, offering a very peaceful and pleasant place to rest and relax.
Booked through luxurary escape which provided us with great benifits we felt very relaxed and catered for. The staff is so lovely and helpful and villas clean, tidy and very cool. Loved swimming to bath
We went for a family holiday and had a lovely time at The Santai ! The service was amazing..
they took a lot of care to make sure we are comfortable.
The breakfast was lovely. The children loved the pool and we all really enjoyed our stay at The Santai