The Damai

Rooms

The 14 villas sit along a winding stone path that leads down from the restaurant, bar and pool terrace through lush manicured gardens. Each has large windows and views across the valley and hills or to the ocean beyond. Inside you'll find an elegant double bed (some have four-posters), sunken sitting area, writing desk, a few books and Balinese antiques. Spoiling extras include kimono robes, slippers, smart TVs, umbrellas, yoga mats and beach baskets.

The Garden Villas are the smallest but still provide ample space for a couple. They're the only villas without private pools, but as they're closest to the main pool, which is often quiet, it's no huge loss. The Pool Villas are very similar in size and layout, the difference being that they have their own pool and sea views.

The stunning luxury villas are located on their own hill, accessed by foot or by golf buggy via a flower-clad bridge. All offer a sprawling living space furnished with hardwood, and local and imported fabrics. Each has an extensive collection of Indonesian art and antiques. Outside, every villa is surrounded by heliconias, lemon grass, lotus ponds and fruit trees. It’s all topped off by breath-taking views of the valley and the ocean. The sumptuous Luxury Pool Villas are set amidst lush tropical gardens with balé pavilions. The larger Two Bedroom Luxury Pool Villas are perfect for a family, thanks to their additional bedroom and bathroom, and 2 of everything outside - 2 pavillions, 2 terraces, 1 or 2 pools!

Bathrooms have wood sinks and open-air showers set in vine-clad stone-walled gardens (most also have a Jacuzzi bath). Locally-made organic toiletries are presented in glassware rather than plastic. The Damai burns its own incense to take care of mossies; netted drapes over the bed offer extra protection. You also get a welcome bowl of fruit and a very thorough info pack of the area.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• Satellite TV
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Damai's restaurant is highly rated and has won a number of awards. Produce mainly comes from The Damai’s own farm - spices and herbs, fruit and veg, pigeon, rabbit, crayfish... even snails! Everything is organic, and hats off to their use of mother nature - we even drank our sunset cocktails through bamboo straws.

The Balinese-European fusion cuisine is elaborate and tastes sublime; we devoured fresh Mahi Mahi with pak choi and garlic rice, shrimp wonton in green curry, and spicy avocado chicken, and each one blew us away. Staff take extra care to explain the daily changing specials, including the catch of the day. There's a separate vegetarian menu too, incorporating plenty of farm produce, and almost any dietary request is catered for. Great care is taken with the presentation - expect fancy plates, artistic swirls of jus or coulis and imaginative caramel and wafer constructions. 

Tasty breakfasts and panoramic views from the first-floor restaurant are a wonderful way to start the day. A continental breakfast is included in the room rate and includes freshly baked bread, sweet Danish pastries, hot croissants, homemade 'Nutella' and jams (tamarillo was our favourite), fresh fruits and seasonal tropical juice. A la carte dishes such as porridge and banana pancakes – voted the best in Bali by our son – are available at an extra cost, and you can order picnics for any trips you go on.

Make sure you stop by Damai's bar for a sundowner. We were impressed by the old school talent of the bar staff, who could whip up anything. Our coconut margaritas were dangerously moreish, and the kids loved their mocktails. Most guests dine at the hotel at night, but there are a choice of restaurants and bars to choose from in town. 

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Wander around the organic farm and grounds, walk up into the hills and soak up the fertile plantation mountain landscape
• Catch your breath for views of the north Bali coast, from the old capital Singaraja in the east to the sun setting behind the volcanoes of Java to the west
• Relax with a Balinese massage in the luxurious spa – I positively floated back to my villa afterwards – or try the traditional Melukat water cleansing ritual
• Start your day with the twice-weekly free yoga sessions (Mon and Thurs); private lessons are available
• Take one of The Damai excursions to nearby villages or travel further afield to the south, east or west of Bali. The following are a few examples of what they can arrange:
• Boat ride into Lovina Bay to watch the dolphins at the crack of dawn (by arrangement)
• Take a trip to Lovina Beach, 10 mins away (free shuttle) - the lava sand is black but waters are clear for snorkelling out on coral reefs a short boat trip away
• Visit Singaraja, 15 mins away - an authentic Indonesian city with genuine early morning markets for fish, fruit and spices
• Visit the village of Munduk, 40 mins away, for fine examples of terraced rice paddies, a Buddhist monastery, and a waterfall
• Journey to Bedugal to 40-metre-high Gitgit Waterfalls and jump in its pools... or visit Gitgit’s totally unknown cousin, the waterfall in Ambengan. The only other visitors you are likely to meet here are groups of monkeys playing in the vines over the crystal-clear rock pool
• Golf can be arranged at the Bali Handara Golf and Country Club, 50 mins away

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Golf
• Hiking
• Plantlife / flora
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Spa treatments
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Yoga

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome but there are no special activities for them at the hotel. There are 6 rooms with sunken lounges, and the mattresses from these can easily be converted to children’s beds. Children under 6 years of age stay free of charge in their parents' rooms. There is a supplement for extra beds.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The best option for a larger family or group is the Two Bedroom Luxury Pool Villa (sleeps 6 plus baby). On the lower level is a small study room which can be used as a third bedroom on request; on the upper level is a master and second bedroom, a living space with dining room, a library/cinema, a large swimming pool, and its own cozy bale pavilion. The Pool Villas and Luxury Pool Villas all have their own private pools. All rooms can fit an extra bed or baby cot.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Damai Lovina Villas is situated on the north coast of Bali near the town of Lovina. It's a 3-hour drive from Denpasar airport.

By Air:
Denpasar Ngurah Rai (90km). Served by many international airlines. Please click on the links below for further information. You can also fly to Jakarta, then travel overland (approx 24 hours) or catch a connecting flight to Denpasar.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange for an air-conditioned car to meet you - please enquire at the time of booking. The drive takes you past the volcanic lakes and central mountains, through the coffee and clove plantations and through some of the most spectacular scenery on the island. We'd definitely recommend doing this, as public transport links to the hotel are pretty complicated.

By Ferry:
There are frequent boats between Bali and the major islands in Indonesia, including Java, Lombok and Komodo. The hotel can arrange for an air-conditioned car to meet you at the ferry port - please enquire when you book.

By Car:
We don’t recommend you renting a car unless you’re a very seasoned visitor to Bali as some of the on-the-spot fines for ‘traffic violations’ can be annoying. Narrow roads and overtaking procedures can also be unnerving, especially through the mountains.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Bali and getting around