Emerald Villas -- part of a trio of locally owned properties that include Jade Villas and Golden Villas -- is a humble property that's a good option for travelers wanting to feel exclusive without the pretense (or high cost). There isn't much of a social vibe here, which isn't surprising given the property's layout. Each villa is surrounded by its own high wall and landscaping, meaning that there's plenty of privacy. The neighborhood is mostly quiet, particularly as the hotel sits off of Sanur's main tourist drag. Aside from a simple open-air restaurant, there's nowhere for guests to gather, so don't come here expecting lots of socializing. Instead, it's a peaceful and simple place to recharge for a week or two, and draws families and couples.  

Most of Sanur's hotels are quiet, but this property's location -- down a narrow side lane -- means that there's even less traffic noise here. The property is in the southern part of Sanur, which is home to some of its trendiest dining options. In fact, Soul in a Bowl, one of the town's most popular restaurants and a haven for foodies, is just at the end of the block. There are a number of other cafes, restaurants, and shops all along Jalan Danau Tamblingan, within a three- to 15-minute walk. The beach is just over five minutes away on foot. For travelers keen on sampling authentic Indonesian food, the compact (but atmospheric) Sindhu Night Market is a five-minute cab ride away. Traffic throughout southern Bali can be a beast, so budget at least 45 minutes by taxi if you're planning a night out in Kuta, and 30 minutes to reach the airport. 

While the idea of a villa might conjure luxe, streamlined images in travelers' minds, the options at Emerald Villas (and its sister properties) are far more low key. Decor draws on local Balinese motifs, with details like statuary, fresh flowers, pitched ceilings, and embedded bas reliefs in the walls surrounding each villa. Depending on your level of comfort, the open-air living rooms are either a blessing or a curse -- there are ceiling fans, but no air-conditioning in these areas (which also hold flat-screen TVs and DVD players). Configurations range from one to four bedrooms, and each bedroom has its own bathroom, some of which have outdoor showers. Bathrooms do look a bit dated, and some of the furniture throughout the units is slightly worn. The highlight of the villas are the private pools, of course, which are sparkling and great for cooling off. Otherwise, expect air-conditioning in all bedrooms, full kitchens with cookware, water dispensers, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Unlike other mid-range villa properties, housekeeping is offered daily and free of charge. 

As most guests are here to privately while away their vacation by their pools in peace and quiet, the lack of common features is expected. There is a simple restaurant that serves all three meals (though none are included with rates). Food is well-liked by previous guests and room service is available. The hotel has a full bar as well. Limited moped parking is available, and Wi-Fi is free in each villa. Towels for beach use are free, as is laundry service -- an unexpected perk that we saw nowhere else in Sanur.