Pat-Mase, Villas at Jimbaran

Pat-Mase, Villas at Jimbaran is a four-pearl Balinese resort surrounded by lovely landscaped gardens that add to the property's serene vibe. Guests may be hard-pressed to venture out into the common areas, since they can have breakfast served by their private pool, soak in a tub with a view of the garden, and come back to a barbecue feast prepared by the staff in their villa kitchen. The common areas, however, are equally peaceful and seemingly uncrowded. Each cluster of four or six villas share a larger pool; these main pools are lovely, but there are no lounge chairs or umbrellas to encourage reclining poolside or socializing. This personifies the vibe of the Pat-Mase, which feels private and relaxed. The hotel's restaurant, Cafe Silik, is bright and pretty, with vibrantly colored tablecloths mixed with dark Balinese wood, statuary, and wood carvings, while lush tropical vegetation surrounds the open-air space. Several nights a week there is a free manager's reception where guests can mingle, but otherwise, most guests -- typically couples or groups of friends -- tend to stick to their spaces.

The hotel is set among lush tropical gardens in an area filled with hotels and private villas. Jimbaran Beach is a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk from here, and the hotel offers a free hourly shuttle to the beach, as well as to Kuta, which is 30 minutes away. The Jenggala Factory and Showroom is a five-minute drive, while the shops, businesses, and fast food restaurants at Benoa Square are 15 minutes by car. The cultural park, Garuda Wisnu Kencana, is also within a 15-minute drive, while the town of Legian, Dreamland Beach, and the New Kuta Golf Course can be reached in about 20 to 25 minutes. The cliffside temple at Uluwatu is a 30-minute ride. Ngurah Rai International Airport is 20 minutes by car; the hotel operates an airport shuttle, for a surcharge.

The hotel's 20 air-conditioned villas offer two, three, or four bedrooms and gorgeous gardens with private pools. The architecture is Balinese, featuring open-air dining and living areas, as well as thatched roofs, wood floors, and carved wooden columns. The design incorporates mostly neutral-tone furnishings -- both wooden and wicker -- with pops of bright color in the bed runners and throw pillows. Each villa has a kitchen area with a full-size stove, refrigerator, tea- and coffee-making facilities, dishes, and cookware. Bedrooms are simple and spacious; some have lovely canopy beds. Large bathrooms have lots of marble, shower/tub combinations, and toiletries. Well-rounded amenities include flat-screen TVs with cable channels and pay movies, free Wi-Fi, minibars, laptop safes, bathrobes and slippes, and free bottled water replenished daily. Daily housekeeping and turndown service are included.

The Pat-Mase, Villas at Jimbaran doesn't offer much for kids, but there are a handful of sufficient amenities for couples and groups of friends. The complex features several beautiful outdoor pools shared by clusters of four or six villas, though the deck surrounding these pools can be narrow and there are only a couple of loungers available. There is a pretty cafe serving an Indonesian and international menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; breakfast is cooked-to-order and included in the room rate. Guests can have breakfast cooked and served in their villas, and in-room dining is available for all other meals as well. There is a free manager's reception in the lounge several days a week where guests can mingle and socialize. There's no fitness center but the hotel offers an in-room spa treatment menu. A free hourly shuttle is available to Jimbaran Beach and to Kuta, as well as other locations within a short radius, while airport transfers are offered for a surcharge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Wedding and event planning services are available upon request.