Samaja Beachside Villas

Samaja Beachside Villas is popular with couples that come for the intimate and tranquil setting found once they step off the small side lane on which the hotel is located. The villas are centrally located but aren't directly on the main Seminyak strip, so the property stays quiet and peaceful. However, there's not much to the hotel beyond the villas, which are surrounded by high walls that keep everything private and quiet. The only common area is the hotel's functional lobby, which merely serves as a place for checking in. The laid back setting at the hotel offers a nice contrast to the upbeat energy found a few minutes walk from the property, and most guests staying here prefer an independent vacation that doesn't involve lots of bells and whistles.

The property is nestled along a small, quiet lane within walking distance of the beach, nightclubs, and a large selection of restaurants and shops. It can be easy to miss the small turnoff leading to the property, so it may be a good idea to arrange pickups directly through the hotel to avoid getting lost. Seminyak Beach is less than 10 minutes from the hotel on foot and is known for being a bit more laid back than neighboring Legian and Kuta Beaches. It's a long white-sand beach that's nice for walks, swimming, and sunbathing -- sunsets can also be stunning. Though quite clean most of the year, during rainy season (December through March) the heavy winds and currents wash up a lot of trash on the beach. Also located along Seminyak Beach are some popular sunset spots such as the MoonLite Kitchen, La Plancha,  and the trendy fine dining restaurant Chez Gado Gado. Expect a 15-minute drive to wilder Kuta, and 20 minutes by car to the airport.

All Villas have high walls surrounding them, which helps keep things feeling secluded and private once inside -- this is a huge plus and isn't always the case at all-villa properties in Bali. The style is modern and simple, with dark wood-veneer furniture, white tile floors, and pops of green, red, and gold in the soft furnishings. A few pieces of local art on the walls give everything a subtle local touch. 

Villas feature plunge pools surrounded by tropical plants as well as open-air living rooms and full kitchens featuring gas stoves, microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers. This makes them a good option for longer stays. Flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and safes all come standard as well. During our visit, we loved Villa 105, which is situated in the back of the property. It was more secluded than the other villas and the ambience was romantic and intimate. Although the facilities were almost identical to the other one-bedroom villas, the bathroom had elegant features like natural stone tiling and a free-standing bathtub covered in black terrazzo. 

The double-story Two-Bedroom Villa is surrounded by thick tropical gardens and has over 1,000 square feet (100 square meters) of space, with a larger living room and a larger plunge-pool than those found in the One-Bedroom Villas. The One-Bedroom Villas have movable wall partitions that can be opened if groups are staying in adjoining villas.

The Samaja Beachside Villas have few facilities outside of the villas -- these are limited to the lobby and front desk and one small spa treatment room adjoining it. There is no restaurant on-site, so all food is only available via room service. Breakfast is a la carte and guests can select from a menu of Indonesian, continental, and American options. On Seminyak Beach, the hotel has a designated area with lounge-chairs set up for guests, and they also provide free water and towels. It's simple to rent a motorbike or car through the hotel, and tour arrangements can also be made. Bicycles are provided and are free for guests to use, but the nearby roads aren't particularly pleasant to navigate due to potholes and traffic. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and the hotel also offers a free shuttle to various local destinations.