Jalan Pangkung Sari 10X, Seminyak, Indonesia
Separate landscaped gardens and large swimming pools for each villa
Full kitchens come with refrigerators, ovens, cooking supplies, and dishware
Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, DVD players, and air-conditioning
Large indoor/outdoor bathrooms have bathtubs and rainfall showers
Spa services available en-suite, as are personal training sessions
24-hour front desk allows for express check-in and check-out and provides an area shuttle
Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No on-site restaurant
Wi-Fi connection can be slow and unreliable
No full gym or business center
Free area shuttle only goes one way
The Layar - Designer Villas and Spa represents exclusive, high-end luxury. This complex of 32 one- to four-bedroom villas frequently sells out a year in advance. Located in Petitenget near the designer boutiques and restaurants in Seminyak (a free shuttle ride or a 10-minute walk from the hotel), the property has a private garden and swimming pool attached to each villa, which also have fully equipped kitchens, large living spaces, and comfortable beds. Villas come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, DVD players, and iPod docks. Bathrooms are large with luxurious tubs and rainfall showers with open-air access. While there is no spa or gym, treatments, yoga, or personal training can be scheduled en-suite. Same goes for meals: breakfast is usually delivered to the villas daily, and room service can also be arranged for lunch and dinner; private chefs and garden barbecues can also be arranged.
Scene
This quiet, private, and upscale property is dotted with individual villas.
Abundant tropical greenery welcomes guests to The Layar - Designer Villas and Spa via the lush circular driveway that leads to the hotel entrance. While the the unadorned stone wall structure gives the exterior of the hotel the look of a fortress, the lobby feels like a little hidden private "cubby." Check-in is quick, and guests are given welcome drinks.
The vibe is exclusive and private -- there aren't even any real common areas, just the front desk and separate villas. It's not surprising that The Layar is popular with honeymooners.
Location
Located in Petitenget, near Seminyak
Located in Petitenget, these luxury villas are only a 10-minute walk to Eat Street and Seminyak Square -- where guests can find designer boutiques, top-notch restaurants, and coffee shops. Gourmet supermarkets are also nearby. TAKSU Bali Gallery and Petitenget Temple are within a 15-minute drive. The area immediately surrounding the hotel is quiet, with a few stores but mostly of other villas and some construction sites. The beach is around a five-minute drive away.
Rooms
Spacious, modern, and super-clean with full kitchens, private pools, and landscaped gardens
Built with uniquely angled, sail-like roofs, The Layar villas feel huge. High ceilings and indoor and outdoor spaces are coupled with modern furnishings and clean lines to give the multiple rooms a comfortable yet classy aesthetic. Ranging from one to four bedrooms, every villa has its own private pool (some also have whirlpools) and beautifully landscaped garden (with a barbecue grill, stone path, and lots of lush tropical vegetation).
The decor is minimalist, with dark-wood floors offset by white and neutral couches, armchairs, platform beds (with quality linens), and other seating areas, and plentiful common spaces. Many of the villas are bi-level, which only adds to the open, luxurious feel. Each of the villas has a nicely outfitted kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, stove, and pots, cups, and utensils, making it very convenient and economical for those who wish to eat meals in. There are also casual kitchen bars with bar stools for less formal dining moments.
Other modern amenities include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, DVD players, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi (which is little slow and a bit spotty). The marble bathrooms are gigantic, with indoor and outdoor spaces. The rainfall showers sometimes have tropical plants sneaking in, and the bath tubs are perfect for a long soak. Dual sinks are also a perk for guests sharing spaces.
Bedrooms are spaced away from one another, so there's a lot of privacy even within the individual villas.
Features
Room service, spa services, and a free area shuttle
While there is no on-site restaurant, room service is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with Asian specialties taking the spotlight, but there is a kids' menu too. Breakfast is included in the room rate and is delivered to each villa. The Layar's private barbecue option, during which dinner is prepared and served in the guests' gardens at sunset, is popular. Guests can hire private chefs, too.
Guests can schedule spa services in their villas. Treatments include the Red Wine Massage (meant to improve circulation and reduce cellulite) and the Chocolate Sensation massage -- aromatherapy that includes chocolate oil, a chocolate body scrub, and a flower bath. Guests can also schedule personal training or yoga classes in their villas.
A free golf cart/buggy will take guests into town a couple times a day, but it's only one way. The hotel has free parking, and renting a car or scooter is a good idea for guests who want to get out on their own and explore.