Villa Semana

The Villa Semana is an upscale and romantic property for adults that is built around the Ayung River. The quiet and private setting -- which doesn’t allow children under 12 -- attracts mostly couples and honeymooners. Many of the hotel’s staff members are from Semana village and the approach to customer service is personal. There’s no lobby, and check-in takes place in the villa. Riverside lounge areas are placed through the tropical property that features lily ponds, palms, thatched-roof buildings, and rice terrace views. A wooden planked terrace and bale, or gazebo, hang over the flowing river. The hillside location, however, has some steep steps. Overall the atmosphere is intimate and private. 

The hotel is located in a secluded area in Semana village, surrounded by rice terraces and along the Ayung River. It’s not a walkable area with shops or restaurants nearby. Morning walks into the village -- through the rice fields and along the river -- are led by hotel staff. The property offers a free shuttle to Ubud (20 minutes) where there’s the Ubud Palace, markets stalls, restaurants, and nightlife. It’s a 20-minute drive to Sacred Monkey Forest. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is over an hour away by car. The Blanco Renaissance Museum is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Driving to the Campuhan Ridge Walk takes 20 minutes. The Elephant Safari Park requires a 30-minute car trip.

Four types of villas feature rustic, stylish designs with Balinese flair, stone tile floors, original artwork by Gede Sudarma, canopy beds with mosquito nets, intricate carvings, and pools with lounge chairs. The two-story Semana Suite features wooden floors, an open-air dining room, a kitchenette with optional butler service, a large garden, two bathrooms, a thatched-roof gazebo, a sundeck with a champagne cooler, and river views. Pool Deluxe Villas have open-air living rooms, lily ponds, outdoor showers, and rice paddy views. The two-bedroom Pool Duplex Villa has a lotus pond, spiral staircase, outdoor shower, two bathrooms, and river plus rice paddy views. Pool Garden Villas have garden views and outdoor rainfall showerheads. Open bathrooms feature hairdryers and sunken bathtubs. All villas have flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, CD players, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, universal adapter outlets, umbrellas, bathrobes, slippers, safes, free Wi-Fi, daily fruit baskets, free bottled water, twice daily housekeeping, and 24-hour room service. 

Villa Semana has an infinity edge pool that overlooks the river, offering a deck with brown wicker lounge chairs and umbrellas. Free afternoon tea is served poolside. The Ayung River also runs by the charming Semana Spa, which features gazebo treatment rooms and a lovely soaking tub that’s set in a pond surrounded by the forest landscape.  

The Pondok Restaurant -- with poolside service -- offers casual Balinese and Thai dining in a thatched-roof hut, with forest views and stylish rattan chairs. Organic ingredients from the hotel’s gardens are incorporated into the cuisine. Candlelit dinners can be accommodated on the riverside terrace. Shawls, on cold nights, and reading glasses are available at the restaurant. Walking or driving outings to the rice fields and Kintamani crater are offered. Cooking classes (with trips to the local market), cycling tours, yoga, and meditation classes are also available. The hotel provides a reliable, free shuttle with round-trip service to Ubud. Wi-Fi is free throughout.