Villa Samadhana by Elite Havens

Villa Samadhana is located in the sleepy seaside village of Ketewel, 13 kilometres from Sanur along Balis south-east coast. Hidden behind coral-limestone walls a few hundred metres from the glistening black shores of Pabean Beach, the villa offers ocean views from the pool area and master bedroom, as well as glimpses of Mount Agung in the distance.

Surrounded by rice fields, tobacco plantations, papaya, banana and coconut groves this is still a very traditional area untouched by tourism, however access to the bypass means it is only a ten-minute drive to Sukawatis art and craft market, fifteen minutes to the cafés and restaurants of Sanur and 30 minutes to the cultural capital of Ubud.

Ketewel itself is the birthplace of the celebrated Legong Bededari Dance, and the neighbouring village of Saba produced the finest Legong dancers on the island. Pabean was once a small port through which oriental traders brought their products; at low tide you can still see the structure of the old harbour, and a Chinese cemetery is located nearby. Balinese Hindu purification ceremonies are held beside the ocean at the sacred Pura Segara sea temple, and the glistening black sandy stretch of coastline is popular with surfers and beachcombers, but swirling currents and a lack of lifeguards make it unsuitable for swimming.

1. If you’ve always dreamt of galloping along the beach at sunset, now’s your chance. Saba Bay stables, can arrange horse riding trails along the black sands and crashing waves at nearby Saba Beach, passing bamboo and alang-alang plantations and local temples.
2. You’re just a 20-minute drive from the historical village of Sanur, Bali’s original tourist enclave.
3. Don’t miss a trip up to Bali’s cultural and artistic hub, Ubud, a 25-minute scenic drive. This is the best place to catch traditional Balinese dance performances – especially at the town’s Royal Palace, magically illuminated at night.
4. Just off the mainland are the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida – both famous for their scuba diving and snorkelling, with excellent dive sites and rich marine life.
5. Bali Safari & Marine Park (7km) offers a fun family day out.
6. Fashionistas and shop-a-holics should drive over to the west coast – around 45 minutes away – where you’ll find Bali’s most cosmopolitan enclave, Seminyak.
7. The most exclusive Bali trekking tour promises breath-taking vistas and heart-warming encounters while supporting sustainable social change in the once-forgotten villages of Muntigunung.
8. The stretch of beach between Sanur and Ketewel is well known as a surfer’s heaven. but beginners should beware of strong, swirling currents. Good breaks can be found at Keramas, Ketewel and Cucukan.
9. Pulau Dive Charters offers luxury boat charters around the beautiful islands and waters surrounding Bali. Perfect for a family day out on the water or with a group of friends.
10. Covering 3.8 hectares of tropical parkland in Kuta, Waterbom Bali has 16 water slides to entertain the young and the young at heart.