Villa Shantika3BR Villa with Lap Pool and Big Garden off Jalan Drupadi, Seminyak

Villa Shantika is on a gang off Jalan Drupadi, the street that runs between Dhyana Pura and Eat Street, which is about as central as Seminyak gets. What you would not expect at that address is the garden: 480 m² of mature trees, lawn and frangipani, with a lap pool running down the middle of it and rattan daybeds on timber decking along one side.

The living pavilion is open-sided and faces the water directly — from the sofa to the pool is a couple of steps. Above it, a mezzanine under the same pitched roof works as a second, quieter sitting room, with a large book collection and a television.

Three bedrooms, all with king beds, all with their own open-air en-suite bathroom. The master has a freestanding terrazzo tub under the sky, which is the detail people remember.

Double Six beach and the bars along it are about 800 metres away — walkable for sunset, and close enough that you can leave the car where it is.

The living pavilion sits open on two sides under a high timber roof with white drapes, deep sofas and a low table, looking straight out over the pool. A staircase leads up to the mezzanine, a carpeted lounge with cushions, a television and shelves of books — the spot people end up in during the afternoon heat.

The dining pavilion holds a long timber table for eight beneath a dramatic pitched ceiling, and the kitchen alongside is properly equipped with a full oven and range, large fridge and generous stone counters.

Outside, the pool runs the length of the garden, edged by timber decking with round rattan daybeds and umbrellas. The garden is the unusual part for this location — mature pandanus and frangipani, lawn, and stepping stones between the pavilions.

All three bedrooms have king beds, air conditioning and their own tropical open-air en-suite with stone basins and a garden shower. The master adds a television and a freestanding terrazzo bathtub open to the sky.

Two staff look after the villa, with a guest assistant, gardener and pool service. There is a back-up generator, which in this part of Bali is not a small thing.