It’s almost that time of year when the days are short and sunshine is only a distant memory. The Elysian Villas Bali is here to the rescue and calls all hedonists to plan their escape! Bali boasts plenty of fabulous resorts to cure the winter blues, but in terms of affordable luxury, The Elysian tops them all. Twenty-six villas await, each featuring its own eight-metre pool set in a lush walled garden. The self-contained units are grouped around a main pool with linen-draped cabanas and an open pavilion, which houses the reception, the spa, as well as the restaurant and bar.

The Inspiration
Brian Quirk, the architect behind The Elysian, explains his vision: “Our intention was to design a magical place that was modern yet also timeless. We conceived the resort as a small village, populated with 26 villas, each its own cocoon, with connecting pathways that are landscaped as a natural trail. The architecture and selection of furniture, lighting and artworks also have a Balinese mood, but are expressed in a modern language.”

Henry Brett, the creative mind and Managing Director behind The Elysian adds: “What is also an important part of what we call ‘The Elysian Experience’ are the people. The staff make each guest feel they are in a magical place through a service approach that is effortlessly gracious, attentive yet invisible, genuinely warm and delightfully friendly.”
Private Paradise
Once checked in to their villa, guests may never want to leave it. With a size of 140 square metres, each private hideaway provides generous space. Oversized wood-framed windows and doors fold open to allow a seamless flow between the interior living space and private garden. Each pool measures eight by three metres and is bordered by a timber sundeck with two daybeds. A shallow part of the pool runs below the overhanging lounge roof and forms a perfect place to relax semi submerged.

All villas feature an open-plan living space and bedroom with either king or twin beds. Bathrooms are equipped with showers sunken in the ground and open glazed skyline slits provide a feeling of being outdoors. Interiors are dominated by a soothing palette of earthy tones. The use of natural materials such as volcanic stones, raw teak, timber and slate pay homage to the building traditions of the island.

The Elysian provides round-the-clock room service for guests who don’t want to leave their private retreat. In addition, a private chef can also be booked for a romantic dinner or barbeque feast. Gadget geeks and television junkies are kept happy as well with a pre-loaded iPod and Bose sound system, a DVD/CD player, 40-channel television and WiFi. A well-stocked mini bar, complimentary water, tea and coffee are available all day long.
Get Up and Go
Should a social mood strike after all this privacy, guests can head to Rush Bamboo poolside café and bar and let their taste buds indulge in one of the Mediterranean and Indonesian specialities, such as Grilled Tuna Steak or Elysian Gado Gado, a traditional Balinese dish. They can also swim in the resort’s 25-metre main pool, chill out in one of the linen-draped cabanas, or book a massage or a “Jet-lag free” treatment at The Elysian Spa.

For the more adventurous types, The Elysian’s Guest Experience Manager designs and leads excursions according to guests’ specific interests. With their local expert, guests will discover Bali’s best, from pristine beaches and historic temples to shops selling traditional crafts and boutiques with designer brands.

With its ideal location in Seminyak on the west coast of Bali, The Elysian is next to the island’s chicest boutiques, as well as hip bars and restaurants, such as Living Room and Ku De Ta. The resort also provides a free shuttle service to the centre of town and the nearby white-sand beaches. 

Affordable Luxury
Villa rates start from 240 US Dollars and include two way airport transfers, daily breakfast, a welcome drink upon arrival, a fruit basket, complimentary mineral water, coffee and tea as well as complimentary beach drop off and pick up. www.designhotels.com/elysian