Villa Shamira

Completed in 1990, Villa Shamira was the second western-design villa to be built in Canggu village. Back then, the property had open views across endless rice fields all the way to the black-sand beach. Despite inevitable development - no doubt accelerated by its proximity to world-class surf and to hip, vibrant Seminyak - Canggu is still a peaceful seaside community.

Villa Shamira is not just another Bali rental property or showcase villa; rather it is a genuine family residence that has evolved with the local community over the years and now offers an idyllic home-from-home holiday experience for extended families and groups of friends. Well-thumbed books line shelves, original photos hang on the walls and long-serving local staffs welcome guests warmly: you can almost sense the years of laughter and happiness reverberating throughout the house.

This four - bedroom residence (plus additional lumbung bedroom), set in lush tropical gardens, belies its age and has been thoughtfully updated with modern comforts and luxuries as it has matured. Contemporary tropical Asian influences - timelessly stylish yet informal and comfortable - complement the villa`s solid western architecture. There are so many inviting indoor-outdoor living spaces at Shamira, including several dining areas, hidden patios and a poolside bale (gazebo), that it`s quite a challenge to fully enjoy them all. These, along with its charming bedrooms and a centre-stage 12m swimming pool surrounded by a sociably-sized stone pool deck, make Villa Shamira ideal for entertaining in style and lounging in luxurious comfort.

Accommodation
Set within private tropical gardens, Villa Shamira is western-style in design, comprising three, yellow-hued buildings topped with tiled roofing. Quality materials, including teak, distressed woods, marble and Palimanan stone are used throughout. The ground floor of the central, double-storey building houses a large, open-sided living and dining area, TV room, kitchen and bathroom. On the upper floor, three bedrooms and an outdoor dining patio are accessed via a teakwood staircase.

To the left of the main building and accessed via a garden patio stands a single-storey detached wing aptly named `the garden room`, containing bedroom number four. A separate wooden staircase to the right of the living and dining area leads to an extra bedroom (without en-suite bathroom), known as the `lumbung` room - its distinctive curved roof a clue to the traditional touches that lie within. All three buildings face the swimming pool which is surrounded by a large stone deck edged by lush foliage.

Bedrooms
Shamira`s four main bedrooms are stylish and understated. All are air-conditioned and furnished with king-size beds canopied with soft white cotton mosquito netting over crisp white linens and piles of comfy pillows.

Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is reminiscent of a romantic boudoir in a French chateau- incorporating both bedroom and sitting areas. It features teak floors, a walk-in wardrobe and a wrought-iron four-poster bed, flanked by matching baby cot, also draped with mosquito netting. The large, flat-screen TV (for DVDs only) can be viewed from the bed or from the white suede sofas and armchair. The indulgent en-suite bathroom includes a vanity area and raised free-standing bathtub. Doors from here lead out onto a private patio area with rattan furniture, prettily edged with bougainvillea and potted plants - a lovely spot for breakfast.

Bedrooms Two and Three
Perhaps more `English country cottage` than `French Chateau` in ambiance, bedrooms two and three, like the master, lead off from a cozy, purple-hued first floor landing. Bedroom two is the larger of the pair. Both rooms share a small bathroom with shower.

Bedroom Four - The Garden Room
The appropriately named garden room is surrounded by leafy foliage. Glass-encased, and with distressed wood floors, sunlit bedroom four has a contemporary Asian feel; however the en-suite bathroom with walk-in rain shower does include a trademark chandelier! Doors at the far side lead out to the pool deck, while doors at the front open onto a stone patio with a table and four chairs.

Extra Bedroom - The Lumbung Room
Villa Shamira offers an extra bedroom, designed to resemble a Balinese rice barn, or lumbung, with wooden floors, a high ceiling and narrow doors, plus a miniscule but divine balcony overlooking the pool, furnished with a vintage rocking chair and armchair. This room does not have an en-suite bathroom but guests can use the glorious, tropical bathroom adjacent to the living and dining area. Crafted entirely from Palimanan stone, this semi-open bathroom boasts an indulgent, sunken stone bathtub and expansive, open-air tropical rain shower.

Living, Dining, Kitchen and TV Rooms
A contemporary tropical Asian style pervades at the heart of Villa Shamira where the expansive, open-sided living and dining area, fringed with foliage and cooled by natural breezes and ceiling fans, provides a variety of relaxed, informal living spaces. Throughout, there`s an eclectic mix of family photos, brimming bookcases, vases of tropical blooms, and antique Indonesian furniture and artifacts.

Facing the pool, a marble-floored dining area with a low sloping white timber roof above a long wooden table for ten, affords a boathouse effect. Flanking either side is a pretty blue and white cushioned daybed and a traditional-style seating area on a raised platform, providing two sublime spots for pre-dinner drinks. Adjacent, there`s a smaller dining area for more intimate soirees.

Two further dining tables and an antique daybed stacked with white cushions furnish the centre of the living and dining area while, at the far end, is the expansive TV room. Functional in design, this air-conditioned and entirely glass-encased room houses the villa`s only TV - a 40-inch flat-screen satellite TV with DVD player - which can be enjoyed from the comfort of white suede couches. A CD stereo system, iPod dock and multiple speakers provided are perfect accompaniments for get-togethers and pool parties. Also off the living and dining area is a modern corner kitchen, fully-fitted with white painted wood cabinets, which is compact, yet well-equipped.

Garden, Pool and Bale
The pretty, natural stone, 6 x 12m swimming pool dominates the garden to the rear of the villa; its submerged ledge just made for sunset drinks. A generous stone pool deck is furnished with five rattan sun-loungers. To the right, four woven rattan pod chairs and a large table are stunningly illuminated at night by a spherical lantern resembling a golden moon.

At the pool`s opposite end stands a thatched bale stacked with comfy cushions - a gloriously peaceful spot for reading and siestas - while along the sides of the villa, yet more outdoor sitting areas can be found. The gardens feature lawns dissected with stone steps and edged by lush, tropical flora, such as banana plants and tall palm fronds, encircled by a combination of stone walls and bamboo fencing.