Aksari Villa Seminyak by Ini Vie Hospitality ★★★★★

Step through the gates of your pura and into an open pavilion, framed by elegant trees. In the bright, lofty reception area, you are greeted by the smiling faces of welcoming staff at the five-star Aksari Villa, who lead you towards your private palace.

Your path is lined by luscious vegetation – long, lime-green grasses, towering palms and voluptuous ferns. As you are led deeper into your very own primeval forest, it becomes apparent why the word pura originated from the Sanskrit word for ‘walled city’. You are bordered on each side by a protective wall, a soaring guardian ensuring utmost privacy and peace.

You reach your villa and step inside, immediately struck by the space of the pitched ceiling and circular mirrors that hang on the wall. The décor is a fusion of modern luxury and traditional Balinese design, where intricate lanterns and bamboo furniture abide in harmony with marble tiles, a lavish rainfall shower and modern kitchen facilities.

Hints of turquoise accent the predominantly ivory interior, and draw your eye to another shade of blue – the one that lies beyond the large French doors. Outside is pure heaven: your private glittering pool and inviting Jacuzzi, cloistered in private verdant gardens. Fixing a cocktail, dive straight onto the opulent double sunbed that extends out into the pool, great for simultaneously reclining and dipping a toe. If the pool’s not enough, the perfect beachside location promises many a carefree meander by the azure-blue sea.