VILLA MAYA RETREAT

Villa Maya Retreat rests at the base of a gorge on the banks of the Penet River in the pretty village of Cepaka on Bali’s south-western coast. This utterly private paradise is all about time out, and time together – for both relaxation and socialising. The tropical architecture and interiors pay tribute to traditional Balinese design, with open-sided alang-alang thatched living pavilions facing the 12-metre green-stone swimming pool, and six individual bedroom pavilions – three with plunge pools – thoughtfully laid out to maximise privacy and views. There are loads of outdoor living spaces among the lush jungle gardens too: after lunch on the dining deck, retreat to the shade of the poolside bale, enjoy a massage in the large curtain-swathed garden bale, or sip pre-dinner drinks on the lounge terrace overhanging the river.