Maya Retreat

It’s time to step out of the city into a jungle idyll, receding away from external stress and zoning out in the beautifully designed Villa Maya Retreat. Sitting beneath a gorge on the quaint River Penet – on the edge of the charming and peaceful village of Cepaka – this is paradise found in the south-west of Bali.

Alang-alang-thatched pavilions house delightfully-designed Balinese interiors that sing with local colour as the villa was created with two things in mind: socialising and relaxing. The perfect environment for groups or families: an array of seating, lounging and dining areas bring the setting to life with the resplendent green-stone swimming pool and three separate plunge pools adding playful elements to seriously luxurious surrounds. 

Absorb the tropical jungle climate from the garden; hide away in the pool-side balé; or indulge in a private massage – all with beautiful, river-hugging backdrops.

Set within the deeply traditional Tabanan Regency on the outskirts of village Cepaka, this beautiful representation of the Balinese way of life sits in an untouched corner of south-west Bali that has maintained its authenticity despite the rapid modernisation of the island. Amidst the rich jungle flora on the banks of the River Penet, this is the ideal vantage point from which to enjoy the many treasures of the surrounding areas. Known as Bali’s ‘Rice Bowl’ due to the expansive rice terraces that stretch in all directions, villagers continue to operate within the island’s heritage and you can watch as they tend to their fields, frequent religious ceremonies and socialise with one another, as well as the visitors who choose to make their day-trips to the region.

Just 12km away is the awe-inspiring Tanah Lot Sea Temple and its splendid sunsets, whilst the Greg Norman-designed Nirwana golf course is equally accessible. For those looking to catch a wave, Echo Beach – one of the famed swell-magnets of the area – is an 8km drive.

Step into paradise at the Villa Maya Retreat – this relaxation-station centred on open-air lounging and sociable pavilions. The main dining and living areas look out from the pool-side onto verdant jungle, while an additional media room sits in its own private space. DVDs, satellite and plenty of seating; it is a divine temptation. But with such alluring surrounds of the 12m swimming pool and three further outside plunge pools, plus a private massage space and multiple other secret garden hangouts, it is unlikely you will want to settle in front of the big screen.

The master suite has its own private setting with plunge-pool, half-open bathroom and sheltered patio. Further suites lose themselves to the jungle in exclusive riverside environs with thatched roofs, glass doors with views into the leafy yonder and ornate lava-stone rain showers. The final two suites are located on the upper terrace and also enjoy plunge pool privacy, plentiful seating and delightfully tropical bathrooms.

INDOOR LIVING

- Open-sided, fan-cooled dining pavilion /living area overlooking the swimming pool

- 10-seater solid wood dining table

- Fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel worktops and appliances

- TV lounge housed in large pavilion, with 42-inch satellite TV and DVD player, sofas and good collection of magazines and DVDs

- Indonesian artifacts and stone statues throughout

OUTDOOR LIVING

- Lush gardens shaded by tropical rainforest

- Picturesque river bank setting

- 12-metre green stone swimming pool, surrounded by timber deck with sun loungers shaded by white ceremonial umbrellas

- Al fresco dining area overlooking the pool

- Traditional-style bales and secret garden hangouts

- Atmospheric outdoor furnished terrace overhanging the river

- Entrance to the villa by stone stairs carved into a river gorge, alongside a trickling waterfall

MASTER SUITE

- Secluded setting with private garden

- 5-meter plunge pool and timber sundeck overlooking the river

- Semi outdoor bathroom with terrazzo bathtub and rain shower made from black volcanic stone

- Walk-in dressing room

- Small TV lounge

- Sheltered patio with daybed.

- Air Conditioned

RIVERSIDE SUITES

- Three spacious thatch-roofed sleeping pavilions are nestled along the riverbank, with wonderful jungle views

- Indoor sitting areas with rattan sofa and marble topped coffee table

- Glass doors leading to outdoor terrace

- Semi outdoor bathrooms set into stone cliff face with twin vanities and lava stone rain showers

- One suite with terrazzo bath tub, TV and DVD player. The other two equipped with their own music system

- Air Conditioned

UPPER TERRACE SUITES

- Two additional suites are set higher up with scenic valley views

- Plunge pools surrounded by timber deck with sun loungers

- Black rattan sofas with white cushions

- En suite bathrooms with tubs and rain showers – one is semi-open air, the other totally enclosed

- Air Conditioned

This unique setting is the perfect getaway for families and groups searching privacy and comfort. The villa staff will handle your every desire cooking up Indonesian banquets and offering mercurial massages – all within the privacy of your own jungle paradise. The tree-lining affords the most exclusive atmosphere one could imagine as the plants protect from all angles, giving a sense of tranquillity that other spots cannot achieve. 

Should you wish to explore the island (we wonder if you will be able to drag yourself from the villa!), a driver is on call and happy to show you the indulgent delights of Seminyak - just 45-minutes away. A more likely allure is that of the local village of Cepaka - few other Balinese villages have maintained their sense of tradition as tourism quickly takes hold; yet this bastion for island living remains a stronghold of Balinese heritage.