In Bali’s ever-growing tourism scene, five-star resorts have long dominated beachfronts and booking platforms.
But a different kind of stay is quietly gaining ground—private villas, often fully staffed, offering not just privacy but the ability to design an experience around the people you’re with.
For families, friend groups, or small event hosts, the appeal is logistical as much as it is aesthetic: Villas offer the kind of space traditional hotels rarely match—multiple bedrooms under one roof, shared living areas, and outdoor spaces that are yours alone.
A 20-meter pool doesn’t have to be shared with strangers. Breakfast happens when the group decides. Yoga or tennis sessions can be scheduled on a whim. The rhythm of the day revolves entirely around the guests, not resort timetables and pre-determined schedules.
More Travelers, Fewer Tourists
Private villa stays have become particularly appealing for travelers looking to reconnect—with family, with old friends, or even with colleagues. After years of interrupted travel during COVID, for instance, the ability to stay together in one place—rather than scattered across hotel floors—has become a deciding factor.
It’s a shift that hospitality companies across Bali have taken note of. One of them is Elite Havens, which manages a portfolio of villas across Asia, including high-end beachfront properties in Canggu, Ubud, and the Bukit Peninsula.
Among its larger offerings is Arnalaya Beach House, a five-bedroom villa in Canggu that can host up to 12 guests.
The layout is designed with groups in mind—spacious enough for extended families or retreats, yet self-contained enough for privacy.
The lawn stretches toward the beach, a shaded pavilion is used for dinners or yoga sessions, and a separate gym can be converted into an extra bedroom.
A team of staff handles daily operations, including a private chef and concierge services for in-villa massages, childcare, or excursions. Meals are customized, and transport is included for local travel.
Rethinking Cost and Convenience
There’s also a quiet rethinking of cost: private villas are often perceived as high-end.
Though, when divided among a group of eight or ten, a US$3.500-per-night villa like Arnalaya becomes comparable to a cluster of hotel suites, with more room to spread out and added services like private meals, daily housekeeping, and transport included.
Not Just a Place to Stay
Ultimately, the draw of villa travel isn’t just about amenities. It’s about flexibility. Villas don’t require guests to conform to a fixed idea of what a vacation should be. They serve as blank slates—spaces where time, meals, and activities are shaped by the needs of the group rather than preset schedules.
That model may not be for everyone. But for those traveling with people they already know—and wanting a stay that centers around that experience—villas like Arnalaya are increasingly becoming the default, not the exception.
If this model suits you, you may book a villa through providers like Elite Havens.
