A grass-roofed entrance on the road into Seminyak belies the expansive property behind it. Rumah Batu is a spacious, very private residence that would suit families or groups looking for a place either to relax in peace or party, close to Bali's most popular tourist areas. Plenty of creativity has gone into the design and although the villa has a strong cultural connection, with strikingly original rounded, Bali-stone buildings and a vast, temple-like living pavilion, it's also functional. The moulded concrete beds (all three with king size mattresses), built-in storage spaces and cushioned, stone sofas, mean there's little clutter, which is ideal if there are kids running around. Sturdy wooden furniture complements the brushed concrete interiors and despite the artistic decor, you don't feel the need to tread carefully.

The garden-view living/dining space is an airy place to pass the days and evenings, with occasional trips to the walled pool deck for swimming and tanning sessions. The latter is a bit of a heat trap during the day, even with a large tree shading part of the pool and an outdoor shower to cool off in. Once back in the ornate living pavilion, terrazzo tiling and a tight, thatched roof with three ceiling fans keep things cooler. There's a modest, but adequate sound system with satellite TV/DVD for added entertainment. The gazebo at the end of the garden is a bookworm's dream - lying on cushions surrounded by bamboo and banana trees, you will soon lose yourself to the narrative. The poolside pavilion is an equally appealing place to recline (although also a little warm during the day), a spot for informal meals or evening gatherings.

No staff live onsite, but two maids attend during the day and double as cooks for breakfast and lunch (cash advance for provisioning). You can hire a chef for evening meals, but with Seminyak so close by, dining out is hard to resist. There's a guard at the gate all night, so no need for keys.

Although not a beach lovers' idyll (it's a three kilometre drive to the main beach in Seminyak). Rumah Batu is full of Balinese spirit and offers a self-contained, private retreat close to the island's best shopping, dining and entertainment options.

• Main Dining (6 persons)
• Dish Washer
• Tumble Dryer
• DVD Library
• Ceiling Fans
• Food Starter Pack
• High Chairs
• Hotplates
• IDD
• Internet (WiFi)
• Iron/Board
• Equipped Kitchen
• Laundry Service (Sent out)
• BBQ
• Bed Linen
• Car
• Car Parking
• Air-con
• Baby Cot
• Food Menu
• Safe
• CD Player/Stereo System
• Swimming Pool (Private)
• Toiletries
• Towels
• TV (Satellite/Cable)
• Wine Fridge
• Wine List
• Security
• Babysitter
• Housekeeping (Full time)
• Chef/Cook (Restricted hrs)
• Manager
• Masseuse/Spa Therapist

Period	Net Rates
from 15 April 2012 to 14 June 2012	$ 324.5
from 15 June 2012 to 14 July 2012	$ 495
from 15 July 2012 to 15 August 2012	$ 544.5
from 16 August 2012 to 15 September 2012	$ 495
from 16 September 2012 to 14 December 2012	$ 324.5
from 15 December 2012 to 15 January 2013	$ 544.5

Wooden doors open onto an expansive, walled courtyard with a free-form pool surrounded by wooden decking. To the right is a spacious gazebo decorated with stone ornaments and a wide, built-in, L-shaped sofa and long, wooden table. The first of three bedrooms sits in a unique, round, Bali-stone building with a raised stone bed base, king-sized mattress and draped mosquito netting. Small double doors open onto an outdoor covered bathroom with rain shower (very hot during the day). This bedroom, along with the other two, has air conditioning, but no TV.

On the far side of the pool, a wide pavilion resembles an ornate, Balinese temple. Small doors open into a narrow reception and storage space with low ceiling and unusual circular steps to a small mezzanine deck overlooking the main living area (it's furnished with a net-draped mattress, but doesn't qualify as an extra bedroom). To the left, the second bedroom boasts wooden floors and another built-in king bed draped with arabesque netting, surrounded by recessed storage spaces. Wooden shutters open onto the pool courtyard. This bedroom has no ensuite but to the right of the pavilion entrance is a spacious bathroom resembling a Turkish bath, with a circular tub and fitted shower all under draped netting. A huge round mirror is decorated with conch shells and an open archway connects to the toilet (no door).

From the bathroom, a door opens straight into the equipped kitchen, complete with water dispenser, fridge freezer, basic gas hob and sink. This overlooks the open-plan living/dining area, which opens (no doors) directly onto a long, lawned garden. Inside, there's a wooden daybed, a seven-seater wooden dining table and a 10-seater built-in, cushioned sofa plus three Balinese armchairs. Wall-mounted bamboo lamps provide gentle lighting and three brass ceiling fans cool the entire space. At one end of the large sofa there's 15-inch flat-screen TV with satellite, DVD and surround-sound speakers.

The living pavilion steps onto a small patio with sun beds, then stepping stones lead to the third bedroom; another fascinating, round, stone structure with sliding French doors and windows on two sides. A central, built-in, king bed almost fills the room, with built-in storage behind and a door through to the indoor shower room with rain shower and wooden decked flooring. At the bottom of garden, a second gazebo provides a shady spot to read, lying on large cushions looking back at the villa's thatched buildings.

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