Yes, this is the stuff dreams are made of…
White sands, blue ocean, and a few palm trees swaying in the breeze. A beach house where you get to stay with all of your favourite people, with a private chef to whip up meals and a team of staff to clean up after.
Unfortunately, that dream can come with an eye watering price tag. The beachfront villas in Canggu, Seminyak, Koh Samui, Maldives, and Polynesia are among the most expensive in the world.
Luckily, there is an alternative.
If you venture beyond the beaten path, you can discover the most amazing beachfront villas at a fraction of the price. In our experience, driving an hour up the coast in Bali or travelling way down south in Sri Lanka is definitely worth it. The setting is stunning, the villas are gorgeous – and they offer amazing value for money.
Our favourite hidden gem beachfront villas
There are beachfront villas… and then there is this slice of paradise. South Point Villa offers the most amazing setting: built on a little peninsula, the villa offers 270-degree ocean views from its patio. Trust us – this is very, very rare. Guests enjoy direct access to a dreamy beach and if you’re lucky, you might just spot the owner’s beautiful horses strolling down the sand.
Our stay at South Point Villa was magical. We loved the Sri Lankan design of the villa and still reminisce about the beachfront meals the chef prepared for us. If you’re travelling with a bigger group, check out their sister property South Point Ocean.
Villa Stella is one of our favourites. The villa is located in the charming village of Candidasa, about a two-hour drive from the busy streets and beaches of Seminyak. And what a difference those two hours make!
Villa Stella is built right on the water’s edge and feels like a private bubble of luxury. The dominantly white villa is beautifully designed, and the palm dotted gardens are gorgeous. While the villa doesn’t have beach access (the property sits a few metres above the water), the seaside setting is incredibly relaxing, and the ocean views are to die for.
Our stellar stay in Candidasa included gorgeous Indonesian food served outside on the patio and incredibly attentive service from the villa staff. The amazing bathtubs also deserve a special mention. Villa Stella has three bedrooms, but if you’re needing more space, you can book this villa in conjunction with Villa Lucia which is located right next door.
When we feel the stress mounting and find ourselves in need of a tropical getaway, we hop on a plane to Vanuatu. Located less than three hours from Brisbane, this beautiful islet offers the perfect dose of sea, sand, and sun. Rockpools has quickly become our homebase for enjoying this paradise to the fullest.
This five-bedroom villa captures Vanuatu’s laid-back lifestyle with its boho chic interiors and amazing location right by the water. Our days at Rockpools were spent kayaking, swimming in the pool, and sipping sunset drinks on the deck. Another highlight are the natural rockpools waiting right outside the villa. The water is crystal clear and the whole setup feels magical.
Escape Bali’s crowded beaches and discover a private beachfront haven in Villa Pushpapuri. This four-bedroom villa is located on a serene beach in southeast Bali, with gorgeous tropical gardens giving way to velvety black sand. Here there are no crowds and no distractions. Instead, you and your group get to enjoy the villa and each other to the fullest.
Villa Pushpapuri is decorated in beautiful Balinese style that’ll help you feel rooted in your Balinese surroundings. In fact, the villa resembles your own Balinese palace! The swimming pool is stunning and offers picture-perfect views of the beach. No wonder past guests have described this villa as “paradise on earth.”
Wow wow wow. Talalla House is one of the best villas we’ve ever stayed in. This designer gem is hidden down south in Talalla and provides direct access to an oft deserted beach. Surrounded by palm trees, the villa also boasts beautiful gardens and a fabulous rooftop terrace. To say that we are fans would be an understatement!
During our stay at Talalla House, we were floored by the villa’s sublime surroundings and wowed by the gracious service. We enjoyed strolls on the beach, borrowed books from the villa’s impressive collection, and were absolutely spoiled rotten by the staff. From rooftop cocktails to gourmet dinners, absolutely nothing was too much trouble. Oh, and the sunset views were out of this world.
When you want to get away from it all and surround yourself with tropical beauty, The Cove is the place to be. This incredible villa is hidden on Bali’s west coast, away from the noise and traffic. The villa is surrounded by lush greenery, with a lagoon pool perched right above the beach. You even have your very own cave to explore! You and your group will feel like the only people in the world in the best possible way.
If the setting is superb then so is the service. The team will make you feel right at home and will see to it that your every need and whim is met. They will be happy to prepare meals, daytrips, massages… whatever your heart desires. This is one of those villas that have guests returning year after year.
Tranquil paradise awaits at Villa Mawella. This large, eight-bedroom villa is hugged by beautiful green gardens that give out to a golden sand beach. There’s a huge pool to splash in and most days, you might just have that beach all to yourself.
Our team drove down to this hidden gem of a villa and we all fell in love with the place. The villa staff is very professional and expertly met our every need. We enjoyed a wonderful feast of Sri Lankan and western favourites and loved enjoying our breakfast out by the pool. Another highlight was exploring the local area on a tuk-tuk!
Driving away from Bali’s most crowded areas, you would never anticipate discovering this grand palace. Facing a near-deserted beach covered in volcanic black sand, Jeeva Saba Estate oozes opulence.
This lavish villa is adorned with shimmering chandeliers, ornate woodwork, fine China, grand vases, and opulent textiles. It all feels very “Downton Abbey meets Bali”! It’s hardly surprising that this massive eight-bedroom property is a very popular wedding venue – imagine saying your “I do’s” in this heavenly setting!
Staying at Jeeva Saba Estate was the most luxurious “on the edge of the world” experience. We loved exploring the beach and even discovered a sea turtle conservation centre close by. The chef prepared the most amazing banquet – it’s still one of the best meals we’ve ever had in Bali!
Leave Bali behind and jet off to Nusa Lembongan. Located just 30 minutes from Bali, this small island has a more relaxed and laidback air compared to its renowned neighbour. Katoni Villa is the perfect spot for soaking in the ambiance, with the villa positioned right by a dreamy lagoon. From the villa’s firepit, you’ll enjoy front row views of the clear blue sea and farmers tending to their seaweed crops.
Katoni Villa has a sunny and welcoming feel to it – just what you want from a beach house. The villa sleeps up to nine guests in four bedrooms and features the most divine swimming pool. We love how easy it is to enjoy the villa’s beautiful surroundings to the fullest. You can gather up in the firepit, enjoy alfresco meals by the sand, chill out in the pergola by the pool, or do a little yoga session up on the terrace. Perfect!
True, The Seed Bali is not exactly a steal… but it’s simply too good not to share. Hidden in tranquil Candidasa, this villa is more akin to a private resort. The villa spans multiple pavilions, and it’s framed by a private man-made beach. The palm fringed scenery is like something out of a dream – and that’s not even mentioning all the amazing features.
The Seed Bali will keep you and your crew entertained for days on end. The eight-bedroom villa features an underground cinema, fabulous games room, outdoor gym, sauna, and a steam room. The lagoon pool has a jump tower attached, and the cinema room can be transformed into a karaoke room or even a private nightclub. Perhaps the most decadent feature of all is the villa’s own private restaurant which is exclusive to guests staying in the villa. All we can say is wow!
Ministry of Villas is the quintessential service for travellers booking a villa holiday. We personally inspect every villa to ensure we’re only bringing you the very best. This level of experience and expertise is simply unrivalled in the market.
We know just how important it is to find a villa that matches your vision and caters to your group’s needs. Let us do the ground work for you and help you plan the perfect holiday –contact us.
