Let’s not be coy: having a pool to call your very own is one of the best things about staying in a villa. However, all too often pools are designed more with appearance than usability in mind. Sure, that sleek infinity pool looks great in photos – but how do you actually get in and out of it? When it comes to pools, a pretty façade and safe access shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. Here’s our guide to finding the perfect villa with a safe and accessible pool, whether that means safe splashing for the kiddos or easy access for the grown ups.
Kids’ Pools
One of the best ways to let the kids enjoy your villa’s pool safely is to choose a villa with a designated shallow pool for the kids. This could mean a separate shallow section built into the main pool or an individual kiddie pool located away from the main swimming pool. These are a few of our favourite villas with a purposefully built shallow pool for the kids. As an added bonus, villas with kids’ pools tend to be family friendly in other ways too and often come with complimentary children’s equipment or children’s bedrooms.
Villa Umah Daun
Nestled in the laid-back Umalas neighbourhood, Villa Umah Daun offers peaceful family friendly surroundings but it’s also just minutes away from Seminyak and trendy Canggu. The villa’s 16-metre swimming pool incorporates a 6 x 4 metre shallow section that’s 0.6 metres deep. And since you’re bringing the kids, it doesn’t exactly hurt that Villa Umah Daun also comes with a fun playroom with PlayStation 3.
Villa Sayang d’Amour
Villa Sayang d’Amour is easily one of the best kept secrets in trendy Seminyak. Tucked in a private lane practically next door to Potato Head and the W (don’t worry, no noise carries over), this huge six-bedroom mansion comes with large gardens and some of the most decadent bathrooms we have ever seen. Oh, and then there are the pools. The 20-metre main pool is flanked by a 6 x 3 metre kiddie pool that’s just 30 centimetres deep – perfect for the little ones to splash around in.
Villa Kavya
Overall, Villa Kavya is a great villa for families. The villa’s clever layout allows parents to keep an eye on the kids at all times, including time spent in and around the pool. Villa Kavya’s large gardens have both a large 15-metre main pool and a smaller 7 x 4 metre pool for the kids, measuring at 0.5 metres deep. Villa Kavya also offers a great location in Canggu, with Finns Recreation Club and the family friendly Joglo restaurant close by.
Pool Fences
Regardless of whether your villa has a kids’ pool or simply a main pool for the whole family, one of the most important safety measures is to arrange a pool fence to keep the little ones away from the water when not supervised. As a rule, none of the villas in Bali have a permanent pool fence in place so this will always need to be arranged prior to check in. If you want to get off easy, go for a child friendly villa with a pool fence included in the daily rates. Here are a few of our all-time favourites.
Villa Noa
Villa Noa is one of our favourite villas in Seminyak, not least because this three-bedroom number is incredibly well-equipped for families. Villa Noa’s complimentary in-house equipment includes two baby cots, a high chair and a bamboo pool fence. The pool also includes wide steps, so you don’t have to dive straight into the deep end. Villa Noa is located in the very heart of Seminyak – just walk out from the villa’s private lane and you’ll be on Eat Street.
Chandra Villas
Chandra Villas is another great option for families looking to stay in the heart of Seminyak. These beautiful private pool villas are some of our all-time favourites for families, with everything from baby cots to high chairs included in the rates. An iron pool fence can also be installed free of charge. Staying in a villa complex like Chandra is a great option if you’re a first time visitor to Bali as the fully staffed estate has the secure feel of a resort.
Chimera Villas
Chimera Villas is a private complex of three incredibly stylish villas located in the heart of Seminyak, walking distance to Eat Street and Ku De Ta, one of the best family friendly beach clubs in Bali. The villas have large tropical gardens and the pool is located a good distance away from the house which makes it safer for kids. Chimera Villas also offer a mesh pool fence free of charge. A sturdier bamboo fence is available at an additional charge.
If the villa you choose does not have a pool fence included in the rates, not to worry: our concierge team can help arrange one for a reasonable fee. Read more about hiring children’s equipment in our Bali villas.
Pool Rails
Pool safety is not just for kids. Grown ups should also feel safe and secure while getting in and out of the pool. Most swimming pools in Bali do not include handrails, so if having a little added support is a priority, you can contact our team and our villa specialists will look up those rare villas which do include pool rails. Here are a few options to get you started.
Villa Paloma
Villa Paloma’s large swimming pool can be safely accessed through ladders and rails from the master bedroom’s terrace. In fact, this Canggu villa has two pools. One is a huge main pool and the other a smaller plunge pool. Villa Paloma has a huge garden and the location is great too – you’re just minutes away from Canggu’s trendy restaurants.
Villa Cemadik
Villa Cemadik’s lagoon pool is located away from the main house making it safer for kids. The metal handrails mean grown ups can also access the pool safely. Villa Cemadik is a great villa when you simply want to relax and unwind, surrounded as the villa is by Ubud’s tranquil rice fields, away from the hustle and bustle. The villa has three bedrooms and represent terrific value in Bali’s spiritual heartland.
One Eleven
One Eleven offers safe pools and high style exclusively for the grown ups. Located in central Seminyak, this designer estate is an adults only destination perfect for romantic getaways or even for hosting intimate weddings. Though getting in and out is easy, you’ll hardly need to leave the pool at all as One Eleven’s private one-bedroom villas include dedicated butler service. Cocktails and cigars by the pool, anyone?
Pools with Wide Steps
Most pools in Bali do not feature handrails, but that doesn’t mean getting in and out from the pool should be a pain. A lot of pools feature wide steps which mean you can wade into the waters slowly instead of plunging head first into the deep end. These fabulous villas have pools with wide steps, making accessing the pool a breeze.
The Layar
The Layar is the perfect example of cutting edge design meeting functionality. These beautifully designed 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom villas feature a private swimming pool each, with wide steps leading down to the deep end. The Layar is the place to stay when you really don’t want to lift a finger, with each of the stunning villas serviced by a butler. If your own private pool is not enough, The Layar is also located just around the corner from Potato Head and Mrs Sippy.
Villa Tangram
Villa Tangram is a fantastic villa for families and large groups with its fun bunk room and central location in sought after Seminyak. Villa Tangram’s 12 x 5 metre swimming pool features generous steps so accessing the pool is made easy for swimmers of all ages. If you’re travelling with the extended family, Villa Tangram can be booked together with Villa Abakoi to create a large 12-bedroom villa.
Lataliana Villa One
Lataliana Villa One is perfect for travellers who prefer the finer things in life – and also want to have safe access to the pool. This five-bedroom villa exudes an air of Balinese luxury and the beautiful lagoon pool is accessible via generous steps leading down to the deep end. Part of the exclusive Lataliana Villa estate, Lataliana Villa One is centrally located in Seminyak – but with a villa so beautiful and pool so inviting, why would you ever want to leave?
Finding a Bali villa with a private pool is easy. Finding a Bali villa with a pool that’s safe and accessible for kids and grown ups alike is a whole other story. If you don’t feel like doing all that detective work by yourself, leave it to us. Contact our team and let our villa specialists help you find a villa that ticks all the boxes.
