I can never get enough of Bali. Bali’s mystical charm, warm friendly people and intriguing culture have always been beckoning and it’s so easy to get enchanted. In my first trip there this year in May, I had a wonderful time in Ubud and Nusa Dua – read about that here and here.
Recently, on my 2nd visit there, I stayed at The Club Villas, right smack in the centre of Seminyak. The Club Villas are one of the properties of Tjendana Villas which own leisure properties all over Bali. The amazing thing about The Club Villas’ location is that even though it’s nicely centralised within very easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, bars and nightlife in the main thoroughfares of Seminyak, it’s quiet and private where the villas are located. Furthermore, it’s only a 20-minute drive from Denpasar Airport.
The Main Lobby
Upon arrival at The Club Villas, check-in to our one-bedroom private pool villa was warm and friendly. Once we got our keys, we were transferred by buggy to our villa, just a short walk away. Upon entering the villa, we were wowed by the private pool, set amidst landscaped lush greenery.
Turn right here – to our villa!
There are 34 units of these luxurious villas, with one, two and three bedrooms configuration to suit your group size. Every one of the villas has its own private pool and if you so choose, meals can be ordered and served in the villa. Special meals like a romantic dinner or a BBQ party can also be arranged upon request.
There’s a kitchenette and dining table facing the pool and that’s where we got to enjoy our freshly-prepared breakfast every morning. Yes, guests can choose their breakfast options and have it delivered to the villa! We were totally pampered with local and western breakfast choices.
Breakfast served in our villa
Fashioned in rustic Balinese style, the villa is really spacious, especially the bathroom and dressing area. There’s a back entrance to the bathroom from the pool and garden – a convenient route when you are dripping wet from a dip in the pool! The semi-open bathroom comes with a luxurious bath-tub, separate shower and WC.
Staying in a private villa like this is certainly more fun and enjoyable than the regular hotel room. Furthermore, the location can’t be any more convenient – right in the action of everything in Seminyak.
It’s just a short walk from the villa to the main streets of Seminyak
THE CLUB VILLAS
Jl. Kayu Aya, Gang Darma
Seminyak, Kuta, Badung
Regency, BALI 80361
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tjendanavillas.com
WAROENG DADONG – Authentic Balinese Dining
Eateries are aplenty in Bali and we were also staying in central Seminyak where every other store is a food outlet. However, we were invited to check out Waroeng Dadong for a taste of authentic Balinese food. The restaurant is pretty close to Seminyak and also on the convenient route from Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar.
The restaurant is beautifully outfitted with wooden furniture and intricate woodwork accents throughout the premise. The clusters of ceiling lights encased in cages is an interesting touch and we love the open spaciousness of the place. The garden is well-landscaped with Balinese decorative items and presents a nice sense of serenity when dining here.
We were there for a late lunch and pretty much had the place to ourselves. The menu was not overly extensive but it listed several traditional favourites. Our starter was Tipat Cantok, similar to Gado-gado, a toss-up of blanched vegetables and rice cake topped with a spicy peanut sauce – it was really good and we thoroughly enjoyed this.
Tipat Cantok – Balinese rice cake mixed with beansprouts, long beans and cabbage topped with peanut sauce
Waroeng Dadong serves one of the best Bebek Goreng (fried crispy duck) we’ve ever had in Bali. The skin was fragrant and crispy while the meat remained moistly tender and well-marinated. We picked this clean to the bones!
Bebek Goreng Dadong – deep-fried crispy duck served with steamed rice, sayur urab, sambel ijo and crackers
The Ayam Betutu paled in comparison to the Bebek Goreng but nevertheless it was a decent rendition of this popular Balinese dish.
Ayam Betutu – roast chicken with Balinese spices served with steamed rice, Balinese mixed vegetables and sambal dadong.
For desserts, we had my favourite Dadar Gulung and Laklak. The former is similar to our Malaysian “kuih ketayap” – a pandal-flavoured crepe roll with brown palm sugar coconut as filling. The Laklak used the same ingredients but presented differently…
Dadar Gulung
Laklak
Waroeng Dadong is another enterprise under Tjendana Corp and it’s a lovely place to have a traditional Balinese meal. Food is good and service is warm and welcoming.
WAROENG DADONG
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No.20
Tuban, Kuta, Kabupaten
Badung, BALI 80361
Tel: +62-361 4753844