Hotels in Uluwatu

The main choice of accommodation here is either a five-star-über-luxury hotel or a multimillion-dollar villa. However in recent years, many of the rustic surfer accommodations have come of age and make a good alternative for those on a budget.

Villas

Groups are spoiled for choice in this area for entire estates that rent by the night. The Istana, Jl. Labuan Sait, Pantai Suluban, Uluwatu (tel. 0361/762868; fax 0361/769866; www.theistana.com; 5 bedrooms; peak season US$2,900; high season US$2,450; low season US$1,650; rates include breakfast, other meals market price; AE, MC, V) was recently renovated with little expense spared. The villa has a children's wing, games room, and private master suite with its own pool.

The stunning Karang Putih Villa, Jl. Karang Putih 1, Banjar Kutuh Ungasan, Uluwatu (tel. 0361/731074; www.elitehavensbali.com; 6 bedrooms; peak season US$2,800; high season US$2,200; low season US$1,500; rates include breakfast, other meals market price; AE, MC, V), has a colonial feel with a modern twist, elegantly furnished with Asian antiquities. The villa has its own private beach club, a floodlit grass tennis court, boules court, putting green, and helipad.

From the Sanskrit word for "Seventh Heaven," we get the Khayangan, Jl. Goa Lempeh, Pecatu, Uluwatu (tel. 0361/732013; fax 0361/736705; www.balivillaworldwide.com; 6 villas; peak season US$4,000; high season US$3,500; low season US$2,750; meals market price; AE, MC, V), a private villa above Selonding Beach, with an unobstructed view of the Indian Ocean. This villa's unique design features 11 antique joglos, once the traditional homes of Javanese aristocracy. The villa has two infinity edge pools, a spa, a tennis court, and even lawn croquet.

Sunsets can be seen from the two master bedrooms fronting the ocean in the Karang Kambar Estate, Jl. Karang Kembar, Banjar Jabapura, Desa Kutuh, Kuta Selatan, Badung (tel. 65/9018-1742 in Singapore; www.bali-karangkembarestate.com; 5 bedrooms; peak season US$1,150 and up; high season US$950 and up; low season US$775 and up; rates include breakfast, other meals market price plus 10%; AE, MC, V). The villa has a private beach house on the reef, making it an ideal place to go with children when the tide is out as there are some very exotic fish in the tide pools.

The Long House, Jl. Goa Gong, Kompleks Tiara Nusa, Jimbaran (tel. 0361/780-3046; www.thelonghousebali.com; 6 bedrooms; peak season US$1,500; high season US$1,000; low season US$800; extra bed US$25; rates include breakfast, other meals market price; AE, MC, V), perched just above the village of Goa Gong above Jimbaran, was built to take advantage of a 180-degree view of endless glassy blue Indian Ocean and the volcanoes in the horizon. The villa has a spa, gym, Jacuzzi, and movie theater; there's even an elevator to get to the three stories without lifting a finger . . . well maybe just to push a button.

Villa Bulan Putih, Jl. Pantai Bingin Labuan Sait, Pecatu (no phone; www.villabulanputih.com or info@villabulanputih.com; 7 bedrooms; peak season US$1,200; low season US$900; meals market price plus 10%; AE, MC, V), is all subdued tones and minimalist modern sculpture that create a sense of calm. Nothing distracts from the stunning views beyond the French windows. A big plus is the immaculate lawn for the wee ones to wander and for impromptu ball games.