Villa Resort Review: The Layar by Elite Havens in the Heart of Seminyak, Bali

PUBLISHED September 21st, 2020 05:00 am | UPDATED September 28th, 2020 01:14 am

Think of a holiday in Bali, and three things come to mind: the sun, the beach, and a beautiful villa. If you’re an independent group of travellers on the hunt for all three, The Layar might just be the right place for you. Managed by Elite Havens, this particular group of 23 villas boasts accommodation ranging from one to four bedrooms, so every member of your party will have enough space to chill out.

Location

Situated in the middle of bustling Seminyak, The Layar is a comfortable distance from the usual tourist haunts. Just a kilometre from Petitenget Beach and Seminyak Beach – the famed sunset spots dotted with beach clubs the likes of Potato Head and Ku De Ta – you won’t be short of daytime entertainment in the area. Cafes and restaurants – think Kynd Community and Merah Putih – are also a hop and a skip away. Those apprehensive about jumping on the back of a Go-jek bike will also be happy to know that there is a complimentary buggy service for the Oberoi/Petitenget area, subject to The Layar’s daily schedule.

Rooms & Villa Design

A striking triangular roof crowns each villa in the compound, and our three-bedroom villa was no exception. Perfect for hot, sunny days in the tropical climate, the swooping roof provided some much needed shade in the living room and lounge area. The spacious layout of our villa featured an entertainment area opening out into the main living room, which directly faces the open air pool and jacuzzi. That said, within the resort, privacy is more than attainable as the boundaries of the villas are seamlessly marked out with tropical plants and bushes. We also appreciated the fact that the individual king-sized rooms were staggered across basement floors in the property, giving an additional sense of privacy away from the common area.

Those who come to Bali to escape from concrete jungles will enjoy how connected The Layar villas are to nature – their open plan concept allow for lots of natural light and sunshine in the day. The bathrooms are airy affairs, each featuring a rain shower bordered by a mini garden of tropical greenery. You’ll be able to hear the birds chirping as you brush your teeth in the morning, and we even spotted a curious squirrel while soaking in our tub one afternoon!

Facilities

The Layar suits independent travellers who don’t want to be constantly coddled by service. You’re guaranteed privacy here as housekeeping only comes knocking once a day for some light cleaning – turndown services are suspended until further notice – and it’s easy to swim, tan, and lounge the day away in the villa away from outside disturbances. Pro tip: bring a portable speaker to really amp up the experience if you’re planning to enjoy the facilities.

There isn’t much by way of toiletries and amenities, though the basics (soap, toothbrushes, and towels) are amply provided for. DIY explorers who want to rent a car or scooter will also rejoice in the sheltered parking space right outside the villa, opening up possibilities of self-arranged day trips to other parts of Bali. As with most hotels in the area, we spotted eco-friendly touches such as linen replacement cards in the villa, though the weaker reduced-capacity flush took some getting use to.

F&B

Sharing an address with The Layer is Italian restaurant Settimo Cielo (closed till further notice), a well-received outfit with an emphasis on traditional flavours. In-villa dining is also available, with breakfast running long from 7am to 11am. The usual fixings were present here, with coffee, juice, and a wide selection of mains (we enjoyed the Eggs Benedict and homemade granola) to set you up for the day ahead. After breakfast, you’re covered till 10pm with pizzas, pastas, and even the option of a private in-villa BBQ (advance reservation required).

The Layar is located at Seminyak, Jl. Pangkung Sari No.10 X, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia, p. +62 361 733262.