Villa Manis1 BR Quaint and Cozy Villa with Pool

When I booked Villa Manis back in Nov 2011 for my May 2012 stay I had a fair idea of what to expect from reading other reviews and with my contact with the owner who had sent me additional photos of the property. Mary was always easily accessible and would respond to my endless emails promptly, accurately and with a high level of care and understanding. On arrival I was delighted to realise that my expectations had been well and truly exceeded. Whilst all the photos on the various websites accurately depicted the villa, what they couldn't do was convey the actual feel of the villa and its surroundings. Villa Manis truly is a quaint and very charming colonial style property set amongst the ricefields of outer Ubud. It's perfectly located, set back far enough from the road not to hear any traffic at all. At nightfall the only sounds are the frogs and cicadas in the gardens. Early mornings are to the distant crowing of roosters and the squabble of ducks in the adjacent ricefield. It is tastefully furnished throughout and has just about everything you'd need for a perfect stay. The outdoor bathroom added to the ambience. The garden and surrounds are lush, tropical and very relaxing and the pool is a welcome relief after a hot busy day. It's a very easy and pleasant 10 minute downhill walk to Jalan Raya Ubud with all its shops, restaurants and markets. Mary herself is right next door should you need anything and the lovely villa staff make the breakfast, clean the villa, run errands to the shop, do the laundry, and clean the pool and gardens on a daily basis. It was difficult to do anything but relax and enjoy. We were very sad to leave after our 7 night stay and will most definitely return one day to the warmth and friendship that is Villa Manis. Well done Mary.

I stayed at the villa for more than three weeks and didn't manage to find a single thing to complain about in all that time. The rooms are even prettier than the pictures; Mary is lovely and so helpful; Wayan cooks a mean breakfast; the garden is beautifully tended, and the pool is a godsend (actually totally essential to life) in the warm season. The house is about a ten or fifteen minute walk from central Ubud up a pleasant street. Keep walking away from Ubud, and you're in electric green ricefields in no time. It's really a great spot. You'll like it.

We had a wonderful week at Villa Manis. Not long enough, though. It's within easy walking distance to the heart of Ubud, but tucked away next to rice paddies, it's in a perfect location for those who want to be near to all the restaurants and shopping but also want a lush, beautifully kept garden and peace and quiet. You can walk through the rice fields right outside the Villa -- so beautiful, and you can get some beautiful photos just walking through the village immediately around the house. Here are just a few of the highlights of staying at Villa Manis: 1. The best breakfasts (which are included in what you pay for the accommodation). We chose western breakfasts of scrambled eggs cooked to perfection, lovely crunchy toast, French butter, lime marmalade, and a big bowl of freshly peeled mango, papaya, banana, and pineapple; 2. There is a driver used by this villa who lives just across the street (lots of space between houses in this part of town - feels very secluded). You can arrange to go on all-day tours with him; 3. If you need anything, the staff is on sight all during the day to help you. If you are out and about during the day you will see the people selling tickets to this particular dance during the afternoon of the performances on your way home. Highly recommended. 4. The gardener, Ketut, who looks after all the gardens on these premises, is also a painter. 5. Getting your laundry done whenever you need is a godsend when you've been traveling around for awhile. 6. There is nothing like a great bed for a good night's sleep! The room is air conditioned. Few mosquitos in Ubud, but there is a mosquito net - a good one! - over the King 4-poster bed; 7. A very reasonable nightly and even better weekly rates. You pay more for less in a lot of the accommodation nearby, which is why it's a good idea to book well in advance for this Villa; 8. It's hot in Bali. You can slip into your own pool just a few steps from your door. Heaven after a day's walking around or touring with the driver! I could go on. Actually we loved everything about our stay here, spent our down time lazing by the pool reading or swimming. We have done a lot of traveling -- it's not often you get the best of both worlds: complete privacy and quiet village life as well as such easy access to everything you might want and need, plus fantastic, friendly service from Mary's staff. We would love to go back there.