Villa Uma Dewi Sri in Sidemen A unique combination of contemporary luxury & traditional Balinese living. Enjoy the lovely setting of this romantic spot in nature. Experience a true local, Balinese vibe from the comfort of this traditional yet modern, two stories ‘Lumbung’ Barn House. From your private balcony, next to a little creek, watch local farmers tending to their fields that stretch in front of you with heavenly views of Mt. Agung. The space “You want a wonderful holiday and I want that for you too!” :) My home, Villa Uma Dewi Sri, is a magnificent place for independent travellers and those who want to feel and experience nature in a truly local environment. It is a very special place and experience that likewise might not be to the taste of everyone. Please read carefully before you book! Especially the points mentioned under “Other things to note” further below. There are only two buildings on the property. While otherwise identical, the main difference is that this one has an enclosed living room, with foldable glass doors, while the other barn has an open living room. Waking up, in the cosy queen size bed, to the light of the rising sun, the sound of roosters and Hindu morning prayers. Opening the balcony doors of the bedroom on the second floor, overlooking pristine nature, the sound of the water flowing below, watching the farmers already on their way to work the fields, I always feel as if I am admiring a beautiful Balinese painting that has come to life. No need for an artificial air con here. The unpolluted and fresh air, during the days often accompanied by a light breeze, and the high arched natural rice grass roof that lets the entire space breathe, I always enjoy a healthy and good night's sleep here in Sidemen. Only the sound of flowing water and an orchestra of crickets and frogs will have composed the soundtrack of the night below a star-filled sky. After a delicious breakfast, you might like to start your day slowly. The private balcony on the ground floor, overlooking the fields and Sidemen Valley is an excellent place to watch time go by. This is also the best spot to admire Mt. Agung in the distance (if he isn't hiding behind clouds of course :) When the sun is out, take a dip in the shared infinity pool with its sweeping vistas over the fields that stretch in front of you and towards the majestic Mount Agung. If you feel like it, take the rustic wooden stairs down from the garden and tip your toes into the clear water of the rippling creek running in front. Especially in the early morning and the late afternoon you will meet the friendly people of the nearby village bathing and washing their clothes here. Others pass by, coming from the fields, carrying their harvest on their heads. It doesn't get more picturesque than that. Smile, you are in Sidemen :) You might find yourself with no desire to go out and explore. But if your adventure lust takes the better of you, take a short stroll through the rice fields and down to the river for a swim. Or take a walk around Sidemen Valley and its authentic villages and witness the daily local life as it unfolds. Too lazy to walk? Explore the nearby villages, the rice fields and temples and enjoy a drive on the quiet roads around the valley with a scooter. When the night falls, and the Balinese temple of the village sounds its evening prayer, the romantic magic of Villa Uma Dewi Sri evolves. The copper-plated garden lights shed a soft warm light, almost like candles, into the dark blue of the night. Frogs and crickets begin their evening symphony and even fireflies I still can see sometimes. In the distance twinkle the lights of Sidemen, while if you are lucky and here at the right time, the moon is rising over the mountain range to the East. Who needs a TV? Guest access - Infinity pool (shared with the second barn) - Garden (shared with the second barn) - Kitchen to refill your water bottles (free) - Exclusive digital guidebook that I will send as soon as your booking is confirmed. This is a must-read to make the best out of your stay! Other things to note PLEASE CONSIDER BEFORE BOOKING MY HOME! WILDLIFE & PETS Villa Uma Dewi Sri is part of and in the middle of nature. Also our cleaning standards are very high, it is impossible to stop bugs, bees, lizards, frogs, geckos & Co. from visiting the house. We are surrounded by nature which we consider a gift. If you feel uncomfortable being immersed in nature and up close to its creatures, our home is not the best choice for you! Please keep this in mind. We would not be happy if you are not happy and comfortable when visiting Villa Uma Dewi Sri :) Our rescue dogs Bobo and Foxy are permanent residents at Villa Uma Dewi Sri and roam free on the property. WIFI There is free WiFi on our property. However, in our rural area internet is bad and sometimes might not work at all. Be prepared to be off the grid sometimes. LOCATION We are not in the main village "Teboloa" that Sidemen is often referred to! It is a pleasurable 20 - 30 minutes walk along a quiet road to the first restaurants in Sidemen. Your best option to eat out or to explore the surrounding area is by renting a scooter. I can help you to rent one if you wish. There is a second barn on the property which will be occupied by other guests, or sometimes we stay there. The infinity pool and garden are shared with the guest staying in the other barn. SERVICES Villa Uma Dewi Sri is not a hotel, and we do not have a 24/7 hotel-like reception! Our local staff will be around during the day to clean your room, change your sheets and towels and prepare meals and snacks if you wish. Your wish is their command :) Our delicious breakfast is included and served from 7.30 am to 10.00 am. Our staff will give you a breakfast card in the evening. Please fill it out, indicating the time you would like to have your breakfast in the morning. If you would like to have lunch or dinner in the privacy of your barn house, you may order from our menu. We prepare all dishes fresh and from scratch, so please allow some preparation time. Our kitchen closes at 7.30 pm. Please place your last order at 7.00 pm. During the night, at least one of our staff will be on the property in case of an emergency. LOCAL LIFE Villa Uma Dewi Sri is openly designed, and we purposely have not erected high walls and fences. We have enough of those in the city. The barn house is private, but there are areas, like the garden and the shared infinity pool, where passersby or other guests can see inside. The creek in front of the property is used by local farmers to get to their fields. Local trekking guides love to take their clients for a walk along that creek as well. We told you, it is picturesque here :) The locals are very friendly and might say hello when they see you. Some might even want to have a little chat with you. A wonderful way to get involved and discover the authentic spirit of Bali. OTHERS The beauty of the BEDROOM is a big glass window that lets you see the night sky when you fall asleep. In the morning, the rising sun will wake you up :) The curtains do not block out the sunlight, but we provide sleeping masks for those who need them. At Villa Uma Dewi Sri we are taking steps to reduce our ecological impact and promote sustainability. We are proud to offer a natural river water POOL for our guests to enjoy. While the pool is maintained and cleaned at least twice a week, the water is natural and may sometimes appear slightly cloudy. However, we assure you that the pool is always safe to use and offers a refreshing and eco-friendly alternative to traditional hotel pools. The nearest ATM in Sidemen Village is a 10 minutes drive from Villa Uma Dewi Sri. There is only one (1) ATM in Sidemen at the moment and sometimes it does not work. Bring enough cash!!!