Go Green in Bali

Go Green in Bali

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All villas are personally inspected by the Private Homes and Villas team. Click for more photos

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Visited Bali before? Looking for something different to extend your thoughts beyond the swimming pool and the fantastic food? Here’s an idea: sample a little culture and community at VILLA HANSA in Canggu.

Spiritual souls with environmental leanings, an interest in community awareness and a thirst for local culture, will love this one-of-a-kind villa. Named after the Goddess of Knowledge, its design is gorgeous, but Villa Hansa is so much more than just another Balinese deluxe villa.

The devoted staff, headed up by the ever-smiling manager Asmara, an Eddie Murphy clone, is responsible for maintaining the villa’s philosophy of hospitality. As the household’s spiritual advisor, Asmara is amazingly knowledgeable about Balinese culture and traditions. He will tell you all about it over dinner, and then accompany you to a traditional Hindu ceremony in the local village.

If your stay is timed for either a full or a new moon, you will have a wonderful opportunity to watch Hindu priests bless the property. The staff also makes a point of introducing guests to daily Balinese life: for example, happily teaching you how to make traditional palm leaf offerings and Indonesian delicacies in the kitchen. Both are activities that children will really enjoy getting stuck into.

The owners of Villa Hansa are committed to eco-friendly practices, a healthy lifestyle and giving back to the community. Surfing and yoga devotees, they support local organic farmers, practise recycling in the kitchen and ensure that only biodegrable household cleaners are used. They have also set up a trust fund, the Hansa Foundation to educate local children in traditional culture, arts, music and the environment.

Villa Hansa is roomy enough to host groups – it sleeps up to nine in four bedrooms. But as the bedrooms are on the smaller side, it’s particularly suitable for groups of couples; especially as the rooms have romantic four-poster beds.