From a driveway off one of Ubud’s bustling streets, a short flight of steps (with a ramp thoughtfully positioned to make this single-storey villa accessible to those with limited mobility) leads to peace, in the shape of the grand wooden gateway into Villa San. From the entrance, a mature garden stretches out past the bedroom and living pavilions, with a 25m-long pool and relaxation balé to the right of the lawns and a stone-paved yoga terrace, herb garden and Buddhist stupa (known as The Serene Room and used for meditation) to the far left.

The living pavilion is home to an open-sided, fan-cooled living and dining area which features a main dining table for ten, plus a smaller round table for four, both in dark wood. To one end of the dining area is a small but extremely well-equipped kitchen with an island breakfast bar and work station, whilst a glass-walled children’s playroom sits between the kitchen area and the pool. Cheerful red and white sofas and an enormous wooden sculpture in the living area give way to the air-conditioned entertainment lounge with its yellow-themed comfortable seating, vivid African artwork, state-of-the-art TV and stereo system, and guest washroom through a door at the rear.

The six spacious bedrooms are arranged in pairs and built in an L-shape around the living pavilion and garden; each pair a discrete distance from its neighbour and each comprising a twin room and a king-bedded room with French doors opening onto the garden areas. The rooms are all equipped with ceiling fans, air conditioners, WiFi internet connection and iPod docks as well as desks and bedside tables with reading lights and all come with big, bright ensuite bathrooms finished in natural stone and with glass-enclosed shower areas.

The master suite has pride of place, facing the lawns and pool. Its two bedrooms are separated by a large comfortable family room, with three inviting sofas and a state-of-the-art home entertainment system with satellite channel, 27-inch flat-screen TV and DVD player. The adjoining bathrooms, accessed through large dressing rooms with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, are big and full of light from windows facing onto gardens on two sides. The bathroom adjoining the king-bedded room features a splendid wood-panelled bathtub easily big enough for two.