Boo-hoo! We are so sad to have had to leave the Real Dream Villas in Bali. We stayed in the Anemone Villa for 11 days and were very pleased. Valia was easy to reach and a friendly communicator, connecting us quickly and easily with the owners upon our arrival. Since the Villas are up a (currently) unpaved little road, she let them know we'd arrived at the Bali exit after I called, and within mere moments, Michael and his parents (the owners) met us with their car for a guided arrival.

Inside, the kitchen and living space is modern and very functional. Despite arriving very late in the evening, we were able to stop off at a supermarket in Bali and pick up things for the morning. The generous owners had provided fresh olives, cheese, fruit, and local wine -- so we were definitely happy. Michael did a good job of explaining the appliances to us, as they are all labeled in Greek. We had no trouble, and the wifi made it possible for us to get a little work done each day of our visit, including conference calls via Skype. The bedroom has more than plenty of storage, and, as it was cold a couple of days, we were happy that there were some nice, new fluffy blankets to add to the bed at night.

It was a little early in the season, so the weather wasn't as warm as it will be later in the summer. As a result, we didn't get to use the sweet, modern (but unheated) pool as much as we would have liked. The lower patio area is very spare and elegant, with lush lawn, beautiful stone walls, terraces, an outdoor shower, and brand new barbecue. The lighting is also so pretty! We enjoyed lounging in the yard, even if we didn't swim much.

The Anenome Villa has a fireplace in the living room, and we definitely thought it was a nice touch. In the winter, it will be so super cosy! The location is just a few hundred meters from the main highway exit to Bali, and is tucked up on a hillside overlooking the sea. Having a car is pretty important, as the terrain is still a little rough with lots of surrounding construction. There are sheep bells softly sounding at almost all hours (charming and not a problem) and the occasional rooster crows to remind you that you are in the country-side. A couple of barking neighbor dogs almost had me knocking on doors, but happily, they settled down after the first couple of days and we didn't hear them much any more after that.

These owners have poured their hearts and souls into creating a spectacular, friendly family business for themselves. Their dedication and commitment to hospitality was a joy to experience, and we recommend the Real Dream Villas for a delightful stay in the central north of the island. Many nearby beaches to enjoy!