Villa 1880 is extraordinary – a contemporary-meets-colonial beach-in-ten vacation home, a design aficionado’s dream, and heaven for a few families (up to 8 adults and 8 kids) intent on holidaying together effortlessly, in total comfort and with considerable style.

The heart of Villa 1880 is a beautifully restored plantation house from Borneo, made entirely of ironwood and constructed in 1880 – hence the name. Full of heritage charm, the house sits between two contemporary structures: a vast open-sided living room with sunset barbecue terrace above, and a two-storey sleeping pavilion lined with lime green shutters in homage to its colonial cousin.

Staying here is a dream for creatives and all who appreciate a refined design aesthetic. The visionary Hong Kong-based owners, an interior architect and vintage furniture showroom founder, have uncompromisingly high standards and an obsessive attention to detail. Italian retro furniture, vintage collector’s pieces, designer fabrics, inventive lighting and contemporary art are all part of the eclectic mix. Everything is achingly chic and high spec with no expense spared on leading-edge facilities (including mood lighting and a water filtration system which means guests may drink water direct from the taps – a rare convenience in Bali villas).