Villa Atas Ombak is simply extraordinary: the very essence of Bali has been distilled into a single spectacular beachfront estate on Bali’s south-west coast that captures the hearts of newly-weds as well as the headlines of the world’s best lifestyle magazines.

As a luxury destination villa and sought-after wedding venue, the five-bedroom Atas Ombak is unrivalled. Could any other villa come close to matching the infusion of island spirit and international standards in such a spell-binding beachfront location? Villa Atas Ombak – literally ‘villa on top of the waves’ – is named after the white-crested waves that crash onto the beach just beyond the immaculate garden. Guests enjoy over 100 metres of direct beach access, and the 14-metre swimming pool is mere steps from the sand.

Set between the pool and the main villa building is the enchanting, open-sided, alang-alang-thatched living and entertainment space – the villa’s social heart. Across lotus ponds, the two-storey main building houses the dining room, media room, two guest bedrooms and the master suite with its private garden plunge pool. The two ‘Ocean’ bedrooms occupy a delightfully private pavilion to the far side of the grounds, close to the beach. All of the rooms are majestic, elegantly furnished and oriented for those magnificent ocean views.

And what of the service? Exemplary, of course – the spirit of Atas Ombak is concentrated in the amazing 27-strong staff whose professionalism and training are evident in the balance they achieve between anticipating every whim and otherwise being invisible. Key to the team are the accomplished chefs, who whip up astonishing meals from a suggestion menu, or according to special request, and take care of all the provisioning (on guest account).

While the celebrated Mosaic and W are only a few minutes’ walk away, and the charms of Seminyak not much further, it’s understandable why so many guests chose not to stray from the sanctuary of Villa Atas Ombak.