Villa Kelusa is a bewitching, four-building compound on an isolated 3.1 hectares in the true, vibrant, beating heart of Bali.

At jungle’s edge, atop a vast amphitheatre of rice paddies cascading down into the deep gorge of the holy Pakuseba River, and with a panoramic view of a distant ridge of nine ancient volcanoes, the lovely and ultra-private Villa Kelusa is nestled in the Balinese foothills beneath the very small, traditional village of Kelusa.

While practically untouched by the modern world, Kelusa is also a surprisingly few minutes drive down the hill to Ubud, a very large, bustling village which, with its world-renowned restaurants, dance performances, art galleries and nearby 5-star hotels, is considered to be the cultural center of Bali.

Villa Kelusa blends together two properties, Pondok Sapi (the Shed of the Cow) and Pondok Surya (Sunset House), which can be rented separately or together. All bedrooms, as well as living and dining areas, have breathtaking views.

To the north, Pondok Sapi is named after the ubiquitous thatched cow sheds which dot the jungles and also shelter the farmers in their rice terraces, and was designed as the private residence of a retired American writer and television journalist. Three separate buildings make up Pondok Sapi: a glass studio with two spacious in-suite master bedrooms and a library; a large open-air living pavilion with gourmet kitchen and a media room which can be converted into a third luxury bedroom; and a private entertainment cabana with infinity pool and lounge area.

Pondok Surya, or Sunset House, was also designed with open, panoramic views of the rice paddies, jungle and mountains. It has a large, second story in-suite master bedroom with a wrap-around terrace, guest bedroom and smaller kitchen. There is also another infinity pool which runs through the house, separating the living and entertainment areas.

In short:

If you’re seeking the real Bali, the enchanted Bali, the Bali so loved by musicologist Colin McPhee (author of “A House in Bali”), Charlie Chaplin, and the artists Antonio Blanco and Walter Spies…

Villa Kelusa is beckoning you.