I am half French and Danish. In the 70’s, my family and I lived in Java and we regularly explored Bali. During the last 25 years living in Perth, Australia, my love affair with Bali was reignited and I now run Villa Kalisat, a small boutique hotel in the rain forest, 12min drive north east of the centre of Ubud.

Villa Kalisat is built on leased village land, on the edge of an 80m cliff, overlooking the lush rainforest and Petanu river. You walk 50m through the working Balinese family village to access the hotel and our stunning views. The hotel has 7 rooms, 2 large swim pools, a restaurant & spa. All of our staff are from this family village or related to them. It is one big Balinese family here.

Villa Kalisat has a precious partnership with the village. Ceremonies are part of the village daily life, and you are always welcome to join in. We recommend cycling down from Kintamani through the "real Bali" with a private guide, visiting a coffee/spice plantation, the Tirtha Empul temple (Holly Springs) and rice fields. Depending on your interest, we also recommend the elephant safari, bird park, river rafting, AVC buggy jungle rides, rice & herb walks, sunrise volcano trekking, yoga & meditation, ceramic, jewellery making and local cooking classes including a visit to the local market. The Green School and Green Village is also very inspirational. For textile and batik seekers we will also recommend special destinations. Ubud market and all the surrounding small boutiques with unique creative artefacts, makes a great shopping day. However, a walk down to the Petanu river below Villa Kalisat, is a must. It has a special energy around it. Where the small waterfall along Villa Kalisat meets the larger river, a river temple has been build by the village to keep the river spirits content. This area is pure raw nature and only the village and village Kalisat guests can access this.