Villa Brongbong - Bali

Villa, garden & staff

The Villa and the garden

The villas, completed in 2012 and 2013, have been welcoming guests since May 2013 (Brongbong Villa Pantai) and October 2013 (Villa Brongbong Rimba). Designed with spaciousness, openness, and comfort in mind, the villas feature a thatched roof for insulation and large double doors that invite refreshing breezes. The layout enhances the sense of space and freedom, seamlessly blending with the lush tropical garden that surrounds the property. A grand roof, reminiscent of a cathedral, covers the bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallway.

Constructed with hardwood and natural stone, the villas showcase beautiful Ubud ornaments. The design highlights the use of substantial timber and craftsmanship. For those interested in owning a villa in Bali, Tropis Living in Lovina can assist, and the staff can provide introductions.

The expansive garden boasts a rich variety of plants, shrubs, and trees, including diverse grasses, numerous flowers, fruit trees, and various palms, some of which are original to the property. Three full-time gardeners maintain this lush environment, ensuring everything is pristine and inviting.

The gardeners are knowledgeable about the different plant species and can share their insights. The garden also features a Bale Benong, a comfortable resting area, and at Villa Brongbong Pantai, a seaside Jacuzzi. In addition to garden upkeep, the gardeners also maintain the pool, ensuring it is clean and ready for each new day.

Staff

Dealing with the staff (and other Balinese people)

Bali is rich with cultural history and traditions that have been cherished for centuries. Although various groups have influenced the island, the Balinese people have remained resilient and proud, like reeds that bend but never break. They hold their history and natural beauty in high regard.

Balinese hospitality is attentive, though sometimes indirect. While they strive to fulfill your requests, it’s helpful to ask for clarification if needed. They are always friendly and approachable, ready to assist with a smile.

Working Hours and Days Off

The staff at Villa Brongbong generally work six days a week, with their day off arranged in consultation with you. If desired, housekeeping can be available daily. With three gardeners on staff, at least one will always be present.

Though Bali does not have official holidays, there are frequent ceremonies that might affect staff availability. On such days, staff members may be absent, but they will inform you in advance and find solutions if necessary. We appreciate your understanding in this regard.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping staff will prepare breakfast each day. If you have specific breakfast preferences, please let them know. The menu offers several options, but they are happy to accommodate other requests. After breakfast, the staff will clean the bedrooms and bathrooms, make the beds, and attend to other tasks. Beds are typically changed twice a week, but additional changes can be arranged upon request. Towels and beach towels are replenished as needed.

Following room cleaning, a staff member will make offerings at the small temple in the garden. Feel free to observe and ask questions; they appreciate your interest. Although staff are not assigned to "room service" or "pool service," they are happy to assist with drinks or look after children. Language barriers rarely pose a problem.

Lunch is also prepared by the staff, with options available in the menu. If you prefer something different, let them know. After lunch, staff take a break (in the scullery) and are generally available from around 16:00. For urgent matters, you can always request their assistance.

For dinner, the menu includes various suggestions. To ensure a smooth service, we recommend choosing a maximum of two meat or fish dishes and two vegetable dishes. Fried rice, noodles, and French fries are always available. Dinner is typically served between 18:00 and 19:00, and staff work until 20:00. You are welcome to visit the kitchen, help with cooking, or get advice on Balinese cuisine if interested.

If you will be away for the day or will not require lunch or dinner, please inform the staff.

Daily laundry service is available, but please note that this is at your own risk. For larger quantities of laundry or if you prefer not to take any risks, consider using an external laundry service.

Security

Villa Brongbong is secure, with a security presence from 19:00 to 06:00. On their weekly day off, a gardener will take over. If you prefer privacy, such as for a swim, simply inform the security staff.

Tipping

The villa staff are employed by the villa. If you are pleased with their service, tipping is greatly appreciated. While there is no strict guideline, a tip of Rp 75,000 to Rp 150,000 per staff member (who directly assisted you) per week is typical. For longer stays, tipping can be given periodically or at the end of your stay. The decision and amount are entirely at your discretion.

Swimming pool

As mentioned earlier, our gardeners ensure the pool is always clean and properly treated with chlorine. In the event of heavy or prolonged rainfall, the pool may overflow. This is not a concern, as both the gardener and security staff are trained to manage excess water effectively.

Before swimming, please rinse off any sunscreen or creams using the outdoor shower, or wait until the products have fully absorbed into your skin. This helps maintain the quality of the pool water and the functioning of the equipment. We also recommend that children wear "surf shirts" to protect against sunburn.

Please be cautious, as the pool tiles can be slippery.

Finally, we kindly request that you avoid using glassware in or near the pool. If a glass breaks, it may require emptying the entire pool to remove all shards, which could leave the pool unusable for a few days. To prevent inconvenience to yourself and future guests, please use alternative drinkware around the pool.

Water and electricity

In Bali, access to running water and electricity can be less consistent than you might expect. Water is pumped, and electricity is costly, so your cooperation in using these resources efficiently is greatly appreciated.

Please remember to turn off air conditioning when you're not in the bedroom, and avoid leaving fans and other devices running unnecessarily. To enjoy a comfortably cool bedroom, switch on the air conditioning about half an hour before use, and set the timer to avoid it running all night. Instructions for using the air conditioning can be found in the room.

We also ask that you turn off lights in areas you're not currently using. In case of a power outage, rechargeable flashlights are available for your convenience.

Please note that tap water is only suitable for cooking and should not be used for drinking. For drinking water, use the provided dispenser or bottled water.

Keys

The staff hold the keys to the villa and will ensure you always have access to the property. If you plan to leave the villa while the staff are absent, please ensure you have a key with you so you can securely lock the doors and re-enter at your convenience.

Safe deposit

For the secure storage of money, valuables, and important documents, each room is equipped with a safe deposit box. Instructions for setting your personal code and using the safe can be found inside. Please remember to empty the safe before you depart and leave the door open for the next guests.

Damage

We hope that your stay is trouble-free and that no accidents or damage occur. However, if any issues do arise, please inform the staff promptly so that they can arrange for repairs or replacements.

Internet, music & television

The villa offers complimentary Wi-Fi, and the staff will provide you with the access code upon your arrival. While we strive to provide a reliable internet connection, please note that you are in Bali, where the speed is typically around 5 Mbps. Occasionally, there may be brief interruptions, and we appreciate your understanding as we cannot control or resolve these fluctuations.

Be aware that the IP address may change, which might require you to log in again to certain websites or applications.

The villa is equipped with several portable Bluetooth speakers that you can connect to your smartphone or tablet to enjoy your favorite music.

Please note that satellite television is not available. You may use your own device to access streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, or other TV channels you’re accustomed to.

Smoke, fire & BBQ

The villa is a non-smoking environment, and smoking indoors is strictly prohibited.

Please exercise caution with fire, as most villas have thatched roofs, which are highly flammable. The use of open flames is not allowed for safety reasons.

For special occasions such as New Year’s or other celebrations, please avoid using fireworks near the villas. Given that neighboring properties also have flammable roofs, we appreciate your cooperation in helping us prevent any fire hazards.

If you wish to use the gas BBQ, please coordinate with the staff. They can also provide recommendations for purchasing high-quality BBQ meat and fish.

More information

Please click here for more information concerning:

• Outside the villa (grocery, ATM, Tourism Police, GP, embassies)
• Restaurants
• Activities to do
• Everything comes to an end

Outside the villa

Here you will find more information about:

Grocery & local market

The staff typically handles the shopping for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, focusing on local products. They will provide you with an estimate of the required quantities and keep detailed records of household expenses, including all receipts.

For additional groceries, the staff can assist you, but exploring local stores can be an enriching experience. In Serririt, you'll find Hardy's supermarket, which offers a wide range of food and non-food items. There is also a large market in Serririt, and a staff member can accompany you on your first visit to help you navigate. For a more organized shopping experience, visit Carrefour in Singaraja, which features a well-stocked fresh food department.

If you need quick items like drinks, chips, or ice cream, various small supermarkets and warungs are available nearby, such as Indomaret or Alfamart.

In Lovina, Buda Bakery is known for its excellent bread and dairy products, ideal for breakfast. Please inform the staff in advance if you'd like to place an order. Lovina Bakery offers a selection of bread, meat, dairy products, and Western items, though it is slightly more expensive.

Pepito in Lovina, open from 7 AM to 11 PM, is a tidy store with Western products, including a good selection of meat, fish, wine, and spirits. Alcovina, a liquor store in Lovina, provides a range of wines, champagne, and other alcoholic beverages. The wines and drinks in our villa’s fridge are from Alcovina.

Due to high alcohol excise taxes, alcoholic beverages can be pricey. However, local options such as Arak (40%) are more affordable and can be mixed with Sprite or orange juice. Beer, such as Bintang, is reasonably priced and similar to Heineken.

Please note, a small fee for gasoline (approximately Rp 10,000 to Rp 15,000) will be charged if the staff does the shopping for you. As scooters are not equipped to handle large quantities of groceries, this fee helps cover the cost of transportation.

Money / ATM

If you want to buy something, you need money. Unlike in Europe, you cannot just use contactless card payment everywhere. Also your credit card will not be used that much in Lovina-area. If it is already accepted, a charge of about 3% will apply. You can easily pay with cash everywhere!

It will be necessary to withdraw money at an ATM. In Serririt are several cash machines (ATMs) from banks such as GNI, Mandarin or BCA. The ATM gives only a limited amount per time, usually Rph. 2,000,000 in 50,000 or 100,000 bills. You can make several transactions. The ATM's are English, choose "from saving account". ATMs are also in Celukan Bawang (drive to the road and turn right).

Note that some banks block cards outside Europe for fraud sensitivity. This can of course be unblocked, but you must request your bank before you go abroad

Tourist Police

Upon arrival, the staff will need to request two photocopies of your passport. This is a requirement for registering guests with the tourist police, and you will receive an official document confirming this registration from the staff. The registration fee is included in your rental cost.

If you already have photocopies with you, that's perfectly fine. Otherwise, the staff will assist with making photocopies of your passports.

Auto / scooter / driver / public transport

A stay at the villa is delightful, but exploring Bali is part of the experience. For activities such as snorkeling or trekking with Putu Mayong, transportation will be arranged for you. For other outings, you can either arrange transportation yourself or ask the staff for assistance.

For daily transportation and excursions, the staff can organize reliable transport for you. We work with a regular driver, and if he’s unavailable, a trusted substitute will be arranged. The staff can also provide a list of day trips with estimated costs. Most drivers speak good English and can serve as local guides.

Alternatively, you may choose to drive yourself by renting a car or scooter. While we generally recommend against renting a car due to local driving conditions, the staff can assist with the rental process.

A scooter ride is highly recommended and can be arranged through the staff. Please note that scooter rentals do not include insurance, and we are not liable for any accidents.

Whether you drive a car or scooter, you will need both a regular driving license and a valid international driving permit. Remember, traffic moves on the left side of the road here!

For a more local experience, you can also use "Bemo's," which are small public transport vehicles commonly seen in blue.

Weather and time difference

Bali, situated near the equator, enjoys a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures, averaging around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. The climate is characterized by two distinct seasons: the dry season from March to September, and the rainy season from November to February. In general, the northern part of Bali tends to be warmer than the southern regions.

In terms of time difference, Bali is 7 hours ahead of Europe during European winter and 6 hours ahead during European summer. Bali does not observe daylight saving time, so these differences remain consistent throughout the year.

Weather and time difference

Since Bali is located near the equator, there is a tropical humid climate with small temperature fluctuations. It is almost always around 30 degrees Celsius. There are two seasons where the difference is mainly the amount of rainfall: the dry season between - globally - March and September and the rainy season between November and February. In the north it is generally warmer than in the south.

In winter in Bali it is 7 hours later than in Europe. During the summer it is six hours later. In Bali they do not know summer- and wintertime.

General Practitioner and dentist

If you require medical or dental assistance, we recommend arranging it through our staff. They can coordinate with the doctor in advance or arrange for a visit to the villa if needed.

For general medical care, we suggest contacting Dr. I. Made Widiadnyana in Lovina. He is well-regarded, speaks English, and operates a pharmacy where you can obtain medications directly. Please note that the pharmacy may not carry all medications you might be accustomed to, so ensure you bring any necessary prescription medications with you.

For dental care, Dr. Hilda in Singaraja is available. She has extensive experience as a dentist in the Netherlands and now practices in Bali. Our staff can assist with scheduling an appointment if needed.

Payments for medical services should be made in cash. Be sure to request a receipt for potential insurance reimbursement. Medical fees are generally reasonable.

In Singaraja, there are several hospitals, including Rumah Sakit Umum Parama Sidhi (0362 29787).

For more comprehensive care, you can visit BIMC Hospital, an international facility located in the south of Bali at Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 100X, Kuta. They offer 24-hour service and can be reached at 0761263.

Embassies and consulates in Bali

Several consulates are located in Bali. For a list click here.

More information

Please click here for more information concerning:

• Villa, garden & staff
• Restaurants
• Activities to do
• Everything comes to an end

Everything comes to an end

Leaving the villa

As your holiday comes to a close, we kindly remind you that, unless otherwise arranged, the villa should be vacated by 12:00 on the day of departure. Should you have plans nearby and need to leave later, you are welcome to store your luggage at the villa until you’re ready to go.

Review

We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions about your stay at our villa. Your insights, whether positive or for improvement, are incredibly valuable to us. Please feel free to send a WhatsApp message or an email.

While we once relied on a guestbook, we now also value reviews on social media. If you enjoyed your stay, we would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review on Facebook and TripAdvisor.

We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you, your friends, or family back in the future. For a free quote or any inquiries, don't hesitate to reach out.

On behalf of the entire team, we thank you for your stay and trust.

Warm regards,

Anik (Villa Manager), Karen & Bart (Owners)