“Santai-Santai” at The Santai and Gong Restaurant

Have you ever wondered how it would feel to be Alice—cautiously following the Cheshire Cat through the Queen of Hearts’ hedge maze—amazed yet excited at the same time? The Santai villas at Umalas, Bali can give you a slice of that experience. The high walls of the villas are adorned with carefully trimmed green vines, making a walk through the narrow stony pathways very much Disney-esque and all the more enchanting.

The magic doesn’t stop there. Enter the rustic-looking wooden gate into the world of peace and tranquility: your own private pool with inflatable toys, spacious rooms, and comfy beds—all wrapped up in a charming modern Balinese architecture.

To complete your journey, make your way to Gong Restaurant—The Santai’s signature restaurant. It’s a truly beautiful restaurant, especially during daytime when plenty of natural light passes through the glass-panelled wooden roof, creating gorgeous shadows upon the entire space. The design incorporates a mix of natural, earthy colours that blend delightfully with the wooden interior and stone walls. Gong Restaurant mainly serves Asian-inspired dishes and international favourites.

Santai is the Indonesian word for relax, and true to its name, The Santai is indeed an ideal place to de-stress and enjoy a slow-paced weekend. A private villa, an in-house restaurant with yummy food, and a trip down to Alice in Wonderland? Yes, please!

Credits:
Photo © GONG Restaurant
Text by Alexandra Karman