We spent 3 nights at River Moon villa, part of Desa Bulan. The villa is about 10 minutes drive from Ubud but it easy to get a ride to and from Ubud. Ubud is hectic, so the serenity of the village is the perfect balance. The villa is staffed by a couple who will look after you very well (great breakfast; cleaning and driving around).

Great property in a nice location (car or bike recommended to travel around). Beautiful design and nice host. Very close to nature. Highly recommended!

Great property in a nice location (car or bike recommended to travel around). Beautiful design and nice host. Very close to nature. Highly recommended!

Gorgeous Villa, very friendly staff. So relaxing, we wish we could have stayed longer. We will be back.

Gorgeous Villa, very friendly staff. So relaxing, we wish we could have stayed longer. We will be back.

We had a fantastic holiday at River Moon and would highly recommend the experience of staying there to other travellers. We came as a couple with a young son and found the villa was spacious, set in beautiful countryside and very comfortable and relaxing. We also really appreciated the warmth, attention and dedication of the staff who looked after us, which was a highlight of the stay. Kadek and her team cooked us breakfast and we ordered in delicious local meals too for lunches and dinners quite frequently. Kadek was also a wonderful nanny to our little boy on the trip and so we were very comfortable to live him in her care while we popped into Ubud alone. He absolutely loved her and had a great time playing with her! Nyoman was a fantastic tour guide and driver, so we were able to follow his suggestions and see the interesting local cultural sights with ease. In retrospect we would have booked in even more trips with him as it was the best way to see everything so comfortably. Another positive was the tranquil and relaxing swimming pool near the villa, which we used several times for a swim, with a child pool for our son. I would recommend the holiday to families, couples and friends who are looking for a very special and peaceful retreat just on the outskirts of Ubud. It was a highly memorable Christmas for us with lots of beautiful memories. Thank you to everyone at River Moon!

We had a fantastic holiday at River Moon and would highly recommend the experience of staying there to other travellers. We came as a couple with a young son and found the villa was spacious, set in beautiful countryside and very comfortable and relaxing. We also really appreciated the warmth, attention and dedication of the staff who looked after us, which was a highlight of the stay. Kadek and her team cooked us breakfast and we ordered in delicious local meals too for lunches and dinners quite frequently. Kadek was also a wonderful nanny to our little boy on the trip and so we were very comfortable to live him in her care while we popped into Ubud alone. He absolutely loved her and had a great time playing with her! Nyoman was a fantastic tour guide and driver, so we were able to follow his suggestions and see the interesting local cultural sights with ease. In retrospect we would have booked in even more trips with him as it was the best way to see everything so comfortably. Another positive was the tranquil and relaxing swimming pool near the villa, which we used several times for a swim, with a child pool for our son. I would recommend the holiday to families, couples and friends who are looking for a very special and peaceful retreat just on the outskirts of Ubud. It was a highly memorable Christmas for us with lots of beautiful memories. Thank you to everyone at River Moon!

We staying in Rivermoon villa for 5 nights with two families including two small babies. The villa itself is very beautiful and well kept. Everything was very well organised for us by the staff who were always around when needed. Kadek and her nephew were taking very good care of us and were very friendly. They were also very helpful with the kids. The villa is 10min drive without traffic from centre of Ubud located in a small village.

Our family loved every minute and will come back for more If I could give six stars I would- A huge thank you

Our family loved every minute and will come back for more If I could give six stars I would- A huge thank you

Sometimes you come across a place and you just don't want to leave. That is where we are as we pack our bags and prepare to head back to the daily routine of work....or some call "reality". It's easier to go back once you have had a piece of this calm, beautiful and tranquil land...with people who are the kindest in the world. We have had the opportunity to come to Ubud many times since we work/live in Southeast Asia - but anyone who has the opportunity to stay at "River Moon" gets to experience some magic that one will never forget.....you'll only know if you come to stay here. Spoil yourselves and come and enjoy all there is to offer. Please don't let the need for transportation scare you off - it's totally worth being a little bit away from the center of Ubud.....and the wonderful staff here can assist getting you into town....and it is extremely easy to get a taxi back to the villa. The staff are absolutely fantastic and make you feel like family as soon as you arrive. Thank you Kate, Andrew, Martje and Erik for your vision and designing a place that truly is marvelous! Thanks for sharing your home with all of us.

Sometimes you come across a place and you just don't want to leave. That is where we are as we pack our bags and prepare to head back to the daily routine of work....or some call "reality". It's easier to go back once you have had a piece of this calm, beautiful and tranquil land...with people who are the kindest in the world. We have had the opportunity to come to Ubud many times since we work/live in Southeast Asia - but anyone who has the opportunity to stay at "River Moon" gets to experience some magic that one will never forget.....you'll only know if you come to stay here. Spoil yourselves and come and enjoy all there is to offer. Please don't let the need for transportation scare you off - it's totally worth being a little bit away from the center of Ubud.....and the wonderful staff here can assist getting you into town....and it is extremely easy to get a taxi back to the villa. The staff are absolutely fantastic and make you feel like family as soon as you arrive. Thank you Kate, Andrew, Martje and Erik for your vision and designing a place that truly is marvelous! Thanks for sharing your home with all of us.

Dear Kate, we have spent a wonderful holiday in your beautiful „river moon“ and all I can say is…if there`s a place like heaven on earth, then it`s your lovely place ! I really hope to come back one day! Thank you for sharing it. All the best! Warm wishes, Kirsten

Dear Kate, we have spent a wonderful holiday in your beautiful „river moon“ and all I can say is…if there`s a place like heaven on earth, then it`s your lovely place ! I really hope to come back one day! Thank you for sharing it. All the best! Warm wishes, Kirsten

River Moon exceeded our expectations and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The villa was clean and well maintained with stunning views over the rice fields and the staff could not have been more friendly or helpful. We enjoyed the tranquility of being in the middle of nowhere yet the bustle of Ubud was only a few minutes drive away. We would definitely recommend this villa.

River Moon exceeded our expectations and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The villa was clean and well maintained with stunning views over the rice fields and the staff could not have been more friendly or helpful. We enjoyed the tranquility of being in the middle of nowhere yet the bustle of Ubud was only a few minutes drive away. We would definitely recommend this villa.

“We loved it. The villa is absolutely beautiful. G

I came to Bali in November in search of beauty and magic. I wanted a place that would feel like you were living in Bali while retaining all the comforts of a luxury hotel. Based on other reviews for River Moon, my gut told me River Moon was exactly what I was looking for and it turned out I couldn't have been more right. After 21 hours of flying from Los Angeles, I arrived at the villa and instantly could feel the magic of the place. Taking a shower under the full moon that night with incense drifting in over the rice paddies, I knew I was in for a wonderful week. The villa itself is beautiful, tastefully decorated and the indoor/outdoor flow lends to wonderful sauntering from the bedroom to lounging on the patio reading or just gazing out at the fields. Every morning, locals from the village come and cook you breakfast and of my whole 9 days in Bali, the best meal I had was that breakfast. Maybe it's the kindness in which the food was prepared, but I've never tasted an omelette so good. Which brings me to the people surrounding River Moon who really make your stay. Kadek who comes in the morning always has a smile on her face and a boisterous laugh that is infectious. Nyoman the driver taught me so much about the country and about life in general, and from the minute he picks you up at the airport, you feel you are amongst friends. And Nick the manager is a consummate professional and always a phone call away from any needs or questions you might have. One day I was walking back from Ubud to Lodtunduh and lost my way and one of the villa staff drove by on a motorbike, recognized me and gave me a lift back "home". I could ramble on and on about the wonderful things about River Moon, from the beautiful lotus flowers that Kadek lovingly tends to every morning, to the double rainbows after a rain shower, to the frogs and lizards that come out at night and seem to watch over the place, to the refreshing swims in the pool that frangipani flowers have deliciously dropped into. But the last useful thing I can write is about staying in Lodtunduh versus a hotel in Ubud. Anytime I went into Ubud, I felt so lucky to be staying in Lodtunduh and getting a taste of the real Bali versus staying at a hotel in busy Ubud. My last night in Bali,I stayed at the Komaneka, and while lovely, the room felt claustrophobic and removed from the energy of the land. I knew I was very lucky to have had a week at River Moon, it's a special place to experience a special land. Enjoy.

“We loved it. The villa is absolutely beautiful. G

I came to Bali in November in search of beauty and magic. I wanted a place that would feel like you were living in Bali while retaining all the comforts of a luxury hotel. Based on other reviews for River Moon, my gut told me River Moon was exactly what I was looking for and it turned out I couldn't have been more right. After 21 hours of flying from Los Angeles, I arrived at the villa and instantly could feel the magic of the place. Taking a shower under the full moon that night with incense drifting in over the rice paddies, I knew I was in for a wonderful week. The villa itself is beautiful, tastefully decorated and the indoor/outdoor flow lends to wonderful sauntering from the bedroom to lounging on the patio reading or just gazing out at the fields. Every morning, locals from the village come and cook you breakfast and of my whole 9 days in Bali, the best meal I had was that breakfast. Maybe it's the kindness in which the food was prepared, but I've never tasted an omelette so good. Which brings me to the people surrounding River Moon who really make your stay. Kadek who comes in the morning always has a smile on her face and a boisterous laugh that is infectious. Nyoman the driver taught me so much about the country and about life in general, and from the minute he picks you up at the airport, you feel you are amongst friends. And Nick the manager is a consummate professional and always a phone call away from any needs or questions you might have. One day I was walking back from Ubud to Lodtunduh and lost my way and one of the villa staff drove by on a motorbike, recognized me and gave me a lift back "home". I could ramble on and on about the wonderful things about River Moon, from the beautiful lotus flowers that Kadek lovingly tends to every morning, to the double rainbows after a rain shower, to the frogs and lizards that come out at night and seem to watch over the place, to the refreshing swims in the pool that frangipani flowers have deliciously dropped into. But the last useful thing I can write is about staying in Lodtunduh versus a hotel in Ubud. Anytime I went into Ubud, I felt so lucky to be staying in Lodtunduh and getting a taste of the real Bali versus staying at a hotel in busy Ubud. My last night in Bali,I stayed at the Komaneka, and while lovely, the room felt claustrophobic and removed from the energy of the land. I knew I was very lucky to have had a week at River Moon, it's a special place to experience a special land. Enjoy.

Walking across the little bridge, and through the simple gates, into River Moon is like entering another world. Before you is the simple understated elegance of the open plan house (which I'm told draws heavily on traditional Balinese architectural principles). Beyond is an endless expanse of rice fields. Two bedrooms, each with a truly awe-inspiring outdoor bathroom are to the left. There are lots of nooks, comfortable couches and chairs in which to curl up with a book. There's a well appointed kitchen if that's your thing. Great breakfasts are provided by the friendly unobtrusive staff. A tranquil water feature focuses the house and adds privacy. Over this is perched a traditional bale - another great spot for reading and relaxing, or morning yoga. A few steps from your door is the large beautifully designed communal pool (built around a 200 year old indigenous flowering tree) shared with the other houses in the Desa Bulan enclave. I believe there are 6 or 7 houses but only a couple are available for rental so we had the pool to ourselves every day. I can't imagine a better designed house for its setting than River Moon. It sits perfectly in its rice field home and imbues all those within its walls with a sense of calmness and tranquility. It's hard to strike a balance of stylish yet simple design but the groovy white fittings and fixtures, and clever use of space in this little oasis, manage it effortlessly. I can't wait to go back with my family.

I just wanted to thank you for our stay in your beautiful villa. We really appreciated the peace, and serenity. The house worked really well for our family of 4. We especially appreciated the staff, and the way you have organised the way they work. (Everything is so clean!). They are there for when you need them - but leave you with plenty of privacy. Most importantly we loved your babysitter Kadek. She was amazing with our children, and I am so grateful to her for looking after them so we could have few hours on our own to enjoy Ubud! That, and the dinner from Wayan, were the highlights of our trip. We are planning another trip next year, hopefully we can stay again. We loved Ubud.

I have stayed at River Moon twice and in that time magic occurred. I have been coming to Ubud for twenty years and it has provided me with peace and a refuge. Even though Ubud has become busier, Desa Bulan and the village, its namesake, remain untouched by the changes. River Moon is a place that has been built and managed with great respect for the village and the local environment, yet provides a beautiful home for people to unwind,discover Ubud again and contemplate the beauty of life. I explored traditional food again by both going to some great restuarants and by having meals delivered by Wayan from the village, her menu is found at the villa. My greatest joys were awakening to the chanting from the village temple at six each morning and readind the great novels at River Moon' reclining on one of the many sofas. At the conclusion of both my holidays I returned to Australia feeling as if I had a spa treatment of my body, mind and soul. Thank you Kate ,Andrew, Eric and Martje for creating the space of Desa Bulan.

Hello Kate, - back on our desk in busy Shanghai - kindly note that we have tremendously enjoyed the River moon Villa & Garden – the fantastic natural environment – no disturbance, The pleasant and discrete team who made breakfast - turn down and the daily cleaning is great and very friendly. We enjoyed also the recommended visiting Masseuse and Suriani to cook us a great Balinese dinner. We sure will come back – hoping to find a vacant slot in the availability chart. Thanks for a very relaxed vacation and all your patient comments you have sent me before the booking Best & Cheers robert & ling Fierz PS> Ubud is near - but a car with or without driver or Taxi is required.

We had the most amazing stay at River Moon. Staff is very helpful and extremely polite. House is absolutely stunning and the pool is a great place to relax. Can't wait for our next stay!

We were very warmly welcomed by Wayan all smile and such a warm and friendly person. Then he invited us into the house and we were simply overwhelmed. A stunning place, so elegantly furnished, well equipped and intimate with a spectacular view of the sawahs, the enormous kites high up in the air, farmers taking care of the rice. So much more than the already promising photos! Our 3 children couldn't stop making the tour of the house: "Mom, dad, wait until you see the bathrooms! " Elegant, luxurious without being over the top and everything functioning as if in Europe. The swimming pool is at 30 meters, as beautiful, clean and well equipped as the villa. The staff equals if not surpasses the quality of the house: simply the best we've had during our tour of 3 villas and 2 hotels! Preparing delicious small pancakes at breakfast or taking care of the shut-down every evening at sunset, getting us a scooter and so on. Wayan, Kadek and Made made us feel so welcome and special and they were really connecting, not just merely providing a service. We wanted to keep it a secret: nobody should know about River Moon! It had become our special place. But I owe it to the owners - Kate and her husband - who've managed to squeeze us in a week before arrival in Bali to share our experience. Thank you Kate for helping us out and sharing your lovely house. Frans Bakker, Els, Aimée, Wynona & Boris August 2011

my husband and i were at the villa spet 18 to sept 31 , we only have one word WOW, the view ,the staff, the place is wonderful, we want to go back , the owner prepared everything for us , breakfast made by the staff in the morning , kadek,made,wayan were so nice and the food miam. we hired Nyoman as our guide, Made for night time at Ubud downtown for dinner , a bidder was done for all info around ans also a cell phone (prepaid) ans all contact, we want to go back but longuer this time thanks to the owner Kate and Andrew . joanna and richard from montreal , canada . oct 2011