Me and my wife came to this lovely villa for our 1-year anniversary. When i say the pictures do a TERRIBLE job of capturing how beautiful the place is. All the incredible attentions to detail. The experience is one we couldn't stop talking about since returning home. Not to mention the incredible service of the staff, We threw our itinerary out the window and just went with whatever Juli the property manager and driver suggested and he did not dissapoint. Communication was prompt and super easy, mainly through WhatsApp, and from the moment we arrived until we left we felt very well taken care of. The lovely women who tended to the home making sure it was clean was also a delight and we will defintely be returning next year the first chance we get, hopefully for a much longer stay. Word of advice, a week is nowhere near enough time! Thank you for opening your home to us. 100/10 Cheers, Omar

We really enjoyed our stay at Rumah Cahaya. Bruce was very responsive to our inquiries, from booking to travel arrangements, and some questions I had after checking in. This is the first property we've rented where a car could not drive up to it. I can only imangine how difficult it was to build it without a road and driveway. To get to the villa from the market, you have to walk along narrow paths/alleys. You definitely don't want to misstep along the path by the rice fields. The place was huge, especially for just the two of us. We felt very safe and the place was well equipped. It even had a massage table, of which I took advantage of ($15 USD for an hour massage). Yes, there are signs and labels just about everywhere. Bruce explains and apologizes for them in the info book. The notices are there for the mega-morons that don't know things that should be common sense. He really, really doesn't want you to touch the screens. You'll see what I mean if you stay there. :-) The place is a bit weathered. I was going to say run down, but given the hot and humid conditions there, everything exposed to the elements takes a beating. The entertainment system is lacking, but at least the TV works. I ended up connecting my Chromebook to the HDMI port and streamed content. It worked well enough, given where we were and the age/condition of the TV. The kitchen needs some help. Most of the drawers/cabinets either don't open or are hard to open/close. The most frustrating thing was that the pantry is located around the bar from the kitchen. So, if you're preparing something, you'll find yourself going back and forth. We ended up placing commonly used items on the bar to save us a trip to the pantry. The cold water dispenser is a lifesaver. It was nice having cool water on tap when returning from a trip. Even though there are some rough edges, we'd stay there again. It was a great value for the money as it's palatial and comfortable. Thanks, Bruce!

Property is phenomenal! We booked almost a year out and had wonderful communication with the owner all along the way leading up to our arrival. Through the owner, we booked our transit from DPS to the property. I highly recommend Juli (driver) for all your transport needs in Ubud and area. Juli met us at the airport and took us to Ubud. We met his wife at the Bintang supermarket and from there we were on foot for about a 400 (or so) yard journey to the house. Juli and his wife helped with our bags and helped get us situated once we arrived at the house. House was wonderful. Very well designed and built. Property is lovely with the landscaping and the pool. Just a real gem. The housekeeper, Mayaa was very sweet. We ordered breakfast from her several times during our stay. Wonderful breakfast served on the front patio, looking into the forest and listening the river below. Checking out Juli had his nephew assist with getting our bags to Bintang Supermarket and then transport us to Sanur for the second week of our stay. We were thrown off at first by how to access the property. But after some quick exploration it really a fascinating area and access is unique and easy to navigate. Almost felt like hidden pathways to various unique areas. Easy walk to shops, restaurants, and attractions. We could also always access a car from Bintang if need be. Some suggestions for your trip; Bintang Supermarket is a wonderful market to provision up for your stay, explore on foot the pathways and trails will give you a greater appreciation of the region, download “Grab”. With Grab you can get a car, order food to be delivered and many other great features. We have used both in Ubud and in Sanur. Wonderful app to have had on our trip. Enjoy your stay at Rumah Cahaya, you will be extremely happy and leave with wonderful memories!

From the first moment we arrived it was amazing. A small retinue of people met us to help transport our luggage to the beautiful private oasis that is Rumah Cahaya! I felt as if I had stepped into a Balinese fairytale. The house with it’s splendid pool and gorgeous grounds exceeded my expectations, but what made it more than beautiful and truly special were the wonderful and delightful staff. I fell in love with each and every one of them. If you are planning a trip to Ubud you couldn’t find a more serene and beautiful villa. Hope to return! Christie

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Rumah Cahaya! We were so wondderfully amazed with how beautiful the house and grounds were, especially the pool. The pictures depicted this home perfectly and nothing was a disappointment. One of the highlights of our trip was the day we stayed at the house and enjoyed the pool. The pool is very large which is unusual for the area and perfectly situated on the grounds to get sun for most of the day not to mention extremely refreshing no matter what time of day. Having breakfast on the riverside of the property from our dining porch was such a wonderful way to start the day. Maya our cook/housekeeper was such a joy, very pleasant and helpful. She even took our clothes to be laundered for us, for such a reasonable price. Juli the manager/driver was so awesome, he too was so kind, patient and helpful not only in finding and being available for the activities we wanted to do but also in helping us alleviate any problems that arose in our traveling plans. We visited Bali during the Corona Virus outbreak and so things were a little unusual and a little unnerving but all the staff and the owner Bruce helped in suppressing our fears. Bruce was so accomodating in allowing us to stay longer should the need arise due to airport closers, etc. All in all our trip and experience in Bali at Rumah Cahaya was a success and one we will never forget!!

Simply put I love this place. It was absolutely everything we were looking for. It was away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but also right on the edge of it. It was a very short trip to get into the heart of Ubud and take advantage of all it had to offer. The property is gorgeous, the pictures do reflect what you are getting, a gorgeous pool, tons of space. and a fair amount of privacy. One thing to be aware of is, that often there is staff. Both this villa and another we rented in Lovina have staff that is around. Not a bad thing just something to be aware of if you are looking for complete and totally privacy! The location for this is back off of the street. You realluy can only access it by bike or motorcycle/scooter which is great. The only noise you hear really is the chickens that do like to wake you up around 5AM, but you get used to it. One thing not mentioned in the listing is a truly FANTASTIC outside room. Off the master bedroom is a screened in sleeping area that leads up to the roof. This area is completely open on 2 sides, but fully screened in so you can sleep out there at night and enjoy the breeze/moon/peace comfortably. I'm definitely planning on being back in Bali and when in Ubud I will definitely be renting this property again!

We stayed at rumah cayah villa and annex for 5 nights and definitely couldve stayed longer! The house had so much space and we loved the open design - be prepared to make friends with the local wildlife! The villa had everything you needed and the staff were wonderful especially Juli the property manager who helped arrange numerous trips and transport to our next destination etc. The villa is only a walk away or a very cheap taxi from ubud town however there are also many lovely places to eat nearby and the proximity to the supermarket was ideal for our group! Thank you for a stay we will never forget!

Great villa with lots of privacy and very nice staff. Unfortunately we had a lot of rain during our stay so, because of the open construction of the villa, it became very humid in the villa including the bed linen. Location is great close to a lot of small “warungs” and you can find a coffee lovers café 5 minutes walking from the villa at the main road. Because of the location close to the jungle the view is stunning. All in all it was a great stay (apart from the rain..)

We loved our Stay at Rumah Cahaya in April 2018. Staying in this Villa is like being one with nature. I was not aware before coming that the villa is completely open air, we definitely recommend a bath under the stars- it is magical. During the evenings it cooled down a bit but was still quite warm. The owner does a great job of keeping the mosquitos away but we were startled a few times by very large (by western standards) bees buzzing around the villa. They did not seem aggressive, but took some getting used to. Otherwise the live flora throughout really made for quite a special experience. The pool area is absolutely beautiful and a dream to relax by. A feeling of seclusion is achieved. The setting of the villa is between the jungle and rice paddies, again very wonderful! Note there is no road to the villa and it is best to meet in the Market parking lot to find your way there. Having the Bintang Market nearby was also a major plus, you could find everything you might need there. We also rented a scooter while staying in Ubud and Juli the property manager conveniently had it dropped off for us at a great rate, we were so appreciative. Juli also graciously drove us to the airport very late at night which was great. He is one of the Villa's best assets. There are information books in the villa that we also found quite helpful when just arriving and definitely recommend reading through. Our only concern while staying in the villa is that we found cameras not only outside, but also inside (they appeared to only be pointing at the doors). We found this somewhat unsettling and a bit invasive. One should also note that the owner lives just beyond the pool with a door adjoining the properties. We didn't feel as though we had total and complete privacy. Otherwise, we would absolutely consider staying again and will be recommending this villa to family and friends alike.

We loved our Stay at Rumah Cahaya in April 2018. Staying in this Villa is like being one with nature. I was not aware before coming that the villa is completely open air, we definitely recommend a bath under the stars- it is magical. During the evenings it cooled down a bit but was still quite warm. The owner does a great job of keeping the mosquitos away but we were startled a few times by very large (by western standards) bees buzzing around the villa. They did not seem aggressive, but took some getting used to. Otherwise the live flora throughout really made for quite a special experience. The pool area is absolutely beautiful and a dream to relax by. A feeling of seclusion is achieved. The setting of the villa is between the jungle and rice paddies, again very wonderful! Note there is no road to the villa and it is best to meet in the Market parking lot to find your way there. Having the Bintang Market nearby was also a major plus, you could find everything you might need there. We also rented a scooter while staying in Ubud and Juli the property manager conveniently had it dropped off for us at a great rate, we were so appreciative. Juli also graciously drove us to the airport very late at night which was great. He is one of the Villa's best assets. There are information books in the villa that we also found quite helpful when just arriving and definitely recommend reading through. Our only concern while staying in the villa is that we found cameras not only outside, but also inside (they appeared to only be pointing at the doors). We found this somewhat unsettling and a bit invasive. One should also note that the owner lives just beyond the pool with a door adjoining the properties. We didn't feel as though we had total and complete privacy. Otherwise, we would absolutely consider staying again and will be recommending this villa to family and friends alike.

Everything written about this property is spot on..the house is just gorgeous, the location is great - a perfect mix of town proximity and tucked away jungle feel, and the staff is so nice and accommodating! Maya makes an excellent breakfast and keeps the house spotless. I would definitely recommend hanging out and going around with Juli for the day. He's awesome and we were super grateful for his hospitality! Thanks Bruce! Also, definitely check out Yellow Flower Cafe! A quick, nice path walk for some fantastic food!

Everything written about this property is spot on..the house is just gorgeous, the location is great - a perfect mix of town proximity and tucked away jungle feel, and the staff is so nice and accommodating! Maya makes an excellent breakfast and keeps the house spotless. I would definitely recommend hanging out and going around with Juli for the day. He's awesome and we were super grateful for his hospitality! Thanks Bruce! Also, definitely check out Yellow Flower Cafe! A quick, nice path walk for some fantastic food!

My wife and I stayed here briefly as part of our Indonesian honeymoon. We absolutely loved the villa. It was quiet, set apart from the busy and generally too-commercial Ubud. We woke to birds singing and went to sleep with just the stars. The villa was immaculate, and we enjoyed the pool, and outdoor shower and bath. The bed was very comfortable and we slept well each night. The house is filled with ornately carved doors, stone statues, carefully placed lighting, and an indoor waterfall. It, like Bali itself, marries art and function. But what made this stay so special was the staff. Juli picked us up from the airport and drove us to the villa. After a brief scooter lift to the house, he introduced us to the gardener and security officer, Ketut. We always felt safe there. Maya made us wonderful breakfasts -- both traditional Indonesian and Western options are available. On our second day, we hired Juli to take us on a local tour. We saw the traditional Barong dance, visited artisan shops, and toured temples. He even stayed with us late to make sure we saw the famous rice terraces. The next day was a special Hindu celebration -- Galungan. It is a sacred day when devout Balinese visit temples, make offerings to ancestors, and visit families. All the villages were decorated with beautiful penjor -- tall bamboo poles covered with flowers and other offerings. We were deeply honored when Juli invited us to attend the local temple with him and his son. We first met his wife and children and enjoyed some Balinese coffee and jaja cakes. At the temple, Juli guided us through the ceremony. It was one of the most special and sacred parts of our trip. After leaving, we went to Nusa Dua for two nights to enjoy the beach before returning to winter in New England. Immediately we missed Rumah Cahaya and the people of Penestanan. Nusa Dua felt artificial and inauthentic. Next time we will stay at Rumah Cahaya and skip the touristy resort. We could not recommend Rumah Cahaya more strongly. It is perfect for a couple or small family, and ideal for those wishing to see the "real" Bali and avoid the more commercial centers.

My wife and I stayed here briefly as part of our Indonesian honeymoon. We absolutely loved the villa. It was quiet, set apart from the busy and generally too-commercial Ubud. We woke to birds singing and went to sleep with just the stars. The villa was immaculate, and we enjoyed the pool, and outdoor shower and bath. The bed was very comfortable and we slept well each night. The house is filled with ornately carved doors, stone statues, carefully placed lighting, and an indoor waterfall. It, like Bali itself, marries art and function. But what made this stay so special was the staff. Juli picked us up from the airport and drove us to the villa. After a brief scooter lift to the house, he introduced us to the gardener and security officer, Ketut. We always felt safe there. Maya made us wonderful breakfasts -- both traditional Indonesian and Western options are available. On our second day, we hired Juli to take us on a local tour. We saw the traditional Barong dance, visited artisan shops, and toured temples. He even stayed with us late to make sure we saw the famous rice terraces. The next day was a special Hindu celebration -- Galungan. It is a sacred day when devout Balinese visit temples, make offerings to ancestors, and visit families. All the villages were decorated with beautiful penjor -- tall bamboo poles covered with flowers and other offerings. We were deeply honored when Juli invited us to attend the local temple with him and his son. We first met his wife and children and enjoyed some Balinese coffee and jaja cakes. At the temple, Juli guided us through the ceremony. It was one of the most special and sacred parts of our trip. After leaving, we went to Nusa Dua for two nights to enjoy the beach before returning to winter in New England. Immediately we missed Rumah Cahaya and the people of Penestanan. Nusa Dua felt artificial and inauthentic. Next time we will stay at Rumah Cahaya and skip the touristy resort. We could not recommend Rumah Cahaya more strongly. It is perfect for a couple or small family, and ideal for those wishing to see the "real" Bali and avoid the more commercial centers.

Due to my wife’s work, we travel quite extensively, and have rented many houses, apartments, etc. Rumah Cahaya is by far the most enchanting and intoxicating experience we have ever had. Nothing comes close. The design, the attention to detail, the craftsmanship. All truly remarkable. Words can't describe our excitement of being privileged guests this absolutely beautiful villa.We loved everything about it - the private pool, the outdoor bathrooms and bathing outside, the animal noises (especially in the mornings and evenings), and of course Bruce the owner who answered all our questions and the staff.Juli, Maya, Bapak are all wonderful. So kind and so helpful. Juli (house manager) was an excellent driver and we encourage anyone staying at the villa to partake of his services and do a daytrip with him. Maya (housekeeper) made excellent breakfasts and kept the villa clean and comfortable. Bapak (the grounds supervisor/gardener), though speaking very little English, was a delight. We very much enjoyed his visits. We also loved his dogs and my wife even got a little lick on my hand from the younger one! Of course it may have been because she was crouched down on the ground, had just given him a hot dog and held out my hand that had touched the hot dog.The villa is furnished with everything one could think of or need. We keep saying to each other, “Bruce thinks of everything!” The kitchen was terrific for those nights in. And it was easy to stock up as the Bintang supermarket was just a 5 minute walk out back through the rice fields. The big screen TV comes with a DVD player and Bruce has acquired a quite extensive DVD collection.Though only about a 20 minute walk into Ubud proper, we only visited once. Why? We never wanted to leave the villa. Every minute away felt a moment missed in paradise. Our stay of 8 days seemed far too short. We left feeling rested and reinvigorated. This is a remarkable and romantic place in paradise and we will definitely be back.Thank you for all your help and welcoming us into your extended family. We are eternally grateful. John

Due to my wife’s work, we travel quite extensively, and have rented many houses, apartments, etc. Rumah Cahaya is by far the most enchanting and intoxicating experience we have ever had. Nothing comes close. The design, the attention to detail, the craftsmanship. All truly remarkable. Words can't describe our excitement of being privileged guests this absolutely beautiful villa. We loved everything about it - the private pool, the outdoor bathrooms and bathing outside, the animal noises (especially in the mornings and evenings), and of course Bruce the owner who answered all our questions and the staff. Juli, Maya, Bapak are all wonderful. So kind and so helpful. Juli (house manager) was an excellent driver and we encourage anyone staying at the villa to partake of his services and do a daytrip with him. Maya (housekeeper) made excellent breakfasts and kept the villa clean and comfortable. Bapak (the grounds supervisor/gardener), though speaking very little English, was a delight. We very much enjoyed his visits. We also loved his dogs and my wife even got a little lick on my hand from the younger one! Of course it may have been because she was crouched down on the ground, had just given him a hot dog and held out my hand that had touched the hot dog. The villa is furnished with everything one could think of or need. We keep saying to each other, “Bruce thinks of everything!” The kitchen was terrific for those nights in. And it was easy to stock up as the Bintang supermarket was just a 5 minute walk out back through the rice fields. The big screen TV comes with a DVD player and Bruce has acquired a quite extensive DVD collection. Though only about a 20 minute walk into Ubud proper, we only visited once. Why? We never wanted to leave the villa. Every minute away felt a moment missed in paradise. Our stay of 8 days seemed far too short. We left feeling rested and reinvigorated. This is a remarkable and romantic place in paradise and we will definitely be back. Thank you for all your help and welcoming us into your extended family. We are eternally grateful. John

1. Master Suite: Comfy bedding and luxe outdoor bathroom with rain shower and soaking tub. There can be no better place in the world to enjoy the moon and stars!2. Swimming Pool/Grounds: A full-size private pool is such a luxury on holiday. We never grew tired of ogling the magnificent grounds. Very hard to leave when we went out for activities. Bapak was a jewel and kept it all pristine.3. Location: Steps away from eateries, shopping, and taxi stand, yet miles away from scooter fumes and crowds. Using the villa as base, one could stay right in Penestanan and fully experience the culture, nature, and palpable spirituality of Bali.4. Restaurant Recommendations: Bruce offers a notebook of restaurant reviews/recommendations (and is quite the engaging writer by the way)....all within walking distance. Try 'em all!5. Maya: Speaking of food, we fell in love with Maya and her delicious breakfasts. She is a major part of what makes Rumah Cahaya the wonder that it is. She exudes graciousness and ease, and keeps things sparkling and humming along, the heart and soul of Rumah Cahaya.6. Juli: And speaking of heart and soul, Juli is the epitome of Balinese hospitality. He checked in with us regularly, though never intrusively, always warm and helpful. Great driver and guide who will make you forget he's a guide and feel more like a friend.7. Sunrise: The gradual pinkening of the sky through open windows is a surreal alarm clock, awakening the cacophony that is so singularly 'Bali:' ducks, roosters, songbirds, frogs working up to an orchestral morning salutation. Daily soul food!8. The House Itself: Take a full day to not leave the villa at all. Walk the grounds at different hours. Enjoy the light and shadows. Lose yourself in exquisite stone and wood carvings. Smell the flowers. Listen to the water cascading from the pool. Open all the windows and doors. Approach the temples and whisper a soft Thank You. Go up to the eagle's nest and witness the otherworldly panorama. Enjoy the breeze through the shady terrace. View the natural and man-made wonders from every lovely angle. Be dazzled.9. Thoughtful Details: guides, menus, maps, great sound system and TV, DVDs and books, French press, flashlights, full kitchen, nice linens changed regularly, paper products, bottled water, wifi, easily arranged laundry and meal delivery.10. Privacy: Perfect for couples. Doesn't get any more romantic and relaxing than Villa Rumah Cahaya.

1. Master Suite: Comfy bedding and luxe outdoor bathroom with rain shower and soaking tub. There can be no better place in the world to enjoy the moon and stars! 2. Swimming Pool/Grounds: A full-size private pool is such a luxury on holiday. We never grew tired of ogling the magnificent grounds. Very hard to leave when we went out for activities. Bapak was a jewel and kept it all pristine. 3. Location: Steps away from eateries, shopping, and taxi stand, yet miles away from scooter fumes and crowds. Using the villa as base, one could stay right in Penestanan and fully experience the culture, nature, and palpable spirituality of Bali. 4. Restaurant Recommendations: Bruce offers a notebook of restaurant reviews/recommendations (and is quite the engaging writer by the way)....all within walking distance. Try 'em all! 5. Maya: Speaking of food, we fell in love with Maya and her delicious breakfasts. She is a major part of what makes Rumah Cahaya the wonder that it is. She exudes graciousness and ease, and keeps things sparkling and humming along, the heart and soul of Rumah Cahaya. 6. Juli: And speaking of heart and soul, Juli is the epitome of Balinese hospitality. He checked in with us regularly, though never intrusively, always warm and helpful. Great driver and guide who will make you forget he's a guide and feel more like a friend. 7. Sunrise: The gradual pinkening of the sky through open windows is a surreal alarm clock, awakening the cacophony that is so singularly 'Bali:' ducks, roosters, songbirds, frogs working up to an orchestral morning salutation. Daily soul food! 8. The House Itself: Take a full day to not leave the villa at all. Walk the grounds at different hours. Enjoy the light and shadows. Lose yourself in exquisite stone and wood carvings. Smell the flowers. Listen to the water cascading from the pool. Open all the windows and doors. Approach the temples and whisper a soft Thank You. Go up to the eagle's nest and witness the otherworldly panorama. Enjoy the breeze through the shady terrace. View the natural and man-made wonders from every lovely angle. Be dazzled. 9. Thoughtful Details: guides, menus, maps, great sound system and TV, DVDs and books, French press, flashlights, full kitchen, nice linens changed regularly, paper products, bottled water, wifi, easily arranged laundry and meal delivery. 10. Privacy: Perfect for couples. Doesn't get any more romantic and relaxing than Villa Rumah Cahaya.

I live in NYC. This place is Opposite Land. Rumah Cahaya will obliterate your stress. Need a creative sabbatical? Stay here for a month and explore the interior of Bali. There's a rainforest on one side of the villa and rice paddies on the other. We woke to bird calls and luscious views, and fell asleep to gecko chirps and faint gamelan drumming--beautiful and hypnotic. On the second day, my niece said,"WHY are Maya's breakfast eggs so good?" And then we saw the chickens and hens running through the paths of our rice paddies. That curving path is like something out of National Geographic for Kids. My two young kids saw lizards, ducks, roosters, groundhogs, mice, frogs, butterflies and snakes (butterflies are bigger than the snakes). Note: Rumah Cahaya is not for the squeamish. They’re all here, creatures great and small. Everything is benign. There’s an ongoing symphony of chirping and burping and some of it comes from the corner of the living room. The villa’s best features are the open air master bathroom and the eagle's nest, a tiny tower. Every night I’d bathe under the starriest skies—no light pollution here. After a really hot day, you bathe in the sultry perfume of frangipani. Upstairs, from the eagle's nest, you sit at an L-shaped desk while peering into a lush rainforest. The ordinary world falls away. I couldn’t stop taking panoramic shots of the rice paddies. At night if you leave the tower windows and doors wide open, a little bat might swoop in and out. My son loved that! The staff: Maya makes amazing breakfasts but she’ll let you know (by being late) that she prefers 9am to earlier. Finally we just had her make us lunch instead. She’ll also take small parcels of laundry and return them next day. Juli, the informative driver and responsive house manager, aims to please. One day he took us to the market and I left a bag of caramel cakes somewhere. He saw my disappointment and the next day came with other caramel cakes, refusing compensation. (One day, though, Juli’s brother pinch hit and charged us an arm and a leg. So, substitute Juli at your own risk!) The owner Bruce has tastefully created a luxurious home yet still in keeping with the local vernacular--wooden doors, transoms, cabinets, and wardrobe are carved with Balinese motifs, and altars and recessed nooks with Hindu statuary grace the property. My kids had so much fun exploring it all that they didn’t even realize they were learning. The same goes for me.

Stayed at beautiful Rumah Cahaya for a week in August and had the most amazing stay. The location of the villa was absolutely perfect for our needs. Walking through the rice field on the villas private path enjoying the sights and sounds of Bali is an experience I will never forget. The Villa is isolated but still only a five minute walk to the Bintang market and one of our favorite restaurants The Yellow Flower Cafe. It was about a 15-20 minute walk to the center of Ubud but if you didn't feel up for the walk it was very easy to get a taxi. Rumah Cahaya is a large house with the most beautiful grounds and a very large pool which we enjoyed immensely! The outdoor bathrooms were such an exotic treat, nothing like taking a bath enjoy the stars in the night sky. The owner Bruce has set the house up beautifully, thinking of small details such as flashlights and a cellphone for guest use. But, truly what made our stay amazing was the wonderful staff. Juli the house manager was so kind and helpful. Our first night we arrived exhausted after traveling about 30 hours, just wanting a shower and light dinner. Juli was kind enough to order our dinner from a wonderful local warring, go pick it up so we could enjoy a beautiful meal without leaving the Villa. Juli also help us arrange tours and was always a phone call away if we needed anything. Maya, the cook/housecleaner was a gem. She made us beautiful breakfasts each morning, nothing was to much trouble. Her banana pancakes were delicious! And then there was Bapak the groundkeeper. An amazing man always with the biggest most welcoming smile. Villa Rumah Cahaya is a truly magical place! Thank you Bruce for sharing your home with us.

Group of guests: 3 adults (couple+single), mid-fifties to mid-sixties / lenght of stay: 2 weeks / requirements (duly agreed upon by owner): internet access, inclusion of breakfast, user-friendly kitchen. Great: staff cordiality, comfort of main bed, swimming pool&greenery; proximity to supermarket&bunch of swell little restaurants / Ok: breakfast; comfort of living room / Poor: overall cleanliness of kitchenware; comfort&cleanliness of outdoors dining chairs / Annoying: security man's barking dog —around 04:45 a.m. daily / Drawbacks: distance (by foot) to downtown; unavailability of house lady ± before 09:00 a.m. / Major drawbacks : internet reception, kitchen lighting; & morning coffee (ouch!) / Rumah Cahaya is a big house with reasonable personality, set in a pretty&quiet area; one might (arguably) find unfortunate, when on ground floor or in garden, not being able to take in the beauty of the rice paddies next to it; but how to understand a-50-some-years-old-guest may seriously be expected to sleep in the second upstairs ‹bed› for 2 weeks, repeat 2 weeks, with: no proper lamp to speak of, zero storage space, a thick plastic curtain (as it sits half outdoors) to cut off the rain but not quite the heat, + a mosquito net (much stained &) ill-fitting??? Said guest, by the way, ended up dragging mattress inside to room floor & had to do without... mosquito net or reading lamp! —with 3 computers, piles of travel documents&books&whatnot, we simply had to rule out using the living room as a second bedroom. One might, also, have to forgo walking to/fro downtown, considering: local temperatures and incline&lenght of unavoidable hill, condition of sidewalks, but mostly, mostly, the hallucinating Ubud motorized traffic&pollution! Last but not least: 1) if you really do need internet at the house, better be prepared to swear&suffer —A L O T... 2) your laundry will in fact be taken care of by the house lady, inexpensively if not remarquably, but hold on to your white clothes for the life of you! 3) the recommended chauffeur proved a truly nice young man&fine taxi driver, with very decent english; but having so little to say about balinese culture&history, he can hardly serve (for the time being?) as a resourceful tour guide. So. If your circumstances match ours, and taking into account the rental fees, you might want to lodge elsewhere. J, P, & Jacques

This was a spectacular stay, almost transformative. Being out in the rice fields, as opposed to in town, is what made Ubud so wonderful for us, and the people who met us and who cooked breakfast could not have been nicer or more welcoming. Bruce has made a magical place and next time we are coming for longer, BR

We arrived at the Bintang parking lot, met by 3 guys who are going to take our bags. Up a "rustic" stairs, down a path behind the grocery, then another path, then another...."what did we get into?" Last turn and you look across a rice field and find HEAVEN. Beautiful grounds, great pool, almost total quiet, spotless, great breakfast....yet you're still maybe 15 minutes total walk in to "downtown" Ubud or 10 minutes up the stream bed and turn up into Penestanan. I'm doubtful that you can match this for privacy yet proximity to Ubud shopping and sightseeing. Landlord was incredibly responsive to emails. Driver/Guide most helpful. This was, just simply, one of those place that you kind of want to denigrate a bit so it will be available the next time for us, because WE WILL RETURN. The pictures understate the beauty and you can't hear the quiet in a photo. This is one to not overlook if you like privacy and still like to see what Ubud has to see and do.

What a gem! The property is secluded yet within walking distance of shops and restaurants. The winding lane along the Blangsuh takes you to the villages of Penestanan and Sayan farther afield to the west or across the rice fields to Campuhan and Ubud to the east. The place has touches of luxury and charm, comfort and glitz. Lounge on the porch for breakfast, soak in the pool in the heat of the afternoon, or climb up the roost to see the moon at night, Villa Cahaya has it all.

My wife and I booked Rumah Cahaya for 8 nights for a family holiday with our 3 children (7,5 & 4 years old respectively) in August 2012. We looked forward to arriving, having seen the beautiful pictures of the villa on the website. However on arrival we realised that this amazing residence was even better than the pictures! (a pleasant surprise for us seasoned and sometimes cynical travellers). The location is perfect - yes, it is a 5 minute walk and 5 minute taxi to central Ubud - but that is what makes it so great. You have your own peaceful retreat away from the busy main tourist drag, but close enough to pop into town a couple of times a day should you wish. The local supremarket stocks everything at local prices, and we never had to wait for a taxi for the $3 trip into town. Not that there turned out to be many of these - our children loved exploring the house, gardens and playing in either of the two pools. Walks around the local village of Penestanan offer up wonderful little restaurants at excellent prices - some even do home delivery to Rumah Cahaya. But the highlight for us grownups was waking up on the 3rd floor master bedroom watching the sun rise over rice fields. It really felt like our own piece of paradise for those 8 days. The staff were farm and friendly, the daily breakfasts were delicious and Bruce the owner was always contactable throughout the booking process, our stay and also after our return. I cannot recommend this accommodation highly enough, and we are already thinking about when we will return. Thank you Bruce!

Our family just returned from ten happy ten days at Rumah Cahaya. It's a spectacular villa, full of beautiful details and in a really special spot. The setting is ideal; quiet, away from the bustle of Ubud but close enough to walk to everything (or a quick taxi ride if someone's complaining). You have to be willing to be a bit off the beaten path, which we liked. Our kids loved walking through the rice fields and the back alleys to get around and we ended up spending more time than I expected exploring the village of Penestanan. Did I mention rice fields? On one side the house faces a river gorge and on the other side are rice paddies. Breakfast is served facing the river, so you eat, Last Supper style in a semicircle all on one side, facing this gorgeous wild view with the sounds of jungle as accompaniment. (You might want to keep an eye out for Javan kingfishers, which are gaudy beyond belief.) It's a pretty good way to start the day. Pancakes, french toast, fruit, omelettes, coffee, juice.. The house is full of beautiful artwork and careful attention to detail. The pool is great. The staff is wonderful; kind and competent. It's easy to arrange for meals at the house, for laundry, and so on. The house comes with a mobile phone, which is a nice touch. The house is not good for infants and toddlers; our 7 and 10 year olds were very happy.

After visiting Ubud center many times during our stay, we were pleased to have chosen this property at this location. As mentioned before, the location is beautiful. A nice spot between the rice paddies and a river gorge covered with trees. It’s a really big villa with a nice garden. The villa is full of (craftsmanship) details. You can't get to the villa by car. Only by foot from one site of the property (rice paddies) and by scooter from the other site (the gorge). It is more or less the last villa located at the path following the river gorge. To us (and the children), this added great value to the experience. Via the rice paddies, it’s a short walk to a large supermarket (Bintang market) where you can get everything you want. Next to the supermarket there is a small bar where they sell croissants, bread, etc. If you want you can get a taxi here as well. It is an easy walk to the centre if you want. A next time, we would stay at this property again, certainly in the same area. So not in Ubud centre itself. At certain moments of the day, that's really busy (with tour busses).

We spent 5 nights at this magnificent villa. We loved the location, a short walk through the rice fields from the main road. The villa is stunning, like a palace. Our family group (ranging from 17 years to 58) enjoyed the huge living areas, stunning views of the lush valley, and the tranquil setting. The pool and garden was lovely, north facing, with plenty of sunlight. We loved the peacefulness, the sounds of frogs, birds, gentle running water - no traffic noise. The kitchen was well equipped with everything you need. The staff came each morning to cook breakfast and kept it spotlessly clean. The beautiful walks along very picturesque trails from the villa lead to some delightful family run warungs where we had some wonderful meals. There is a good yoga place within walking distance. The pleasant walk down the hill to the main part of ubud took approx. 20 mins. This villa is by far the best villa we have ever stayed at after 9 trips to Bali. We can't wait to come back to villa Rumah Cahaya as soon as we can and highly recommend it. Thank you Bruce for allowing us to stay at your wonderful villa.

Villa Cahaya is by far the best villa I have had the pleasure to stay in while holidaying in Bali. As this has been my 12th visit to this beautiful, serene and spiritual island it is not a statement made without considerable past reference. I was fortunate enough to be staying here with my family who also completely share my sentiments - it is not often that you see young adults displaying such a high level of positive acclamation. The villa staff are delightful, efficient and unobtrusive. The villa and gardens are stunning the photos cannot display the true beauty and serenity of this property. No traffic noise only the sound of birds and running water. It was a delight to enjoy a delicious breakfast looking out over the river valley - there was no sense that the bustling streets of Ubud were only minutes away. It was very difficult to leave Rumah Cahaya and I will definitely return at the first opportunity. My sincere thanks to the owners for letting us share their lovely home.

It was our first Bali experience and we were so glad we chose Rumah Cahaya for the 7 days. Each room had its own individual charm and character. I sat each morning and gazed at the intricate detail on every wall and pillar and wondered how long it took to create and who had the vision to design something so beautiful. The staff were so friendly and nothing was too much trouble. Mia cooked our breakfast each morning which was served with fresh juice "so tasty" !!! We had a day trip to Kuta and Seminyak and realised then," when we chose Rumah Cahaya we made the right choice". We were away from the Chaos and experiencing the true beauty that Bali has to offer. If you are travelling to Bali make sure you spend a few nights in Ubud at "Rumah Cahaya" I know you will love it like we did