No Passport Needed: Check-Into These Private Bali-Style Villas Now

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What Is It?

We recently came across Coco Shambhala villas in Sindhudurg and were absolutely blown away. A collection of four luxury Balinese-style villas nestled in the tropical Konkan coast with the beach not 200m away, each villa here even has its own private infinity pool!

What Did I Like?

The four villas are perched on a hillside overlooking the Arabian Sea. Each villa features two bedrooms {with their own balcony and ensuite}, a fully stocked beverage counter, and an al-fresco lounge/dining area overlooking the infinity pool. Coco Shambhala offers their guests maximum privacy, with no intrusions from staff except for meals – or at special request – which we think sounds perfectly romantic. We love that their villas are designed in a contemporary style, but have seamlessly pays homage to the local culture, using coconut wood furniture, curated antique pieces, and traditional Mangalorean clay tiles. Each villa has its own meaningful theme, but we hear that Villa Varenya has the best sea views, the highest elevation, and the most chill vibe. It’s also their most secluded villa. When it comes to food and wine, their food and wine pairings are a gourmand’s delight. Their menus remain seasonal, showcasing the ‘best of Goan cuisine’, using only local produce and seafood – created by in-house Director of Cuisine, Shagun Mehra. There’s even an in-house sommelier to make sure your glass is always full of the finest wine {or single malt/craft beer}. If you have the deep pockets for it, you can even arrange a more private sit-down dinner – on prior booking, only. The staff will even contact you before your visit, to find out your food and beverage preferences! Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better than this – we also discovered that Coco Shambhala has tied up with high-end brand Forest Essentials, to bring you the most luxurious spa treatments you can dream of. There are even one-day spa packages you can avail, on request. Spa fiends, take note! Coco Shambhala does not rent out one villa to two different groups of people – so if you’re travelling solo or as a couple, you’ll have the entire home to yourself. If you choose to travel with friends, each villa can sleep a maximum of five people {with the addition of an extra bed} and the entire resort can accommodate 20 guests.

Anything Else?

‘Shambhala’ means, ‘a place of peace, happiness and tranquility’ – and what you see at Coco Shambhala, is exactly what you get. The fine print: yes, it’s expensive – after all, it’s a top luxury destination! Tariff packages are available at standard (with breakfast included) and premium (all inclusive) rates. We recommend booking a couple of months in advance – as the rates can vary according to seasonal availability. We’re absolutely smitten with this property, and think it would be ideal for a romantic couples’ getaway, a big proposal, honeymoon, babymoon, or any special occasion. Go big, or go home, right? Enquire via their website here.

#LBBTip

The beach is just a few minutes’ walk from the villas, and there’s a colourful local market nearby which you can visit for a bit of sightseeing. The sunsets here are unparalleled, and the views are so gorgeous, it’s hard to believe they’re real and not a beautiful mirage. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot monkeys in the trees surrounding the hotel, exotic birds, or even a few dolphins out at sea.