The grass and paving stone chequerboard terrace is ideal for weddings, Balinese dance performances and cocktail parties. Lined with black volcanic stone, the classic 13-metre swimming pool is evocative of a river rock pool. It is flanked by a delightful gazebo known as a ‘bale bengong’, meaning ‘a place to relax, dream and do nothing’. Complete with a large wooden cowbell, which you can ring whenever you need to be served with drinks, refreshments or lunch, the gazebo is set against a backdrop of towering trees, river and rice terraces. Three Buddha statues rest serenely in alcoves watching over the garden.

Hugging the two valleys, broad canopied fig trees, rippling banana leaves and giant bamboo mingle with tall coconut palms. Richly-coloured dragonflies glide upon the thermals, yellow and black butterflies flit from flower to flower, and a sudden flash of iridescent blue indicates the presence of a Java kingfisher. Imagine what it would be like to stay here…