Historically, the area of Janda Baik was the destination of Sultans to get away, relax, and be with family while surrounded by nature. At Embun Luxury Villas, this dream remains accessible, even for those of us without royal lineage.
Luxury close to home
A major highlight of our weekend away is how easily accessible luxury is from our house. We left Desa ParkCity on a Friday evening, in the rain, and still we arrived at Embun Villas in less than an hour.
It’s amazing to be at a place that feels like a jungle paradise, without first enduring a plane ride or a 5 hour drive. Since we’ve added a toddler to the already primary aged brothers, less actual travel to a destination is a major bonus for our family.
The steep driveway up to Embun looks intimidating, but don’t be alarmed. As soon as you make the initial wind up, you’ll be ushered by SUV vehicles to take you up the hill to your private villa. After a warm welcome at the reception, a cool towel and refreshing homemade pandan and lemongrass juice, you’ll be ushered to the most stunning villas that make you feel as if you’ve received a royal welcome to the Sultan’s private holiday home.
Royal service at Embun Luxury Villas
The facilities are well maintained, and the natural surroundings are breathtaking. With eight villas to choose from ranging from 1-3 bedrooms, there wasn’t a bad view in sight. We really appreciated the attention to detail for our youngest child, as there was a baby cot already set up, and a few toys around the villa and family areas to keep her entertained.
Each meal was served by an entourage of staff, complete with beautifully-plated dishes: fruit baskets, bread baskets, cheese platters, smoothies, desserts, starters and main dishes – like how I imagine royalty would be served at a holiday home.
Janda Baik has become a popular escape for city dwellers and nature lovers. And we’ve loved several places we’ve stayed there. However, Embun Luxury Villas is a true taste of luxury. ‘Exclusive’ and ‘private’ are the best words to describe this hidden gem. The manager told us on our second night there was a party of 30 people having dinner just a short distance away at the club house, and we didn’t hear a thing!
Each bedroom has a full service kitchen, and each bedroom has a bathtub, and each villa a private pool. It was the small touches that really got my attention. There were frangipani flowers on our bed (and in the crib), artisan chocolates in the fridge, and a fruit bowl with a welcome note on the table. And when my husband called before arriving, they already knew my name and assured me everything was already set up like we requested.
The villa staff is shy, but friendly and welcoming. One morning, as we were marveling at the mangosteens lying along the path, the gardener noticed us and climbed the tree, tossing down ripe fruit until our kids’ hands were full. We enjoyed fresh fruit at each meal sourced from the land and tasted a few new varieties of local fruits.
We stayed in the largest 3 bedroom villa with another family, and it was amazing- private, spacious, with a stunning view and a pool 4-feet deep. Up to three small families can stay here, and it was very spacious and comfortable with our two families, comprising 9 people. Two bedrooms are detached with ensuite palace-like bathrooms, and the third bedroom is attached to the main villa, which has a living room and full kitchen.
Meals can be served in your villa or at the club house. We opted for dinners in our villa as it was better for our little one and her bedtime, and we enjoyed breakfast at the main house. There are western and local sets available, complete with a cheese platter, fresh fruits and juices, eggs cooked to order, granolas, and good coffee. They have a lunch and weekend brunch menu as well, though we were still quite stuffed from breakfast, and there was a set dinner package of beautiful local dishes and rice we added for dinners.
One point to be aware of is, though the food is delicious and portions are generous, it can take a long time to arrive, so be sure to order around an hour in advance of when you actually want to eat, especially if there are hungry kids.
Special requests? Ask the GM
We would recommend to speak with Taufik, the General Manager, upon booking for any special requirements you would have for your family during your stay. He will reply promptly to your requests. We would also add that some of the villas we toured are not kid-friendly in terms of safety. For example, there might be an infinity pool with a sharp drop off, or a steep hill with a beautiful view. These are perhaps for older children or a girls’ or couples’ weekend getaway and not suitable for younger children. Do be sure to let him know the ages of your children and anything important to you for your time there, and he will give you the best recommendation for your stay.
There are many hotels in Janda Baik, and while the price is more expensive at Embun, we can say it is the perfect spot for a luxurious and exclusive weekend away, and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed. More info on this place here.
