The Lungarno by Ferragamo, Florence. The Palazzo by Versace , The Gold Coast and now another world class designer shows her masterpiece in the peaceful surrounds of Jimbaran Bay, Bali.

Welcomed with cold towels and ginger tea we entered The Shaba. Instantly we could sense a different style and class. The owner Zohra Boukhari, a Moroccan born designer moved to Bali 17 years ago and using her heart and soul she brought ‘The Shaba’ to life.

Crystal chandeliers, old fashioned glass lanterns, parlophone record players and other antique artifacts were well placed around the manor and one could categorize The Shaba a mansion rather than a villa (a term being thrown around too loosely nowadays).

The butler showed us to our room, my wife’s jaw dropped as we entered the master suite. To the right a king size bed accompanied with crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings.

To the left a classic desk, a flat screen TV and double glass doors connecting to a spacious dress room. Through more glass doors, poised in the centre of the grand bathroom rested an antique bathtub.

The pictures on the walls could tell a thousand stories and the music playing softly in the background seems to be carefully selected to keep the ambience congruent with the surroundings.

The next morning breakfast was served. First up a tropical fruit salad, then crepes accompanied with homemade jams. Which were followed by a tasty omelette and softly scrambled eggs that we could barely finish.

We spend our morning lolling by the pool absorbing the atmosphere and the surroundings. For lunch we dined at Asam Garam, the restaurant of The Shaba. The Mint Cous Cous Salad and the Warm Prawn Noodle salad were our pick and both were Superb!

After a quick siesta we migrated back to the pool area for afternoon tea then we strolled down to the beach to watch the sunset in the magnificent Jimbaran bay. Among the seafood restaurants that line the shores we sat at a table with a candle already lit.

We couldn’t resist the lobster with king prawns and a bottle of wine. A band of Indonesians singing The Beach Boys classic Cocomo in the backround and the sound of the waves lapping on the shore. In short it was a weekend we could never forget.

The Shaba can be hired as a three bedroom mansion, or per suite. The diversity of this villa will suit an impressive wedding or as a great way to start a life together as newlyweds on a honeymoon. The Shaba is also suitable for family vacations or for a couple who wants to add a bit more spice & romance to their lives.