Balinese Paradise in Santa Monica

The al fresco bedroom off the master bedroom

This Balinese style home one block from Santa Monica beach has been our home this week. And let me just add that this home has been our best vacation rental home ever. The photos on the VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) website were wonderful, but we were so pleasantly surprised that photos alone couldn't adequately describe this fantastic home. The home is owned, from what little we discovered, by
an architect and his designer wife, along with their two boys. To say that the home is Balinese undermines the wealth of global influences around the house. From the Indian tapestries in the guest rooms to the collection of safari hats to the kilim rugs in the kitchen. It is very clear that the owners and their kids are a globetrotting bunch. 

The home is surrounded by other magnificent homes and a host of shops and restaurants along Montana street. The Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade is a short walk from the home. But what makes this home so incredible is the amount of time the owners spent refining the little details which equates to a home full of memorable discoveries. From the water  elements in the front and back yards, to the koi pond, to the abundance of plants and trees which secludes guests from the reality outside its walls. The main house has four bedrooms, an outdoor porch bedroom (pictured above), a formal living room, a television and music room, a family room off the gourmet kitchen, a basement music studio to an incredible back porch which overlooks the pool, koi pond, outdoor grill area, guest house and studio. The guest house has a master bedroom and a loft bedroom with two beds.

I highly recommend this home for the family looking for a global experience within the US. Coming from this luxury hotelier, this home in Santa Monica ranks up there.

View of the main house from the koi pond

My nephew in the koi pond

The pool and hot tub area

My nephew making smores in the "tribal council" fire pit in the backyard

The guest house

My nephew walking up the steps to the guest

house loft

Guest house master bedroom

Master bedroom spiral staircase. A loft space connects the kids bedroom

next door through a "secret" passageway

Kids bedroom with a rock climbing wall to the

loft and secret door to the master bedroom

Reflection of the master bedroom

Living room chess set

My daughter climbs the tree house in the front

yard. A smaller pond and and a vegetable garden

fills the rest of the front yard

My family hanging around the fire pit

Balinese daybed by the pool

Outdoor dining area between the guest house

and outdoor grill area

Swing overlooking the backyard

The pool at night

Desk in the master bedroom

Koi pond from the second floor outdoor bedroom

Front yard fountain

Picnic table and chairs in the front garden

Living room entry

Sitting area between the guest house and artist studio

My brother relaxes in the big porch overlooking the garden

Master bedroom tub

Drum set in the basement music studio